Me, Marsha Marie

  Dear Journal,  Today I want to talk about one of my favorite pictures of all time. Aside from my own children's baby pics of course, I can stare at this pic of my mother all day long. She was only 17 and was editor of her high school newspaper in Columbus, Ohio back in 1961.  Come appreciate a few details of this pic with me.  Firstly, take a look at those pin-curls. My mother had straight-as-a-nail hair; and would sleep with pins in her hair to get that full poof in the front. Well done Mom!!!!  I don't see any make-up, but my mother had a natural beauty about her. And that skirt!!! Is to die for?! Pencil skirts are still one of my favs to this day. Oldie but a goodie.  And did anyone catch a glimpe at that typewriter? Wow! That is vintage, isn't it? Look how big it is. (You know I have to say it........that's what she said. LOL) It is amazing to look at my adorable mother frozen in time, doing something that she loved---writing and paying close attentio...

The ASK ME ANYTHING event turned out to be an amazing experience. I received very engaging questions, which gave me the opportunity for more inner reflection. Here are the questions and answers from the Feb 4, 2018, live AMA event.  (Note that the questions are in the order received.)  Q. Are you part of any organization or advocate groups that help and assist people who have same experience as you? Yes. Since my return to the States, I have joined several groups as a regular member and speaker. My goals is to spread my story in hopes that someone who might be in my same position will not repeat what I did, but find the courage to speak up and tell someone. I have joined the following:  National Coalition Against Domestic Violence ( http://www.ncadv.org/ ) Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence ( http://www.acesdv.org/ ) (I am also a member of the survivor advisory committee called: S.H.A.R.E. http://www.a...

It's ready!!! If you think hard enough about your life, a thousand ideas will come to mind that you want to share with the world. Things that you know that others would benefit from somehow---if even only for a minuscule amount. Or perhaps things that would just be really great topics to sit around and talk about with friends or family. Well, I have a thousand of them, too. But in my latest ebook, 75+ Things I Learned Living 22 Years Abroad , I narrowed it down to just under a 100 or so. 75+ Things I Learned Living 22 Years Abroad , is an honest view about my life's lessons during my time living in Asia and the Middle East in my 22 years of self-exile. I think the most interesting thing about this book, was that I learned so much about myself. I took the time to really think about what I had learnt; and as a result, it has really shown me that I am who I am today because of these invaluable lessons. 75+ Things I Learned Living 22 Years Abroad , is availab...

Happy New Year! Did you know that next week is the ASK ME ANYTHING online event? It will be on February 4, 2018, at 7am Phoenix-time! Event title is: I lived a 14-year-self-exile in a Pakistani village to escape my abuser. I wrote a book telling my story. Ask me anything.     Get your questions in today! https://authorsama.com/i-lived-a-14-year-self-exile-in-a-pakistani-village-to-escape-my-abuser-i-471393 Here are a few of the questions that have been submitted already: Why didn’t you call the police instead of just hiding in Pakistan? How did you overcome all those experiences? If you were offered a TV or film adaptation of your life story, would you do it? Did you and your children need to learn a whole different language while staying in Pakistan? What is the best advice you can give to other battered wives and women who are victims of domestic abuse? How was it like living in seclusion for 14 years? Did you ever regret anythi...

Holiday greetings to all, This week I have writing on the brain. Have you ever wanted to just write something, but thought, Nah! I can't write . I know exactly how that feels; I used to think like that. Even though I had had several magazine articles published in UAE, and then a self-published memoir, Bangles (Book 1) under my belt, I honestly didn't think of myself as a writer. It wasn't until I heard Big Magic on audiobook, that I let go of my own inhibitions and decided, YES! I AM A WRITER. Do I write just for myself? Not always. Most of the time I write because I want to share some kind information or knowledge with the world. (You know, leave the world a little bit of a better place than when you found it.) See, by nature, I love helping and encouraging others, and so, I attempt to do this thru my writings. True, there are times when I just want to rant on about something stupid, irritating or even petty, but after all, I...

      Hi All, In this week's blog we are going to look at an article taken from Teacher Talk: A Collection of Magazine Articles for Teachers (Book 3). Although it was first penned in 2012, the information is equally as valid today. If you have always wanted to be a writer, then here is your chance. November is approaching fast, and soon the inspired writers of the non-profit organization National Novel Writing Month (known as NaMoWriMo) will unite with fiery to punch out the tall tales that burn within. Come each November 1, aspiring writers from around the world take to their keyboards and feverishly attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. If the novelist is successful, they are awarded an official certificate and badge from the NaMoWriMo organization.  But, if they don’t make the mark, no harm done.  You see, the fun part of this yearly event is the process of writing, and the personal satisfaction of fulfilling one’s goal. ...