Happy & Brainy Group discussion

Posted under the "To the Glory of Man" group.

A cut and paste of the same post in the To the Glory of Man group:

I am so thankful and happy that I discovered Goodreads on July 12, 2008.

Six days before, I wrote in a blog: The print-on-demand (POD) technology empowers individual thinkers to judge whether a book is worthy to be read. Unknown and struggling, a self-published author is faced with the challenge of reaching potential readers.

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In exchange for being allowed to promote Reason Reigns here, I have endeavored to write topics which I hope others would find useful, or stimulating, or fun, or worthwhile.

Thank you, dear members, Goodreads-friends, and visitors.

From the "To the Glory of Man" group:

I received several group invitations; I accepted three yesterday, then read many posts.
I was touched by several of the reasons stated why authors write. These are two of them:

1. "I write because I am alive with poetry. You see, human life is very empty today, especially in the middle east; there is no entertainment, no interest, no future... People seek for something to fill their empty worlds and for me, this is poetry."

- by سپی

* I posted this:

Hello Sepideh,

I wish you and everyone in the Middle East a good life, a world where your minds and bodies could soar freely and happily.

Warm regards.

- - -
2. "I wrote my novel, Reflections from Shadow, over six years to pay tribute to the scared child inside many of us. Also, to expunge the toxin of evangelical Christianity from my heart."

- by Malcolm Watts (MW)

* Excerpt from an interview:

DT: Why did you write this story?

MW: Part of the reason I wrote the book was to give voice to children, and adults, traumatized by the western Judaeo Christian concept of a punitive masculine God.

The growth of evangelical fundamentalism in North America (as well as Islamic fundamentalism in other parts of the world) is alarming to me. God is not man or woman, Christian or Hindu and faiths that promote themselves as having an ultimate truth that people must believe, or else, at the risk of eternal damnation, are wrong and destructive.

Promoting these beliefs to innocent children, instead of generic values of humanity and inclusiveness, is emotional child abuse and socially destructive.

Mankind’s survival now depends upon our appreciation of difference in beliefs and acceptance of what people want to do and believe as long as those beliefs do not infringe on the rights of others by maintaining they constitute the ONLY truth there is and seek to impose themselves on others.

Despite what theological scholars will insist, most ordinary people understand intuitively that there are basic truths that underlay most religions and ethical contructs, i.e., the Golden rule. These universal ideas are what we need to pay attention to and understand that other aspects/structures of religion and belief systems are the result of political/cultural and sociological factors that range back hundreds and thousands of years.

As the pinball wizard in my book says, They are all true, and yet none of it is completely true. Each faith contains an aspect of truth -- facets in the gem of understanding.

- - -
* I posted:

Hello Malcolm,

How are you?

I understand about the toxin. Part 1 of my novel, Reason Reigns, is titled: Faith and Reason.

When you have the time, please visit these groups: Happy & Brainy, and To the Glory of Man.

Best wishes. Good fortune on Reflections from Shadow.

Thank you to dear friends who so kindly responded "yes" to my request:

"Please visit the Author Giveaways. My novel, Reason Reigns, is listed (3 sets: US, US + 15 countries, US + the world)."

A million thanks to those who marked Reason Reigns to-read, to-buy, or currently-reading!

I greatly appreciate the well wishes:

Brian included this in his message: "And good luck on getting the word out on your book. Takes a good deal of energy & perseverence."

Mandy said: "Thanks so much! I really enjoy your groups, as well as all the excerpts from your book. I can't wait to read it!"

Japi replied: "thank you ilyn! great thing you thought of this. hope i win. ^_^"

From JP: "Thanks Ilyn. I loved the theme behind story. I think it applies not only to religious thinking but applies to political goverments of so many different countries."

From "Charmer": "Thanks for the invites and thanks for welcoming new members like me. Great job!"

... and several others - Thank you so much.

Many thanks to you who entered to win Reason Reigns.

I hope to send a friend-request to every non-friend, but there is a daily maximum.

Entries as of 8/21/2008 9:30 pm (my time):

374 - US list
295 - US + 15 countries
218 - US + the world

I wish you all good health and good fortune!

To dear friends who entered to win Reason Reigns: thank you so much!

Entries as of 8/30/2008 5:57 am (my time):

450 - US list (end date - tomorrow)
346 - US + 15 countries
251 - US + the world

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Warmest regards.

Winners for the first list (453 requests): Trisha & Deb.

Trisha & Deb: I will send Reason Reigns on Tuesday, September 2.

Thank you, everyone. Thank you so much Goodreads!

A million thanks to everyone who has Reason Reigns in his/her bookshelf. A billion thanks to everyone who bought it. I am deeply grateful.

I wish you happiness and good fortune!

I watched the “Service Nation Presidential Candidates Forum” hosted by Columbia University.

John McCain glorifies sacrifice. He said the following:

- It’s not about the individual, it’s about the cause we serve.
- After 9-11, I would have asked people to serve.
- … serving a cause greater than yourself…
- … our service and sacrifice…
- Each of us has a duty greater than self-interests.

What a departure from the Declaration of Independence! The Founding Fathers said that each man has the right to the pursuit of happiness. They glorified individualism and selfishness (concern with one’s own interests). They wanted every man to be happy!

Where there is sacrifice, there is someone collecting sacrificial offerings.

John McCain thinks sacrifice is noble. He wants to do what is noble. Given the chance, will he sacrifice his countrymen and his country?

Hi Ilyn,

I guess I wasn't a lucky winner in your book give-away. Do you know when it will hit the Libraries? I don't get to Borders very often because of my disabilities and now my Husband is gravely ill, that will make harder to get books.

I try to read all the posts sent to me. I do have to say that sometimes I just don't get what you all are discussing; but I try to figure it out.I guess you would say that I'm broadening my horizons.
Hugs to you and the gang.Goodnight, Donna.

Hello Donna,

I wish you and your husband good health. Take care.

There is another draw this month's end. If you don't win, I could send you a "members copy". After reading it, if another Happy & Brainy member wants to read it, please send it to that member. What do you think?

Reason Reigns is self-published using the print-on-demand (POD) technology, so it could only be purchased online.

If you want clarification on any of the discussions, let us know.

Goodnight. Hugs.

Hi Ilyn,

Thank you for the good health wishes to Geroge and me. Trust me, we need them.

If I don't win in the next drawing I would love to take you up on your offer of a "members copy" and would be glad to pass it on.

I wish you all the best with the new book.

Hugs to you,Donna

Thank you so much, Donna. Good fortune on all your endeavors.

Best regards and hugs.

Hello Donna & Nina,

Nina said in her poll-comment: "And some day I hope to have your book Ilyn at my bedside."

Donna, please email your address at ilynross@optonline.net, so I could send you the Reason Reigns members copy. Please pass it on to Nina after reading it.

Thank you so much, Donna & Nina, for your interest in Reason Reigns. Have a wonderful Friday and weekend.

Hugs,

Ilyn

Hi Ilyn and Nina,

I will send e-mail to you,Ilyn and would gladly pass it on to Nina. Ilyn thank you so much for the members copy of Reason Reigns.

Both of you have a great weekend. Hugs and Happiness, Donna.

My pleasure, Donna.

I wish you, Nina, and all your loved ones good health and happiness. Hugs.

Thanks for your good wishes; my loved ones, as far as family is concerned are huge; six children, eighteen grandchildren and six greats...Sadly, my parents are gone but I have a devoted husband. We did lose one daughter out of the six children and one grandchild. We are blessed to have the rest even if we never get over our losses deep in our hearts. We have faith and "reason" enough to appreciate that fact. You, too, are blessed to be a bright woman who has published a book and still have your mother around with you to celebrate her birthday. Take Care, nina

It's fun to have a big family.

Thank you, Nina. I wrote this for my Mom: http://www.reasonreigns.com/Homage.html

Have a wonderful day.

What a great tribute. I am sorry that you also have "lost" a mother. We do miss them but how lucky we are to have had those special people in our lives. And how great to name your character after her. nina

Thank you, Nina.

Mrs. Lynne Cheney said in a 2000 interview, “I'm appalled at the media interest in one of my daughters.” In 2001, Mrs. Laura Bush said about the media coverage of her daughters, ''I think it's selling magazines and newspaper articles and television at the expense of my children… I think that our children ought to be left totally alone and allowed to have a private life.''

I agree that the privacy of politicians' children should be respected, not just by the media but more importantly by their parents.

In the Vice Presidential Debate, Governor Sarah Palin said, “Being a mom, one very concerned about a son in the war, about a special needs child…” In her RNC convention speech, she said:

“I'm just one of many moms who'll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way. Our son Track is 19. And one week from tomorrow - September 11th - he'll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country...

... Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys. Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.”

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I asked my firstborn’s permission to write about the following:

Years ago, he demanded from me, “Please respect my privacy.” I was telling my siblings and his first cousins about his Presidential (Bush-43) achievement award. I replied, “But they are family, and I’m telling them something very nice.” He responded, “I am not your trophy.”

After my angry bewilderment subsided, I understood his viewpoint.

My firstborn reiterated his request for privacy when I published Reason Reigns. It was seconded by my husband. I accord the same privacy to our lastborn, so the dedication page of my novel reads, “To: Roark-1, Roark-2, and their Father”. Roark is our sons’ middle name.

$5 DISCOUNT AND FREE SHIPPING for Reason Reigns

http://www.pronto.com/Reason-Reigns-b...

Comment from Chelle on an exchange between ten-year-olds in Reason Reigns:

"what if I fail?"

"Lessons learned and then try again."

Terrific line! Your first chapter sounds very intriguing.

On Sunday, October 19, 2008, I wrote up the theme, plot-theme, and plot summary of my second novel.

To date, my new novel has 29,000 words.

Ten NJ cities are included in "100 Best Places to live 2008". My community is ranked top 23:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneym...

Kentucky didn't have a single town in the top 100. I don't know what their criteria were, but they obviously weren't the same as mine. I just moved here by choice from near Bel Air, Maryland last year, which also didn't make the top of the list, although I'm not sure why. It's crowded, growing & completely different from the sleepy little town it was when I was a kid.

Now, I live near Frankfort, the state capital, which has all of 27,000 people in it. Very rural. I love it, but I guess most don't. That's fine. More room for us.

I finished drafting the first eight chapters of Royal Serf. Seven more chapters to write up.

Ilyn,

I am inmpressed you have a new book on the way. Good luck with it. Some day you might look back and think how did I ever do it///nina

Jim wrote: "Kentucky didn't have a single town in the top 100. I don't know what their criteria were, but they obviously weren't the same as mine. I just moved here by choice from near Bel Air, Maryland last ..."

Hi,

I once visited the library in Frankfort...lovely library and town..No wonder you like it and yes, keep it's charms under your hat..nina

Thank you so much, Nina. When you have the time, I would greatly appreciate a Goodreads review of Reason Reigns.

Enjoy the holidays.

Yesterday morning, there were many visibly heavily armed troopers in the NY Penn Station subways. Aside from the random search and the troopers on the platform, there were troopers standing on the platform by each door of the train. There must have been a threat.

Please check out the Reason Reigns and Cash raffle here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...

Thank you. Happy New Year.

I received this message from a very sweet, wonderful friend:

"... I think I owe you a count of gratitude for all your work with this organization.. I just can't wait to see what you have written each day..Your messages are so well written and informative. It's like a history, philosophy and literature lesson all rolled into one and I don't even have to sit in a classroom. ..."

Thank you, my friend.

You;re welcome, Ilyn..I meant every word..I have read lots in my many years and I know a good yarn when I read it..And I meant "yarn" as a compliment even though it's much deeper than that; but as I said in spite of "teaching" it is a compelling story. And leaves us a message..keep up your good work! nina

Thank you, Nina. I greatly appreciate your kind words. You inspire. Have a wonderful 2009.

Please let me kow when your next book is published..I want a first copy for my library. nina

I sure will, Nina. Thank you very much. Royal Serf is suspenseful with an ingenious plot. The action until Chapter 11 is heart-pounding, and then it escalates until the last page. It is turning out to be another novel I would be proud of. Lots of thinking/work still to be done.

Take care.

I am enjoying O. Henry.

I always enjoy O. Henry. nina

He's a delight.