From beyond

I've been busy finishing the edits on my latest book, vacationing and working. I've been catching up on the original Doctor Who shows from my youth. (I have all 26 seasons and specials) while I wait for series 7. The Sci Fi/Horror Convention in Louisville, KY was a lot of fun. I met the fifth Doctor and many other celebrities. I am a fan of sci fi, silly humor and most things geeky. I also love the Classics...art, literature, music... I hope to have my European vacation before too long. I watched Craig Ferguson's week in Scotland, which was interesting. He traveled by Tardis from the States, since he is a Doctor Who fan. I bet he wished he could actually have done that.
  So, I'm checking in with the cyber world as I toil away on my (top secret) projects and finish my current ones. Now I must return to the dimension of time and space where reality is a bit askew.
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Living Day by Day

Why is it that tortured souls sometimes make great authors? Anything that is intensely felt, transfers itself eloquently to the written word. The feelings, some good, some bad, can be so intense that the individual must purge the emotions via pen and paper (or database). The result can be cathartic to the writer and fascinating to the reader. Edgar Allen Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Ernest Hemingway, and Oscar Wilde all use their writing as a way to release their inner soul. They felt and lived deeply. If an author doesn't have a cause, passion or deep thought, most likely the author will not sell very many books. In order to convey emotion, one must feel it. I don't think Stephen King felt the horror that he portrays necessarily, but he does have a passion. He's written editorials and given his opinions on a myriad of social inequities in society. He can connect to his stories because he connects to the world in some way.

  I may not be tortured at this point in my life, but I have felt that way in earlier times. It is difficult to live a life without experiencing all the emotions humans are gifted with. They all, including the bad ones, have a purpose. We may look back and find moments of regret. There may be times that we really didn't like who we were. Those time serve an important part of our existence. It gives us direction. It shows us who we want to be and who we are. How sad life would be without any direction in it. Imagine living a life without hopes, dreams and goals. At the same time, we must follow our instincts and the signs all around us. They give us direction and purpose. We must follow through with our passions. If we don't, what is the point? Having a loving family is wonderful, but we need to love ourselves first or we have nothing to give. So, live large, listen to that inner voice which is always whispering to you and love your moments. Because, right now is all you'll ever have. Life is one long string of todays - make them lovely, or, at the very least make them satisfying.

A Writer's Life

Oscar Wilde statue in Dublin 

Major writing, editing and other projects have been keeping me from updating my blog.  I have been doing tons of reading. Reading helps me become a better writer and it relaxes me. Recently, I've been reading books about Oscar Wilde, written by his son Vyvyan Holland. I've also been reading Oscar Wilde's life in letters, edited by his grandson, Merlin Holland. They are wonderful and insightful. It gives the reader a unique perspective on Wilde's life, ideas and passions. He was a very intelligent and talented man who was definitely ahead of his time. Its sad that his sexual orientation is all that people tend to mention when referring to Wilde. His grandson, who was recently present at the re-dedication of Oscar Wilde's tomb, said that his private life should be just that, private and a small part of who he was. The tomb was surrounded by plexiglass in order to protect it from too many kisses. In today's world, his private life wouldn't have made much of a difference. Yet, in the strict Victorian world, it was his downfall. It was a sad end to a brilliant mind. I highly recommend these books. Some are out of print and can be found on ebay from time to time. Walking to the beat of a different drum requires bravery, determination and intelligence. Oscar Wilde had all three and then some. Also available is the film "Wilde" starring Stephen Frye.

Son of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde a Life in Letters

Coffee With Oscar Wilde

Inspiration is everything. If the timing, atmosphere, environment or mood isn't in sync with what you are trying to accomplish, then you are undertaking a task in futility. That being said, if productivity is essential then the situation must be remedied. You can't force it. Use images, music or videos to assist your mind to focus on the idea at hand. Then close your eyes and let the inspiration in. Breath in deeply and hold it. Then let it out slowly through your mouth. This helps you connect to your source. Release anxiety and find your inner peace. Creativity comes from this place. Throughout your day, take notes when something inspires you because you may forget it later. Dreams, interactions and everyday life inspires all of us if we quiet our ego. The thoughts which downplay everything and looks for trouble come from the ego. The place that society programmed into us. By finding the creativity and beautiful things in life, you starve the ego. The self sabotaging part of your brain that needs to be subdued. Then we can create and live a fulfilling, joyful life.

Alive Inside Clip of Henry.m4v

This is what music can do for the human soul. The same goes for reading great works. The human psyche has a wonderful connection to the creative arts. It can't be explained completely in scientific terms. However, scientists do know that the connection exists. Music Therapy is a career where music is used to help the mentally or physically challenged. I find that music, art and reading opens up something inside me. When exposed to great works, I find my own creativity sparked. Anyone who has a passion understands the symbiotic relationship between the passion and the soul. Here's to music and all the creative arts! May the world live its passion and give up its destruction. Love, not hate is what makes the world go 'round!

Promotions and new ideas

The free book promotion was a great success! I made it to #2 on Amazon's best selling children's science & nature books. Sure it was free but it isn't easy getting people from all over to download enough to make it to the top. Giving your book away for free has its advantages. You garner interest in your writing. You get people, who would otherwise not read your work, to actually read your work. I met other authors on the list. I made contact with an agent and met tons of new readers. Hopefully the new contacts will mean future books sales. Regardless, it was a learning experience. Obviously you wouldn't want to give away new books. This book, however, has been out long enough to merit a free give away. Also, the second book in the series will be out soon and I wanted to introduce the public to the story line. The one thing I've learned about the whole literary business is to never give up. That is, assuming, it is your passion. Whatever it is that makes life worth living, follow it. Because that's what its all about, isn't it? Living life to the fullest and following your passions.

Free book this weekend!

The Wormhole Adventures

If you don't have a kindle, don't fret. Here's the free kindle PC app. Amazon offers many free classic books since they're public domain. I love Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, Oscar Wilde, just to name a few. They also offer many free promotional books. Authors do this in order to get people to read their book. This weekend only, my book The Wormhole Adventures: Travel Is Relative will be available free for the kindle! Yes, that's right, free! It is a special promotion since the sequel will be coming out soon. So check it out before April 1st. You can't go wrong with free.

A New Chapter

I've just come from the aether where thoughts, writing and ideas take over. I've been seriously writing, editing and creating. Sometimes a person needs to dive into many projects all at once. The inspiration kept tugging at me until it finally engulfed my very being. I have been driven to finish long forgotten projects and start new ones. Anyone who has ever had a passion about something understands what I'm talking about. Its like the outside world disappears and all that you see is your object of desire. You can no longer function until you release all of your creative energy into your obsession. I feel free and clear now that I've allowed myself a sabbatical. I'm ready to face the literary world head on. I truly believe that there is a "soul agent/ publisher" out there for me. I am fortunate that my first book continues to sell well. I've always known that there was a market for truly educational children's books. So many of these types of books gloss over information and sometimes even misinform. My second book in the Wormhole series is complete. I need to find a new publisher for a myriad of reasons and shall leave no stone unturned. My Allegory novel is complete as well. It is like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.
So here's to following the road of inspiration in all its glorious forms.