…reflections…

I’ve often wondered why people say and do the things they do. Guess we all have moments where something or someone causes us to question the person’s judgment, perhaps their motive, maybe even their sanity. Don’t get me wrong, 90% of the time I’m questioning my own judgment – thinking my understanding is incomplete of the person’s circumstance or situation, thus biasing my thinking about what the person has said or done.

My book Character Happens! takes a firm stance on this…ugh…ur, fleeting nature of a *best decision* coming from a persons encounter or situation. The books stories illustrate that we *all* are vulnerable in our decision-making by not considering the decision’s effect beyond our own interest. Sure, there are those individuals who throughout their entire lives made decisions benefitting only them. But that is not what you’re about, is it?

Twitter me @garrymgraves about your *fleeting encounters* and how you responded. Thanks for following my blog, my followers are a blessing. --gg

...Character Happens! contrasts Objectivism. Good!

...if, when, you’re a non-fiction writer, it is said, ‘you’re selling something not just telling a story.’ Well yes, I’ll admit, I am selling something. I’m selling people on the idea they can improve there lives by choosing to make a *better* decision, a more virtuous decision. A decision *considered* beyond the benefit of only themselves.


Ayn Rand, as others described her [Objectivism Philosophy] “...the proper moral purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own happiness or rational self-interest...” And, in her own words... “My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."

Academics bore me. They bore me with their own ‘self-interest.’ I encourage you to join me in a ‘joined-bore-quest’ (JBQ), of being bored by academics. They espouse their plight; lack of money, lack of recognition, lack of power, of influence, on and on. They bore me with their forthrightness about wanting the rest of us to ‘feel their pain’ and reward them with accolades of aforementioned. Shallow? How can we measure the depth?

Character Happens! is NOT a golf book! It IS a book about character and virtue and decision making. Yes, the book uses *golf* stories to convey its message. Think of it as... “the moral of the story is,” blah, blah, blah. For those of you, who have a hard time following the storyline [golf] please refer to the glossary of golf terms to aid your understanding...remembering the golf story is only a vehicle to make a point.

FYI, a local independent bookstore (city pop: 9144 in year 2000), refused to have me speak to their Saturday morning book club. They don’t enjoy sports books. Another local community library (pop: 8389 in year 2000) didn’t allow me to conduct a reading, no reason given.

Writing a book is difficult. Marketing a book is more difficult. Anyone out there who wants to join 'JBQ' and be bored by academics? Let me know.

Meet Writer-Artist Susan Mordigal...

Welcome to the second installment of 'Authors Blog Tour' featuring new, old, published and unpublished writers of fiction and non-fiction. The writers featured are professional writers/authors with many years behind the pen...ur, keyboard. Today, we've pushed the envelope with the offering of Susan Mordigal, pro-writer and artist extraordinaire. Please take a moment AFTER reading this interview to visit her site. She's good...so if interested in her work, please contact her through her blog. Let's begin, shall we...

So you’re a writer...what do you write about?
I am still a ‘student’ of picture books, meaning I’m still studying the ins and outs and the craft of writing a book for this very young audience. I have however written many short stories for young people and articles about pets, pet therapy and medical issues.
Are you currently involved in a writing project? Elaborate.
Yes, I am working on writing and illustrating a picture book about our rescue dog – his story of how he came to us. We are a certified pet therapy team and I also plan to write and illustrate a picture book about our adventures in this rewarding cause.
How do you combat times when you’re uninspired?
Luckily this has never been a problem for me, for writing or illustrating. I literally see inspiration everywhere. I seem to have the opposite problem –too many ideas! I have a sort of ADD I guess. I’ll get a great idea, work with it, then I’ll get another one, start it up, then something else inspiring will come along, etc. etc. It’s sort of like people who have endless craft projects or home improvements in the works. I try very hard to stay focused, but sometimes it’s a challenge, my biggest enemy is not enough time!
What interests you about this specific genre?
I have a passion for helping others and for animals in need. I found pet therapy to be the perfect mix of these two, everyone wins! In the future, I also plan on broadening my subject matter to wildlife, and children and their loved ones coping with illnesses.
When can we expect to see your book?
My deadline has to be flexible because of the circumstances in my life right now, but I’m hoping to have a book ‘dummy’ completely ready to send to publishers no later than two years from now. I am also keeping the door open for self-publishing.
Where can reader sample some of your writing?
On my blog there are several articles under the category ‘articles’.
Do you blog about your book?
I blog about the fact that the book is in the works, but do not share any specific passages or illustrations from the book. I try hard to showcase good artwork and interesting topics on my blog – people seem to like it and I’ve made some wonderful friends!

Susan, Thank You. My readers always appreciate a writer with a great 'read' and also one who tantalizes us with a interesting future work. We look forward to your offerings. Please come back and don't forget to answer any questions readers have of you. Again, thanks. --gg

...'Author Blog Tour,' second edition this Wed., the 24th.

Please mark your calendar—Wednesday, March 24, 2010. This date signifies my second interview of a new writing professional, Susan Mordigal. Susan is an artist-writer and will answer questions about her new project. This will be the second in a series of ‘Author Tour’s’ or interview’s of up and coming writer’s—maybe even some you might enjoy. You decide. Please stop by the Character Happens! Blog and taste the styling’s of this new and exciting artist-writer. Thanks, --gg


(bring your inquisitiveness as the author promises to answer any questions you may have)

Writer Interview...Vanessa Leavitt

The following is first in the series of writers interviewed from my ‘Authors Tour.’ Should you have a question for the writer, please comment under this post. The writer will post their answers for everyone’s viewing within the week. Without further ado, I proudly introduce Vanessa Leavitt, thanks for doing the interview Vr....
So you’re a writer...what do you write about?
My current project is a historical fantasy called, "Shaping Fate." It starts off in plague ravaged London, 1349. William Bennett, a young chandler, is forced to make a decision; take his wife and child and flee the city in the hopes that they can outrun the scourge, or stay and take their chances.
  The instant he chooses to run, he is marked with a strange symbol and his wife and daughter fall ill. Upon their deaths, he is greeted by a foreigner, Gabriel, who tells William that he is to become one of the 'Amamri,' a group of immortals who are responsible for shaping and guiding humanity.
  As William learns more, he finds that the Amamri are in part responsible for the plague that killed his family. He is now faced with another decision; to join them or fight against them.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing seriously for almost 10 years now.
How do you combat times when you’re uninspired?
I read or see a movie. Something to fill the creative well. Lately I've also been taking Julia Cameron's "Artist's Way" course, which has helped immensely for those times I'm feeling blocked or uninspired.
Why is your genre more important or marketable than another?
This is a good question. I don't think fantasy is necessarily more important than any other genre. As far as marketability, it's enjoying an all time high which is great. Really though, I didn't wake up one day and say, "Hey, I'm going to be a fantasy writer." When I got the idea for "Shaping Fate," it was the characters that came to me first. Then as the ideas grew, it turned into a fantasy story. I never really set out to be a fantasy writer. My first attempts at writing and a new project I'm outlining are completely non-fantasy.
What interests you about this specific genre?
What I like most about fantasy is the ability to bend the rules. Eventhough my book is set here on earth, during a very real time in history, my characters are immortals and have certain magical abilities. Granted, they still have to play by certain rules, but it's nice to be able to write a scene that could never actually happen or give people certain powers that they could never really have. I like playing the "Wouldn't it be cool if..." game.
Where can reader sample some of your writing?
I have a blog at www.vrleavitt.com and will be launching a site for "Shaping Fate" in the next year. Stay tuned!

Again, Thank You very much for taking the time and doing the interview. Readers may ask questions of the writer if they like and answers will be posted within the week. Please check back frequently. Thanks, --gg