Author Archives: Shykia

Banned Books Week Highlight: Fahrenheit 451

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Shykia

  In a world where speed, noise and the latest in technology and entertainment supersedes compassion for one’s fellow man, how is it possible to preserve the essence of what makes us human? How much of life do we truly … Continue reading →

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Banned Books Week

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Shykia

The written word wields remarkable power. It can shape and sway the minds of readers. So, it’s no surprise that every so often comes a time when the powers that be deems a work of literature too taboo for the … Continue reading →

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Summer’s Last Dance

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Shykia

The beach clears, the painterly sky darkens, muted pastels fading. The vast ocean crashes into the surf, its waves now too cold for wading. Stragglers linger, some hand-in-hand, and stroll the crumbling boardwalk, Some cuddle close, sheltered from the wind, … Continue reading →

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A New Beginning: Welcome to the World, Francesca!

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Shykia

It is with great pride and joy that Max and I announce the arrival of our daughter, Francesca Mildred Bell! She was born at 6:37 PM on Friday, March 20, 2015, which I will forever remember as the day when my … Continue reading →

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Remembering a Dream Amid the Sting of Reality

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Shykia

Today, as legions honor the memory of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I reflect on how far we’ve come since his societal contributions and how far we have to go. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve … Continue reading →

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Short Story: Old Acquaintance

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Shykia

The swarming crowd cheered and prepared to count down from ten as the sparkling orb descended. Strobe lights and camera flashes played in random patterns as one year prepared to pass the baton to the next. The crowd’s drunken enthusiasm … Continue reading →

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A Disease as Bad, if not Worse, than Ebola

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Shykia

With all the recent obsessive media coverage about Ebola, many people don’t realize they’ve been infected by a disease of a different sort. It affects a much larger group of people without the need for physical contact and can go … Continue reading →

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Hope for the Future

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Shykia

There are several reasons why I’ve been a ghost on social media these days. There has been much that has demanded my attention and focus. Basically, life has thrown a lot my way in the last six months. Among them, … Continue reading →

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The Quest For Originality: Motivation for Writers and Artists

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Shykia

  There are no new ideas in the world of writing. Everything has already been done and redone. Now what?! I’ve been hearing this a lot lately. Honestly, I’ve sometimes felt this way myself and wondered how could one achieve … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Dawn by Octavia Butler

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Shykia

Lilith Iyapo awakens aboard an alien vessel hovering above a post-apocalyptic Earth. She soon discovers that hundreds of years have elapsed since the fiery conclusion of the planet’s final war, which claimed the lives of her husband and son. The … Continue reading →

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