Hey Everyone!
I recently started a new section on my website for reviewing indie books. I hope you check out my article about indie books. Also, if you are an self-published author, I would love to hear from you! I want to read and review your work and promote it to my followers (all 30K of them!).
Email me if you’re interested! author.mbkeen@gmail.com
Indie authors are the hidden gems of the literary world. Here’s why you should read their work: www.mbkeen.com/read-indie-books/
The Postman Always Rings Twice is a classic noir, mystery novel by James M. Cain. First published in 1934, the book became notorious for its graphic sexual and violent scenes, thus becoming banned in Boston. It’s a fast-paced and engaging read which became the bases of several movies and the inspiration for Albert Camus’s novel “The Stranger”. Read my review about the two things I liked and the two I didn’t quite enjoy about The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Crafting the perfect story is a delicate and time-consuming art. But how much time exactly should it take you to finish writing your story? Read my take on this subject: https://mbkeen.com/long-write-story/
In a town along the Caribbean, during a time when the Cholera epidemic had not yet fully abated, Florentino Ariza, a simple young man who works in the post office, and Fermina Daza, the daughter of a suspiciously wealthy man, fall in forbidden love. But their romance is short lived. After Lorenzo, Fermina’s father finds out about the innocent letters exchanged between his daughter and a common boy, he forbids the relationship and does everything in his power to prevent it from flourishing including marrying his daughter to the wealthy doctor Juvinal Urbino.
Read the full review on my website: http://www.mbkeen.com/review-love-in-the-time-of-cholera and please subscribe to my newsletter 🙂
Before I start, I would like to thank you all for the constant support. My writing journey has been winding and arduous, but your encouragement made it all worthwhile.
As I mentioned in my previous post, having a free WordPress blog is a great way to start blogging and building an audience but it’s not a functional way to monetize your website. Having a self-hosted website and installing WordPress to it is the best bet. That is what I did when I started my new blog www.mbkeen.com
I use the self-hosting service Bluehost. It’s slightly more expensive than GoDaddy but they offer services and customer support that makes it worth it. Check them out!
Disclaimer: The links used above for BlueHost are affiliate links. It’s no extra charge to you if you purchase, but BlueHost would throw a few cents my way as a thank you.
Given that I haven’t been active the past two years, I’m sure many of you have lost interest in my content. I am sad to see some of you go, but I am excited for the new chapters in my life and all the opportunities and challenges they are bringing to my personal and writing life.
In 2014, personal circumstances rendered me bedridden with depression. During that period, my only solace was my writing and that was when I wrote the the first book in the children’s book series I’m currently working on. The novel is about a young boy living in a dark town who is forced to hide his talents from his family and society for fear of being prosecuted. It follows his journey of growth and understanding as he tries to find a way to escape the oppressive society he lives in while also trying to make a difference in it. But with the perils surrounding the town, the only thing more dangerous than staying is trying to run away. I’m currently writing the second book in this series.
Countless rounds of edits, a couple of rejections slips, and a disappointing indie publishing attempt later, I am back to blogging with more rigor and experience than ever. In my new blog I will be sharing tips on novel, script, short story and article writing, as well as editing, proofreading and marketing your work. I will also be posting book reviews, handy products and software for writers, writing resources, and much more.
Check out my latest post: 9 Ultimate Sources for Writing Ideas
I hope you find my content useful. Please subscribe to my newsletter at http://www.mbkeen.com to receive notifications of new posts. Hope to see you there! What have you all been up to? Comment below. I would love to catch up with all of you!
A few months ago, I wrote a post about the struggles of living in Las Vegas without a car. The bad news is, I still don’t have a car. But the good news is, you get to hear more about my silly struggles. Yay!
First of all, let me explain, because I’m sure many of you are wondering why a young, intelligent person couldn’t get herself a car within 6 months. Well, the answer is simple, I spent the money I saved and went to New York City. Twice.
I know, I know, I’m sorry okay? I just couldn’t help it! I mean look at this place.
It had been my dream to visit New York City since I was a five year old, especially in the fall season. Actually, I also wanted to visit it during Christmas but I was able to control myself and not go. Well, my account did all the controlling for me… So anyway, I chose to fuel my soul and cross something off my bucket list instead of comfort and crossing something else off my bucket kist. And believe me, I don’t regret it one bit.
I didn’t regret it when an old man pissed his pants while sitting next to me on the bench of the bus stop then got on the bus and took a seat. I didn’t regret it when I spent over a $200 in Uber rides last month because we have that in Las Vegas now and it’s making me lazy. I didn’t regret it when I waited for thirty minutes for the bus to arrive in the dead cold and got sick for two weeks. And I’m not going to regret it now that I feel like a burden to all my friends because they have to pick me up and drop me off whenever we need to go out.
Does it vex me that I have to leave my house at least at hour ahead of time to get anywhere where it would take me 10 minutes to get there with a car? Does it drive me insane that whenever I’m on time the bus arrives early and I miss and then the next bus is late? Does it trouble me that I have to walk home many times because I can get there quicker than if I take a bus? Yes. Yes. And not so much now, but Vegas summer is right around the corner… But the point is, I have a plan. Of course, I had a plan six months ago, so don’t mind me, I may just be back in a few months to tell you how it all went wrong again.
Until then, keep me in your thoughts and prayers whenever you get into your car in the morning and turn your heaters on. Let me be your gentle reminder not to take anything for granted.
Happy belated Christmas to all my friends. How was everybody’s holiday? 🎄✨
Mine was pretty cozy. I spent some time with my friends and their family, had a quick business meeting and, of course, done some writing because, let’s face it, dreamers don’t take days off.
You know what they say, home is where the heart is. Well to me, home is where the wifi connects automatically. It’s also where you can show up unannounced, open the fridge and eat all the guacamole because you can’t wait for dinner anymore.
Stay tuned for some cool posts and exciting news soon! How was your holiday?
Words of Margaux 