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Martina's Vision & InceptionThis story began in my mind close to twenty years ago, in a dream. It became a recurring dream from day one, always bringing on new characters, scenes, and scenarios. Over time, I grew to know the characters quite well. Just imagine befriending someone, and forming a friendship as time passes. This was exactly the same, only the people appeared in one lucid dream after another, during my time of paradoxical sleep, otherwise known as REM. This perpetual dream would sometimes linger for months on end, then suddenly disappear. Without warning, it would just as quickly, reappear... randomly. It was like having that old friend just drop by, unannounced. Strangely comforting, yet oh, so familiar. This cycle has continued intermittently over the past twenty years. As of yet, there is no end in sight. And so, our journey continues on... Martina |
From Martina's Humble Beginnings...
Through Creativity, and the Life She Lives Today. 
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Martina Potucek-Palladino lives in New Jersey with her two children and their dog. She emigrated from Czechoslovakia with her family at the young age of 4. Their destination was America, but their stepping-stone was West Germany. While in West Germany, they resided in a refugee camp in Zundorf. Arriving in the United States on September 11th that same year, Martina has lived in New Jersey ever since.
Martina shares, "There are three books I've envisaged writing in my lifetime; a cookbook (ok, three of those to be exact), my life's journey, and a fantasy novel based on the dream I had many years ago. And yes, in that order." Instead of that order, she chose to start with the creatively hardest one, maybe to just get it out of the way... as it is a series. During our recent quarantine/stay-at-home order, she sat down and wrote book four in less than four weeks. The amazing artist she works with, Whendell Souza, whendell.deviantart.com, just finished the interior illustration for book three, which is just weeks away from being published. A few weeks later, book 3, the censored version, will also be published. Then onto book 4 cover. It never stops! The blog she started on this website starts at the beginning and takes you through book one. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Martina was shy throughout her childhood, mainly because of her language barrier. So in order to overcome her shyness, she pursued outgoing, 'extroverted' professions. From becoming a hair stylist/nail technician, swimsuit model-and appearing on two swimsuits calendars, walking in fashion shows, and minor acting roles, to writing/starring in commercials, and yes, ballroom dancing, Martina aspired to try it all! She learned a few languages but was far from done. She attended a year of medical school, worked in health care for a 'moment,' and developed & published some of her own original cooking recipes, including one that won a contest and landed in a cookbook. In 2013, Martina's inventive flair pulled her back to creating and she became a designer. She started an accessories business where she designs and creates handmade scarves, and is currently working on a unique line that will compliment her fantasy series novels. She sells on Amazon and her website is www.5thavenueflair.com. Her company name is 5th Avenue Flair. Today, Martina enjoys freelancing as the editor for "ZENSATIONS MAGAZINE," inspired by fashion and film, was the original editor for a fashion & lifestyle magazine called, "FabUK Magazine," and collaboratively wrote/edited a non-fiction memoir project. She continues to apply her creative writing and editing skills in other projects, as she has a desire to reach others through the written word. By day, Martina is Lash Extension Specialist, and continues to design and create her scarves. In what's left of her spare time, Martina loves gardening, cooking/baking, and spending time with her children and dog. |
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Over the years, I have thought about bringing this story to life three times. The first time was a brief moment that came and went. I didn't even mention it to anyone, I just talked myself out of it. The second time I did verbally mention it in passing, but it never became the topic of any conversation for more than a minute. So they say the third time's a charm. In August of 2014, my son came to me and said he wanted to write a book. I was so excited, I even offered to help any way I could. Then he said it was to be a comic book, which I know nothing about! So we surfed the web for info. During this conversation, my daughter heard us talking and said she would write a book as well. Her book would be about a lost kitten who was found and rescued by her animal friends. I was thrilled to see their excitement and enthusiasm as I've had a love of books throughout my entire life. And just then, my daughter had an idea, she suggested we become a family of 'authors.' They both loved the idea and urged me to write a book too. Well, there was only one story that I knew I could tell. Only one familiar tale that finally needed to be told. And so, the characters in my mind, who became the friends and enemies in my head, were given life. and some, even a voice. It only made sense to just write my story as I see it in my mind. Writing, for me, is a collaborative effort on the part of the characters involved. In order to get a true sense of what a character feels, thinks, or does, I decided that some of them needed a voice. This first book is mostly narrated by the main character, but four other voices share their perspective in this story. The second book is narrated by eight people, and book three, by eleven. This narrative is purely a work of fiction, sometimes referred to as magical realism. |