A Look Inside the Story-The Turn of the Karmic Wheel

What I Learned As An Author, by ATTMP author Monica M Brinkman

Seems so much has already been written about what it takes to be a successful author so I am sharing a bit of what I have learned during my journey.

Since 2007 when I penned my first completely unnoticed book of poetry to the present where I am nearing the completion of The Turn of the Karmic Wheels’ sequel, The Wheel’s Final Turn, it has been a voyage of education.

You may believe writing a book is all about you. After all, aren’t you the person who toiled for long sometimes exasperating hours before your computer, pouring your heart and soul into authoring your book? Shouldn’t you be allowed to shout out to the world how magnificent a read you have created and why every single person must rush out and purchase the book this instant?  Can’t the world see what a magnificent story you have created and why your book should be a number one best seller? How can anyone ignore the product you’ve spent so much time writing, not for yourself but for their enjoyment?  Ah, the pain of it all. 

The agony of reality has now hit.

Face it, if all an author had to do was present their latest release and the masses instantly purchased it, then every single author who has written a great book would be famous.  

The truth is the writing was the easy part. And, I am sure most of you know to join social sites, write articles, enter contests, guest on radio shows and blogs...all the things any promoter will advise you to do. So, you take their advice and spread yourself throughout the internet. Yes, the internet where there can be found thousands of other authors doing the same thing. Still your book has not become that best seller nor are there thousands of people following your blog, writing reviews or begging for that autographed copy.

I have learned to take it all in stride. Those who have the ability or means to invest in a marketing or promotion company will gain the most exposure.  Authors who can afford to purchase and give away  books for review, or simply as a gesture to make a connection, will also gain more exposure. And, those who have the luxury of writing full time will gain exposure as they are not committed to working 40 hours a week and have more time to market their books.  Fair – perhaps not, but then who ever said life was fair and just. You work with what you have; you do what you can with the time available and go forward.

Anyone who starts out as a writer to become an instant celebrity is in it for the wrong reasons. We authors write because we have a story to tell. Yes, it would be wonderful if the entire world was able to enjoy the tale, and perhaps that will happen one day, but it is not why I write. I’ve learned I write to bring joy to myself, to release the characters that mull inside my head, to gain satisfaction of a story well done and if I can bring enjoyment to a reader that is an added pleasure.

Moreover, the long-term deep friendships and support you will find among authors, readers, and the entertainment industry representatives will carry you through to finish the next great story encompassing your mind, screaming to be written, and needing to be told.

When it comes down to it, I write for my personal enjoyment, nothing more or less. Anything that follows is a gift. And I would not change my quest to write or this magnificent experience during marketing and promotion. I now look forward to each new friendship formed and dream of the day I can look back and say I have helped someone else reach success and the day one of my books has touched the heart of thousands of readers.

About the Author:

Author, Monica M Brinkman believes the world needs less greed and more humanitarianism.  Her novel, The Turn of the Karmic Wheel, reflects those beliefs. Look for the sequel, The Wheels Final Turn to be released early 2013. Her latest effort is a contributing author with her story, My Life As A Singing Telegram, as we take a walk down memory lane in 25 Years In the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back.

Monica is a member of the Missouri Writers Guild, Vice-President of the Phelps County Historical Society, hosts the Thursday night It Matters Radio Show and is a columnist for A Touch of Karma on Authorsinfo.com

She resides in the Midwest with her husband Richard, two dogs and five cats.

To view or purchase ‘The Turn of the Karmic Wheel’

Visit:                         Amazon.com

                                Barnes &  Noble

                                Kindlegraph

Visit her websites:  A Touch of Karma

                              Meaningful Writings

It Matters Radio @ It Matters

Weekly Column @ Authors Info A Touch of Karma

Get A Personally Autographed Book As That Special Holiday Gift

With the holidays fast approaching, thought I'd put in a good word for the talented authors of the world. You know, they write their books for others to enjoy. God knows it isn't for fame and fortune or we'd have very few books for selection.

Why not consider a special Kindlegraph when determining the right book to give as a present for the readers on your holiday gift list? You will be presenting a gift of not only a very good read but also accompanied with a personal autograph to the receiver of the gift.

Of course I'd love you to give my book as that special gift but if not mine, there are many choices on Kindlegraph. I've include the following link where you may find my Kindlegraph in e-book and paperback but you will also be able to browse other books that may interest. you.

And, as an extra special present, should you decide to purchase my tale, I will be donating a portion to a very fine organization, EBMRF, who is seeking a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Here is the link: Kindlegraph

Happy Browsing!

Last night I was fortunate enough to host a radio show with a wonderful physician and humanitarian, Dr. Melvin Kirschner.

In speaking with the good doctor, I found myself wondering if Karma would eventually play a part in the lives of the greedy. You see, with our government officials taking millions of dollars from insurance and pharmaceutical companies, with attorneys pursuing every means to sue physicians and with some doctors and administrators in the medical field accepting large gratuities from these same companies, would Karma ever  play a part?

Though unpopular in my part of the country, I have to say I truly believe in a Single Payer Health Reform. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. I've heard so many arguments against Health Reform and yet today's society is unlike the society of our past. Yes, in the past a company cared about your welfare and entered the employees into a group insurance plan that actually was affordable, even when covering their entire family. And better yet, there were no deductibles unless you had major surgery. Even then, the deductible was quite low.

Today, we have what I call 'so-called insurance' coverage or supplemental insurance offered by many companies. Then we have what they call 'Major Medical' with huge co-pays and deductibles. A few institutions do have decent coverage but they are few and far between. What has happened to the insurance industry I ask you? Why are there no limits on how much a pharmaceutical company sells their medications? How can our county expect us to be healthy when most are unable to seek medical treatment because of the expense? And the poor doctors are in fear of being sued so they are forced to subject a patient to test after test after test, knowing most of these are not necessary. But with Americans being sue crazy every precaution must be taken to insure a doctor has covered every avenue of liability.

I cannot be silent any longer as I watch my wonderful American brothers and sisters decide they must pay the mortgage or feed their family before they can even think about seeing a physician. And if they dare visit a doctor and he or she finds something wrong, then how can they pay for the the treatment, the tests or the surgery?

When I see people applauding some cold, uncaring, greedy, self-absorbed politician who speaks of a young boy going into a coma because he couldn't seek medical care, I am truly ashamed.

So wake up, I say to you, before you find yourself in harm's way or destitute or so sick but unable to afford health care yourself. Karma works in many ways and it may not be tomorrow, but there will be a time when everyone will be responsible for their actions in life.

I'm hoping you will stand up, be brave, be caring and realize 'there for the grace of God, go I'.

Are You A Sun Sign?

As the Sun puts forth light, so it brings forth life. This Planet

(also known as a luminary and a star) represents the self, one's

personality and ego, the spirit and what it is that makes the

individual unique. It is our identity and our face to the world. The

Sun also speaks to creative ability and the power of the

individual to meet the challenges of everyday life.

One's natural father, husbands and other male influences are

ruled by the Sun, as are children. The Sun's energy is a forceful

one, and in its wake comes authority, the ability to lead and an

individual's essence, their core being. Through the will of this

Planet, we learn to manifest ourselves in the world.

The Sun is majestic, and in keeping with its regal air, it rules

royalty and higher office. This orb also lords over our health and

well-being. The Sun's golden glow is a vital life force which

imbues us with strength, energy and a will to succeed. It is the

Sun which gives strength to the other Planets, which is why this

Planet occupies a key role in Astrology.

The Sun spends about a month visiting each Sign and takes a

year to journey through the twelve Signs of the Zodiac. It is

masculine energy and rules Leo and the Fifth House.

One Man's Thoughts On Karma

Karma

We tend to think of Karma as some kind of luck. You've either got it bad, or you've got it good. If you've got it good, the gods are smiling on you. If you've got it bad, you're at least a little bit cursed, and have to somehow pay or make up for the months or years or lifetimes of having 'blown it'. However unknown your infractions may be to you now.

I'd like to propose that Karma is not about what Happens to you. But that Karma is about how you Handle it. Karma is a state of mind. Therein lies our power to 'create our own reality', and meet what life hands us in a powerful stance of co-creation. By our actions and reactions, thoughts and feelings. It's easy to imagine oneself a victim when things aren't going the way we'd wish. "Bad karma!" we might mutter. Another versions of, "Bummer, man!" But, as they say, 'shit happens'. To all of us! And I believe karma is about how we perspective and meet and handle said 'shit'. If something happens that I don't like, I can label it (or me) bad, and bring the accompanying complaint and victimization to it. If something happens that I do like, I can think I've got it good.

But perhaps I can begin to step out of my thoughts about good and bad, right and wrong, and look at the potential learning in the situation. And imagine myself meeting that perceptually less-than-ideal human experience with an attitude of curiosity, openness and perhaps even gratitude as to what it's here to teach. Every moment is a potential turning point. What happens guides and shapes us. We cannot see the steps ahead. The ego's tendency--brilliantly named the 'Pain Body' by Eckhart Tolle--is to see what it doesn't want as wrong, and to inflict more suffering on itself. We're all very good at that: suffering over our suffering. Perhaps Karma is about alleviating our own suffering when 'shit happens'. And finding the potential goodness. Looking for the lesson. Putting it in perspective.

Opening our arms to the universe and saying, "I don't know why this is occurring, but okay, thank you." I remember, many years ago now, thinking I was going to be moving into a certain place. I had made a special trip to see it again, and to meet with the property manager to sign the papers. When I arrived, he flippantly told me the place wasn’t going to be ready on time for me to move in. No big deal to him . . . But I had movers coming. I had someone moving into the place I was vacating. I thought he and I had a deal. I thought I had a plan. I was basically being blown off, and found myself desperate, in a swirl of stress and angst and upset. I couldn't see myself as anything other than a victim. Now, with nowhere now to go . . . Bad karma, some would say. But that was just a moment in time. Fraught. But a moment, nonetheless.

What I didn't know, and couldn’t see, was that something even better was waiting for me. And that that 'glitch', that moment of apparent bad karma, was guiding me toward the life and home I'm in now. A place of goodness and beauty I couldn't have imagined. Had that other place come through, every single detail in my life would be different today. The people I know. The clients I see. Everything. In Chinese, the symbol for 'crisis' is made up of two other symbols: "danger" and "opportunity."

Under stress, it's hard to see the opportunity in the crisis. To trust that there is an unfoldment that wants something even better than the ego can conceive of in the moment. That to me is about Karma. About meeting life from a place of openness, curiosity and neutrality, so that when things don't go the way we think we want them to, we can be receptive, and create Good Karma for ourselves by how we are meeting life, and treating ourselves and others in the process. This is an act of faith, surrender. Trusting in the unfoldment of our lives, however vague and disappointing that may seem at the time. Opening our arms to life and saying, "I don't know why this is occurring, but okay, thank you." Creating our own good Karma, by trusting the flow of our own evolution, and letting go, and going with it.

Johanna Courtleigh, MA, LPC, CHT

About The Author

Johanna Courtleigh is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified HypnoFertility® Therapist and Confidence Coach in private practice in Lake Oswego, Oregon, just south of Portland. Her works seeks to help people create healthier relationships with themselves and others, and to become happier and more "in love", as a state of being. She can be contacted at johanna@jcourtleigh.com, www.jcourtleigh.com, www.portlandhypnofertility.com, (503) 684-8481.

The Incident

The Incident

“What the hell happened,” Richard Stever pondered, eyes opening to consciousness.

He shifted his body away from the steering wheel where he landed after impact with the deer. As his mind grew less fuzzy, he took in his surroundings. Broken glass had splintered and imbedded in his face, torso and legs. Pain shot through his left arm as he instinctively jerked away from the gap between the seat and door.

Richard noticed the broken windshield was shattered on the driver’s side though intact. When he turned his head to the right, he was horrified. The entire passenger side of the vehicle pushed against his body, the rear area thrust against his seat back. As if encapsulated, Richard found he had only the small driver area to maneuver.

The figure of a man appeared at the driver’s side door; middle-aged, clean-shaven face, sharp violet eyes and dressed in white shirt and pants. Richard felt relief, thinking, “I’ll be all right now that help has arrived.”

He heard the sound of footsteps approaching and turned toward the kind face peering through the broken window. Before he could speak, the man silenced him, “You will be fine. Help is on the way.”

Within seconds, two men appeared asking if he was okay, telling him not to move. They removed the door from its hinges, placed him on a gurney, rolling him toward the awaiting ambulance.

“Where is he? Where is the man dressed in white?”
“We didn’t see anyone, son,” came the response.
“You had to have seen him. He was right there talking to me a second before you arrived.”
The paramedics shook their head in puzzlement, thinking the young man in shock and babbling.

“Don’t know about any man but you’re sure as hell lucky to be alive. Your entire vehicle is crushed and mangled, except where you sat in the driver’s seat. It’s as if someone held you up and plopped you down after the wreck. ”

And Richard Stever would have never found out that angels do exist had it not been for the accident.

Interesting Facts on The Paranormal

Paranormal is a general term (coined ca. 1915–1920) that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena that are understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure.

Paranormal phenomena are distinct from certain hypothetical entities, such as dark matter and dark energy, insofar as paranormal phenomena are inconsistent with the world as already understood through empirical observation coupled with scientific methodology.

Thousands of stories relating to paranormal phenomena are found in popular culture, folklore, and the recollections of individual subjects. In contrast, the scientific community, as referenced in statements made by organizations such as the United States National Science Foundation, maintains that scientific evidence does not support a variety of beliefs that have been characterized as paranormal.

Gallup Poll Results

psychic/spiritual healing
54 19
ESP
50 20
haunted houses
42 16
demonic possession
41 16
ghosts/spirits of the dead
38 17
telepathy
36 26
extraterrestrials visited Earth in the past
33 27
clairvoyance and prophecy
32 23
communication with the dead 28 26
astrology
28 18
witches
26 15
reincarnation
25 20
channeling
15 21

Electronic Voice Phenomenon
EVP Examples
EVP is an acronym for Electronic Voice Phenomenon. Electronic Voice Phenomenon is a term used to describe unexplained sounds or voices that are sometimes found on a recording media. Many researchers believe it is a voice of a spirit. Some researchers believe that the voices of the dead can be recorded and played back on a Digital Voice Recorder (DVR) Some even believe it is a way to communcate with the spirit world. Many EVP's will have a popping or snapping sound just before or after the EVP. Researchers feel that the sound is a spirit attempting to connect or disconnect to the recording device.
________________________________________
Electronic Voice Phenomenon
EVP Examples
EVP is an acronym for Electronic Voice Phenomenon. Electronic Voice Phenomenon is a term used to describe unexplained sounds or voices that are sometimes found on a recording media. Many researcher's believe it is a voice of a spirit. Some researchers believe that the voices of the dead can be recorded and played back on a Digital Voice Recorder (DVR) Some even believe it is a way to communcate with the spirit world. Many EVP's will have a popping or snapping sound just before or after the EVP. Researchers feel that the sound is a spirit attempting to connect or disconnect to the recording device.
________________________________________
Tips On Recording EVP's
Researchers who take audio recorders, video recorders, or use the open microphone method on investigations hope to capture an EVP must keep in mind that capturing an EVP is fairly easy. But, gathering proof of the afterlife takes solid evidence. To convince anyone that a true paranormal event has taken place some issues should be avoided that can occur when recording spirit voices.
________________________________________
Property Of EVP's
EVP messages have been classified as Class A, B or C:
Class A: easily heard and understood from the speakers of a sound system
Class B: can be heard over the speaker but there may not be agreement as to the message. Some words may be agreed on.
Class C: can only be heard with headphones and difficult to understand.

Often times messages are found by listening to the reverse direction of a sound track. So the spirits words are clearly heard as if played in the correct direction and may disclose hidden

My Personal Experience of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Long word for a rare disease, isn’t it?

You may be thinking you have never heard of Epidermolysis Bullosa, also referred as E.B.  You are in the majority as it is so rare many hospitals and physicians will never come across E.B. in their entire career. Yet, it does exist and there is presently no known cure or even effective treatment for E.B.

I went along for years, happy as a lark, donating to several different charitable organizations when able. Then I moved to Missouri and met the most beautiful, loving, pure-hearted little girl, my great-niece who was born with E.B. At first, I thought she was a burn victim as I viewed her tiny thin arms, hands and legs wrapped in white gauze bandages. It was not until later when I was able to speak with her mother that I grew aware of E.B. and I was in complete shock!   

My body shook with great sadness, my eyes filled with tears as I heard the quality of life my sweet little angel experienced every single day of her life. It was not so much that she didn’t play or romp about as most children, but the ever-present fear that she would produce yet another blister in doing so.  To be touched a bit too rough, to be lifted in the wrong way, to swallow food that would rub against the inside of her throat...all standard threats for a child with E.B.  All actions I had taken for granted my entire life.

I was to learn, later, of the need to tear these blisters, a ritual that took hours and caused physical pain to the child and emotional pain to the caregiver who was usually a parent. You cannot just pop them. Ah, that of course would be too easy. No, you had to take a sterilized needle and actually tear each and every blister apart.  Call me a coward if you must but I am not strong enough to watch the ritual of pain and I marvel at the courage, strength, and pure act of love any parent who performs this daily ‘bathe’ possesses.

Guess I fell in love with my nieces at this exact moment, mother and daughter bound by a devotion greater than you or I could ever imagine.  How proud I was, and still am, of these two females, one a child growing into a teen, the other an intelligent, beautiful young mother. I wanted to wrap my arms around them, protect them from harm, yet I sat still unable to control the hard, cold facts of this disease, nor speak of hope when I found none. I hit me hard, as if a jackhammer had struck me across the face...no cure...little research...a death sentence.

You see, as E.B. is rare and quite unknown, large corporations and pharmaceutical companies are unwilling to fund research.  Does it make sense to put money above human lives or profit before care and love? These are children. What is wrong with our world?

 I cried to myself, “Dear God why...why...why?” Then it struck me. Perhaps God, the universe or whatever force creates life, held a plan.  Maybe these were very special children who would teach us courage and strength, would illustrate by their pain and existence what really matters in life. 

Most of all, they would show us how to grasp each precious moment and live life to the fullest, not looking back, nor forward but living each second of life, not just existing.

Ending, I can say that I view my great-niece as perfection. No longer do I see the bandages, the blisters or feel pity. She has such wise eyes and a remarkable spirit and zest within her which emits a light so bright it overpowers any other emotion except pure love.

Authors note:  I will not be silent as long as a disease such as EB exists in the world, nor will I stand by taking no action.  Each book I write is penned with broader intent as I am committed to donating a portion of each sale of my book(s) to the EBMRF Foundation who use 98% of funding on actual research. There are videos and information on E.B. on my web-site Meaningful Writings.

My release, The Turn of the Karmic Wheel, can be viewed at Amazon or my web-site, Meaningful Writings http://tinyurl.com/237mvru or http://monicabrinkmanbooks.webs.com

Why Not Karma?

I pondered what to write when invited to be a guest blogger on Farrahs’ site. After deliberation it became apparent the logical answer...why not Karma?

So what is Karma? We seem to use the word as a fear tactic insuring our goodwill toward others.

Karma simply means - action.

The definition in Hinduism/Buddhism: action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or reincarnation.

Many will argue the case of karma occurring exclusively in a next life while others adamantly endorse the idea we will feel karma’s full force as a payback in the same life. What they all have in common is the belief we are accountable for our deeds and actions. 

Yet we see greed, self-satisfaction, lust, murder, rape, and mayhem all around us and many of the individuals who carry out these acts seem to get by just fine in life, without retribution in any form. While others, the kind, caring, giving souls, grow poorer, hungrier and more desperate in their quest for survival.

Life may not seem fair but you may rest assured, karma seeks truth.

The millionaire who layed off his entire labor force and shipped it off to China may look to the outward world as if he is showered with riches, yet hidden from view is the cheating wife, the daughter who committed suicide or the lack of any real friendships.

Do I believe in Karma? Absolutely! I’ve experienced it within my lifetime and if you are honest with yourself, you will agree that you also have felt the force of karma. How many have judged another, stating they would never ever do such a thing only to find, under the same circumstances, they reacted the exact way years later? 

To me, karma is the ultimate judge and it takes care of the world and universe just fine, thank you.  There is no need for me to condemn someone and I am free to be responsible for my actions alone. It is up to each individual to take responsibility for his or her life, never blaming someone else. 

In my mind, karma sets you free to be the person you are without apology. I’d fear it if I chose the wrong path in life and embrace it if living through kindness, compassion and care.

Monica M. Brinkman is the author of the newly released novel, ‘The Turn of the Karmic Wheel’, a mixed genre of suspense, horror, the paranormal and spirituality.  Here's a taste,

Excerpt from Chapter One, ‘The Turn of the Karmic Wheel’

Harry went to the window and watched his friend walk down the street. He wondered if he should be concerned. For some reason, he felt a bit of uneasiness; just couldn’t put his finger on the why or wherefore. Aw, hell, he reasoned, it ain't none of my business. Yet there was something eating at his mind, a voice telling him to go no further with this transaction. It was a gut feeling he couldn’t shake, a feeling that his friend and neighbor of over 30 years was not ‘quite right’. There was definitely something ‘off the scale’ about Euclid today. A vivid image entered his mind. A vision so unfathomable he had to let it go. Harry shivered as he moved to slowly close the store’s door, continuing to watch the retreating figure kicking stones along the road, unable to shake his feelings of dread.

Ms Brinkman, along with Oana host  an exciting  blogtalkradio show called  ‘Two Unsynchronized Souls, that airs every Thursday , 7 PM CST. You may join the live show by calling 213/769-0952. For the schedule shows, click on the below referenced link.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/monicabrinkmanandoana

Visit Monica’s personal web site, Meaningful Writings, to view articles, short stories, videos, books and inspirations @ http://tinyurl.com237mvru