Dee Armstrong Crabtree's Blog: Dee Armstrong Crabtree's Blog
January 3, 2013
Simply Wonderful Travels
I have temporarily taken my book, "Simply Wonderful Travels", off the market. It was originally released nearly three years ago and I feel like it’s time to do a second edition. Our world changes quickly these days. There are new tools, technologies and products available to the masses that weren’t widely available three or four years ago.
I have also put several thousand more miles on my suitcases since I wrote that first book and I’ve learned so much along the way, through both personal experience and knowledge shared by fellow travelers. I’m really looking forward to sharing that valuable information with all of you.
The new version will not only be bigger, but it will be cheaper, too. It will only be sold through Amazon as a Kindle download and will be priced at a mere 99₵.
I’ll be announcing the publication of the second edition in just a few weeks. Check this page often for updates on when the book will be released.
Meantime, I'll still be proffering tons of travel tips on my travel page at http://simplywonderfulbooks.blogspot.com.
I have also put several thousand more miles on my suitcases since I wrote that first book and I’ve learned so much along the way, through both personal experience and knowledge shared by fellow travelers. I’m really looking forward to sharing that valuable information with all of you.
The new version will not only be bigger, but it will be cheaper, too. It will only be sold through Amazon as a Kindle download and will be priced at a mere 99₵.
I’ll be announcing the publication of the second edition in just a few weeks. Check this page often for updates on when the book will be released.
Meantime, I'll still be proffering tons of travel tips on my travel page at http://simplywonderfulbooks.blogspot.com.
October 13, 2012
Thoughtful Debate
Some news sites have recently posted a lot of articles and op-ed pieces about God, the evidence of Jesus on earth and whether or not any kind of afterlife actually exists. Some of these pieces are quite thought-provoking. I read each one I find, regardless of what theory is promoted. I also read the comments posted by other readers, which can sometimes be more interesting than the original story.
What bothers me is that while a small handful of people express their opinions in an intelligent, respectful, rational manner, a large number of other people simply do not. Some of the comments are disturbing in the amount of hate they express.
I’ve read comments by atheists who insult believers by referring to the deity that they worship as “make-believe” or “a fairy in the sky”. They rudely dismiss the intelligence and rationality of believers.
On the other hand, I’ve read comments by believers who berate atheists for their non-beliefs and inform them that they are going to burn in hell for all eternity if they don’t change their evils ways and start believing in the deity that the believers worship.
My question is, why must these people use insults and threats in their arguments? Whatever happened to calm, thoughtful debate? If you are an atheist, you won’t win an argument with me by insulting my intelligence. If you are a believer, you won’t win me over by threatening me with eternal damnation. No one ever wins an argument with insults or intimidation.
Most of us develop our beliefs based on how we were raised, what we’ve studied and what we’ve experienced. It’s such a personal decision. It would be nice to see some intelligent, rational conversation from both sides.
If you are a believer, how about demonstrating some compassion for the atheist and saying something like, “I understand what you are saying and I respect your opinion, but I have studied my religion and I’ve had some experiences in my life that lead me to believe there is a God and an afterlife.”
If you are a non-believer, you might say, “I respect that you have come to your beliefs through a thoughtful process but my experience and studies lead me to a different understanding.”
Regardless of what you believe, if you want to impress either side, you really need to put away the insults and threats and show a little respect for the person you are arguing with.
Mutual respect. Try it. You might like it.
What bothers me is that while a small handful of people express their opinions in an intelligent, respectful, rational manner, a large number of other people simply do not. Some of the comments are disturbing in the amount of hate they express.
I’ve read comments by atheists who insult believers by referring to the deity that they worship as “make-believe” or “a fairy in the sky”. They rudely dismiss the intelligence and rationality of believers.
On the other hand, I’ve read comments by believers who berate atheists for their non-beliefs and inform them that they are going to burn in hell for all eternity if they don’t change their evils ways and start believing in the deity that the believers worship.
My question is, why must these people use insults and threats in their arguments? Whatever happened to calm, thoughtful debate? If you are an atheist, you won’t win an argument with me by insulting my intelligence. If you are a believer, you won’t win me over by threatening me with eternal damnation. No one ever wins an argument with insults or intimidation.
Most of us develop our beliefs based on how we were raised, what we’ve studied and what we’ve experienced. It’s such a personal decision. It would be nice to see some intelligent, rational conversation from both sides.
If you are a believer, how about demonstrating some compassion for the atheist and saying something like, “I understand what you are saying and I respect your opinion, but I have studied my religion and I’ve had some experiences in my life that lead me to believe there is a God and an afterlife.”
If you are a non-believer, you might say, “I respect that you have come to your beliefs through a thoughtful process but my experience and studies lead me to a different understanding.”
Regardless of what you believe, if you want to impress either side, you really need to put away the insults and threats and show a little respect for the person you are arguing with.
Mutual respect. Try it. You might like it.
October 11, 2012
The Radio Campaign
Earlier this evening I heard the finished radio advertisement for "Promise Road." I love it! It is appropriately dramatic. It sounds like a movie trailer. The folks at WCSI did a great job. I'm so looking forward to the interview there in a couple of weeks.
October 10, 2012
A New Direction
Hey there. Welcome to my new blog. I’ve been writing for quite a while but am in the midst of totally changing direction, so it only seems right to start a new blog now.
All of my previous work was non-fiction but I just moved into the fiction world with the release of my first novel, "Promise Road". I’m busy trying to figure out the marketing plan. Selling fiction is a slightly different process from selling non-fiction.
In a couple of weeks, I’ll be doing a radio advertising blitz in my hometown, where the novel is based. Several commercials will be aired throughout the week of October 22 and I’ll also be interviewed on the John Foster morning talk show.
I’ve been stressing over how to best promote this book but now it’s starting to get fun. I’m looking forward to the interview. Unless something unforeseen happens, it will take place on Tuesday, October 23, at 8:45 a.m.
All of my previous work was non-fiction but I just moved into the fiction world with the release of my first novel, "Promise Road". I’m busy trying to figure out the marketing plan. Selling fiction is a slightly different process from selling non-fiction.
In a couple of weeks, I’ll be doing a radio advertising blitz in my hometown, where the novel is based. Several commercials will be aired throughout the week of October 22 and I’ll also be interviewed on the John Foster morning talk show.
I’ve been stressing over how to best promote this book but now it’s starting to get fun. I’m looking forward to the interview. Unless something unforeseen happens, it will take place on Tuesday, October 23, at 8:45 a.m.
