Rowena Writes

      Image source: Pinterest I'm the kind of person who believes that the world is a beautiful place. I choose to see the best in a situation. No matter how gloomy things may appear, there must be a silver lining somewhere. As an optimist, I want things to work out and I keep that hope in my heart. This doesn't by any means indicate that I'm blind to all the catastrophy and cruelty that goes on in the world. I've seen things and heard things that have shaken me to my core.  Often I read books and watch movies that don't sugarcoat suffering and that depict life realistically. Being an optimist doesn't mean turning away from reality in order to live in an injustice-free utopia. When I read stories where the characters go through painful events, I feel their pain and frustration. But throughout, I hold the faith and hope that they will rise up and their lives will change for the better. In spite of the sheer hopelessness that surrounds them, I refuse t...

After Landon Carter and his friends play a prank that leads to a student ending up in hospital, Landon is sentenced to community service that includes participation in the school play. Landon is popular and a rebel and he gets into trouble often. His anger stems from his father leaving him and his mother. The community service activities bring Landon closer to Jamie Sullivan, the baptist minister's daughter. The two of them have known each other since they were little, but Landon has always avoided being friends with her. Jamie is a sweet, soft-spoken and kindhearted person and is always willing to help anyone in need. Although she has few friends and people at school make fun of her, it doesn't deter her spirit.  Landon is cast in the play alongside Jamie and he asks her to help him with his lines. Jamie agrees, but has one condition: Landon has to promise that he won't fall in love with her. They practise at her house and start spending more time together. Whe...

Starr Carter is a sixteen year old girl who is in the midst of two worlds: Her neighbourhood, Garden Heights, and Williamson, the private school she attends. Starr's neighbourhood is a place where gangs, drugs and crime are often at the forefront. Williamson is the antithesis to that. Although Garden Heights is filled with violence and things might appear to be all sinister, people care about each other and look out for one another. There's a warmth and sense of home and community. Although Starr loves her home, she's torn between these two versions of herself. She calls the school version of herself 'Starr version 2.' At Williamson, Starr's afraid if she acts 'too black' she'll be labelled ghetto. And in Garden Heights, she can't act too 'Williamson.'  When Starr goes to a party with her friend Kenya, she sees her childhood friend, Khalil, whom she hasn't seen in a long time. The two catch up and everything's going gr...

Sara and Brian's daughter, Kate was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia when she was two years old. Kate's doctor told her parents that she wasn't going to live long. She needed a donor, but a stranger would've been too risky, so they tested Kate's older brother, Jesse. He wasn't a match. Brian and Sara decided to have another child who would be a genetic match for Kate, whom they named Anna. Anna donated cord blood cells, platelets and bone marrow. Her sister goes through periods of remission and relapse.  At sixteen, Kate needs a kidney because of renal failure. Although Anna desperately wants to help her sister, she also wants to be free of the responsibility of only being her sister's saviour. At the age of thirteen, Anna decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation. She realises the fatal impact her choice will have on Kate, but she wants to be an individual and do what's right for her body.  Upon receiving the papers, Sara is ...

My skin gets dry patches because of eczema. I also have acne. It often makes me feel insecure. There are times when I don't want to look in the mirror. But I've learned not to let my skin conditions determine my self-worth. Everyone has imperfections. Whether they choose to reveal or hide them. The world places such importance on the superficial. If there's a spot on your face or if you've gained a few pounds, you're judged based on that.  People have become addicted to the high that a social media like can bring. When they post a picture of themselves and it gets just one or two likes, it can make them question their beauty or make them think they have to change themselves. When has our value as human beings become equal to the number of Instagram likes, comments and follower counts we have? It's incredibly sad.  Your skin is beautiful as it is. It doesn't need to be blemish-free. Imperfections are what makes you beautiful. 

When listening to a sad song, the lyrics can evoke within you an abundance of emotions. You may shed tears and your heart may feel heavy. Even though those lyrics are speaking of heartbreak, it is compelling you to listen closely. There is a certain beauty in the melancholy.  People may associate sadness with gloom and grey skies, but it's an emotion that's so human. When you cry, you may feel inclined to hide any traces of your tears. Because you're scared of anyone seeing you experience anything other than sheer joy.  It may sound strange, but heartache is necessary. If you were only ever happy, you wouldn't appreciate happiness. If there were no tears, you wouldn't see the loveliness in a smile. It's just like if rain ceased to fall, rainbows would fail to leave you wonderstruck. We wonder why it is that we find peace in songs of sorrow. But it is because sorrow is a human emotion we all feel. Just like joy.  So sadness shouldn't be covered up...

            Photo source: TV Guide A man named Forrest Gump narrates his life story to strangers who sit next to him on a bench. He grew up in Greenbow, Alabama and he was raised by his mother. Due to a curved spine, Forrest had to wear leg braces as a child. Many people look down on him because of his low IQ. On the school bus, he meets Jenny, who lets him sit beside her. They become best friends and Jenny defends him against bullies. Forrest's leg braces fall off as he runs from a group of taunting boys.  When Jenny and Forrest grow up, they lead polar opposite lives. The abuse Jenny suffered in her childhood at the hands of her father, inflicted wounds that followed her like a shadow. Forrest's love for her never wavers and he hopes to be reunited with her. Throughout his life, Forrest has unknowingly  influenced key historical events and served as an inspiration for many.  People often refer to Forrest as 'stupid'. Because of ...

Lo and Rita are sisters who are trapeze artists. They travel with their circus family from town to town, never staying in one place for long. Although Lo is happy in the circus, she also wonders what life on the outside is like. She meets a boy named Dean and falls in love with him. Because he's a non-traveller, they arrange clandestine meetings. Lo finds out a shocking secret that turns her world upside down. She feels like she's losing her balance. Through all the unsteadiness in her community, Lo finds solid ground and a feeling of home with Dean. As the secrets bottle up inside of her, Lo makes a decision that has heartbreaking consequences.  Having read Paper Butterflies, I knew what to expect. I was mentally prepared for my heart to be shattered. Lisa Heathfield has a way of pulling you into the world she's created. You become so emotionally invested in the characters and their lives, that you just want to make everything better for them. It's clear fr...

      Photo source: writing_15_ I'd like to present a poem written by a friend of mine. She's fifteen years old and a very talented writer. You guys can check out her  Instagram . Writing_15_ also has a new  blog  where she posts her poetry, book reviews and short stories.  I watched you fade away,  slowly. Then all at once. Like I watched the petals of a flower, fall to the ground. Parts of you fell away faster than others.  Your sense of humour stayed, but your kindness fell of the stem.  You aren’t the same person you once were. Your petals continue to fall. You are slowly changing into nothing but a stem.  The water you need is no longer available, like the attention you no longer receive.  Your petals have fallen to the ground, leaving nothing but a stalk. You have changed, leaving nothing but a stranger.                               ...

Georgia is on a mission to find her missing boyfriend, Ezra. He left her with only one clue: A Post-It note declaring his plan to time-travel. Confused and beside herself, Georgia must scrape together pieces of the puzzle that could lead her to him. But if she finds him, will they be able to move forward? And does Ezra even want to be found? You can get it in any of  these stores .  

This book is the first installment in the Paper Stars series. It's a reimagining of Peter Pan and follows two teenagers named Nora and Kettle. They face extreme hardships and both of them long for the day when they will be able to fly away and touch the sky. Kettle is a Japanese American living on the streets with other lost children after the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Nora's home life in the brownstone walls is filled with violence, lies and perpetual danger. She dreams of being free and seeing what it's like outside of those walls that constantly torment her. When Nora and Kettle meet, they discover that there might be such a thing as pixie dust after all. But they must confront what's been making them run, so that they can finally fly. Nora & Kettle is one of those stories that leave an imprint on your memory long after you turn the last page. The writing is lyrical and poetic. It's rich in metaphors, and yet so simply told. The ch...

                                  Photo Source: Wikipedia On the 25th of March, an African American man named George Floyd was brutally and inhumanely murdered by a police officer. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on George's neck for several minutes. Despite George repeatedly telling him that he couldn't breathe, Derek Chauvin didn't lift his knee. George Floyd begged and pleaded for his life, but the former officers showed no remorse. They treated him with such cruelty. He was a human being and they tried to strip him of his dignity in broad daylight. The video is heartbreaking to see. No one deserves to be treated like that. He was a father, a brother, a friend and an uncle. In his final moments, George yelled out for his mother. The ultimate plea for your life. A cry to be heard. To be seen.  Police brutality and racism has a long history, not just in America, but all over t...

I published my first release on the 3rd of June with Draft2Digital and it was released yesterday. Die Gelukkigste Mense in die Wêreld is an Afrikaans short story about Hannah Jansen, a young woman who is so used to being independent that she pushes everyone away. She was raised by her grandmother after her parents allegedly abandoned her. Hannah's hurt has left her skeptical about people's true intentions. Will she learn to trust people and open her heart to a helping hand? And will she be able to find the answers to the questions she's always been silently asking?  Die Gelukkigste Mense in die Wêreld   will be free from today until the 15th and is available at select retailers. 

I've finished the first draft of my novel. It feels kind of surreal that I actually wrote an entire book. It's still a work in progress and not completely done, but I've written an entire draft and I'm very proud of myself for doing it. Without giving anything away, my story's premise is basically about a boy who is emotionally sensitive and a girl who has a disease that causes her not to feel pain. They face their own struggles and learn valuable lessons while navigating their lives and the world around them.  I researched Congenital Insensitivity to Pain(the condition my female main character has) and came across some heart-wrenching articles. When you think of pain, you try to do everything in your power to avoid it. But the thing that we often don't realise, is that pain is vital to survival. It can heal as much as it hurts. It's a part of life and it's sad to think that there are people who aren't able to experience it. As much as it...

Steffi has anxiety and is selectively mute. She knows basic sign language and is assigned to look after Rhys. He can't hear, but he listens and he and Steffi communicate in their own silent way. They navigate the world with a quiet power and show that a whisper can be louder than a shout. A Quiet Kind of Thunder left a mark on my heart. I can't even explain how much I enjoyed this book! The characters are so memorable and multilayered. Steffi and Rhys are an endearing pair and I love how they communicate with each other. Their relationship isn't perfect. It's messy and full of ups and downs, but that's what makes them real and relatable. There might be a barrier between them, but they work through it. This novel is beautiful, not only because of the love story, but also because of the relationships between the main characters and their families. This book shows that being gentle isn't a weakness and introverts can thrive in this world.

      Image via Pixabay A lot of people have the notion that there exists only good or bad people in the world. Black and white. Someone is either purely good or purely bad. No grey areas in between. It's like in fairytales, where there's the hero and the villain. The hero is perceived to be good and virtuous. And the villain or the "bad guy" is the polar opposite of this. Rarely do we see "good" characters whose flaws are highlighted. Or "bad" characters who also have good qualities. This black and white representation is harmful for many reasons. It can teach us that there are only two types of individuals in the world. It can lead to false ideas about what human beings really are.  When protagonists and antagonists are represented as purely good or bad, it can lead people to think that someone who is a good person can never do wrong. In life, people make mistakes. That is at the core of humanity.  No person on this earth is solely go...

The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful, heartbreaking and timeless story. Hazel and Gus are there for one another through every ordeal. They support each other through their illnesses and their love story is so real. Filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. They're aware of how short their time is, but it doesn't stop them from living and loving. Hazel feels like she's a grenade. She could obliterate everyone in her wake. But Augustus wants her to open her heart and let him in. He is a lovely character who would do anything for his loved ones. Hazel and Augustus are so sweet together. They both learn and grow throughout the story. The Fault in Our Stars inspires me in so many ways. I've learned that we can't take a single moment for granted. Because life is short and every day needs to be lived to the fullest.  Here are a few of the profound quotes from the novel: "That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt." "You don't ...

When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind. Wonder is a story about kindness, tolerance, friendship and acceptance. It's a story about showing empathy to people and seeing beyond the exterior. Standing out is better than blending in and differences need to be embraced. Auggie was reluctant to go to school because he was scared of people's reactions to his face. But he learned that he's beautiful, no matter what people say. He shows courage and bravery and perseverance through being himself. It's sweet how Summer and Jack showed true friendship to Auggie. They saw that he was funny and intelligent and a real friend. Mr. Browne's precepts is a brilliant teaching method. It was wonderful that there were people standing up for Auggie.

The world has this notion that appearances define who we are underneath. Not only is it superficial, but damaging. We're judged by our faces and the way we dress. But there's so much more to humans than the way they appear. It's heart-shattering to see how cruelly people are treated, based on their appearances. Children and adults with facial differences suffer extreme bullying. Some people even react in fear. It's sad, because people rarely take the time to get to know them. It makes one wonder if empathy is becoming extinct. What would it hurt to show some compassion? It's something that's free and absolutely necessary. Things like race, complexion and facial differences can never define a person. It's the heart that reveals endless beauty. In an ideal world, everyone would be given a fair chance. Everyone would be accepted for who they are. But since it's not a perfect world, we need to dig a little deeper. Look at more than just the cover...

The Gated community is a place of peace and harmony, where the members live serenely - on the outside. However, there is something dark and sinister lurking behind the gates. Lyla and her family have followed their leader, Pioneer, since joining the community. Pioneer appears to be a charismatic man who only wants the best for all his members. But after Lyla meets Cody, an outsider, she starts having doubts. Does Pioneer truly care for the community or is he driven by more selfish motives? This novel sent chills down my spine. Reading about life in a cult-like atmosphere makes one realise that cults have just as much power over their members today as they did in the past. People like Pioneer still exist and manipulate without batting an eye. The scariest part is that Pioneer is an ordinary man. He's not a horror movie monster with fangs. He could be anyone walking down the street. And that is what's so unsettling and disturbing. Pioneer's actions and psychologic...

                   Image via Pixabay The 30th of June is World Asteroid day. To raise awareness and to inspire new authors to publish mini-ebooks, Chinthaka Nanayakkara, the organiser of WRIPES, has invited writers to participate in this project.He edits the stories and creates beautiful covers.  Several talented writers have joined this project and published their Asteroid day stories on Sweek. These books are available in many languages, translated by the WRIPES-6 coordinators. My story, If an Asteroid falls on Cape Town, South Africa, can be read on the Sweet platform. It is also available in Afrikaans, Spanish(translated by Kathy Baker) and Portuguese(translated by Samantha F. Carneiro).  I hope that you will enjoy reading these stories and find something insightful in each of them.  Happy reading and writing!  Stay safe and blessed.

Oscar Dunleavy is a boy with a talent for making delicious apple tarts. He bakes these tarts as a way of giving hope to people. He has a gift for sensing the way others are feeling and smells things in the air that are abstract, like sadness. So, whenever someone is in despair, he bakes them an apple tart. Things change when Oscar vanishes. He is presumed dead after his bike is found in the sea. Everyone believes he died, except for his best friend, Meg, and little brother, Stevie. They go on a journey to find Oscar and the hope that was lost with him.  The Apple Tart of Hope is a wonderful story about hope, friendship and love. It also teaches that being unique is a good thing. No matter how people try to break you down, they can never take away the kindness in your heart. Being true to yourself is so vital in a world that wants to put you in a box.

                  Image via Pixabay Writing is a joyful activity. You can let your imagination run wild and let your creative juices flow. But it can also be frustrating when it seems as though those creative juices just don't want to flow. Writer's block can sometimes make you doubt yourself and your writing abilities.  It's something every writer goes through. Whether you're a brand-new author or you've published a few best-sellers already. I would like to share a few of the tricks that help me when I get writer's block. Maybe this will be of help to you as well.  Writing prompts This is a fantastic way to boost creativity. You can play around with it and add your own twist to stories, poems or essays.  Don't force it When writer's block strikes, forcing an idea to come to you can be counterproductive. Sometimes you simply need to step back. Go outside Taking some time to appreciate the majesty of God's work can s...