Book Review - Twisted Velvet Chains- by Jessica Bell

WOW...Where do I start?

From the first insightful poem of 'Bipolar Tongues' right through to the very emotive and touching finale of 'Thorns Like Dough' Jessica Bell draws you in and keeps you with her through the stark reality of a Daughter's relationship with her Bipolar Mother, from childhood to adulthood.

Try as I might, I just could not put this book down.

The power of punctuation.

As a writer, one of the many things I have trouble with is punctuation. Just when I think I have a handle on where I should place a comma, colon, semi-colon etc. I then over think the whole thing and end up putting them where I shouldn't, giving a whole new meaning to what I have written.

The following is a prime example of this:

More news.

Just over one month ago, I was invited to join the editorial team for WRITELINK'S Christmas E-zine, 'WRITELINKERS'

Naturally, I jumped at the chance to work along side the more experienced members of the community's elite, Maureen Vincent-Northam and David Robinson, eager to glean what knowledge I could. And what an experience it turned out to be!

I'm back!

Forgive me, for it has been many, many months since my last post  / confession and much has happend during this time.

Firstly, I have had some competition success with a variety of my poetry. The most significant of which involved a CASH prize. (Yep...that's right, real money with the Queen's head, watermarks and everything!)

Another sample from my forthcoming book  ENCOUNTERS:

Oblivion

I sit alone,

as the world walks by

oblivious to my pain,

as am I...now.

Financial Elder Abuse - A case history.

The following case study focuses on the repeated ‘Financial abuse’ of an elderly woman.

A definition of financial abuse:

 ‘Stealing from, defrauding someone of, or coercing someone to part with goods and or property.’ (Action on Elder Abuse.)

Case Study  Mary

Mary is now 88 years old and lives alone. She has a variety of medical conditions that reduce her ability to mobilize without the aid of a wheeled trolley. She also suffers from severe hearing loss. This has the added effect of causing further social isolation. She refuses to attend any of the available Day Centres, as she feels unable to communicate or join in conversations.

Writer of the Month submission - Elder Abuse

If I mention the word ‘Abuse,’ what springs to mind?

I am willing to wager that ‘Elder Abuse’ was not your first thought, which is hardly surprising considering it remains largely unreported in the media.

What constitutes ‘Elder Abuse?’