Meet My Hero...Who's Yours?

Tuesday, October 22, 2013



Today is a wonderful day in my writing life. In 2005, I wrote the story of a courageous boy. Put him in competition in 2009 and finally today, I’m proud to release Saving Sam to the world.

In keeping with our National Heroes’ Day celebrations in Jamaica, Sam and I are asking Who’s Your Hero? Tell us in 300 words or less about someone who has been a source of inspiration in your life. Thanks so much for participating. Make sure you give yourself a chance at winning the gift voucher. If you're not signed up, you still have time as we'll be celebrating through Thursday. Read about my hero...



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Find Sam on Amazon

Enjoy the blogfest!

56 comments:

  1. I'm sure your mum would be so proud of you and all your accomplishments. And I think you are your son's hero.

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    1. Clarissa, thanks for coming by. She never saw my work published and I know she would have been really proud of that. For right now, my son's a total oligarch. He just wants me to make money so I can give him luxuries. :)

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  2. I'm sure your son will know your mom through you sharing your wonderful memories of her. Women are strong and your mother is one example of how they can pull through for their kids. Thanks so much for offering this opportunity to blog about our hero. It was an emotional time for me, but very fulfilling to write about my hero, Brenie Frens. Looking forward to the blogfest the next couple of days and meeting new reader and writers. Wishing you all the best with your new release!

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    1. JQ, yes, I have been telling him stories about my mother. It did bring back a lot of memories while I wrote the post. Thanks so much for your good wishes.

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  3. That is wonderful! Your mother was a tough woman then.
    Mine goes up tomorrow.

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    1. For sure, she keep food on the table and a roof over our heads and all the good stuff that teenage girls think they need, but only want.

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  4. Posting mine later this week!

    Your mom sounds a lot like mine. We didn't always have money, but she made sure I had everything I could ever need.

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  5. Beautiful post about the woman who gave you so much! Thanks for sharing your hero with us.

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    1. Thanks so much, Shallee. My mother was a generous giver by nature.

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  6. This was very moving. Good luck to you and Saving Sam!

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  7. Yes, I see the similarities here J.L. Such women who lived for us. Much love

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    1. Mothers do live for their kids, even when it costs them dearly.

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  8. She would be so happy to see what you've accomplished. My mom is my hero too, along with my dad.

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    1. Holly, I wish she had lived long enough to see me published. Parents rock!

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  9. I can understand why your mum is your hero.
    She reminds me so much of my mum (who is also my hero), a strong and resilient woman who also sacrificed a lot, and taught us that hard work has never killed anybody...
    Thanks for sharing this Joy.

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    1. Michelle, thanks. Sacrifice. Seems that's what parents do without even thinking about what it costs them.

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  10. I echo Clarissa. And the blurb you wrote about your mom being your hero is touching. But you are a hero.r

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    1. Thanks, Peaches. She showed me how to keep moving forward despite the circumstances. So many lessons learned without knowing I was absorbing them.

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  11. Congrats, Joy. Your writing candle keeps burning. Keep pouring out the books. I post my review soon.

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  12. My dad died when I was 11 and don't remember lacking for anything either.

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    1. Diane,
      I guess that's what Mom's do, Diane. They keep us sheltered from the storms of life while they have to be strong.

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  13. That was a lovely story. It's heartwarming to hear about people who make a difference to others.

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    1. Liked the story about your dad, Deanie. He'd definitely an inspiration!

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  14. It can't have been easy for her at all but she clearly did a great job bringing you up. What a great blogfest.

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    1. True that - the fact that life wasn't easy for her. She did good in her time though. Taught me to work for whatever I want.

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  15. Your mom is a hero. Lovely tribute and huge congrats to you!

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  16. My mother is also my hero. :) Really enjoyed reading your story--captured a lot of my sentiments toward my own mom.

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    1. Glad you liked it, E.J. Mom's do such much to make our lives better.

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  17. She sure does sound heroic! Moms FTW! What a lovely tribute, Joy. I'm sure she's proud of you and smiling down from heaven.

    Congrats on your release!! :D

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    1. PK, unfortunately many mothers have to be heroic on this island as way too many raise their children along. Thanks for your kind words and for coming by.

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  18. Congratulations on your book release, J.L.! You must be so thrilled, and it's heartening to know that even though it took 13 yrs, you achieved your dream. You inspire all of us.

    I loved the essay about your mom. My hero is Thomas Edison. He was a brilliant inventor and made most of his patents available to the general public with no fees, just wanting to share his ideas with the world and make it a better place.

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    1. Thanks, Lexa. That's a good choice for a hero. Didn't know that his patents were freely given. Now that's generosity for you.

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  19. Congratulations Joy on the release of Sam. I am looking forward to reading it. Loved reading about your mum. My biggest hero is my dad, but I have posted about him before and thought I'd go with a fictional character this time. I double booked, so will be posting as late as I can on the 24th, as I have Yolanda guesting from this morning on my blog.

    Denise :)

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    1. Hi, Denise,
      Can't wait to see what you come up with. I'll look out for your post. Will also check out Yolanda's post.

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  20. Ah, that was sweet Joy. And congrats on the release of such a beautiful story. I didn't know you wrote kidlit as well as romance. Very cool.

    I picked a writing hero - my critique group.

    .........dhole

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  21. Hi, Donna,
    Thanks for coming on board. I do write a mish-mash of things. Romance is my first love though. :)

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  22. What a great lady. You are most certainly a tribute to her. I'm sure she feels alive to your son by the way you share her with your words.

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  23. This is such a touching and beautiful tribute to your mother. Obviously a very special lady.
    Congrats on your release!

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  24. Thanks, Elizabeth. I do try and tell my son about her, so he know how she felt about him although she only knew him for two months.

    Thanks so much, Julie! She was pretty special.

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  25. What a wonderful example she set for you. It's no wonder you have so much integrity. I really appreciate your hosting this blogfest. It's been inspiring. Thanks, Joy!

    xoRobyn

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  26. Mothers are awesome like that. I'm certain yours is watching over you and is very proud of you and your son. =)

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  27. Joy, I'm thrilled to see all the books you have coming out. :D It's awesome.

    And a wonderful hero you had. It made me think of my nieces who lost their dad 3 years ago, about the same age you were.

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  28. You mum sounds like she was super special, and definitely a great heroic figure. It's good to have a hero like that. I think my hero is my husband.

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  29. Thanks again, Robyn. Your post was inspiring, as is your hero.

    Patricia, thanks for stopping in. That's a lovely thought.

    Thanks, Mary. I got a couple more to come before year end. Busy days ahead, but the major part of the work is already done. Hope your nieces are coping okay. It's especially painful for young children to lose their parents.

    She was Lynda and aren't spouses wonderful?

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  30. Your mom sounds like she possessed a beautiful soul and spirit. She reminds me of my grandmother who passed away two years ago at 87. She was a strong woman as well and even stronger after she became a widow with five children.

    I'm so grateful God allowed her to spend time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. I know your son knows how awesome she was. I didn't get to know my great grandmother, but I've heard so much about her my entire life. She's another one of my heroes too.

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  31. Sad that your mom didn't live long enough to know your son, but you can show him pictures and tell him the stories that make her your hero. I love the premise behind Saving Sam, too. I'm hooked!

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  32. She did, Clarissa and women are such strong people. Can't imagine raising 5 kids by myself, but your grandmother did it. Now that's a strong woman.

    Shell Flower, true, we can give him a sense of family by telling him stories and going through our albums.

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  33. Lot of very strong women out there, pulling a very heavy load and succeeding. Sounds like your mom was in that group.

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  34. She sure was, Lee.

    Hey, Misha. Moms ares super-special to us.

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  35. Nice tribute to your mom. I have a great mother who is still living. My father died 23 years ago when he was only 67. He was pretty cool too. Parents who don't sacrifice a lot for their kids are not doing the job they're supposed to be doing.

    Lee
    Check out my interview with viral blogger Liza Long
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Thanks for dropping in, Arlee. Glad you still have your mother with you. I think you've nailed it. Parents are called upon to make all kinds of sacrifices to better the lives of their children.

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  36. What a wonderful testament to your mother :-) I'm sure she'd be so proud of everything you've accomplished. Congratulations on the release of Saving Sam!

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