Honoring Different Perceptions of Born To Return The Gift

After completely reading my debut novel again, in light of the constructive criticism received, the following revisions have been made to 'Born To Return The Gift.

I realize that my effort to project the racing thoughts of the protagonist through the third person pov, as if the condition was contagious, was evidently a mistake in judgment.  Punctuation has been added to change the pace.  The paragraphs of explicit sex have been eliminated to leave it to the reader's imagination, realizing for this piece of work, less is more.  Also, there are some areas which will be expanded upon briefly, or rewritten for clarification.

I sincerely thank each reviewer, (except one who said the book was a joke-lol), for their insightful comments.  Each has helped me improve on what I believe is definitely worthwhile reading. With the revised version I will now have others to acknowledge.

Considerable thought has been given to the idea of changing the cover, but I've decided to let it stand as is.  I understand that some may perceive the art to erroneously lead one to believe the book belongs in the horror genre, but it is definitely a faith based novel.  The abstract of God's hands reaching to restore hope to the woman who has been through the 'fire', and her nudity is a symbolization of total surrender to depict the baring of her soul. There is a demonic element in the story, but the protagonist had to be forced to acknowledge her dark side in order to appreciate the light. Light obliterates darkness and no matter how much knowledge we acquire through psychology, or any other science, NOTHING precludes the significance of God.

The revised book will be available in July. I hope many of you will consider giving it a read. For all those of you who will, I thank you for supporting my effort to demonstrate a facet of life and the pitfalls that face many of us in one way or another.

The Jungarian Psycology behind 'Born To Return The Gift'

"Life and sacrifice go together."
Defining moments:
 
"Creative life is the soul's food and water. Starvation of the soul - trapped - especially if you have the desire and drive to create - lured or pushed into too-small lives - leaving you hungry for something soulful. Self-preservation: ID leg traps, cages, and poisoned bait. Instinct - layer of psyche where biology and spirit might touch. Joy - Stretching ones best self - maybe gracefully, maybe not - but succeeding in creating something, the someone, the art, the battle, the moment - her life a woman's natural and instinctive state of being."

"A woman's creative and passionate nature is at risk if she cannot hold on to her sources of growth and joy. When women are relegated to moods, mannerisms and contour that conform to a single ideal of beauty and behavior, they are 'captured' in both body and soul and are no longer free."

"Creative instinct in particular is as much of lyrical language of the self as is the symbolization of dreams, learned helplessness influences women to stay with drunken mates the normalizing of the abnormal even when there is clear evidence that it is to one's own detriment to do so applies to all battering of the physical, emotional, creative, spiritual, and instinctive natures."

"When a woman has gone without her cycles or creative needs for long periods of time, she begins a rampage of you name it - alcohol, drugs, anger, spirituality, oppression of others, promiscuity, pregnancy, study, creation, control, education, orderliness, body fitness, junk food, to name a few areas of common excess.  When women do this, they are compensating for the loss of regular cycles of self-expression, soul-expression, and soul-satiation. Without a firm participation with the wild nature, a woman starves and falls into an obsession of  'feel betters', 'leave me alones', and 'love me please'. It's a famine of the soul that makes a woman choose things that are destructive and life threatening - hideously wasting her time and talents, or exposes her life to physical and psychological danger.

"The starving woman edures famine after famine. She may plan her escape, yet believe that the cost of fleeing is too high - too much libido, too much energy, and she may be ill-prepared educationally, economically, spiritually - loss of treasure (soul/self) and deep memory of famine may cause us to rationalize that excesses are desirable. Such relief and a pleasure to be able to enjoy sensation - any sensation - that is the trouble with famine. A woman in such a condition has inadvertently entered into the oven along with her handmade life. Her life becomes ashes."

"The vision a woman has for her own life can be decimated in the flames of someone else's jealousy or someone's plain-out destructiveness toward her.  Family, mentors, teachers, and friends are not suppose to be destructive if and when they feel envy, but some decidedly are, in both subtle and not so subtle ways. It is worse to stay where one does not belong at all than to wander about lost for a while and looking for the psychic and soulful kinship. It is never a mistake to search for what one requires. Surviving adversity - special and valuable wisdom. Don't waste time hating failure. Failure is a greater teacher than success. Listen, learn, and go on. Hitting bottom - while extremely painful - is also the sowing ground."

"Where there is injury, the soul flees. A long time must pass before such a soul will trust enough to return. The retrieval requires several ingredients - naked honesty, stamina, tenderness, sweetness, ventilation of rage and humor. Combined, these make a song that calls the soul back home. Survivorship leads to healing and thriving. We're limited in energy and power by remaining merely a survivor. Instead of the focus being on surviving, it should become a badge of honor and the focus put on healing so that one can thrive."

"Listen to the wild voice - the one that whispers, 'Stay here long enough to revive your hope, to drop your terminal cool, to give up defensive half-truths, to creep, carve, bash your way through, stay here long enough to make the finish line, it matters not how long it takes or in what style. There is something useful in this torque and tension.  Effect is similar to pure natural carbon under pressure producing diamonds - it leads eventually to a profound magnitude and clarity of psyche."

Although not sequential in the order of most excerpts, the content cited was taken from the book, 'Women Who Run With The Wolves', by Dr. Clarrissa Pinkola Estes. Undoubtedly, this book has had an indelible impact on the writing of 'Born To Return The Gift.'

Don Cornelius - Gone But Never Forgotten

Don Cornelius, as we all know, was a visionary who left an indelible mark in the history of entertainment.  Not only did he give African Americans a cultural face during a pivotal time when we were grossly overlooked in mainstream broadcasting, he created a forum where countless artists (Black & White) were able to showcase their talent to the world.

I was a young mother when Soul Train first aired and like many others it gave me an opportunity to connect and release while dancing to the newest, hippest music on my own private dance floor.  Like everyone else I not only learned new dances, I found myself creating signature moves as I imagined having my turn to strut my stuff on the line.  I will never forget the joy of that total experience.

It's so sad that a man of his caliber felt it was time to bow out of life.  Like everyone else, I don't know what his frame of mind was at the time to lead him to such a fatal decision, but we all need to be mindful that sometimes we take it for granted that others know how much they are appreciated and fail to give them all the accolades they deserve while they are still living. 

Much love and deep heartfelt condolences go out to his surviving family.  Gone but never forgotten - Love, Soul & Peace to Don Cornelius! R. I. P.

Free Download

For a limited time, the Kindle version of 'Born To Return The Gift' and 'End All To Be All' will be available for free.  If you do download and read it, please write a review on Amazon. Thanks!

Win an iPad & a Kindle Fire

Reviewers Wanted

Due to health and financial issues I have yet to schedule a book tour, but I have been blessed with a diagnosis clear of cancer. :) Hopefully, God willing, my situation will change in 2012. Until then, I am working diligently on my third novel, and looking for a cost effective way to get the word out about the books released to date.
I will send a free copy of one or both titles - 'Born To Return The Gift' and/or 'End All To Be All' in exchange for your personal and honest posted review on Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble. Will also provide a free coupon for anyone wishing to download from Smashwords.com in exchange for a posted review on that site. 
Will expect reviews to be posted within whatever reasonable time frame you request.
If interested, please send an email to onyzproductions@yahoo.com.
In the meantime, please tell your friends about this site. A book, especially one that deals with issues common to many today, would make a wonderful gift!
And don't forget those less fortunate. There are so many starving children in the world. Please remember them during this holiday season. $25 helps 50! www.feedthechildren.org/world
Wishing everyone a happy and blessed holiday!
PEACE!

Have A Little Faith

Who, besides me, watched the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie 'Have a Little Faith' aired on ABC this past week?
While writing his newspaper column about homeless people and shelters, a journalist deliberates his own faith as he resurrects his relationship with his childhood rabbi and interacts with an African American junkie/thief turned preacher.
When asked, the rabbi tells him that God made different trees and the branches of each extend toward Him. (not a direct quote) I couldn't help think about how so many people fear or scorn the customs and rituals of others' religious beliefs. 
We were all created by one God and does it really matter by what name we call him? Doesn't each faith believe that God is love? Isn't the fact that we are all our brother's keeper at one time or another the basic premise of faith? What are your thoughts?
I really enjoyed this movie which was based on Mitch Albom's best selling novel and intend on adding the DVD to my own personal collection.

Quotes of Memorable People

Most of these quotes inadvertently relate to 'Born To Return The Gift', and can also be correlated to 'End All To Be All'.  Either you get it or you don't.

"Are you awake or dreaming? Do you know for certain? All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream" - Edgar Allen Poe.

"I was never really insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched." - Edgar Allen Poe

"A little talent is a good thing to have if you want to be a writer. But the real requirement is the ability to remember every scar." - Stephen King

I'd love to deal with some questions or comments. I promise...your view or mine might be debated, but your comments will not be moderated. There is nothing wrong with admitting that at one time or another we all are blind to something at one time or another that we now see. It's a sign of intelligence to factor in new information and adjust our viewpoints accordingly. Although sticking to one's guns is not inherently a bad idea, denying reality is.
Let me hear from you and let's grow together!

Free Downloads

20% = first sixty +  pages of Born To Return The Gift (330 pgs.) and/or End All To Be All  (300 pgs.) are downloadable at Smashwords.com for a limited time only. 

I hope it'll intrigue and incite you to purchase the entire novel.

By Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec)

(TOP 500 REVIEWER) This review is from: Born To Return The Gift (Paperback)

I absolutely loved this book. Started reading it and could not put it down until I was done. This book is both a look at the physical and the spiritual side of the human being. Fighting the very human diseases of addiction and fear, we often manage to completely get drawn down into the day to day suffering that, frankly, we put upon ourselves - if only we would remember that there is someone who is there for you.
Born to Return the Gift beautifully portrays the struggles and disconnect our the main character - having been exposed to the harsh realities of addiction at a young age, she grows up with low self-esteem and slowly but very surely throws herself into the world of depression and suffering. Yet, somehow through the haze, she finds herself reaching towards a stronger being -only to realize that she was indeed put on this earth for a reason and that she can live up to that great expectation.
This book is a gem. I loved the way it was written and I liked the fact that it is so empowering. This book tackles a tough subject matter - depression and the struggle to be the person that you were meant to be - however, it tackles it in a loving and honest way that made me cheer for our main character AND remember that we all have a worthwile life to live. Great, great read.

Turn Your Economic Blight Into Passionate Bliss

It's been said, "Man does not live by bread alone."
We weren't meant to stress as much as we do. These days even our children are catching the fever. Living is more than working a job.
(Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs studied in the 70's.)

If honestly told, many of us work jobs we hate in order to provide our loved ones with food, shelter, and clothing. (Not necessarily in that order.) We all know the saying, "If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Translated now, I believe it means it's time to work your passion as if you were punching a clock to get 'paid'.

Our present economic climate is telling us it's time for a change. It was Obama's campaign motto and because it hasn't came yet, alot of people want to blame a sign of the times on him. It's time for all of us to stop complaining.

Whatever it is that you enjoy doing for a creative outlet, do more of it. It's a great stress reliever, and you might find you've created your own job.

It's time for us all to evolve and reach for higher ground. Remember that not one of us is alone. There are millions of us in the same predicament, and God watches over all.

If you're not feeling me...blame it on this - Right now I've got a glass of Merlot (a treat I seldom get to enjoy these days) & listening to KBLX's Quiet Storm. :)

P.S. And you could always read a good book - hint, hint!

END ALL TO BE ALL

My sophmore novel will be available at Amazon September 2011!

This story takes place in Oakland, California in the mid nineties.

No one sets out to become an addict. It happens wih the first wrong choice of abuse - a survival mechanism to escape reality or the experience of an altered state of mind for recreation. It's a dangerous game of Russian Roulette that leads to destruction - self respect, appearance, health, family unity, financial worthiness, and...ultimately, death.

Michael was in love and when he lost it he went through the motions of living until his money was gone and his gold digging wife kicked him to the curb for another man.

As he fights to recover from his alcohol and pain pill addiction, he discovers how easily the love of money becomes the root of all evil when he becomes the Director of END ALL TO BE ALL. An ADP program geared to assist others suffering from various alcohol/drug related addictions is where he learns first hand that addiction is an imprisoned state of mind without bars. Most importantly, he learns how money can become the root of evil.

This is a story of recovery and Michael's quest for a better program.