I am not a very good blogger.
I think I will be the first one to say that. In actuality, I find it hard for anyone to find what I write about important - really.
I will say that I do have an opinion, but you know what folks say about opinions. I guess I can sit here and write stuff and maybe if you are reading it you might find it interesting.
I am what some call an indie author, though I know the book I published is anything but. I can honestly say that I spent more on my book than a lot of big name publishers would spend on their author's books - my only issue has been distribution and marketing, all of which I have limited resources and time (especially after what I spent on the book).
Like a lot of folks, I hope an agent might pick me up one day, but rejection time and time again has been daunting to say the least, which brings me to the stuff I have been reading from my fellow, 'indie authors.'
There is no doubt that there are talented writers out there. I have read some really good stuff, but all and all the stories are missing one particular element for me. I guess that is what agents and editors are for. It begs me to think, that yes, my book may be missing that particular element as well.
The element I am talking about is a matter of place.
It has seemed to me that writers take off with the story, but give little account to where the characters are. An example, I just read a book with a great story, but I was really confused about where the story was taking place. Even if the story is fiction, historical aspects are always a plus in the story for me. If the story is a story about pirates, and it takes place in the Caribbean, then by all means I want a little history lesson about the pirates and the Caribbean. Though your story is fiction, those little historic tidbits will make your tale ring true. It also gives me a chance to put myself in the shoes of the characters. I can picture the story much more clearly.
Michael Crichton was a master at this. You can find great examples of the 'PLACE' element in his books, "The Great Train Robbery", or "Jurassic Park". They are perfect in that way (to me). It also makes what Mr. Crichton is blowing up our butts believable, even though if some of the things he says are quite impossible - at the moment anyway.
But he can stick it in your mind that what he is saying MAY BE POSSIBLE, kind of sort of, maybe, but possible.
Anyway, that is all.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
"Small as a Mustard Seed" First review...ever...
Over 128 thousand Americans were killed or wounded in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. Some do not realize that this was a mere five years after over one million Americans were either killed or wounded during WWII between 1941 and 1945. If you noticed that the Korean War took place just five years after WWII – it is an amazing statistic. As America entered The Vietnam War in the 1960’s and the subsequent upheaval that war caused on our society, you may understand now why the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the “forgotten war.” I am sure it is even more worthy to note that within the 128 thousand Americans wounded or killed in Korea, I am pretty sure that that number does not include the multitude of veterans who came home mentally scarred from what they witnessed on the battlefield.
In Shelli Johnson’s “As Small as Mustard Seed,” we peer into the lives of a family that must deal with a veteran afflicted with the mental wounds of the Korean War.
I would like to start by saying that the title is very dear to me. It refers to the bible verse located in the book of Matthew, chapter 17, verse 20: "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
As a veteran of the military that served during another American war, I understand fully how one’s religious core can be shaken to the root after one sees what war can do to others in this world. The first question through a lot of people’s mind is, “How can a caring, all powerful God allow this to happen to us?” I am not a theologian, and I will not preach, but I have always found comfort in that verse from the book of Matthew.
What we see in Ann Marie and her family in “Small as a Mustard Seed” is a family I believe that has lost all faith in anything, including the family unit as a whole. This is prevalent in one of the most memorable scenes in the book where the family packs up decorations after Christmas and the baby Jesus is missing from the nativity scene. The family is almost asking permission to have faith – even if it is as small as a mustard seed.
The parable of Jesus implies that a mustard plant grows over time and becomes a large bush; in fact it is the largest among herbs. In turn, if one were to have faith in context of the size of a mustard seed, that seed has the potential to grow enormously starting from such a small point. Ann Marie’s family has a hard time even getting to the point of having even a small bit of faith, much less watching it grow.
Ann Marie even states that it was not God that answered her prayers in the horse barn, but instead a dimming light bulb that saved her life from the hands of her father. It may put things into context, though is it really coincidence, or is it just a lack of seeing God act in our lives, even at the worst moment no matter how small? I think Shelli places that question perfectly, and it reverberates through the entire story.
Adele’s insistence of keeping the family together and controlling Frank’s illness within the privacy of the family only proves their inability to place faith where it needs to be focused. By placing her faith in herself, Adele manages to rip the family apart even more, and as Jolene piles on the sin of her family and sacrifices herself in a futile attempt to make things better, you can come to the conclusion that this family does not get the point of faith, religion, Jesus, or even God at all, and it leads back to the ultimate, very misunderstanding of their father’s illness.
Mental illness has always been taboo. It is still not fully understood, and treatments only treat the symptoms and are never a cure. Historically, the more rational treatments of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Schizophrenia have only been around since the 1940’s and 50’s, and are still improving over time. So in milieu, Frank showing the signs of PTSD during the 60’s and into the 70’s shows a very much lack of perception. It is understandable that a family would pretend everything is ok, or wishing it will just disappear, dealing with the illness internally – especially since they live in a small town, and everyone talks about everything.
“Small as a Mustard Seed,” in my opinion, is an important book. It embarks on shedding light on a very prevalent illness, especially since there are thousands of Americans coming back from war even as I type, and I am sure no doubt may carry some of the same demons Frank does. It also points out the misunderstanding of where faith lies in our lives and the real point of why we suffer.
What I also appreciated with Shelli is that she writes to a certain point and doesn’t leap over a line that a lot of authors would. Her dramatic scenes are dramatic, but they do not leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. After reading the book, I especially thought that young adults and even teenagers would learn a lot from this story.
One thing that I would have really liked Shelli to have done is put a little more historical background in the novel. Artistically, I can see that what was happening to the family was happening to the family and any outside storyline might hamper on her tale. She is definitely trying to isolate these people as much as possible. I don’t see this as a problem though. If more of the historical background and context was encompassed in the book, this may have become the dark side of Forrest Gump. In hindsight it is Ann Marie’s thoughts about her family in the past, so it is understandable from a practical point that she would not bring up anything happening on the outside. I missed some of the historical telling that would have brought more insight to the family’s plight on a larger scale. I guess I am a sucker for Michael Crichton’s “The Great Train Robbery” in that sense.
“Small as a Mustard Seed” is solidly written and very descriptive. I enjoyed this book a lot, and yes I got choked up a couple of times. Again, as a veteran I am very thankful to artists who tackle on such difficult subjects that affect the lives of servicemen and servicewomen.
Will Ann Marie or her family find what they are looking for? You'll have to read to find out.
5 out of 5
If you are a veteran or someone you know is a veteran and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, please contact your local VA, or go to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ to seek assistance. You are not alone, and your family is not either.
"Small as a Mustard Seed" by Shelli Johnson
Click to buy the eBook here: Small as a Mustard Seed
or at the iBooks store.
If you are an independent author and would like an honest review of your book, let me know. I will be happy to purchase your eBook and post the review on my blog. I am a programmer by day, and writer of Christian fantasy for kids 10 and up. My book is called "The Mahogany Door" and can be purchased where most eBooks can be bought. It also has an original music soundtrack that can be heard here: The Mahogany Door and bought from Amazon MP3, iTunes, WalMart, or anywhere else you pick up digital music. I can be reached at JMark.Boliek@gmail.com if you would like me to review your book.
In Shelli Johnson’s “As Small as Mustard Seed,” we peer into the lives of a family that must deal with a veteran afflicted with the mental wounds of the Korean War.
I would like to start by saying that the title is very dear to me. It refers to the bible verse located in the book of Matthew, chapter 17, verse 20: "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
As a veteran of the military that served during another American war, I understand fully how one’s religious core can be shaken to the root after one sees what war can do to others in this world. The first question through a lot of people’s mind is, “How can a caring, all powerful God allow this to happen to us?” I am not a theologian, and I will not preach, but I have always found comfort in that verse from the book of Matthew.
What we see in Ann Marie and her family in “Small as a Mustard Seed” is a family I believe that has lost all faith in anything, including the family unit as a whole. This is prevalent in one of the most memorable scenes in the book where the family packs up decorations after Christmas and the baby Jesus is missing from the nativity scene. The family is almost asking permission to have faith – even if it is as small as a mustard seed.
The parable of Jesus implies that a mustard plant grows over time and becomes a large bush; in fact it is the largest among herbs. In turn, if one were to have faith in context of the size of a mustard seed, that seed has the potential to grow enormously starting from such a small point. Ann Marie’s family has a hard time even getting to the point of having even a small bit of faith, much less watching it grow.
Ann Marie even states that it was not God that answered her prayers in the horse barn, but instead a dimming light bulb that saved her life from the hands of her father. It may put things into context, though is it really coincidence, or is it just a lack of seeing God act in our lives, even at the worst moment no matter how small? I think Shelli places that question perfectly, and it reverberates through the entire story.
Adele’s insistence of keeping the family together and controlling Frank’s illness within the privacy of the family only proves their inability to place faith where it needs to be focused. By placing her faith in herself, Adele manages to rip the family apart even more, and as Jolene piles on the sin of her family and sacrifices herself in a futile attempt to make things better, you can come to the conclusion that this family does not get the point of faith, religion, Jesus, or even God at all, and it leads back to the ultimate, very misunderstanding of their father’s illness.
Mental illness has always been taboo. It is still not fully understood, and treatments only treat the symptoms and are never a cure. Historically, the more rational treatments of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Schizophrenia have only been around since the 1940’s and 50’s, and are still improving over time. So in milieu, Frank showing the signs of PTSD during the 60’s and into the 70’s shows a very much lack of perception. It is understandable that a family would pretend everything is ok, or wishing it will just disappear, dealing with the illness internally – especially since they live in a small town, and everyone talks about everything.
“Small as a Mustard Seed,” in my opinion, is an important book. It embarks on shedding light on a very prevalent illness, especially since there are thousands of Americans coming back from war even as I type, and I am sure no doubt may carry some of the same demons Frank does. It also points out the misunderstanding of where faith lies in our lives and the real point of why we suffer.
What I also appreciated with Shelli is that she writes to a certain point and doesn’t leap over a line that a lot of authors would. Her dramatic scenes are dramatic, but they do not leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. After reading the book, I especially thought that young adults and even teenagers would learn a lot from this story.
One thing that I would have really liked Shelli to have done is put a little more historical background in the novel. Artistically, I can see that what was happening to the family was happening to the family and any outside storyline might hamper on her tale. She is definitely trying to isolate these people as much as possible. I don’t see this as a problem though. If more of the historical background and context was encompassed in the book, this may have become the dark side of Forrest Gump. In hindsight it is Ann Marie’s thoughts about her family in the past, so it is understandable from a practical point that she would not bring up anything happening on the outside. I missed some of the historical telling that would have brought more insight to the family’s plight on a larger scale. I guess I am a sucker for Michael Crichton’s “The Great Train Robbery” in that sense.
“Small as a Mustard Seed” is solidly written and very descriptive. I enjoyed this book a lot, and yes I got choked up a couple of times. Again, as a veteran I am very thankful to artists who tackle on such difficult subjects that affect the lives of servicemen and servicewomen.
Will Ann Marie or her family find what they are looking for? You'll have to read to find out.
5 out of 5
If you are a veteran or someone you know is a veteran and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, please contact your local VA, or go to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ to seek assistance. You are not alone, and your family is not either.
"Small as a Mustard Seed" by Shelli Johnson
Click to buy the eBook here: Small as a Mustard Seed
or at the iBooks store.
If you are an independent author and would like an honest review of your book, let me know. I will be happy to purchase your eBook and post the review on my blog. I am a programmer by day, and writer of Christian fantasy for kids 10 and up. My book is called "The Mahogany Door" and can be purchased where most eBooks can be bought. It also has an original music soundtrack that can be heard here: The Mahogany Door and bought from Amazon MP3, iTunes, WalMart, or anywhere else you pick up digital music. I can be reached at JMark.Boliek@gmail.com if you would like me to review your book.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Curious
I am curious to note on why writing is not an individual endevour anymore?
The only reason I ask this question is that if it s such an individual excercise, why do so many people give out tips?
To me one gives tips to writers to write how THEY want to read a story - and what in a story makes THEM like it.
I have come to the conclusion, that while writing tips and lectures, and blah blah blah may be a good foundation - as a writer - I find them useless.
Oh - but if I don't take someone's tips and write how they want, I won't be published... That seems to contradict everything these same people say about wanting something different and edgy. It kind of makes you wonder if you are in a lose-lose situation. I tend to agree that you are.
Mark
The only reason I ask this question is that if it s such an individual excercise, why do so many people give out tips?
To me one gives tips to writers to write how THEY want to read a story - and what in a story makes THEM like it.
I have come to the conclusion, that while writing tips and lectures, and blah blah blah may be a good foundation - as a writer - I find them useless.
Oh - but if I don't take someone's tips and write how they want, I won't be published... That seems to contradict everything these same people say about wanting something different and edgy. It kind of makes you wonder if you are in a lose-lose situation. I tend to agree that you are.
Mark
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Still an idiot writer
I am pretty sure no one will read this, so I guess it doesn't matter what I say. I just thought I'd jump on here and continue my promise of trying to keep a somewhat up to date blog.
I am very worried about the state of publishing and reading and writing these days. Books were pretty obscure objects once before - like when I grew up. There were and still are only a handful of real staples that I read growing up - The Cat in the Hat, Chronicles of Narnia (now it seems everyone has a 'chronicles' story), Winnie the Pooh, Grimm Fairy Tales, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and The Hardy Boys' Mysteries. Now there is just so much stuff out there, and it is hard to separate anything that is actually good.
I also think that writing has been on the decline. Every tip I read has been in the words of 'cut', 'cut', 'cut' - This to me only represents one thing - either publishers think kids are to stupid to read long stories, or publishers don't want to spend money on publishing any extra pages. It has almost become the adage - hey let's put this book out as cheaply as possible and then on to the next one.
I guess I am one who likes to see different styles in the way people write - not the one syllable, five word sentence. I like my words painted - it shows that someone has an imagination. NOT rehashing the movie - "The Running Man" and making it a book. Just read, "20000 Leagues Under the Sea" You'll then know what I am talking about.
It is pretty cool in a way to write a blog no one reads. No one cares. I do get to vent about nothing in particular. If you are out trying to be an author that anyone cares about, quit wasting your time. I also don't want to hear - I just need to write, because that's who I am. No we just have this fascination that someone is actually going to care about what we write - and I have to tell - you - no one does. Twitter is full of this - "such and such says - The Time of NeverEver is the such and such choice.." OR "Mandy Nobody has just released the Flyergate Chronicles, and it's in par with Hunger Games."
If you self publish, and you get a few kudos here and there - hold on to them, because that is all you'll get -
Why so angry you ask? I'm not - I'm just writing a blog no one reads. However, if you do come across this blog - I speaketh the truth. And you can vent along with me if you 'd like?
Yours Truly,
Mark
I am very worried about the state of publishing and reading and writing these days. Books were pretty obscure objects once before - like when I grew up. There were and still are only a handful of real staples that I read growing up - The Cat in the Hat, Chronicles of Narnia (now it seems everyone has a 'chronicles' story), Winnie the Pooh, Grimm Fairy Tales, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and The Hardy Boys' Mysteries. Now there is just so much stuff out there, and it is hard to separate anything that is actually good.
I also think that writing has been on the decline. Every tip I read has been in the words of 'cut', 'cut', 'cut' - This to me only represents one thing - either publishers think kids are to stupid to read long stories, or publishers don't want to spend money on publishing any extra pages. It has almost become the adage - hey let's put this book out as cheaply as possible and then on to the next one.
I guess I am one who likes to see different styles in the way people write - not the one syllable, five word sentence. I like my words painted - it shows that someone has an imagination. NOT rehashing the movie - "The Running Man" and making it a book. Just read, "20000 Leagues Under the Sea" You'll then know what I am talking about.
It is pretty cool in a way to write a blog no one reads. No one cares. I do get to vent about nothing in particular. If you are out trying to be an author that anyone cares about, quit wasting your time. I also don't want to hear - I just need to write, because that's who I am. No we just have this fascination that someone is actually going to care about what we write - and I have to tell - you - no one does. Twitter is full of this - "such and such says - The Time of NeverEver is the such and such choice.." OR "Mandy Nobody has just released the Flyergate Chronicles, and it's in par with Hunger Games."
If you self publish, and you get a few kudos here and there - hold on to them, because that is all you'll get -
Why so angry you ask? I'm not - I'm just writing a blog no one reads. However, if you do come across this blog - I speaketh the truth. And you can vent along with me if you 'd like?
Yours Truly,
Mark
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I am an idiot writer
This will be the first post in the adventures of being a stupid writer.
I have to say that of all of the things to be in this world, why would anyone want to be a writer --- especially now?
I am not sure what being in middle school is these days, but when I went to school, we were required to read certain books throughout the year... what a crock. I had better things to do than read. I think most of the time I copied my neighbors answers to the 10 question quiz we had after each reading assignment.
It wasn't until I had this bright idea in 1996 to write a book that I thought reading added anything to society. That's right - 1996. That was before "Harry Potter", before the Internet craze and before the absolute saturation of wanna be authors - yours truly included.
It is amazing what one can do with technology these days - meaning - CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE THIS STUFF STARTS OR STOPS? What do I mean by stuff? Exactly, have not one clue.
I have gone the self-publishing route - and let me be the first to say - DON'T DO IT!! Unless you want to pat yourself on the back. There is virtue in self publishing though - once you go through it - you'll know where you made your mistake, and you'll be cleaning it up for some time afterwards.
I will say I have a product due to self-publication - it is not a bad product - but what an agent and publishing house can do for said product is daunting to say the least what one can do with that product themselves.
You see - I have done everything that everyone says a self-publisher should do - but yet no one reads my book. The reason? Well - this is hard, but the reason is that I have not a clue how to market, distribute, publicize, or anything else to my audience.
So yes - I have the social media stuff...nothing. I have a blog...nothing.
Maybe my story is not good enough.......hmmmm....maybe, but I don't know that because I can't reach a larger market, and the money it would take to do so is something I am not willing to pay - especially since I am some thousands of dollars in the hole.
Being published in a house with an agent gives you one thing self-pub will not, and that is being legit. Save the sermons, please, until later. I know all of the cliches and sayings and everything else.
There are always exceptions to the rule, but there is also a winner of the lottery - and what is the chance in that?
I still think it is easier to make in Hollywood than it is to be a writer.
I love success stories - yet I am not one of them. I am probably one of the millions that are not - though I will not give up. I just want to do it right.
It is a brand new world out there as far as publishing goes. Anyone with a computer can be a writer nowadays. I have probably seen my window open and shut, but we'll see.
So I have 3 followers of my blog as of this post.....this should be interesting.
www.facebook.com/jmarkboliek
I have to say that of all of the things to be in this world, why would anyone want to be a writer --- especially now?
I am not sure what being in middle school is these days, but when I went to school, we were required to read certain books throughout the year... what a crock. I had better things to do than read. I think most of the time I copied my neighbors answers to the 10 question quiz we had after each reading assignment.
It wasn't until I had this bright idea in 1996 to write a book that I thought reading added anything to society. That's right - 1996. That was before "Harry Potter", before the Internet craze and before the absolute saturation of wanna be authors - yours truly included.
It is amazing what one can do with technology these days - meaning - CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE THIS STUFF STARTS OR STOPS? What do I mean by stuff? Exactly, have not one clue.
I have gone the self-publishing route - and let me be the first to say - DON'T DO IT!! Unless you want to pat yourself on the back. There is virtue in self publishing though - once you go through it - you'll know where you made your mistake, and you'll be cleaning it up for some time afterwards.
I will say I have a product due to self-publication - it is not a bad product - but what an agent and publishing house can do for said product is daunting to say the least what one can do with that product themselves.
You see - I have done everything that everyone says a self-publisher should do - but yet no one reads my book. The reason? Well - this is hard, but the reason is that I have not a clue how to market, distribute, publicize, or anything else to my audience.
So yes - I have the social media stuff...nothing. I have a blog...nothing.
Maybe my story is not good enough.......hmmmm....maybe, but I don't know that because I can't reach a larger market, and the money it would take to do so is something I am not willing to pay - especially since I am some thousands of dollars in the hole.
Being published in a house with an agent gives you one thing self-pub will not, and that is being legit. Save the sermons, please, until later. I know all of the cliches and sayings and everything else.
There are always exceptions to the rule, but there is also a winner of the lottery - and what is the chance in that?
I still think it is easier to make in Hollywood than it is to be a writer.
I love success stories - yet I am not one of them. I am probably one of the millions that are not - though I will not give up. I just want to do it right.
It is a brand new world out there as far as publishing goes. Anyone with a computer can be a writer nowadays. I have probably seen my window open and shut, but we'll see.
So I have 3 followers of my blog as of this post.....this should be interesting.
www.facebook.com/jmarkboliek
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