All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives. Dalai Lama
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Musing before Captive's release
The beach on another morning when you could see it.
Yesterday morning I started my day with a run on the beach near my house. The morning was misty and indeed I couldn’t see very far in front of me. Santa Monica pier was hidden, as were the twists and turns of the bike path, its inhabitants and even the ocean itself.
The effect was glorious. Private, intimate and soothing. I had a lot to think about and that’s what my runs are for. I can escape the busy day for a minute and just focus on working through the issues I’m confronting.
I did think about Captive and its forthcoming release. I’ve never released a book before so every step is a new one: approving the final proof, deciding on a cover, putting up a website and Facebook page and getting back to writing a blog that I started years ago and dropped.
I’m a huge believer in incremental steps. Had I written a short piece once a week on this blog I would have a substantial body of work by now. I didn’t. The time invested wouldn’t have made a difference to my life – or so I think now. And privacy? How much of my life do I want online? How much of my life is exposed by the mere act of writing and publishing a book (a lot!).
Everything we write reveals something of who we are. Even the topics we choose. I wrote Captive because I feel passionately about the topic. Religions don’t kill people; people kill people. And someone needs to comment; fiction is more accessible because it weaves information and insight into narrative.
Someone commented that the book was targeted at an ultra-conservative audience. No! They obviously hadn’t read very far (and they’re the first person to see a draft and make such a statement). What will a broader audience think? We’ll see if I’m fortunate enough to find out.
The effect was glorious. Private, intimate and soothing. I had a lot to think about and that’s what my runs are for. I can escape the busy day for a minute and just focus on working through the issues I’m confronting.
I did think about Captive and its forthcoming release. I’ve never released a book before so every step is a new one: approving the final proof, deciding on a cover, putting up a website and Facebook page and getting back to writing a blog that I started years ago and dropped.
I’m a huge believer in incremental steps. Had I written a short piece once a week on this blog I would have a substantial body of work by now. I didn’t. The time invested wouldn’t have made a difference to my life – or so I think now. And privacy? How much of my life do I want online? How much of my life is exposed by the mere act of writing and publishing a book (a lot!).
Everything we write reveals something of who we are. Even the topics we choose. I wrote Captive because I feel passionately about the topic. Religions don’t kill people; people kill people. And someone needs to comment; fiction is more accessible because it weaves information and insight into narrative.
Someone commented that the book was targeted at an ultra-conservative audience. No! They obviously hadn’t read very far (and they’re the first person to see a draft and make such a statement). What will a broader audience think? We’ll see if I’m fortunate enough to find out.
Part of my summer vacation 2010
Invited to a party in Monaco by friends 
I decided to go.
I can't always just hop on a plane and fly to Europe on a whim (work, kids, money, other obligations...). This time I did.
Sun drenched and breathtaking the locale (and people I met) couldn't have been more wonderful.
A big kiss to all of those who were there with me.
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