Controversy, PR stunt or more?

Controversy stimulates our minds and causes us to question our choices.  Many fiction authors are seen to write as a means of catharsis, as a means of easing emotions of loneliness, fear, grief and isolation for their readers.  Provoking controversy is also an outlet for authors to explore themselves.  Even fantasy may contain elements of reality. How can we verify?

The idea of dreaming up controversies can also sell books.  Some of your favorite books may not get nearly as much attention as you think they deserve.  Little do we realize how much and what kind of attention authors will receive. Would all notoriety be good for authors and  books? 

Many viewpoints have been expressed about books which raise controversy and question the limits of censorship and freedom of speech.  Consider the reasons for public outcries about books you would or would not choose to read. The following are samples of books which repeatedly raise eybrows. What are your own views? 

1) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2) 1984 by George Orwell

3) Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck

4) Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

5) Forever by Judy Blume 

6) Brave New World  by Aldous Huxley

7) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

8) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

9) Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

10) The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

11) The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

12) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

13) The Bible by ~40 authors over a period of about 1500 years

What's all the hullabaloo?

When we reflect on the top 15 best-selling books of all time, this makes a statement about the kinds of timeless topics that inspire dreams of people of different cultures. Some of these works are shrouded in mystery which itself may appeal. Others are meant to shatter mystery and shed light on particular issues. Its all in how you look at it. Consider whether any of the books are familiar. How do they impact your life and dreams?

1) The Bible –many languages (sold 5-6 billion copies)
2) Quotations of Chairman Mao-Chinese (900 million)
3) The Qu’ran –Arabic (800 million)
4) Xinhua Xidian-Chinese (400 million)
5) Book of Common Prayer -English
6) Pilgram’s Progress by John Bunyan -English
7) Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe -English
8) Book of Morman –English (120 million) -English
9) Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling -English (107 million)
10) And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie- English (100 million)
10) Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein-English ( usually in 3 book set-100 million)
11) Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling- English (65 million)
12) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown -English (60 million)
12) Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets -by J.K. Rowling English (60 million)
13) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger-English (55 million)
13) Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix by J.k. Rowling -English(55 million)
13) Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban by Jk.K. Rowling -English (55 million)
13) Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rolwing -English (55 million)
14) Watership Down by Richard Adams -English (50 million)
14) Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace -English (50 million)
14) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho -Portugese (50 million)
14) Heidi by Johanna Spyri -German (50 million)
14) The Mark of Zorro (Curse of Capistrano) by Johnston Mculley -English (50 million)
14) The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupéry -French (50 million)
14)Common Sense Baby & Childcare by Dr. Benjamin Spock- English (50 million)
15) Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White -English (45 million)
15) The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter -English (45 million)

*statistics taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_books

Richard Bach & 5 Ways to fly like a seagull

Richard Bach did a wonderful thing when he created Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Bach's experience as a pilot and insight into human nature compelled him to invite us to reflect on what makes us who we are.

We learn that all humans can learn to fly just like Jonathan, and each in our own way. As an inspiration, Bach's writing enables readers to step back and see what they desire to see, based on personality and mindset. In addition to your views, Bach invites us to :

1) Nurture humility.  Rather than spiral downward into the abyss of self-importance, we're reminded of power and wisdom to be found through learning and sharing the value of modesty.  Great mentors talk little and listen much.

2) Listen to your passion.  To feel truly alive, at different times in your life, you may feel compelled to rebel against the status quo. In the process, even if you become an outcast, you can learn a great deal about yourself. People may criticize your courage and choices, while you discover new level of existence.

3) Live in the present.  Learning precision flying symbolizes a step toward understanding what you can learn and perfect in the ‘here and now.’ Accept and express your true nature to live to the fullest. Rise above your perceived limits. Nothing you do is ever a waste of time.

4) Never underestimate your potential.  Believe that you have the power to do things beyond your obvious or previously discovered abilities. People will tell you what they assume you can or can’t do. Why would you choose to believe them?

5) Ignoring your intuition is unwise.  Identify new sources of freedom. We all have capacity to experience happiness from doing things that enable us to feel good about ourselves and life. You make your own rules and also sense when they feel right.

Clutch the spellbinder

What if it was your dream to write a story that no person could explain, to insinuate that fulfillment for characters involved could be as meaningful as loss? This may strike you as a stimulating challenge that requires devoted attention. But when would you get to it? And where would the seeds of your spellbinder come from?

Despite being in a strange frame of mind, you might reflect on a brief list of stories that have perplexed and inspired you at the same time. What have you learned from solving mental puzzels? How have your thought process and assumptions evolved? In which ways have authors manipulated your perception, desires and fears in order to shape your view of particular predicaments? In a world full of material, you might draw from techniques learned from masters. Where might you source inspiration? The following stories are some of my personal favorites;

1) The Others (by Alejandro Amenabar)
2) And Then There Were None (by Agatha Christie)
3) The Lost Ark of the Covenant
4) The Murders in the Rue Morgue (by Edgar Allen Poe)
5) The Cask of Amontillado (by Edgar Allen Poe)
6) Not a Penny more, Not a Penny Less (by Jeffrey Archer)
7) Rebecca (by Daphne du Maurier)
8) Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
9) Rear Window (by Alfred Hitchcock)
10) The Fugitive (based on The Sheppard Murder Case by Paul Holmes)

Escape the rat race

Lots of people seek to create wealth with hard work. This is a step in the right direction. Yet, if you take a closer look, and you discover you're exchanging time for someone else's money, then you may not realize you can make money other ways.  Perhaps leaving a traditional rat race is for you?

If you have no control over the level of your salary or no leverage based on the size of audience of your work, then you may not be using your skills in the most effective ways.  You create greater wealth through earning more than you spend.  A bit of research will be needed to identify your interests and to identify what's right for you. Which areas might you consider?

1) You could start a business. Everyone who starts a business hasn't always planned to do that. Not all ventures succeed. Yet, a business is a great way to regulate your own hours, define your own salary and create the freedom to be your own boss. Of course, business also requires a great deal of commitment and responsibility. You need to be willing to get informed about your area and to take risks to develop ideas and expand. To tap into this unlimited profitability, you must also earn it by staying on top of you market and keeping in touch with your customer wants and needs. 

2) You could invest in items that appreciate. To acquire what grows in value, people think of real estate, antiques, jewelry and other items which hold value or appreciate over time. You can also learn to make money in real estate markets by buying property to renovate and resell or, by buying to rent or lease to pay your mortgage and make a profit. Many people learn as they go, even with little money. They key is to consult competent real estate advisors and read on market trends.

3) You could invest in good risk companies. Stocks don’t have to seem like a foreign language. What products and services do you love so much that you would tell other people about them? Remind yourself you may earn more of a profit when you buy than when you sell. Mutual funds also have a 5-10% index of annual growth.  Don't knock that.  You may choose to look into bigger risks as you gain faith in your evolving knowledge.  Investment brokers can guide you and you can learn. 

4) You could package and sell yourself. Why not put together CDs, books, or life experience in ways that other people could benefit? Your lessons-learned could be worth far more than you realize.  Self-help, personal growth and motivational coaching is an increasingly popular areas.  As you develop products and services around your own creative visions or ideas, you’ll realize that your intellectual work and yourself as a person are very marketable commodities. Value yourself.