How I Write Book Review

Once upon a time, a young person new to a trade would learn under a master of the industry before stepping out on their own.

In writing, there is no such thing.  That is, unless you know where to look (or what book to read).

In 2006, best selling author Janet Evanovich co wrote How I Write: Secrets Of A Best Selling Author.

Ms. Evanovich, who has multiple bestsellers under her belt, guides the writer from the early stages of writing the novel, through revisions and hopefully, to publication.  There are a lot of books on writing. But I find the ones that I appreciate are the ones with the practical advice. Some of the information is not easy to swallow, especially when you are new to novel writing. But it is worth it to read.

I liked this book. Her advice is practical and down to earth. Speaking from experience, she speaks to the writer who hopes to see their story in print and on the bookshelves one day. Writing is not easy. A good writer works very hard to make a book easy to read.  But with continued writing, time and experience, we may all see our dreams become reality.

I recommend it.

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Our Worst Enemy: Ourselves

Life is hard. We will have setbacks. We will be knocked to our feet. But sometimes in our struggle to get back on our feet, the person responsible for keeping us down is the person we see in the mirror.

The upcoming movie, Creed, is a spinoff of the Rocky franchise. Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordon) is the son of the late Apollo Creed. Adonis wants to follow in his father’s footsteps.  But he has obstacles in his way. Can Adonis live up to his father’s name and reputation?

I saw the trailer for Creed last night. The one scene that struck me in the trailer was Rocky and Adonis standing in front of a mirror. Rocky tells Adonis that the man he is seeing will be his toughest opponent.

I am not a huge fan of the franchise, but I find that statement to be true. There are others who will mock us, reject us, make us feel like shit. But they are nothing in comparison to how we make ourselves feel. I am the first to admit that I am my own worst enemy. I have the uncanny knack of sometimes making a mountain out of a molehill. But I know I am not the only one.

No one is perfect. We are all human. We all make mistakes. We all have to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and learn. But the question is, do we let the negativity overwhelm us or do we just move on with our life?

Donald Trump

If the Republican debate last week could be defined as a circus act, than Donald Trump was the clown.

Moderated by Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly, she threw out tough questions as any moderator would at a Presidential hopeful debate.

While most of the candidates took her questions seriously, billionaire Donald Trump accused her of menstruating.

Historically speaking, menstruation has been used as an excuse by men to exclude women from many spheres within society.

His fellow candidates took Mr. Trump to task for his comments.

Unfortunately, their criticism of his comments are just for show.

The Republicans claim that they want to bring in more women voters into the fold.  Many women (myself included) have historically voted for the Democratic party.

If the Republican party truly wants to bring in more women to their side of the aisle, I have a recommendation for them: stop interfering in our business. Let us make our decisions regarding our bodies and our healthcare. Do not repeal Obamacare. Let Planned Parenthood be. Respect our decisions, especially when and if we choose to have abortions. If your son or your daughter reveals that he or she is gay, just love them because they are your child. And for G-d sakes, put into place gun laws that actually work.

Donald Trump’s remarks may have been crude and disrespectful.  But they are also representative of the belief of many Republicans, who still believe that we live in another decade.

Commodity

In some parts of the world, a woman is a commodity. A pretty, brainless thing to be bought and sold in the name of marriage as if she was an inanimate object.

At the age of 11 months, Santadevi Meghwal, was married off. Now twenty years old, this woman is fighting to divorce. Her in laws are demanding a kings ransom in response to the divorce.

Marriage is two adults (and yes, adults, not an adult and a child or a child and a child), who are ready, willing and able to make what will hopefully be a lifetime commitment to each other. Marriage is not the buying and selling of women. Unfortunately, women are still thought of as property. They not thought of as full fledged human beings with dreams, desires and a future.

Feminism has gotten women very far in this world. In many parts of the world, women have far exceeded the expectations that their mothers and grandmothers faced. We have become leaders in business and in government. We have earned advanced educational degrees. We may still live the traditional life of marriage and motherhood, but that is not the only option. Unfortunately, for every woman that has access to a good job, to a college degree, to make her own choice on how to live her life, there are many other women who have no choice in the matter.

I am not a commodity and I never will be. I am full fledged human being with a brain and a heart and the right to live how I see fit. Every woman has these rights and is a full fledged human being. I applaud Ms. Meghwal for standing up for herself. I wish there were more like her.