Joshua Graham's Blog, page 16
March 11, 2013
Outsourcing Relationships?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PcL6-mjRNk
Boy, do I need one of these. My poor dog doesn't get to play fetch often enough.
Then there's my kids...
But (sigh...) busy parents, are you guilty of outsourcing your relationship with your kids?
I'm not judging, don't worry. I'll admit, there are times I'm grateful for the iPhone, the television or video games that I let my kids play with, when I'm extremely involved or busy working on a deadline. But have you noticed a new phenomenon happening during family dinners in restaurants? Something that never happened some ten or fifteen years ago?
You know what I'm talking about, right? Parents talking over dinner, while their 1 year old child sits in a high chair watching Veggie Tales or something like it on their iPad. And as the kids get older, they're on their on smartphones, texting, facebooking, etc., while the parents talk to each other. Hey, I know I do this from time to time. But my wife and I try not to do this during family time. I guess we're hoping not to become an entire family that might at least sit together during meals, but all have our eyes glued to our gadgets, engaging with our social networks, while ignoring the people right in front of us--the people we love most.
Kids are growing up thinking this is normal, because unlike old folks from my generation, they have no more idea of what a world without internet, iphones, and iPads, is like than they do a world without oxygen.
What do you think? Do you place gadget limits on yourself, your family, in hopes of staying connected in carbon space? Or am I just being a bit too old school here? I'd love to read your comments!
March 8, 2013
If you could arrange a jam session, or private concert or lesson with any three musicians in history, who would you include?
Back in the days of my musical studies, as a doctoral cello performance student at Johns Hopkins, I wrote a dissertation on Mstivslav (Slava) Rostropovich's influence on the music of Prokoviev. For those who aren't into "classical" music, just bear with me. You see, Rostropovich was my hero as far as musicians were concerned not only because he was in my opinion, the greatest cellist who ever lived, but he was a great humanitarian who put himself on the line many times for human and artistic rights, during the Stalin regime.
No need to go into a 20th Century Cold War history lesson here, though. I just wanted to share a bit about how one musician had such an 
influence on my cello playing and musical philosophy. I met "Slava" on several occasions, and one of the most memorable was going backstage after one of his concerts with the New Jersey Symphony along with a former professor of the Kiev Conservatory, Vladimir Pantaleyev--my last cello instructor. I was working on my doctoral thesis and spoke with Slava about it. By the end of our short visit, I had the honor of Slava autographing my cello part for Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto op. 125, a piece written for him, and the main part of my dissertation.
I now treasure this tangential piece of musical history, though I regret never having the opportunity to play for, or with Slava. His spirit lives on, though, in recordings, the memories of his fans, students, and friends--and certainly in mine.
So, if you could arrange a jam session, or private concert or lesson with any three musicians in history, who would you include? Feel free to discuss in the comments at the very bottom of this page.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyTkvFMvPnc
Rostropovich performing Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto op. 125
March 4, 2013
Good Night, Diana
Last night, amidst some great news about one of my books, my wife and I came home to some very sad news delivered by my daughter, bless her heart.
Her beloved hamster Diana had suddenly passed away. This was her first hamster ever, whom she fed, cared for, and really loved. Diana was a very busy and playful hamster that loved to run, climb, and rearrange her cage, but she would always let my daughter hold her and snuggle.
Because Diana was so busy running around in her cage, she was too noisy to stay in my daughter's bedroom over night. So we'd move her cage into my office every night, which worked out nicely. The routine was for everyone to say, "Good night, Diana!" Then in the morning my daughter would greet her with a "Good morning, Diana!" feed her, and bring her back to her room.
We were all sad, and wept with my daughter for Diana. With heavy hearts, we laid her to rest in a nice little box lined with her favorite bedding, and offered some nice words about her before saying a prayer.
As I held my daughter while she wept, I reminded her that we were so blessed to have loved such a wonderful little bundle of love, and that God is good, in the happy times and the sad.
Here are some scriptures that comforted us:
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh, blessed be the name of the Lord."
He will give "Beauty for ashes."
"Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning."
To some, it might seem trivial--"It's just a hamster." But I admit that I shed some tears when I was alone last night, not just because I loved that cute critter, but that my daughter loved her. And my heart breaks for my little girl. I know she'll learn that 'tis better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all," and what C.S. Lewis taught:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal."
At a young age, my kids have experienced the loss of two grandmothers, the family cat, a dear friend of the family, all in the last few years. But as Diana was my daughter's very own hamster, I'm sure it feels like losing a child to her. I'll have to be strong for her, and hold her hand through the loss of her first own pet. But we'll get through this, I'm sure. And we'll learn how to handle death as well as life, sorrows, as well as joy, and hellos as well as goodbyes.
So, for now, "Good night, Diana. We love you, and will never forget you."
Do you have kids who've lost loved ones or pets? How did you comfort them and strengthen them through the experience? I'd love to hear from you.
PS: If you like, please feel free to leave some words of encouragement for my little girl. I think it'll mean a lot to her.
March 2, 2013
D’oh!
I'm going to go out on a limb here and share one of my "D'OH!" stories with you, in hopes that you'll find it entertaining enough not to think I'm a complete idiot.
(Pregnant pause.)
Here's the story:
A couple of years ago, I was helping a school organize a big 10th anniversary celebration. Some of its theme included generosity, growth, and trees. Well, naturally I thought of that classic children's book THE GIVING TREE, by Shel Silverstein.
And while I was at it, the brilliant idea came to me that would be both meaningful, and make for a wonderful public relations event. At the celebration, why not invite the author, Shel Silverstein, to come and give a keynote address, and even do a reading for the children at the school. It would be a wonderful win-win, as we could invite the media, and give Mr. Silverstein a chance to meet the local community, and the school could also gain some inroads with the publicity of this event.
So, I went ahead and looked up Mr. Silverstein's website, which looked very active, up to date, and fun. But I couldn't find a contact button. No problem, a lot of authors like their privacy, and I was sure that someone as well-known as he would appreciate that. So I searched and found the name of his agent. I even got the agent's email address.
Immensely pleased with the results of my research, I felt that things were going my way, and this might actually happen! So I sent off the email, and got ready to wait for a few days before worrying that it might not get answered.
Well, in just a few hours, I got a reply from the agent.
I was truly excited, but at the same time, I realized there was a big possibility that my request for Mr. Silverstein to come and be the keynote speaker at the event, and read to the children of the school would be declined. Anyway, I clicked on the email, prepared for anything.
But never in a million years was I prepared for the actual answer.
Here is what Mr. Silverstein's agent said:
Shel Silverstein died in 1999.Best,
Mr. Agent (name has been changed for this blog post.)
After I picked my jaw off the floor, and stopped slapping my forehead, I realized how grateful I was that Mr. Agent was kind enough to keep his reply brief and not further embarrass me.
I still laugh at myself when I think of this story, despite being sad that Shel Silverstein had passed away without my realizing. But it reminds me not to take my mistakes, or those of others too seriously.
So, what's you're "D'OH!" story? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section!
February 14, 2013
My Muse. An Author’s Valentine’s Day Tribute
According to Wikipedia: The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses of the inspiration of literature, science and the arts...
I've often referred to my muse in the dedication pages of my novels, and she truly is like a goddess of inspiration for me. I'm speaking of course of my beautiful wife.
How blessed I am to have someone who loves a great story as much as I, and who comes from a very different upbringing (she's from China, I'm all-American--born 'n raised.) Not only that, she loves to listen to me go on and on about different book ideas, and gets excited with me about future projects. She reads everything I write and follows closely with interest as I develop characters, plots, and over all stories. But here's what's so special: For all of the ideas I run by her, she gives me so many great suggestions to make them even better. She's even given me killer twists that ended up in my books that I had never thought of (for example, the twist in the final courtroom scene in BEYOND JUSTICE--one of my favorite scenes.)
Part of me wants to be able to say I did it all by myself, without any help. But as I mature, I've come to understand that no great success happens in a vacuum. It comes with the help of those who love and support yo
u, who add great value to your life with their very presence, perspective, and wise counsel. I am a product of those who have loved and supported me, not the least of which, my wife.
So today, on Valentine's Day, I count myself supremely blessed to have known the love of my life for almost 30 years, and to have been married to her for nearly 20.
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." --Proverbs 18:22
I've found it and have received that favor, and so much more.
Here's to you, wife, my muse and my love!
December 26, 2012
Merry Day After Christmas. Have Some FREE ebooks on me!
So, the day after Christmas, when all the people who received their new ebook readers (Nook, Kindle, Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet, Nook Simple Touch, Nook HD, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Paperwhite...I know I missed a few, not to mention Kobo, and Sony), everyone's going to be looking for some new ebooks to read on their new devices.
The problem is, you can started racking up a pretty big bill, if you're like many who love the convenience of pointing, clicking, and purchasing. They make it way too easy to buy. This is evidenced by the mammoth TBR (to be read) lists on many ebooks reader enthusiast's devices.
So what do you do, if you want to try your new device, or try a new author?
No problem. Just download a free ebook!
There are many out there, but I just wanted to share a few that I'm offering. Please enjoy and share this with your friends!
The first is THE ACCIDENTAL HEALER
Free for Kindle here: http://amzn.to/WHoCL6
(Limited time offer)
The next is THE ACCIDENTAL EXISTENTIALIST
Free for Kindle here: http://amzn.to/VebZoR
Free for Nook here: http://bit.ly/YhmOrm
THE ACCIDENTAL EXORCIST
Free for Kindle here: http://amzn.to/vikUay
THE ACCIDENTAL HERO
Free for Kindle here: http://amzn.to/WSajqQ
Free for Nook here: http://bit.ly/JBIhUe
Happy New Year, everyone!
December 21, 2012
TERMINUS cover and back cover copy revealed!
There's good news, and not so great news. (Don't worry, the good news is better.)
Let's start with the not-so-great news: Unfortunately, TERMINUS will not hit the bookshelves this Christmas, as I had hoped. I wish I had a better explanation, other than I thought I had the correct time frame. But apparently, the sales and marketing departments of any publisher have the final say in these matters. And yes, these things to matter for the success of a book, almost as much as how much readers love a book and tell all their friends about it.
The GOOD NEWS:
I am able to share with you the cover art for TERMINUS, which I think really captures the essence of the book, it's protagonist and some of its settings. The cover was designed by Cory Clubb of Go Bold Designs. And now, here is the cover and the back cover copy:
Cover Design by Cory ClubbHOW FAR MUST AN ANGEL FALL TO FIND HIS DESTINY?
Having witnessed one too many senseless deaths, Nikolai, a disillusioned Reaper 3rd Class, resigns his commission with the Angel Forces after a tedious century of gathering souls.
Immediately, another division recruits him with the promise of a more rewarding career, and issues his initial assignments: To bring down a few very dangerous threats to the human race. In the process, Nikolai falls in love with one of his targets—Hope Matheson, a woman who will lead thousands astray.
Caught between conflicting agendas, Nikolai chooses to “fall” from his celestial state and become mortal in order to circumvent angel law and be with her. But for angels and humans alike, things are not always as they appear. Still a target, the threat against Hope’s life intensifies.
Now, in order to save her, Nikolai must rally the last remnants of his failing supernatural abilities to prevent her assassination, as well as the destruction of an entire city by a nuclear terrorist strike.
But his time and power are running out…
[image error]
December 11, 2012
TWO GRAVES by Preston & Child Released Today!
Got my copy of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's new book TWO GRAVES! As always, a riveting opening. I'm looking forward to diving into this one and getting lost in the suspense and intrigue of FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast's character and life.
Here's a brief description:
For twelve years, he believed she died in an accident. Then, he was told she'd been murdered. Now, FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast discovers that his beloved wife Helen is alive. But their reunion is cut short when Helen is brazenly abducted before his eyes. And Pendergast is forced to embark on a furious cross-country chase to rescue her.
But all this turns out to be mere prologue to a far larger plot: one that unleashes a chillingly-almost supernaturally-adept serial killer on New York City. And Helen has one more surprise in store for Pendergast: a piece of their shared past that makes him the one man most suited to hunting down the killer.
His pursuit of the murderer will take Pendergast deep into the trackless forests of South America, to a hidden place where the evil that has blighted both his and Helen's lives lies in wait . . . a place where he will learn all too well the truth of the ancient proverb:
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
Grab your copy today!
On Amazon, click here.
On Barnes & Noble, click here.
To learn more about the authors, check out their website: www.prestonchild.com
BTW, what can you use to get your eyes unglued from a page? I heard that acetone is good for superglue, but might not feel so good on the eyeballs. :)
Seriously, check out this awesome new book!
December 10, 2012
Amazon is giving $50 off the Kindle Fire HD 8.5″
Have your heard the incredible news?
From Amazon.com:
Today only (12-10-2012), save $50 on Kindle Fire HD 8.9".
Enter promotional code FIREHD89 at checkout.
See the offer on Amazon.com HERE.
Limit one discount per customer. U.S. customers only. Discount valid on all versions of Kindle Fire HD 8.9” sold and shipped by Amazon. It does not apply to the same products sold by other sellers. Amazon reserves the right to cancel the promotion at any time. Promo codes may not be combined with other offers. If you return items purchased using a promo code, we will subtract the value of the discount from your return credit.
