Free Spirit

A Win-Win With Great Blogs Almighty!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

How about a round of applause for Connie Arnold and Jean Henry Mead, the first place and first runner up winners respectively, in our just concluded "Finish this Limerick and Win a Free Book" contest! Woot woot! Connie, please contact me off blog with your choice of any of my books to receive, and Jean, I know you already have all three publications so far (god bless you, my dear), so for you I am reserving a free copy of my upcoming novel to be released later this year, Detective Snoop.

Since the two finalists are both bloggers, I thought today being a Friday, and with Free Spirit's tradition of doing weekly features on other great blogs, it would be fitting to shout out the blogs of Connie and Jean's. Make sense? Thought so. Okay, coolness. Let's do this. Here is this week's special edition of-

Following Friday Blogs!

First off we'll have First Place Grand Prize Winner Connie Arnold take stage front and center. Connie is a Christian/Spiritual/Inspirational poet. A friend I've made through the wonderful E-Kingdom of Bloggydom, she's been featured here on Free Spirit before as part of her recent virtual tour, but never had her blog specifically featured, so ... for uplifting poetry, along with beautiful photos and just a nice place to go and get a boost to your day, the Old Silly does indeed exhort you all to visit and follow this blog.

And now for the multi-published and award winning mystery/suspense/historical novelist, prolific blogger, and all around literary heavy weight, a good friend and a real go-getter achievement oriented woman, Jean Henry Mead. Jean has several blogs, so I recommend you click on her blogger profile to get a load of all that she does in Bloggydom, but for this feature I'll direct you to the one I keep in the Free Spirit blogroll, Mysterious People. She does interviews with other mystery writers a lot on this blog, and Jean is an excellent interviewer with extraordinary talented guests on a regular basis. So move thine cursers, click thy mouses, and scurry on over to visit and follow this blog.

And in closing, it is upon bended knee that yours truly does highly encourage those of you who have not yet taken the plunge, you who are still in denial, unwilling to admit your full blown out of control Marvaholicism, and have not yet made it known for all the world to see, so that you can get the help you need, for god's sake ... sign up to follow this blog!

Chow, gang - blog dismissed.

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We Have a Draw!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:35:00 +0000

Well folks, the poll closed last night at midnight, and this morning the Old Silly took a peek to see who would be the lucky and well deserved recipient of a free book written by yours truly. But much to my dismay, I realized that we have not one, but two favorites. Yep. Lots of votes, thanks everyone for the amount of participation, but now we must choose between the two lead vote getters for The Grand Champion!

Instead of going through another whole poll procedure. (a sigh of relief wafts around the blogatorium, with mumbles and murmerings of thank god he's not putting us through that all over again, Jeez - enough is enough already) No. We'll just decided this in the comments gallery. Leave your comment today as to who is your favorite limerick last line author, with the two finalists being Connie Arnold and Jean Henry Mead. Here again, is the limerick I wrote for you all to complete in your wittiest best, with the last lines in bold red.

First Connie Arnold's version-

There once was a writer named Old Silly
who blogged and penned books night and day.
He ne'er would've thought,
so uphill he'd have fought,
to touch us through what he would say.

And here is Jean Henry Mead's-

There once was a writer named Old Silly
who blogged and penned books night and day.
He ne'er would've thought,
so uphill he'd have fought,
that he might even earn some good pay.

Tough choice, isn't it? There were a bunch of good ones, and both of these are top shelf. So have at it y'all, leaave your favorite choice in the comments. Oh, and just to be fair, I'm going to give prizes to both of the finalists. I know, I know - I'm too kind. Please, stop applauding - oh please, stop. Sit down, really - you're too kind.

Okay. You have your assignment. Blog dismissed.

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From Nothing to Everything

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Quick note before we start blog. If you haven't yet voted on the best last limerick line in our "win a free book by Marvin" contest, please take a second and do that now. I'm closing the poll at midnight tonight and will announce the winner tomorrow. What's this all about, some of you ~~who obviously have been remiss in visiting Free Spirit lately~~ may be asking? Just read this post, it'll explain everything. The poll is over in the right sidebar. Lots of votes have come in, and last I checked there were two or three contestants running neck in neck to the finish line, so pick your favorite, click up and be counted.

Okay. Blog is hereby called to order.

Yesterday's post, with the short and thought provoking video clip by Carl Sagan, inspired quite a few comments with considerable depth and content in them. I was going to write a follow up post on it, but when reading over the readers' comments I noticed one in particular and thought, you know what? This says pretty much what I would have written anyway, so why not just use it as today's starting point for discussion. It was authored by Ron Berry, of Unwriter Blog fame. Ron is a math whiz - actually he's a whiz of, if not all, at least very many trades - physics, computer technology, and other sciences, definitely one of the most brainiacal blogger buddies the Old Silly calls friend. I sometimes confer with him when stumbling my way through the research and learning curve in the process of writing the Adam Atom series.

I know blog-hoppers are a busy lot, quick to click and often there's "no time" to read the other readers' remarks, so in case you missed his comment yesterday, here it is:

"Now, take this clip and add the pure mathematical principle, 'From nothing to everything.' It all starts from a point and the pure math definition is: A point has no mass, no dimension. Put another massless, dimensionless point alongside the first. Now you have mass and dimension. Keep adding the massless, dimensionless points and you soon get a line that has mass and dimension. Soon you have a plane, then a third dimension. It is from this massless, dimensionless point that all is built. We go from nothing, to everything."

Well said, Mr. Berry. And there you have it. All is One, One is All, and everything comes out of nothing. The farthest reaches of the vast universe are all right here, originating from the same point, which has no mass and no dimension. Buddha said it in his way, Jesus said it in another way, Krishna espoused it, the ancient Taoists taught it and modern day quantum mechanics scientists concur ... there is no "thing" separate and unto itself. All is One.

Hope you had your morning shot of coffee before stopping in for your daily dose of Free Spirit - lol. But let's talk. For in order for us to move forward towards an enlightened society of peace, understanding and unity, this concept must be grasped and understood in all its fullness. We cannot harm one another without harming ourselves. Conversely, doing good to and helping others is the same as benefiting ourselves.

What say you about this?

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Dust in the Cosmic Wind

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I have to share with you all this short but awesome clip by American astronomer Carl Sagan I came across recently.

Puts things into perspective, does it not? And then factor in the universal truth that all is One. It's an intellectual gobsmacker. Yet it is also, on the grander view of things, a call to greatness, a beckoning to become mature, to grow up as a species, to drop our petty differences, our silly self-first power mad scrambles and our desire to conquer and subject one another. For here on this tiny pale blue speck of dust, this teeny little stage upon which we act our our lives, it is incumbant upon us to start acting like beings created in the image of a God so great It could create such a vast and complex universe and also have the compassion to let Us be One with IT - should we so choose.

I choose yes. You?

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Adam Atom - Wanted!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:10:00 +0000

Before we get started with today's Adam Atom segment, I'd like to encourage all of you who have not yet voted on the best last limerick line author to do so now. What's this, you may be asking if you've not visited Free Spirit in the past few days? Just scroll down to yesterday's post, get a quick catch-up, and then cast your vote. I'll keep the poll up until, mm, let's say through Wednesday, then close it down and announce the winner of a free book written by yours truly.

Okay, nuf bitness - I know you're all waiting with bated breath, so before you all pass out with ~~rage at the Old Silly for holding up the show~~ anticipation, without any further atomic adoodoo, I exhort you to-

Fasten your safety quarks, put on your hadron helmets, and I now give you ...
Adam Atom!

Wait - what? Who ...

"Shut it, Old Silly - no it ain't Adam. It's me, Molly Molecule."

"Molly? What're you doing here? Where's Adam?"

"Hmph - you tell me, okay? An's a matter of fact, if you or any of your silly old blog's readers've seen that irrascible rascal, I'd like to know just where to find him. Told me some he's just off on a little bitty mission, gonna be back faster'n a tachyon, but I ain't seen him in over a light year now, so all's I can think is he's givin' me the slip space. Sigh, I just don't seem to have any luck with atoms. They're all just a bunch of unstable particles. Big Mama told me it was gonna be like this, but I just wouldn't listen." (Molly starts to cry)

"Molly - I don't know what to say, I ... I mean, is there anything I can do to help?"

Molly looks at Marvin as if he must be deaf and dumb. "Help me find him!"

"Ahm, well, okay, I mean I can put up his picture here on this blog and send out an all Bloggydom points bulletin, perhaps my readers could ..."

"What - that stupid, silly, pseudo Adam Atom picture you put up here so often?" Molly puts her hands on her hips and rolls her neck, "Hecks no, Marv, that's not at all what he really looks like, not to people anyway. Just like me, he looks all different in a form that humans can grok."

"Oh. Well, do you have a picture, then, one of Adam, like yours - that one with the big smile and ~~exceptional rack~~ cute outfit on?"

Molly blushes with a giggle, then gets back to business. "That's just it - no. I don't. 'Fore I could get him to pose for one, he took off. Oh, gawd, what am I gonna do?"

The Old Silly snaps his fingers. "Molly, I got it. I know what we can do."

"Yeah?"

"We'll put it to the readers. Hey - all you wonderful Free Spirit readers - anyone seen Adam Atom anywhere?

(silence)

"Hmm, y'know, Molls, we'll have to give them something to go on if we expect anyone to be able to help out. What are we looking for? Any distinguishing features or whatever you can tell us to be on the lookout for?

"Okay, sure. Adam is - well he's a dreamy guy, he's buff, tall, barrell chested with a tiny waist, dark complected, chameleon eyes - they change colors with whatever color he's wearing, lessee, ehm - well endowed," Molly winks, "cute tight tush, and he's very broad shouldered - to the point of odd looking to most, but to me I love it. Oh, and his hair - platinum."

"I see. Anything else?"

"Well, he's a bit of a charlatan, huge ego, wears this ridiculous outfit all the time."

"Outfit?"

"Yeah. The super hero getup - you know, cape, mask, and a big "A" on his chest."

Marvin tucks his chin down, bunches his lips and pulls on his chin. "Hmm, well that should be a dead giveaway." He his face to the monitor to address all of Bloggydom. "So how about it, everybody - has anyone seen our missing hero? Molly here would sure appreciate any help, as would I. I can't continue this series without him. I've got stand-ins, of course, stunt doubles, but gotta have the real deal for a full episode. Tell ya what - hey Molls?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's offer a reward. Yeah, that's the ticket. Put in some incentive. Always gets results." Marvin whistles, "All right listen up blog-hoppers - anyone who can produce a photo of the human resemblance of this atom-

wins a free book, written and autographed by the Old Silly. If you think you've seen the missing rascal and can get his likeness on digital, email me the pic at marvwilson2010@gmail.com. I'll show all of 'em to Molly and she'll know for sure if it's him or not. Then I'll post his picture here on Free Spirit so all of Bloggydom can be on the lookout for him. Don't you worry, Molly - Free Spirit readers are the kindest, most caring and wanting to help others peeps in all the world. Together we'll find your atom for you."

Molly wipes a tear from her face. "Thank you, Marv. And to all the Free Spirit readers, I just want to say, 'thank you all so much for any help you can offer.' This means a lot to me. Adam has his faults, but he's the best this molecule has ever collided with, and I want to have him back so I can ~~beat his ass~~ make things right between us."

"Not to worry, Molls - we got your back." Marvin turns back to the monitor to address the readers-

"Right, guys?"

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The Polls Are Open!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Last Thursday we had some lighthearted limerick fun, and there were lots of entries, very good ones, in response to my challenge to "finish the limerick" with a last line of your own witty composition. Again, the poem went as follows:

There once was a writer named Old Silly
who blogged and penned books night and day.
He ne'er would've thought,
so uphill he'd have fought,
________________________________ (you fill in the last line)

So now it's time to vote on best entry. You see I have put a poll in the right sidebar. Please read the following last lines, notice the author's name, and cast your vote. The author of the line that garners the most votes will receive a free signed copy of one of my books. Ready? Here ya go.

Marcus Phillips wrote: "to make any fortune this way."

Unwriter wrote: "to watch his characters come out and play."

Helen Ginger wrote: "just to expose his soul every day."

Novel Eagle wrote: "to create a man so willy-nilly."

Grace wrote: "that his writing would ver come to nought."

Angelynn wrote: "so that others would get the chance to have their say."

Reforming Geek wrote: "with a heart as tender as a lily."

Quirkyloon wrote: "With so many worms that gave him the willies!"

The Story Woman wrote: "just to keep his flock out'a the fray."

Divinity Rose wrote: "To make all the girls swoon and sway."

Conarnold wrote: "to touch us through what he would say."

N A Sharpe wrote: "to amuse with this great contest today!"

Jean Henry Mead wrote: "That he might even earn some good pay."

Pyzahn wrote: "that he'd lose the will off his nilly."

Stephen Tremp wrote: "Just to listen to Nilly Vanilly"

Joyce Anthony wrote: "Just to keep his fans at bay!"

Wow! Sixteen clever offerings - far beyond expectations. Okay, gang, whip out your mouses and click on your favorite with a vote. I'll leave the poll up for a few days for stragglers to make it by, then do an announcement post later this coming week. And hey, all you authors - no excessive modesty, all right? If you think yours is the best, vote for yourself.

Blog dismissed, chow all!

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A Saturday Pontification

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.

The Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they would have you to do unto them.

And for consideration and comment today, which is the preferrable rule to follow, and under what circumstances?

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Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday: Speculative Fiction

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 +0000

What in the world is Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday? Well if you read this post, you'll find out!

Today's Topic

I am always interested in how Christians feel about speculative fiction. It seems to me that evangelical Christians generally (NOT ALWAYS) like to look things in very black and white terms and have everything grounded in reality. Speculative fiction by definition is not grounded in reality as we know it. According to wikipedia, "speculative fiction is a fiction genre speculating about worlds that are unlike the real world in various important ways. In these contexts, it generally overlaps one or more of the following: science fiction, fantasy fiction, horror fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history."How do you feel about speculative fiction in general and specifically how do you feel about Christian speculative fiction? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages that you see to Christian speculative fiction?

My Thoughts

I like speculative fiction in Christian books, if it is taken as just that - speculative. My own latest novel, Owen Fiddler, is just such a book. It's not sci-fi, it is a normal human being story in modern era earth setting, but the afterlife segments that take place in the "never-world" have spiritual characters that are not theologically accurate but fictional extrapolations of Christian figures (Kris = Christ and Louis Seiffer = Lucifer, for instance) that are created for designated purposes to deliver spiritual, ethical and moral messages pertinant to the story but definitely not to be taken as canonically Biblical. Some evangelical Christians have been offended and taken umbrage with the liberal interpretations I took in spinning the tale, but you know what?

It's just speculative fiction. Fun. Lighten up - the book is not titled, "The Gospel According to Marvin," okay? LOL

Anyway, enough about me and my book, I was just prefacing my stance with a personal example. I feel this aspect of the genre can be entertaining and deliver good solid messages if done well and not being purported to be the gospel truth - just good stories with essentially Christian based themes and messages.

That's my take. What's yours?

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More Great Blogs Almighty!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Last Friday I interrupted regular Free Spirit blogcasting with a bit of a rant, but today I'm returning to normal. (Right, several of you all mutter to yourselves, as if the Old Silly could ever be considered in any way to be in even remotely close proximity to "normal")

Very funny - I heard that. You, you and you? I'll see you after blog. My office.

Ahem. Pardon the idjits, y'all.

It is my honor and privilege to again present a couple of great bloggers to you as part of Free Spirit's continuing efforts to make aware to all the illustrious blog-hoppers of Bloggydom some blogs of exceptional content and merit. And thus I do hereby request the ribbon be cut and the ceremonies begin as we today honor two great blogs in this segment of-

Following Friday Blogs!

First up today is Confessions of a Reforming Geek. Authored by the ... well, Reforming Greek (her blog nor her blogger profile reveals her real name, so I'm left with ~~assuming~~ ~~wondering~~ guessing first name, "Reforming" and last name, "Geek."), Mrs. Geek is a marvelous wit, funny and friendly, and she posts life musings and "day in the life" episodes that will leave you in no less than nine stitches per square inch of your bloggy body. So it is with sincere endorsement that I do heartily encourage you to visit the Reformer and follow this blog.

Next up and our final feature today, is Peggy Ullman Bell, with her Sappho Sings blog. Peggy was the Old Silly's editor for his last novel, Owen Fiddler, and it will soon be my ~~gulp~~ pleasure to employ her punishing but powerful blood red pencil to edit my upcoming novel, Detective Snoop. Peggy is a multi-published and award-winning historical fiction novelist of the top shelf order. For the full run down on all her great books, log on to her website. She does not blog every day, but when she posts, she post with meaning, excellent content, and writing brilliance. So bop on over right now, get a load of her laudable literary libations, and follow this blog.

And for ~~Marvin's~~ heaven's sake - if you're not signed up yet to follow this blog - what're ya waiting for? Up in the right sidebar - click on "Follow this Blog" and make an Old Silly even sillier!

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Limericks Can Be Fun

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I did something like this last year, and thought it would be fun to do it again. A little literary lightheartedness. I will compose a limerick, with the last line missing. You fantastic Free Spirit readers come up with the zaniest, wittiest last line you can think of and post it in the comments gallery. I'll take the best of the best offerings and put up a poll for all to vote for their favorite entry in the next day or two, and the winner gets a free copy of one of my books, their choice. Or if you've already got all three publications so far, we'll figure something else out I can give you from among my writings and musical offerings that's really cool.

So. You down? Cool. Let's do this.

There once was a writer named Old Silly
who blogged and penned books night and day.
He ne'er would've thought,
so uphill he'd have fought,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (you fill in this line)

Basic rules of the poetic format, the last line you compose must have three meters (beats - primary pulses) and end in a rhyme with either "silly" or "day."

So have at it, mighty ones. Oh and hey - those of you who took the bold move out of the dark, scary, secretive realms of Bloggylurkers and are just trying your fledgling wings out on commenting here at Free Spirit? (Read last Tuesday's post if you not of what I speak) Feel not pressured into composing an answer if it's not in your skill set or comfort zone. A simple, "Hey, dropped by and loved the blog today (or not)" sort of comment for you is quite welcome and a necessary step in your continued personal growth. No pressure, okay?

But the rest of you? All you vets, experienced bloggers, prolific commenters, multi-published and award winning authors and poets ... grab hold of pen, put wit to paper and ...

Amaze us!

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Sneak Snoop Preview

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

“So I take a left on Gratiot?” Snoop said, on his cell phone with Chief Burke.

“Right - a left.”

“Which one?”

“Whaddaya mean, Snoop? Look, I don’t have time to …”

“You said right, but then left.” Snoop cleared his throat.

Burke was nearly growling. “Left, Snoop, you make a left.”

“Left – okay, you’re sure, right?”

“Right.” Oh gawd, Burke thought, realizing his slip and wishing for an early retirement or at the very least some reasonable measure of intelligence on the force. Before he could make himself clear to his idiot detective, Snoop reminded him why it was amazing he never failed to bungle his way through a case and get his man. He’s ridiculously lucky, yet how can anyone so …

“You said it again. You said right – which one is it, Chief? I’m at the intersection now.”

“Look you nincompoop, you make a left at Gratiot.” Burke winced and grabbed hold of his thinning gray comb-over. Now he was growling. “Is that clear enough?”

Snoop could hear Burke’s fist slamming on his desktop, followed with a mighty sigh. “Okay, okay – Jeez, Chief, did I say something wrong?” Snoop felt sorry for his boss. He must not be getting any at home. Very touchy lately.

Another chief sigh. “Nah, nothing wrong.”

“You’re all right. Nothing’s wrong.” Snoop pressed down on the Hummer’s accelerator.

“Right.”

“Right you’re all right, or right I didn’t say anything wrong?”

Burke gave up, hung up, and buried his face in his hands. I need a new job.

(A sample snippet from the upcoming comedic sleuth novel by the Old Silly, Detective Snoop)

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De-Lurking Free Spirit!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I am, as of today, officially "de-lurking" this blog. Yes you, if you are a lurker, you know who you are. Now don't get me wrong, the Old Silly loves to have you visit Free Spirit, always welcome, please know that ... but it's time for you to boldly go where most lurkers never go, to step out of your comfort zone, to push through the barriers of shyness and reticence, and step up to the status of a full fledged Free Spiriter and leave a comment.

Yep. It's time. I know you're reading this. My site meter reports that Free Spirit blog gets 80 to 90 visitors per day, with nearly twice that many page views and three times that many hits. And the average visit lasts five minutes, so you are reading the posts. The Google Analytics reports show even higher numbers - nearly 100 average visits per day, with 44% unique visitors each day from all around the planet (110 different countries so far log on regularly) and a loyal returning visitor count of 55%.

Yet the comments, not counting my own reply comments, is only about 20% of that, averaging 20 or so per day.

Now, comments are not the be all and end all to blogging. Knowing you have a wide and loyal readership and that there is a constant healthy influx of new visitors is the real barometer of success and growth in Bloggydom. But this isn't about me. No. This is about you, and your own personal growth. I am bound and determined to help you break our of your shell and be heard here on Free Spirit. It's all part of being and becoming all that you can be. It's about breaking through barriers and expanding your horizons. You have vast untapped potential lurking in your lurking self, and it's time for coming out!

The first time is always the hardest. Just like with anything. Risking life and limb for the first time riding a bike without your training wheels. Daring to attempt that first kiss with your puppy love sweetheart. What if I fall and get scraped or bruised? What if she rejects my advance and I get slapped on the face? What if this? What if that? What if ...?

Well, that's just a bunch of hooey. Get over yourself. Enough is enough. The only thing to fear is fear itself.

So. The assignment for today is for each and every one of you lurkers to leave a comment. It won't hurt, I promise. Once you get the hang, you'll be so proud of yourself. Your confidence will soar - people will notice the change in you, guaranteed - you'll likely get a promotion soon at work as your boss will think how much more productive and willing to take on a challenge you've become. You guys will notice how much easier it is to get attention and admiration from the ladies, and visa versa. Trust me, this seemingly very small step is HUGE in your personal development! May seem like insignificant and a needless pain in the ~~ass~~ tush right now, but believe me, one day you will thank me for making you do this.

And you regular commenters - please leave your comment, a note to the lurkers - a word of encouragement, perhaps your own personal experience of first daring to comment on a blog, or maybe a nice note of recognition to one or more of the brave souls who have already crossed the dreaded and daunting line and broken free of their lurkedness with a "first-timer" comment. C'mon guys - we're a team. Family. All for one, and one for all.

So what're you waiting for? You're still just sitting there. It's the linked word, "comments," below the post ... as if you didn't already know. Go on, click on it. Now. If you have a blogger profile, just type away in the pop up window box, then hit "publish." If no blogger profile yet (and the next step for you is to sign up for one - this is, again, huge ... but baby steps, do what you feel you can one step at a time), use the "Name/URL" option - you don't even have to have a URL, it is optional. And if you're really really still frightened, you can use the "Anonymous" option. Not recommended, it means you're still being a scaredy cat poopy pants, but at least you're trying. Very important.

And in closing, I do remind you that all are loved and appreciated here - if you don't make it today, please come back anyway. We all fall down, we all have our hurdles to jump over and mountains to climb. One failure does not a wasted life make. We'll get through this. Together. And that's an Old Silly promise.

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Adam Atom - To Boldly Go!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Back by popular demand!

Straight from the cosmos and right out of the very air you breathe - ladies and gentlemen, AI's and androids, spirits and all things being and not being ... fasten your safety quarks, put on your hadron helmets, and I now give you ...

Adam Atom!

All I can say is, “Wow.” The lunar moon with Molly Molecule was a Buckeyball buster, for sure. I’ve had some atomic attractions in my day, but Colliding Miss Molly has added a new dimension to the word fusion. I’ll have more on that later, but I promised I’d fill you all in on what happened when ol’ U-K'ix-Chan and me lifted off from the Mayan temple, Kulkulkan, at Chichen Itza on a time and space leap. What? You missed that episode? No es un problemo, just read this.

Funny thing about time travel – it never happens. I mean it happens in a sense, or maybe better put not in any sense, if that makes any sense, but it's not like an event, - whether micro, macro or mega-event, cuz events are happenings in time, and they take time. So if you take the element of time away from an event, like say, a handshake, or a kiss, or a sunrise, or a sneeze, or a mountain range growing or a maybe a car crash, well … the event just kind of collapses into nothing cuz there’s no time to experience it happening and suddenly it’s just there … like an idea – with no history other than maybe memories of other events that you can think of leading to that event. Pure thought.

So this time/space travel disk that ol’ U-K'ix-Chan and his esoteric Mayan buddies developed runs on just that – pure thought. He boldly stood up on the disk, with me along as a dust part-of-a-particle, meditated for a long enough time to clear his head of all other thought but this one pure thought, and …

We’re in Spain. Sixteenth century.

Well, I thought we. Where’s U-K'ix-Chan? The disk is here, me - I’m definitely here, but what happened to …? Hmmm – must’ve had a split infinitive. Ol’ U-K'ix-Chan’s intent was to boldly go where no other Aztec had gone before, but I guess he should’ve just stuck with the go part. His Boldness got cut out of the scene. The Big Editor in the Sky is swift with Its sentencing, it seems.

Anyway, I’m here now, and King Carlos I and his Royal Cronies are brewing up quite the diabolical scheme. Gonna have a major impact on history in the Americas and eventually the whole globe. Tune in next week, I’ll letcha eavesdrop on the conversation. Right now though, I’m gonna use this here disk and get back with Molly for a little quickie. Don’t worry, I won’t miss a thing here, 'n' neither will you. Back in no time.

~~~~~

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Letters From Jail - The Glory River

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

This is a special presentation, the concluding article in the first series of guest posts by my brother, Kevin Wilson, written from behind bars as he penned his spiritual and inspirational journey that has come to be known and appreciated by so many here at Free Spirit as the "Letters From Jail." In a couple weeks a new series will begin, as Kevin continues to write his way through his incarceration, with a new series he is titling, "Letters From The Missions Field."

I now turn this blog over to my brother, Kevin Wilson.

***

The Glory River

The Glory River and its divine current carries me along to a wonderful place being prepared for me. It is a place magnificent beyond imagination. I cannot yet see it, for there are many bends around which I must first traverse, rapids to navigate, and dark, foreboding stretches of cold, dark water during which I have to lay down my paddle and cling to my Papa, my God.

No, I cannot yet see my final destination. But oftentimes, when I draw quietly near to Him and listen, He tells me of its wondrous beauty. How it gleams with His splendor, like a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. He tells me of its twelve magnificent gates, each one made from a single pearl, and of the glorious city within - streets made of gold so pure as to be transparent like glass. Every tear will be wiped away and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order will have passed away and the new will be ushered in.

Wonder fills my eyes and hope fills my heart as I contemplate this glorious destination, but He reminds me there is much yet to be done along the Glory River before I may enter. There are trials to endure, heartaches to overcome, and challenges over which victory must be gained. All of these things, He tells me, are to be enjoyed right along with the blessings I am to receive.

Okay, this I don't quite understand. The blessings of the Glory River, with its moss lined banks, luscious grassy knolls and countless trees bearing fruit, are easily enjoyed. But what are the trials, heartaches and challenges that He speaks of? So I ask Him, "How am I to enjoy even those?"

"Enjoy them because they are a testing of your faith, a testing that will produce perseverance," He says, "and let your perseverance be perfect so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If during these periods of testing you draw near to me and cling to me rather than to your earthly desires, you will learn what it means to enjoy your trials and to truly enjoy me."

I am perplexed by His meaning. He directs my attention to all the people on the banks of the Glory River as we pass by. Strange, I've never noticed them. I've always been consumed with my own enjoyment of the river. I have often dipped into its refreshing waters, napped on its velvety soft banks and eaten the nectar of its endless supply of fruit. But I've never taken the time to notice all the people who don't partake of anything the river has to offer. Throngs of people, some seemingly happy, but none of them are paying heed to the divine current. I see some looking for a way in, but they have no canoe or paddle. Is no one going to tell them of the livery in plain sight behind them, and the rental is free?

"Papa," I say, "How many of these people have I passed by without a thought of their plight?" He says nothing, but a tear trickling down His face tugs at my heart, and causes one to drip down mine.

A fork is up ahead - I must decide. To the left is a fabulous scene, stretching as far as I can see. Smooth waters abound and trees full of the fruits of abundance. A multitude has moored there, feasting on the fruits of good health, high income, beautiful homes, happy marriages and godly children. Strangely, all of them are grotesquely obese. They lie about all day in the caressing grass, basking in the sun. In them I sense no desires of the Spirit. I turn to ask Papa why. Another tear cascades down his cheek.

I steer toward the left fork. I feel His hand on my shoulder, and sense Him directing me toward the right fork. So I look that way.

Fear strikes me.

There are no fruit trees full of blessings, no mossy banks, no soft pastures to lay upon going that way. Only cold jagged boulders and evil creatures with horns and pointy tails. The icy dark water churns in a frothy tempest and overhead in the pitch black clouds, see there? - images of prison bars, divorce papers, and fading resemblances of my loved ones disappearing in blue flashes of lightning.

"No," I scream, "Not this way! Papa, please - I came to the Glory River because of the promised blessings, the fruitful life of more abundance. What happened to 'seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you?' I am seeking your kingdom. That's where this river leads, right? Please, let me take the fork on the left so I may have a taste of those blessings. That's what I signed up for - the 'Happy Christian' life in which you provide for all my needs. And, if I do exceptionally well at following the rules, You rain down your blessings upon me here on the Glory river, and when I die I go to Heaven to be with you forever. That's the deal, right? RIGHT?

Another salty drop of moisture makes its way down His face. "If that's all you wish for, then so be it. Take the fork on the left." A profound sadness pervades His voice. He starts to turn away, then pauses ... and turns back to say, "If you would truly seek life more abundant and blessings beyond all you could ask for or imagine, take the fork on the right." He turns, and again returns, to say this:

"Yes it is true, the right fork leads to challenges, to tiredness, to periods of sadness and misery, and even great strife. You may be lonely with tears that are never wiped away for days upon end, but ...

"If you learn to draw near and cling to me in your brokenness. If you desire to experience my love for you more than any other of the blessings from the fork on the left, then you will experience untold joy. You will fly on wings like eagles, soaring above the clouds with a view of me that very few have seen - for narrow is the gate through which these shall pass."

"Wow," I say, "Great! That sounds so challenging and rewarding. I do want so much to please you. I will take the fork to the right. And hey - all those other blessings - the house, the car, the good job with the fat income, the beautiful wife and happy, happy family ... I get all the extras you just now described plus I still get all those things, right?"

A look of pity and concern crosses His face. "No, son, I will not promise all those 'things.' I will not even tell you when you will experience all that I just described to you as reward for traversing the right fork. But know this. I promise you will experience it."

Hmm, I think to myself as I drop my head to ponder, that doesn't make any sense. I look back up to ask for an explanation, but ...

He is gone. I'm alone in my canoe. The divine current has taken me down the fork to the right, close to beyond the point of no return. I furiously paddle against the current to reach the safety of the fork on the left, but to no avail. I am powerless to alter my fate. The divine current has made Its choice for me.

"Help me, Papa," I scream, "Where are you? Where have you gone?"

Too late.

He's gone.

I'm being swept into the tempest. Suddenly prison bars surround me. A divorce lawyer hisses at me as her forked tongue pierces my skin and a treasured family portrait floats by. I reach for it. Can't get it. For several moments - maybe it's weeks, months, can't tell - despair and self pity fill my soul. I consider plunging into the frigid waters and drowning to escape the nightmare, but then ...

I sense Him, ever so faintly, and I remember His words:

"Draw near to me. Cling to me in your brokenness. Enter the narrow gate. Soar above the clouds."

Again He, the sensation, disappears.

I set my paddle down beside me and lie back in my canoe. As the raging current takes me down this fearsome lonely tributary, I pray:

"Papa, I am alone and afraid. Terrible things are happening to me. I am helpless. What shall I do? Where are you? I remember what you promised me - I am safe, not alone, right? Probe me and know my heart; try me and know my concerns. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting. I am sorry for living only for Your blessings and for always taking the easy route. I do want You more than any blessings You might bestow. Above all else, I want to know You, adore You, serve You, reveal You, and become like You. I am clinging to You, please draw near to me. I resolve to put nothing before You ever again, to graciously accept any blessing You send, but only secondarily to the absolute joy of experiencing Your loving, warm embrace. Amen."

I open my eyes. Prison bars still surround me. My beloved wife is still gone. My family is far away and the cold waters continue to stir about. Yet a warm calm surrounds me as God holds me close.

He whispers, "You're safe, my son, safe. Just rest in me, I'll see you to your home."

I sit up in my canoe and watch the storm rage all around, but my fears fade away as I bask in the comfort of His embrace. Yes, I will confidently travel this dark and stormy way, and now do so with new energy - energy from the living God. Further storms may ensue - bring them on. I am ready and able to face any discomfort and any darkness, for I am experiencing true oneness with the Holy One on High.

In closing, please pray this with me, fellow traveler-

"God, I do not ask You for Your presents - but I do desire, above all else ... to be - in your presence."

~~~~~

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A Saturday Pontification

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Today's pontification comes stright from the lips of my main man, J. C. Himself-

"And when you are praying,
do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do,
for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words."

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Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday: Reader's Choice Awards!

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Hello! New to Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday and wondering what this is all about? Read this post to learn everything you need to know!

Amy's cool question for today:
The Christian Lit Blogosphere covers quite a diversity of books as the genre itself continues to expand. Quite frankly, I think there need to be more Christian Book Awards and so I'm going to use Faith 'n' Fiction Saturdays to launch some internet based awards for the best in Christian Lit!

I need your help! Today's task is to help me brainstorm the necessary categories. Don't put your nominations down yet...just the categories of awards you'd like to see! (for example, historical fiction, Romantic Suspense, etc.) We can have some and different categories as well... we won't take ourselves too seriously.

Here's my three cents:
Besides the usual - best historical, contemporary, historical fiction, romance, suspense/thriller/mystery, etc., how about:

Best developed characters
Most amazing writing style
Most readable and meaningful to the secular readership
Best deliverer of the essential teachings of Christ
Most unique and original plot
Most shocking yet still definitely Christian themed book

Also I really liked Christy's idea over at Critty Joy's Book Blog, of "friendliest author or author most likely to visit your blog or email you back? Favorite author to follow on Twitter, etc…. I thought that was pretty novel and cool.

How about you? What would you like to see in the categories?

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Sex, Truth, and Consequences

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!

Next week Free Spirit will continue its "Following Friday Blogs" feature, but the Old Silly is interrupting the normal blogcasting today with a special message to any and all unmarried teenaged girls who think sleeping around having casual, unprotected sex is fun and cool.

Remember this young woman's plight, and please think before you go and screw a whole stable full of young bucks.

And guys? Listen up. Hey! (whistle!) Pay attention - and let's have some eye contact here. That goes for you too. Unless you're ready to man up and be a daddy, and I mean a real dad - educated, good job, decent housing for your young family ... keep your Johnson zipped up, or at the very least, put a cap on it.

And kudos to this young lady's fiancé - takes a real man to love and raise a kid he did not father, and a big heart to let go the past and love his woman for who she is today, not holding resentment over what mistakes she may have made in the past.

So. Are we clear? Crystal?

Good. Blog dismissed.

(Credits and thanks to blogger buddy and a very intelligent teenage young lady, Qamarina for tipping me off to this video clip)

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More Good Vivian Vibes

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Back with us today is mystery/suspense author and fellow blogger, Vivian Zabel. It's my pleasure to give you all some more information about her and another of her books, Prairie Dog Cowboy. If you missed last Monday's very popular feature post and would like to catch up, just click right here on Zany Zabel.

For a quick read, an article written by Vivian that captures the setting of the Prairie Dog Cowboy, click here.

I've known Vivian through Yahoo groups and blogging, but putting these feature posts together and reading up on her, I must say she is quite the interesting, charismatic, strong willed and boldhearted woman. Even more so than I had previously thought. To give you an idea, here's an excerpt from her biography:

Born to Raymond and Dolly Gilbert July 28, 1943, Vivian followed her father as he transferred from military base to military base from Randolph AFB, Texas to Loring AFB, Maine.

People’s fears of polio became one of Vivian’s first memories. Her brother Ricky, two years younger than she, was taken to a hospital at a base near Shevesport, Louisiana. When the doctors diagnosed the boy as having polio and decided to fly the three-year-old to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Raymond had to pack his wife’s and son’s clothes and take the suitcases to the Air Base before the two flew to Texas. He left his two daughters, Kathy aged four and Vivian aged five, with neighbors. The woman put the girls in a fenced area and left them in the August sun without any shade or water. When Kathy started to cry because she was thirsty, and no one came to help, Vivian climbed over the fence, trotted to the door, and beat on it. The woman peeked out the window.

“We’re thirsty,” Vivian yelled. “My sister’s crying. We need to go to the bathroom.”

Take charge kinda gal, eh? But back to the book. I read and enjoyed this review so much I thought it best to share with you all today as part of this feature.

Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel

Time passes so quickly and history is getting rewritten all the time. So much of our heritage is lost with those changes. It is refreshing to see a slice of reality portraying the daily life of 1899 Oklahoma in V. Gilbert Zabel's latest literary work, Prairie Dog Cowboy.

Buddy Roberts is but a small boy at the start of the story. It isn’t clear right away why his mother is set against the child. Although he has an older brother, he's tending to the cattle at the age of five, all alone with only his dog to keep him company. Buddy is a mindful child, doing what needs to be done, even at such a young age, hoping some day to grow up to be a cowboy. Instead of him and Patch doing the work on foot, he dreams of herding cattle on horseback someday.

Neighbor rancher Caleb Hyman is impressed with Buddy. He wonders, too, why the child works hard while his older brother, Jake, is doted on and spoiled. But, Caleb can see the man that Buddy will become, encourages him, and teaches him to rope. Once Buddy can rope a prairie dog, Caleb promises he'll give the boy a job on his ranch. Not an easy thing to do, but Buddy works hard to reach his appointed goal.

Through the years, Buddy becomes a part of Caleb's family, a friend of Caleb's twin sons, and the unknowing object of affection for their younger sister, Katie. Life begins to take a turn for the better as he approaches manhood.

Prairie Dog Cowboy is a testament of a time when life was hard, but people weren't afraid of hard work. The day-to-day occurrences represented are an accurate telling of the time, history that should not be lost. Teens and young adults can learn much from this story and I, for one, am thankful that Ms. Zabel has documented this slice of American history.

Reviewed by Jena' Galifany
Author, Editor, Reviewer
http://jenagalifany.bravehost.com

***

And wrapping up today's post, here are Vivian's websites:

Main Website: http://viviangilbertzabel.com

Blogs:
http://VivianZabel.blogspot.com "Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap"
http://vzabel.multiply.com "Vivian’s Site"
http://viviansmystery.blogspot.com "Vivian’s Mysteries"

So lets give up the love in the comments, gang - and fire away with any questions for Vivian, I'm sure she will be stopping to chat and interact with you all.

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Testing, One Two ...

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Got a little test for y'all today. Now, now, calm down - hey! Take it easy, sheesh - there's no grading and you won't get kicked out of blog if you fail. In fact, there's no passing or failing with this test. It's fun. Please. Sit down. Relax.

I was visiting one of my favorite blogs the other day, Prattle ... from the flatlands, saw this on there and thought it'd be some cool stuff for all you Free Spirit enthusiasts.

Take a long look at the images below and decide ... are they moving? Or are they still? Here's the first one.

Now how about this one?

So what was your experience? No movement? Try clicking on the pictures to open in a new window where they are larger with a clean white background and see if you get different results.

Any difference?

So what's this all about, you might be ~~cussing under your breath~~ thinking? Okay, here's the deal. The images are used to test the level of stress a person can handle. The slower the images move, the better your ability to manage difficult situations. Most criminals tested said they saw the images spinning wildly. Senior citizens and kids? The majority saw them as motionless.

For the record, neither of the images are animated. They are perfectly still.

I took the test in early morning, mid-day, and again just before beddie bye. No motion. In the new window with the white background just a tiny bit of movement. The Old Silly is relatively calm, apparently not too stressed at all, and quite capable of handling come whatever may. Which is good, because tension and anxiety are contagious, easily telegraphed and transmitted through the written word and Bloggydom, so reading the daily posts of a frantic nerve-o-maniac could cause some serious emotional disease side effects, no?

How about you? Lots of motion? A little - or none? Honesty is the best policy, remember. (wink)

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Abe March - An Author that Matters

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

In addition to writing my own books, I am a professional editor as well. I do freelance editing and am also on the editors staff at All Things That Matter Press (ATTMP). ATTMP is a fairly new kid on the big block of Publishing Boulevard, but they are going great guns, having already produced a stellar crop of excellent books - high quality in every respect, and on subjects that, well ... matter. My own latest release, Between the Storm and the Rainbow, was published through ATTMP.

Owned and operated by the dynamic husband and wife team, multi-published author Phil and literary pro Deb Harris, this is one company to keep an eye on, because when they put their heads together on an enterprise, it goes places. And they are still accepting unsolicited submissions, all you aspiring authors reading this. (wink, hint, wink) Any and all queries and submissions sent to them that follow their submission guidelines will get a thorough and thoughtful consideration. In short, if they like it, you'll get a contract. As they grow, and they most assuredly will, this easy-to-get-into door will be closing, so take advantage now.

But getting to today's main feature post topic. Last year I had the pleasure of working with ATTMP as editor for Abe March, on his debut novel, They Plotted Revenge Against America. Excellent book, a top shelf suspense thriller with a timely message, I do highly recommend it. Not only is it well written, it is edited with such superior and laudable excellence, I ... okay, let me stop, ha! But seriously - very good book, and one that deserves a wide audience. The plot has a believable and frightening realism to it, the characters are multi-dimensional and human beings with motives, emotions and inner conflicts that anyone will relate to, and what with all the conflict in this world today, the story's conclusion has an uplifting promise of resolution that could bring peace if the inhabitants of different nations would just learn to understand each other as people just like themselves.

I asked Abe to come on today here at Free Spirit and share with us, and he graciously agreed. Abe lives in Germany, so his time zone is six hours ahead of the Old Silly's here in EST USA, but he will be stopping in as much as possible during reasonable time zone overlaps to interact with you all in the comments gallery. If you leave a comment or question late tonight, you might want to check back in the morning for a response.

I've included a couple great reviews that also include plot synopses of They Plotted Revenge in this feature, so if you'd like to read them, just click here, and here. Another unique article I've included is an interview with the main character in the book. It's most interesting and informative. To read that, just click on the name, David Levy.

I thought it would be fun to do something a little different than the usual "meet the author" interview format, which is so overdone on virtual tours it can be a real "so what" yawner, so ... what Abe and I did was do a short Q & A on the subject of his experience as an author working for the first time with a professional editor. The results were, I think you'll find, entertaining, informative, and a good quick read. Check it out-

Marvin: Abe, They Plotted Revenge Against America was your first novel, and your first book published under contract with a legitimate publishing house. You told me you had an earlier non-fiction release with Publish America, and while we could probably both go off on that dubious outfit with a rant or two, I’d rather focus on your experience working with All Things That Matter Press, and, as a by product of that relationship, your first experience working with a professional editor, that being yours truly. What was your initial reaction, honestly now, when you got my edits back from your manuscript?

Abe: At first it seemed a bit perplexing. Lots of highlighting in yellow, markings in red for corrections needed and then there were editor notes. It wasn’t so much the grammatical corrections needed, but the questions posed or remarks you made. Challenging questions. They caused me to think of better ways to express a thought. It was quite thorough.

Marvin: What did you learn as a writer, if anything, from the experience?

Abe: To take critique in a positive manner. That has a lot to do with how the criticism is given. You did it in a straight forward - professional manner. It was never demeaning. Offering suggestions to break up a paragraph with shorter sentences that generate more power, as an example. Providing more background information to make things clear to the reader is another.

Marvin: Who was your editor with your newest release, Journey Into The Past? And how was that experience, compared to your first time working with an editor? Any noticeable differences in A), the amount of editing needed in the manuscript before publishing, and/or B) the style and techniques between the two editors, or C) any other observations?

Abe: The editor was the managing partner and Editor in Chief, Deb Harris. She liked the story so much that she volunteered to do the editing herself. It’s important to note that I had worked much longer on the Journey Into The Past manuscript, with a contributing author, and that work was in the process before I wrote the, They Plotted Revenge book. The editing experience gained by working with you was helpful in doing final edits before presenting the manuscript to the publisher. There were some other issues with this book, i.e., obtaining permission to use copyrighted material and how to blend that material into the story. Some of the things you had challenged me with were already incorporated, and therefore the editing work was a bit different than what you were faced with. I don’t believe it would be fair to make a direct comparison, however I do think your editing style was more challenging. A great learning experience.

Marvin: I’ve included links to a couple great reviews on, and the synopsis of, They Plotted Revenge Against America in this feature post, but can you give us a brief synopsis of Journey Through the Past’s plot?

Abe: It is a love story that transcends time. Heather Wilson, a successful architect, needed time off from work and a chance to recover from a relationship gone sour. The poster of a 12th century castle helped her decide to make a trip to Germany and visit this castle. On the drawbridge to the castle she meets Johann (Hans) Hess, a retired American businessman who lives nearby. As they discuss the castle, their hands touch an ancient stone and they are briefly catapulted back in time. As Heather explores the castle she finds a note, which she is unable to translate, and asks Hans for assistance. The translation provides a clue that leads them to other nearby castles in search of additional clues to solve a mystery. Heather is not aware that Hans is married and that his wife is in a comatose state and therefore cannot understand his resistance to falling in love. As they discover more about the characters in the 12th century romance, they learn more about their own feelings and its association with the past and they succumb to its passion. When Hans’s wife recovers from her illness it creates a heart-rending dilemma. Heather returns to her world without informing Hans that she is pregnant.

Years later, an aged Hans is requested to act as tour guide to a group of students sent by Heather. Unknown to him, it is his daughter who leads the students to explore the castle. Heather arrives on the scene just as Hans realizes the girl is his daughter.

Marvin: What a great story line! Hey, Abe, thanks for being here and sharing with us today. I wish you the best with your writing career, and do hope this exposure here on Free Spirit will be of some help to you. Any parting words of advice for aspiring authors who may be reading this?

Abe: Start writing about something you know. Ask for critiques but not from friends. Friends don’t want to offend and will not be brutally honest about your work. Before submission to an agent or a publisher, do as much editing as you can. It may not be perfect, but if the publisher likes the story and sees that it can be polished to make it saleable, you have a chance. Finally, if you feel your work is good, don’t be discouraged by rejection. Be persistent.

***

To get your copies of They Plotted Revenge and Journey Through the Past, go to the book store at All Things That Matter Press. The books are also available on Amazon.com, but hey - help out a young promising company and its authors and buy directly from the publisher. More money in the pockets of those who deserve and could use it most, capish?

For more information about this rising star author, visit his website at: http://www.abemarch.com

All right gang - let's show Abe some love in the comments. As I said, he'll be stopping in to chat with you all. And also, Deb and Phil Harris have said they'll be dropping in today to answer any questions you might have about working with and being published through ATTMP.

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Midnight Hours with Vivian Zabel

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I recently joined a writers' Yahoo Group called "Writers on the Move." Bunch of great folks over there, talented authors and people with some weight in the wonderful world of literature. One of the things we do in this group is feature another member each month on our blogs. Today it is my honor and pleasure to introduce to those of you who have not yet met her, mystery book author and blogger colleague, Vivian Zabel. This post is about her book, Midnight Hours. On Thursday of this week, I will post about another of her books, Prairie Dog Cowboy. Read, enjoy, pick yourself up a copy of a darn good book if you're so inclined, and show Vivian some love in the comments today. We go back quite a few years now, having interacted on countless online social and professional networking groups and blogs, and I can attest to Vivian's big heart and exceptional talent. So ready? Here we go.

First, a description of Midnight Hours by Vivian Gilbert Zabel

Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC
http://4rvpublishingllc.com
Buy Midnight Hours from 4RV Publishing, at:
http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

Genre: Mystery/suspense/thriller
ISBN-13: 978-0-9797513-3-2
ISBN-10: 0-9797513-3-0
Pages: 228
Starting Price: $27.99

2nd place in the OWFI unpublished manuscript competition, May 2008

Martin Rogers, a homicide lieutenant, positions his power chair at the end of the parallel bars in the therapy room. Over the past months, those bars have become an enemy that cannot be conquered, but which creates agony and despair. He glares at his enemy as they silently wait to conquer him again. An orderly in white stands beside the left side of the bars. Martin fights to overcome the damage caused by a bullet in his back.

After Martin returns from another “wasted” therapy session, the whish of the power chair’s wheels on the carpet and the low hum of the computer create the only sounds in the room as he positions himself at the desk. He closes his eyes before laying his fingers on the keys to type in the code which would connect him to the refuge he so needed. The Internet and the game room give him an escape from constant pain. The woman he met and visits nightly adds to the ability to flee.
Midnight always appears around midnight each night. She tantalizes him, giving him little information about herself; although, she finally tells him her name, Norma Fields. After Martin threatens to cut off the months-long cyber relationship, she offers to send him a picture of herself. She sends an email attachment: a picture of a beautiful woman.

Martin’s interest changes to one that’s professional. An identical copy had been found, folded in the pocket of a paraplegic who had gone over the rail of a hotel room balcony. As soon as he sees the picture, he calls his friends and fellow detectives, Kyle Stone and Frank Thomas.
The three men meet at Martin’s for breakfast and discuss the photo. Kyle mentions that the woman looks familiar. The men decide to find what information they can about the case and about Midnight, Norma Fields.

After Kyle and Frank return to Martin’s house after their shift, the doorbell rings. Kyle answers the door and invites a young woman to join them. Martin gasps as Midnight walks into the room. Kyle introduces Assistant District Attorney Lisa Harris, telling the others, “I told you the picture reminded me of someone.”

Lisa studies the photo and agrees the head and face are hers but not the rest of the body. She joins the investigation.

In the days that follow, the “Midnight team” discover that several men with large accidental death insurance policies, all with Norma Fields as the beneficiary, have “accidentally” died. The search for Midnight intensifies.

***

For an excellent review of Midnight Hours, click here. And now, read this article written by Vivian re: Internet Predators as it relates to Midnight Hours.

Internet Predators

Many articles, stories, and media reports have covered children and women who became prey to Internet predators. The problem is serious, and no matter how many warnings are given, the number of victims doesn’t disappear.

The theme of Midnight Hours includes an Internet predator, but the author takes the reader on a twisted path: The predator preys on disabled men. The theme isn’t one that’s normally found in stories dealing with online villains, but it is one that is possible.

The message of the novel is the same as with any story about predators: beware.

Beware of Midnight, because she offers loves and gives a grave to men who fall into her trap.

***

And as if that isn't enough, want to watch a short captivating book slide show trailer?

Here are Vivian's Websites:

Main Website: http://viviangilbertzabel.com

Blogs:
http://VivianZabel.blogspot.com "Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap"
http://vzabel.multiply.com "Vivian’s Site"
http://viviansmystery.blogspot.com "Vivian’s Mysteries"

***

I hope you all enjoyed learning more about this fine author's book. Please ask any questions or leave any thoughts in the comments gallery for Vivian to respond to today. Thanks for stopping in - chow!

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Going Home

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sun, 31 May 2009 09:00:00 +0000

One of my favorite motivational and inspirational authors and speakers of all time is the late Og Mandino. I had the opportunity to hear his last speech at a convention in Dallas, Texas, about a decade ago. He told this short story that I am today attempting to do justice to by memory – I do not have a recording of Og’s presentation.

***

In ancient Asia, in a small village where peasants lived simple lifestyles with centuries-old traditions, Xui Li was a strong young man who worked his family’s rice paddy for a living. Every able body in the clan – all the children, his wife, his parents, even the grandparents worked hard to eke out a modest existence. The rule of life was - no work, no food.

Xui Li’s grandfather had passed away, died of a heart attack several years ago while working in the fields. And his grandmother, while still alive, had grown too old and feeble to be able to sustain her share of the labor. It was tradition that when someone outlived their ability to work, it was time for them to pass on from this world. They had outlived their usefulness, and their spirit was longing to move on from this plane of existence. Custom had it that the strongest member of the family would carry the old weak family member to the top of the nearby mountain and place him or her there to commune with the spirits and die with dignity.

Xui Li’s parents were still strong enough to work in the rice paddy, but his father asked Xui Li to please carry grandmother to the mountaintop, as he was a strapping youthful man in his prime, and father was not so strong anymore. Xui Li agreed, even though his heart was heavy. He loved his grandmother dearly and hated the thought of what he must do.

Grandmother did not resist, she knew it was time. She asked Xui Li to please just wait a minute – she wanted to put on her favorite dress for this final episode in her life. When she had gotten the garment on, Xui Li helped her by fastening the clasp at the back of the neck, then he lofted her onto his broad shoulders and began the long and arduous journey across the fields, over to, and up the tall mountain.

When they were part way up the slope, grandmother began reaching out now and then and grabbing twigs off of trees, throwing them to the ground. At first Xui Li thought nothing of it, but after a while he became annoyed.

This is difficult enough for me to do as it is, he thought, why is she snagging our progress continually? Xui Li was growing tired, he was angry with himself for what he was doing, and frustrated with the whole situation. But he continued on, struggling against the angst in his gut and his vision that was increasingly hindered by the thickening mist.

The old woman kept up with the breaking off of twigs, causing Xui Li to nearly stumble over with the jerking several times. As they approached the summit she did it again, and now Xui Li was livid. He set his grandmother down, and with reddened face he said, “Grandmother – why do you insist on grabbing hold of trees and breaking off twigs? This is hard enough for me to do, and you are making me very upset!”

The old woman’s wrinkled pale face smiled as she lifted a tired hand and placed it on the hand of her grandson. Her eyes fill up as she calmed him with a shush, and said, “Oh my dear Xui Li, I am sorry if I have been a bother. I only wanted to make sure and leave a good trail so my beloved grandson would be able to easily find his way down the mountain and return safely to his home.”

***

Don't know about you, but The Old Silly (who was at the time ten or eleven years not so old, lol) had a couple moist eyes when Og got to the end of that story.

Hey guys - whilst out blog-hopping today, bop on over to Joyce Anthony's Books and Authors blog. She has a feature post on yours truly today that I know she'd love some feedback on. Great blog she has over there, you'll love it.

Okay. Blog dismissed. Love you guys - toodles!

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A Saturday Pontification

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Know and remember this-

You are not a human being
that has spiritual experiences.

You are a spiritual being
having a human experience.

(Taken from the novel, Owen Fiddler)

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A HoJo Report on Book Launching

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Back again with us today as guest blogger is author, editor, and marketing maven HoJo - Carolyn Howard Johnson, with a follow up article to yesterday's post. Enjoy, take notes, and make sure and comment and/or as questions - HoJo will be dropping in off and on this afternoon and evening to converse and interact with you all.

Learning from a New Launch Idea

Everything new we try comes with a sense of excitement and a set of new expectations.

Yesterday your blogging guru Marv Wilson told you about a new frugal idea I had for the launch of my new book, A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques.

As those of you who have read The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't know, I tell it like it is so others can learn from my experience--both boo boos and successes. You are aware that I think launches are part of the fun of publishing and no one should miss doing one. You also know I warn authors not to have great expectations from book signings unless they are held in one's backyard. Meaning, where you'll have plenty of support from family, friends, etc.

There are other lessons in this premise if we extend it a tad. As your reading public grows, the arena for successful book signings will grow. As the number of books you publish gets larger you'll see a difference in the kind of support you get for your signings. You'll find more regular readers popping by to get your next release and fewer of your friends and relatives who--if they're not avid readers of your kind of book--will soon find the novelty of your publishing career wearing off.

Those of you who have read The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't also know that anything you do will be far more successful if you build a list of your own interested parties and, yes, use it every time you make any kind of an appearance. Relying on others' traffic (like the casual reader who wanders through the door at Barnes and Noble) is a recipe for little traffic at your signing table and few sales. Further, you will have missed an opportunity to remind the folks on your list of your many coups in the world of publishing.

Additionally, those of you have read The Frugal Book Promoter understand I believe speaking and teaching to be the number one way build a following and to sell books.

Of course, I knew all this. Because it's in my book and because--as I move forward with my writing--I keep getting reminded of the hard-won lessons learned from my past careers and from promoting my books. So I was a bit wary of holding a launch outside my own pond, especially for a book that targets a different audience than any I'd ever written for.

That's why when the opportunity to do a launch for A Retailer's Guide to In-Store Promotion at the National Stationery Show at Javits Center in New York came up, I was elated. Trade shows, after all, offer a built in audience and this one had huge crowds of retailers this book was written to help. I hoped that would make up for the lack of a personal list. I was also familiar with Javits from several Book Expo Americas I'd attended and quite a few gift shows I'd been to at that same venue in the past. It's fantastic!

The Stationery Show executives also asked me to speak at two seminars; one was on promoting online and the other was on promoting in stores. By the way, both the seminar and book on in-store promotion include lots ideas for utilizing the talents of local authors.

The gift show administrators were hugely supportive in terms of promotion, too. There was a full-page story in the daily newspaper that trade shows use, a full-color ad in their directory, and prominent announcements of the seminars I was doing. The day after the signing on the trade show floor, they followed up with a story and picture on that, as well (it was believed to be a first for gift shows so it was really news!). In other words, this was a first-rate trade show run by a first-rate team.

This new launch idea was super successful in that it confirmed every one of my original premises about launches and book signings. Here is what it told me:

1. Launches are wonderful. Everyone should have one. Even after the first or sixth or eighth book.
2. Book signings outside one's own pond are less than stellar for anyone on the emerging-author side of Stephen King.
3. Your own invitation list is important. If you don't have one, keep expectations low or use some of the ideas in The Frugal Book Promoter for developing a great one.
4. Speaking and teaching indeed work miracles. They increase your credibility and instill in your audience a need for more of what you have to give them--something they will find in your books.
5. Doing a launch in a venue other than a private party that you--as the author--must pay for is a frugal and efficient way to go.
6. Even with great advertising and publicity one's reputation must build. Word-of-mouth is still the most powerful advertising of all.

This unique experience came down to this: I did so much good with the seminars I taught, even sold a lot of books at them. The book signing itself was wonderful in terms of exposure and networking, disappointing in terms of book sales.

If I'd been listening to my own advice, I would have known. (-:

-----

This report is from Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning How To Do It Frugally series of books for writers and now for retailers, too. Learn more about her books of fiction and poetry and her past careers in journalism and publicity that helped hone her skills for marketing at www.howtodoitfrugally.com.

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Some HoJo How To's

marvwilson2010@gmail.com (Marvin D. Wilson) — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Today and tomorrow it is my pleasure to have as guest blogger, the dynamic Carolyn Howard Johnson. Affectionately know by her friends and many fans as "HoJo." First, for those of you have not been living on earth in the last oh - half a century or so, and don't yet know who HoJo is, here's some background information:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson puts nearly three decades of retail experience plus oodles more in the fields of journalism, public relations, publishing, and marketing into this first in her new Survive and Thrive series of books. She consults in the three Ps: publishing, promotion, and publicity and is the author of the multi award-winning How To Do It Frugally series of books for writers and award-winning books of fiction and poetry.

Howard-Johnson founded and operated stores ranging from home décor to gifts to antiques and other collectibles. She owned and operated the souvenir shop at the world renowned Santa Anita Race Track. She has served on the boards of directors of the malls where her stores were located, of the boards of cooperative catalogs her stores utilized, and periodicals like Gift Beat. She also served on the California Gift Show board of directors. She puts this world of experience in retailing to work for you with this series of Survive and Thrive books and in private consultation sessions.

Howard-Johnson was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by members of the California Legislature. The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Impact Council also named her Woman of the Year and Pasadena Weekly honored her for literary activism. Her Web site is www.howtodoitfrugally.com. A Retailer's Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions is also available as a Kindle book.

And now, please enjoy this article on pulling off effective book launches, written by Carolyn just for us today at Free Spirit!

***

Target Your Audience and Get Paid for Your Launch

Book launches are the stuff dreams are made of.

I've had many and know by now that—like weddings—they can drain even an ample promotion budget. Still, they can be an excellent promotion device and the most fun part of writing a book next to writing it, so I'd never, ever suggest an author pass over a launch opportunity; I would suggest the launch should be designed to fit the situation and that an author can throw a good party and still be frugal.

Here are some general book launch situations that an author might find him or herself in:

Your book covers a niche that absolutely none of your friends, relatives, or even business associates or former readers are interested in. If that is the case you must know that your book has an audience or you wouldn't have written it. That is the audience you invite—that particular category of people. Your launch becomes limited only to them. They are your target and this approach lets you choose the venue, the theme, the decorations and food—everything—that will make a hit with them. It's targeted marketing at its best.

This is the group I found myself in with the release of A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Oh, it would have been different had I published it a few years ago when I was still in retailing, but I'm afraid I've let my contacts dwindle and retailing has changed drastically in this market downturn eliminating many of my old retailing friends. In fact, that market downturn coupled with my continued love of the industry are my reasons for writing it.

This is my sixth book in nearly as many genres but this particular situation found me figuring out a new model for a launch. Because I was worried about the book's financial success (not what it can give to a reader or its quality—I have confidence in those things or I wouldn't have published it!), I am going to need to build a new audience. That means I need to stay on a budget. A tight budget.

I asked myself, what is the best way to do be Frugal, and it came to me as I was sitting by the fire in January, watching embers dwindle to mere sparks. Let someone pay me to do a launch.

Now, I'm lucky. I have already spoken widely in many venues and have rave endorsements to prove it. If you haven't, you can still use part of this idea as a model.

This is what I did. I got a speaking job at a national trade show of retailers and I used this book (plus past retailing experience) as an entrée. Yes, a paying job. I am not only going to speak, the show people are going to plop me onto the middle of their trade show floor to sign my book. They're also running an interview in the show's daily newspaper and ads in their directory because it's a great service for their buyers.

I'll also be able to sell A Retailer's Guide at the back of the room at the two seminars I will be doing. So, except for the cost of the books, this launch not only will cost me nothing but it is a win-win. It's a new model for retail shows (at least everyone thinks it is in spite of the fact there is nothing new in the world) and so the entire idea is getting lots of publicity for the show as well as for me.

But what if you think there is no equivalent to a trade show for your book or that you haven't the speaking credentials to do this. Well, think again. This is what you do:

1. Put on your thinking cap. There are all kinds of trade shows, trade magazines, publishers, etc. etc in this nation and this world. Reference librarians have magic thinking caps of their own. Ask one at your local library to help you. Think foundations, charities, grants, unions, business organizations, social organizations, national fraternities and more.

There has to be some angle in your book that is a match for some entity within these 50 states or beyond that would welcome something fresh and new for their audience. They need a value-added entity that will set them apart from their competitors. That something fresh and new to value-added is you.

2. Sell yourself. Use a great query letter and media kit that presents WOW! ways that business entity can benefit from what you offer. You may include a speech, workshop, or seminar in that pitch if you think it will strengthen your bid—or not.

3. Sell the way you can sell your appearance. You have been building a platform (that part of your experience that convinces editors, publishers, and agents of your following and your ability to promote), so now you'll tell this contact about your skills and credibility.

4. Once you've got this new model going, prove your value. Not only do what you said you would do for them, do more. An example is this article. It's another win-win-win! situation. I get to help authors with a new model for a launch; Marv Wilson gets to help his blog visitors by using my article. The National Stationery Show ® gets some more publicity (there may be some retailers in Marv's group who need to know about that trade show and there may be some who aren't retailers willing to pass the information on about the Stationery Show and about my book!).

The National Stationery Show benefits because they are providing unparalleled buyer education directly to their attendees and those attendees will go back to their hometowns, tell other retailers about the fantastic education program offered by this trade show that included perquisites for their attendees above and beyond the usual trade show experience.

You have now published so many books your friends, and relatives are all jaded by your publishing success. For them your launches now resemble the same-ish formal wedding your sister-in-law invited you to for all six of her marriages. In this case your launch should be directed at its target audience. Only you know who that audience is, but it is probably the loyal fans who have purchased your other books in a series or a specific genre (provided this one offers something new and exciting). For them you'll need to do something different. Launches are, after all, more about the guests and the author.

This is your first book; it interests a broad range or people and you want to give a bash for everyone. In a case like this, everyone you know will want to celebrate with you and you should give them a chance to do so.

You'll still want to select a fun theme based on the subject of your book, pick a venue that suits it and on and on. I'm The Frugal Book Promoter, so I must tell you to get a handle on expenses early or this could turn out to be as expensive as some of the most lavish weddings. If you don't care, have at it. Otherwise, plan a budget.

For my first book, a women's historical novel set in Utah in the 1950s, I decided I had some money to spend but I asked the Gene Autrey Museum of Western History in Griffith Park in Los Angeles if they'd let me use their theater. Because the book is based on the true stories of five generations of hardy Utah pioneers, they miraculously said, "Yes." I didn't pay for the venue but their bookstore sold the book and reaped the profit from that. Again, win-win.

I even chose little favors for attendees, something I don't usually recommend unless the author can find something both reasonably priced and suitable for the launch theme. I found thimbles with a picture of the state of Utah on them and bought them by the gross from a wholesaler. I put my aging (and needle-handy) mother to work making little felt pouches for them, my husband to work making little tags with a quotation from the book them and hand-punching holes in the tags to tie onto the pouches. Yep. Frugal—but also different and suitable for the history-related party.

I did spend some on trays of mini sandwiches and other finger foods from Whole Foods. Not cheap, but certainly not an expensive caterer. I did tons of promotion and, because it was in a public place, many people I didn't know showed up. We had a guest book and my good friends—with very little arm twisting—volunteered to help guests sign the guest book for future mailing lists, serve the punch, and act as ushers. As I recall, the cost came to about $500. I'll never forget it.

Don't you dare believe that no public place will want you. Charitable organizations, schools, and some businesses will be happy to trade for the publicity you'll give them and the profit they'll make on your book. If not, have it at home. My next launch (for a book of short stories called Harkening) was at my friend's home. She is herself an author (obviously sympathetic!) and her sweet hospitality included inviting all her personal friends.

Another very low-cost kind of launch is to use the Web. Include a Twitter contest, blog tours, Facebook event and offer freebies. The Web is almost always one of the most frugal choices for any kind of promotion.

All my books have had a launch of sorts including my chapbooks of poetry and each was well worth the time and cost. Yours is, too. Choose wisely, and go for it!

***

Thanks, HoJo - hey everyone, show Carolyn some love in the comments and ask any questions you'd like. She will be chatting with us all in the comments gallery. And tune in tomorrow as HoJo returns to Free Spirit, fresh back from her latest book launch experience - and she has a special "field report" post for us. Great stuff - see you then.

Oh - almost forgot. If you'd like to see an example of an effective Media Release, put together by a master of publicity, check out Carolyn's Media Release for her new book and click here.

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