The Year That Was - 1971

Enter the psychedelic time tunnel and hang on for an inspirational and amazing story. Zen teacher Don Lubov gives us Story Ten of the One series. It is available now from Trestle Press for ONLY 99 Cents and you can get it here: http://goo.gl/JkFJs

Mark Miller's One

Story Ten

1971

by Don Lubov

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Give Kids the World, a charitable organization where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. www.GKTW.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Ten, Don Lubov shares a wild and thought-provoking journey. A young man in 1971, the author left home on a cross-country journey that took him to some unexpected places. He did not know what he was looking for, but he found himself. This harrowing tale of self-discovery brought the author near to death and to a rebirth.

This story takes place in 1971, two years before I was born. That put some perspective on it for me. Our world and society is constantly changing. The story that Don tells is from a time that I don’t recognize, except for some classic movies. He ventures into a world of experimentation and passionate beliefs. Because he did not partake in many of the indulgences of the time, the reader travels along with Don as the perfect witness.

More importantly though, he goes beyond that world. Don’s journey leads him to the Gila National Forest and the edge of his own life.  On the verge of dehydration and starvation, Don has an awakening. Several times, I found myself shaking my head in wonder and amazement. This is a story of spirituality and discovery.

Don ends his tale with a discussion of his Six-Step Path. Meditation has been around for centuries, but Don has found a concise and simple way to apply it to anyone’s life. I am impressed with his explanation of our connection to God.

When Don said, “Be the best you that you can be…not THE best, just YOUR best”, that stirred something in me. One thing I look for in these stories is the truth within them. Anyone can be enlightened and connect with their higher power. Sharing that knowledge, that gift, has a way of making the reader pause and look at their own life.

This death-defying story of wild adventure and self-discovery left me feeling inspired. 

Thanks for reading, Mark

The tenth author of "One", Don Lubov, is a Zen spiritualist, teacher, lecturer and published author since 1983. He holds a Masters degree in Education and he's taught courses at Adult Ed., Suffolk County Community College, McNeese State University, East Carolina University and Stanford University, Central Florida Community College, Lifelong Learning College. His website is DonLubov.com and you can read his blog at Spiritshare.net.

Remember, all of the stories in the One series donate a portion of their proceeds to a good cause and they are all ONLY 99 Cents each, so please check out all of them. You can get 1971 here: http://goo.gl/JkFJs

Perfect Nothing is Something Perfect

The One series continues with Trestle Press for a March release that focuses on a serious topic.

Perfect Nothing

by Rachel Hunter

Rachel is an award-winning poet and first year medical student. Somehow, she finds time to write. I think it took a lot of courage to share her harrowing story with us. Please take the time to read it and remember she is donating her proceeds to Give Kids the World.

Rachel Hunter says that no one should have expected her to be more than her illness. She became a victim of her own desire and a thing of woe. Then she became something more.

I met Rachel by funny coincidence. I have a series of fantasy novels called The Empyrical Tales and she is about to publish her own novel called Empyreal Fate. Independently, we are both writing about our ideas of a heaven-like place. In that regard, I have to assume we are both romantics, dreamers. I had to have a kindred spirit participate in this series.

When I asked Rachel to write a story of faith, she delivered something quite powerful and very personal. She tells of her battle with the physical and psychological illness called Anorexia Nervosa. I am honored to know that this is the first time she has written about or made her story public.

The thrust of her story is about her relationship with her father and him literally carrying her into the emergency room. As a father, I saw this story from that perspective and it brought me to tears.

One is about faith and belief and sometimes a person’s faith is not in a god, but in themselves.  Rachel is currently a medical student, inspired by the doctors that helped save her life. She is becoming more than she expected to be. Her belief in herself and the power of the human mind is a concept that transcends so many religions and faiths. She is determined to not be defined by her own expectations and that is something from which we can all benefit.

"One" for the Holidays

Right in time for Christmas, here is the next story in Mark Miller's One from Trestle Press:

The Hand of God

by

Giovanni Gelati

Giovanni Gelati is an optimist. I do not think I know anybody with more enthusiasm or positivity. He works hard for himself and others. He never has an unkind word about anybody, in public or private.

After reading “The Hand of God”, I feel like I understand him a little better. I can see from where his amazing outlook comes. He has discovered his God is in the details. He has an admiration and fascination for all things. With an open mind, he is ready to take on the world.

I, for one, am glad to have him in my life. His energy is contagious and he constantly inspires me. He is doing great things, one piece at a time, and I am along for the journey.

Giovanni starts off his story wondering why I would want him to be part of “One”. There is the obvious reason that there would be no “One” without him. More than that, he has a unique voice. I have read his bocce stories, read his collaboration and did one with him. He has a style that is simple and direct, like listening to an old friend. He writes in the moment and one can easily get caught up in that moment.

Why have him write his story? Simply because I wanted my friend to know I appreciate him and the things he does. I am glad to have him as part of our One World.

Authors of One Interviews: Sudè Khanian

The cool breezes of October seem to slip by us as time moves silently, like a stage hand behind the curtain changing props and set pieces. Before this month ends, you will have the opportunity to read the next installment of the ONE series.

Dr. Candy takes us to the other side of the world. Author Sudè Khanian does not hold back with the raw power of her tale. She shares two stories of love. The first story challenges the reader with a man facing decisions about God and what is considered “normal”. The intertwining tale is one of life and how the unexplainable can sometimes intervene.


I took some time to ask Ms. Khanian some questions about her entry into the series.


ME: What was your inspiration for this quite moving story?


SK: It was Mark and the goal behind his One series that not only inspired me but also gave me the heart to speak of what I never intended to share with public.


ME: Thank you, but I don't want to take any of your credit. The story is very personal and I felt the emotion when I read it. One of your characters is a cross-dresser, that might be a sensitive topic for some. I am glad you had the courage to share something so personal. I have read some of your other writing and you don't shy away from the emotional, personal experiences. How long have you been "putting yourself out there"?


SK: The first story that spoke to my mind and moved my hands against my conscious came to me around a decade ago (It called itself Paradise Victim). But as for writing down my thoughts, I have been doing it since I was 16.


ME: That is an impressionable time to start. Definitely a lot of new experiences in a person's life at that age. Now, I know it wasn't that long ago, but in the time you have been writing, have you developed any interesting habits or eccentricities when it comes to putting words on paper?


SK: Not sure what you’re meaning by it but I usually write the story loosely in my mind before bringing it into the paper but when it comes on the paper, it goes its own path and most time surprises me. The point is, I bow to the ideas instead of expecting them to praise my mind. Maybe that is a habit. I wouldn’t know.


ME: I wouldn't call it eccentric, but it is unique. You seem to be at the mercy of your inner thoughts and passions. That lends itself easily to our ideals on this series. Letting that inner voice speak can expose readers to your faith and beliefs. Is there something more you would like to share about yourself and your faith that cannot be found in Dr. Candy?


SK: If there’s something I want to share that maybe is not dancing loudly around the corners of Dr. Candy is what I’ve exposed in my fiction stories Alleged and Cancer. And that is, when you find yourself judging a being, look beyond the clothing and superficial differences, and somewhere deep there, you may be able to find you in them and be able to understand where their seemingly unacceptable traits come from. That may not change your mind about your belief set but allows for love and better communication. But is that my faith or my advice? I am not in the position to give out advices, so I am assuming that’s only my faith ;)


ME: That is what Dr. Candy is about. More so, that could be a universal truth. The idea of finding common ground in others that appear so different than ourselves is both simple and profound. Too often, we are all guilty of judging by looks. Your beliefs present themselves as strong and deep rooted. Are there any influences that guided you to this spot? Any particular writers, maybe?


SK: I am not sure if I am influenced by any source other than the ideas themselves. As mentioned earlier, I let the ideas boss me as I trust them better than my earthly intellect and let them go wild beyond my thinking. They dictate where to start, where to end, and they know no rules. But if you wish to know which writers I favor the most, Borges and Italo Calvino are two of my favorites.


ME: I'm not nearly so well read. I'm going to smile and pretend to know Calvino. Then I will quickly follow up with who are some of your spiritual influences?


SK: It is funny, when it comes to writing which is a supposed task of mind, I let the metaphysical world take over my hands but when it comes to spiritual beliefs, I choose to trust my judgment than the spiritual signs or gurus. So I guess your answer is ‘my eyes’.


ME: That is fascinating. I would not have expected any other answer based on our previous conversations. Going into this, I expected you to be intriguing and a little mysterious. That being said, what is something you would like to tell us that you do not put in your public bio?


SK: I don’t like spicy food.


ME: Very good! I am the opposite, I seek out the spiciest foods I can find. I've even tried the infamous Ghost Pepper. I suspect that is not on your list of things to do. What are your "To Do" items?


SK: As for writing projects, I have recently finished On the Silk Road to Love and I am not writing any new stories anytime soon or if I am, I do not know that yet. About other projects, I am studying the potentials of working with some UK studios to make a movie based on Alleged. Another project which is more of a hobby to me is my Virtual Universe Traveland.wall.fm. I am building a virtual version of the world with help of one person from each country in the world, the countries that are announced in the world map or those that only exist in the minds of those who believe theirs is wiped off the map or has never even been there. So far I have ambassadors from 29 countries. Some are active and some are a challenge to deal with but what I like about this virtual universe of mine is that though we’re all focusing on the differences between our countries and cultural traits, we’re not using those differences to draw lines but to praise one another. We celebrate our differences and respect it.


ME: That's great! I hope our readers will visit your amazing Virtual Universe.You look to be very busy. I'm available to help write your movie script, by the way. Couldn't resist plugging myself. It's funny, but I often get the impression you are a serious person. I know from your writing in 30.5 and our emails that is not true. Here are a couple silly questions as a test to see how serious you are. When you finally stand before your Supreme Being, what will you ask?


SK: What’s up with the world mama?


ME: Mama, hmm? That is telling. Moving on, what flavor of ice cream are you?


SK: Though not a fan of berries when it comes to picking my favorite ice cream flavor, I have a feeling I would be some type of sour berry, thinking maybe blueberry.  Yea! Blueberry!


ME: Funny. Ms. Khanian, thank you for taking the time to visit with me. It has been quite revealing. Your story, Dr. Candy, will be available very soon. In the meantime, readers can listen to our turn on The G-Zone blogtalkradio show HERE. Please also visit our Facebook fan page and post questions or comments for any of the Authors of One. 


Lastly, I would like to say how excited I am that Dr. Candy will be the first of our series to appear under Trestle Press' NEW imprint Helping Hands Press!

Getting On The Air

I am involved with a new Christian radio station preparing to go on the air in Central Florida. As this is a non-profit, it will rely heavily on volunteers and pledges.

WTYG 91.5 FM will broadcast out of Sparr, FL, but we still need a little help. Maybe you've heard of Kickstarter? It's a great website for fundraisers of all sorts. Well, we started a campaign and you can get to it at this link: 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/738501490/new-non-profit-volunteer-christian-radio-for-centr

Besides the satisfaction of helping spread a good message, I wanted to give you an extra incentive. We all know money is tight these days, but if you can spare a little for a good cause, then I want to share my writing with you.

For anybody that donates $5 or more, I will send you not one, not two, but three eBooks! 

Once you make a pledge, send me an email to Mark@MillerWords.com or Mark@WTYGFM.com and I will send you all three stories:

Daniel's Lot

Meant To Be from Mark Miller's One

Twelve Steps from Mark Miller's One

Now these stories normally sell for $2.99, $0.99 and $0.99, a total of $4.97 plus Tax. So you will be getting your money's worth and it will be tax-free! There is a lot of inspiration and faith on these pages, why not be a part of it?

Click HERE to Donate

Review: 30.5 by Sudè Khanian

You may recognize Ms. Khanian from the "One" series. Her story is going to debut this month and it is worth considerably more than the 99 Cent cost.


Well, 30.5 is the reason I wanted her to be a part of the "One" series.

30.5 is a collection of 31 reflectional fiction stories influenced by the author’s vaguest view point of the universe and her autobiography.


It is much more than a collection. Each story is, in a way, a message to the author from a previous version of herself. 30.5 is philosophical and emotional. Many of the stories are very personal and the author exposes her inner being and deepest thoughts.


The real beauty of this collection is in the author's prose. Khanian has a gifted style of writing that reaches out from the page and gently wraps the words around the reader, holding the reader in her embrace, sharing the intimacy of her thoughts. There are some intentional twists of the grammar and some unique word choice. With that in mind, it is more like reading lyrics to a song.


Some of the stories spoke to me more than others. Some pulled at my heart strings. Some completely blew my mind. 


Surely I won't be able to do it justice, but here are a few stories that stood out for me:

"Lampoon" - evoked thoughts of self-perception and our place in the world through the eyes of a bug.


"Aegis" - the story of a mermaid longing for a different life.


"Virtuoso" - perhaps the story that spoke to me most. The author speaks of limiting ourselves only to be overshadowed by our dreams.


These are only three of the thirty-one stories in this collection. In the author's own words, there is something for everyone. Pegasus, roses, mermaids, Persians, angles, lonely hearts and wise elders. 


Aside from the beautiful words, the author has adorned the pages with her own artwork as well. Full color paintings and illustrations that vibrate with emotion.


30.5 is not a book for a quick read. It is a study, a thought-provoking journey. Take your time with this one and absorb everything it has to offer.