Jim Vuksic's Blog, page 7
June 23, 2017
A Public Response to a Private Message on "Goodreads".
I recently received a private message from a Goodreads member accusing me of being an elitist who rarely participates in group threads and declines to accept friend requests. Those members with whom I have participated in group discussions or who follow my blog know that I prefer open discussion and very seldom reply to a private message. Therefore, I will now respond to the aforementioned private message in this open forum.
Discussion Group Participation
I choose to participate in a group thread discussion only when I have something to contribute that has not already been posted by someone else. The contribution is my personal opinion, which may or may not agree with the majority of the other posts. If others disagree and choose to challenge my opinion, that is fine. However, I refuse to participate in what often becomes a never-ending debate that usually devolves into a spitting match in which nothing gets resolved and all those who take part end up covered in spit.
I choose to participate only in discussions directly pertaining to writing techniques, literary subjects and personal reading preferences. I am not interested in what a member had for breakfast, what they plan to do that day, their physical or mental issues or what the weather is where they live. There are social websites specifically designed for such conversations.
Limited Acceptance of Friend Requests
To date, I have accepted 35 friend requests. Only those from members whose profile and posting history with which I am familiar are seriously considered. None are accepted from members with private profiles or whose history does not interest me.
Closing Statement
Whether you agree or disagree with the above choices and reasoning is your prerogative. It is neither relevant nor important that you do. Right or wrong, correct or incorrect, they are my choices and reasoning. They should be respected, as should yours.
Discussion Group Participation
I choose to participate in a group thread discussion only when I have something to contribute that has not already been posted by someone else. The contribution is my personal opinion, which may or may not agree with the majority of the other posts. If others disagree and choose to challenge my opinion, that is fine. However, I refuse to participate in what often becomes a never-ending debate that usually devolves into a spitting match in which nothing gets resolved and all those who take part end up covered in spit.
I choose to participate only in discussions directly pertaining to writing techniques, literary subjects and personal reading preferences. I am not interested in what a member had for breakfast, what they plan to do that day, their physical or mental issues or what the weather is where they live. There are social websites specifically designed for such conversations.
Limited Acceptance of Friend Requests
To date, I have accepted 35 friend requests. Only those from members whose profile and posting history with which I am familiar are seriously considered. None are accepted from members with private profiles or whose history does not interest me.
Closing Statement
Whether you agree or disagree with the above choices and reasoning is your prerogative. It is neither relevant nor important that you do. Right or wrong, correct or incorrect, they are my choices and reasoning. They should be respected, as should yours.
May 31, 2017
Experiencing Bad Times is Essential to Appreciating Good Times
The next time you feel depressed and despondent because everything seems to be going wrong, consider adopting the following philosophy.
Until we experience pain, we cannot truly appreciate pleasure.
Until we experience sadness, we cannot truly appreciate happiness.
Until we experience hatred, we cannot truly appreciate love.
Until we experience failure, we cannot truly appreciate success.
Until we experience disappointment, we cannot truly appreciate satisfaction.
Until we experience defeat, we cannot truly appreciate victory.
Until we experience illness, we cannot truly appreciate good health.
When things are going well and life is good, we tend to take it for granted and adopt a sense of entitlement. By all means, enjoy the good times, but be prepared to endure and eventually overcome the bad times.
Until we experience pain, we cannot truly appreciate pleasure.
Until we experience sadness, we cannot truly appreciate happiness.
Until we experience hatred, we cannot truly appreciate love.
Until we experience failure, we cannot truly appreciate success.
Until we experience disappointment, we cannot truly appreciate satisfaction.
Until we experience defeat, we cannot truly appreciate victory.
Until we experience illness, we cannot truly appreciate good health.
When things are going well and life is good, we tend to take it for granted and adopt a sense of entitlement. By all means, enjoy the good times, but be prepared to endure and eventually overcome the bad times.
May 20, 2017
A Final Farewell to a Novel from the Author
When my novel was released in 2011, I did not expect it to become a commercial success; therefore, I was not disappointed when it did not.
Although currently still available through a few commercial vendors, since the publisher went out of business on January 17 of this year, when those vendors' inventories are depleted, the novel will no longer be available.
Sales far exceeded my expectation; therefore, I am quite satisfied with the novel's six years of availability. Sales totaled 1,029 units (485 paperbacks - 480 e-books - 36 audio books on CD - 28 audio book downloads). Royalty checks total $2,358.34.
I wish to sincerely thank all those who purchased the book and especially those who expended the time and effort to post a rating and/or review in various literary websites. I hope that you enjoyed reading about the world of Levels as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Although currently still available through a few commercial vendors, since the publisher went out of business on January 17 of this year, when those vendors' inventories are depleted, the novel will no longer be available.
Sales far exceeded my expectation; therefore, I am quite satisfied with the novel's six years of availability. Sales totaled 1,029 units (485 paperbacks - 480 e-books - 36 audio books on CD - 28 audio book downloads). Royalty checks total $2,358.34.
I wish to sincerely thank all those who purchased the book and especially those who expended the time and effort to post a rating and/or review in various literary websites. I hope that you enjoyed reading about the world of Levels as much as I enjoyed creating it.
April 27, 2017
Sometimes, There is No Next Time!
Ignoring or delaying a project that requires a great deal of preparation, time and energy is very tempting.
Whenever I am tempted to postpone or neglect doing something that I would rather not, even though it is the smart or right thing to do, I remember a quote I read more than fifty years ago. "Sometimes, there is no next time, no timeout or no do over. Sometimes, it is now or never."
Life is too short and unpredictable to not do things that should be done today rather than putting them off until tomorrow. After all, tomorrow may never come.
Whenever I am tempted to postpone or neglect doing something that I would rather not, even though it is the smart or right thing to do, I remember a quote I read more than fifty years ago. "Sometimes, there is no next time, no timeout or no do over. Sometimes, it is now or never."
Life is too short and unpredictable to not do things that should be done today rather than putting them off until tomorrow. After all, tomorrow may never come.
March 19, 2017
Enough is Enough!
"Enough is enough!". Who hasn't heard that refrain? Parents often utilize it to warn misbehaving children that their tolerance level is wearing thin. A person may use it to notify their partner that the relationship is over. The one area in which it seldom seems to be utilized or applied is in reference to most people's perception of their financial status or the quantity and quality of their material possessions.
Unfortunately, too many have become spoiled, selfish and greedy, often without even being aware of it. No matter how wealthy they become or how many expensive clothes, furnishing, and high-tech gadgets they accumulate, they always want more money and better things.
Perhaps the time has come for everyone to take an objective look at their life and lifestyle. They may arrive at the conclusion that they actually do finally have enough. Maybe they should consider sharing at least some of their excess money and material things with those who are less fortunate. One does not have to look too far to discover someone who does not have sufficient food, clothing or shelter.
If enough is enough, perhaps it is not necessary to have more than enough.
Unfortunately, too many have become spoiled, selfish and greedy, often without even being aware of it. No matter how wealthy they become or how many expensive clothes, furnishing, and high-tech gadgets they accumulate, they always want more money and better things.
Perhaps the time has come for everyone to take an objective look at their life and lifestyle. They may arrive at the conclusion that they actually do finally have enough. Maybe they should consider sharing at least some of their excess money and material things with those who are less fortunate. One does not have to look too far to discover someone who does not have sufficient food, clothing or shelter.
If enough is enough, perhaps it is not necessary to have more than enough.
February 23, 2017
The Greatest Story Never Told
One sees the world through the biased lens of the mind's eye. Autobiographies and biographies, intentionally or unintentionally, are tainted by prejudice, philosophical beliefs, limited knowledge, experience, and the human tendency to usually maximize one's strengths and successes while minimizing one's weaknesses and failures.
The sum total of one's life is not merely composed of a few major accomplishments and remarkable experiences; it is a trillion little things, the majority of which unfortunately go unnoticed and, therefore, undocumented.
It is this tendency, driven by ego and an all too often exaggerated sense of self worth and importance, that renders it literally impossible to share a totally accurate and complete life story. Therefore, for better or worse, an individual's life must remain perhaps the greatest story never told. It will, however, have been lived and that is all that truly matters.
The sum total of one's life is not merely composed of a few major accomplishments and remarkable experiences; it is a trillion little things, the majority of which unfortunately go unnoticed and, therefore, undocumented.
It is this tendency, driven by ego and an all too often exaggerated sense of self worth and importance, that renders it literally impossible to share a totally accurate and complete life story. Therefore, for better or worse, an individual's life must remain perhaps the greatest story never told. It will, however, have been lived and that is all that truly matters.
February 5, 2017
Before Rejoicing or Becoming Upset About What is Said, Consider Who Said It and Why
There are clever and even some not so clever people who have developed a knack for taking advantage of people's prejudices and preferences. They will say and do whatever it takes to win others' support and acclamation merely by telling them exactly what they want to hear. To take advantage of such naive people, one does not have to actually support or even agree with their opinions; one merely has to pretend to.
It is better to surround yourself with friends and acquaintances who will tell you what they truly believe, even if it may upset you, than with those who will say and do whatever they think you would prefer to have them say and do in order to remain in your good graces.
It is better to surround yourself with friends and acquaintances who will tell you what they truly believe, even if it may upset you, than with those who will say and do whatever they think you would prefer to have them say and do in order to remain in your good graces.
January 8, 2017
An Author's Account of the Slow, Yet Painless, Death of His Book
On Aug. 9, 2011, a book was born. At first, its life was surprisingly promising and rewarding. However, Each succeeding year revealed signs that the book was slowly dying. Since a long and successful life was never anticipated in the beginning, the portent of its eventual demise was accepted as inevitable. It caused no undue sadness or regret for its creator.
The following background information has been revealed in previous posts, but those who are not regular followers of the blog may find it interesting. Besides that, every death deserves a eulogy.
Writing a novel was just one of four items included in a bucket list which my late wife insisted we create upon my retirement in 2001. In 2009, I finally decided that it was time to transfer the story that had been fermenting inside my head for years onto paper.
Fourteen months of writing, rewriting, proofreading, having others proofread, and polishing produced a manuscript which I believed was worthy of publication. It turned out to be not quite worthy; however, with the patience and input from a copy editor, conceptual editor, and layout design artist, the novel was finally released on Aug. 9, 2011.
During the first two years, sales exceeded my expectation. Each following year, sales grew weaker. The most recent quarterly sales report revealed that only 12 units were sold (3 paperbacks, 9 e-books, 0 audio books on CD, and 0 audio book downloads).
During its 5 years and 4 months of existence, sales total 1,029 units (485 paperbacks, 480 e-books, 36 audio books on CD, and 28 audio book downloads). Royalties total $2,358.34. So, although the book is slowly dying, it has lived a far more successful and rewarding life than I ever anticipated it would. Therefore, its demise is painless. No one could ask for more.
The following background information has been revealed in previous posts, but those who are not regular followers of the blog may find it interesting. Besides that, every death deserves a eulogy.
Writing a novel was just one of four items included in a bucket list which my late wife insisted we create upon my retirement in 2001. In 2009, I finally decided that it was time to transfer the story that had been fermenting inside my head for years onto paper.
Fourteen months of writing, rewriting, proofreading, having others proofread, and polishing produced a manuscript which I believed was worthy of publication. It turned out to be not quite worthy; however, with the patience and input from a copy editor, conceptual editor, and layout design artist, the novel was finally released on Aug. 9, 2011.
During the first two years, sales exceeded my expectation. Each following year, sales grew weaker. The most recent quarterly sales report revealed that only 12 units were sold (3 paperbacks, 9 e-books, 0 audio books on CD, and 0 audio book downloads).
During its 5 years and 4 months of existence, sales total 1,029 units (485 paperbacks, 480 e-books, 36 audio books on CD, and 28 audio book downloads). Royalties total $2,358.34. So, although the book is slowly dying, it has lived a far more successful and rewarding life than I ever anticipated it would. Therefore, its demise is painless. No one could ask for more.
December 28, 2016
A Simple Way to Live a Complicated Life
Anyone who has studied physics, chemistry, philosophy, theology or political science can attest to the complexity and mysteries of life. Some choose to spend a lifetime reflecting upon that complexity and those mysteries. I personally choose to leave those aspects of life primarily to the scientists, clergy and politicians while just living life to the fullest, one day at a time.
Like everyone else, I have experienced good and bad times, happy and sad times, exciting and boring times, along with many times during which nothing much happened one way or the other. I have learned to appreciate and enjoy the good, happy and exciting times and to accept and endure the bad, sad and boring times.
I will continue living my life as best I can for as long as I can until I no longer can. Upon her death bed, the late actress Mae West said "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!"
Like everyone else, I have experienced good and bad times, happy and sad times, exciting and boring times, along with many times during which nothing much happened one way or the other. I have learned to appreciate and enjoy the good, happy and exciting times and to accept and endure the bad, sad and boring times.
I will continue living my life as best I can for as long as I can until I no longer can. Upon her death bed, the late actress Mae West said "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!"
December 14, 2016
The Least Exciting War Story You May Ever Hear
When one of my grandchildren, a high school sophomore, was studying the Vietnam War, he asked if I would tell him a war story that he could use as part of a homework assignment. I told him the following story.
I graduated from high school in 1965, which just happened to be the year that the United States' involvement in the Vietnam conflict evolved into a full-scale war. Seven boyhood friends and I decided that it would be a great idea to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps together and join in the fight.
In February of 1967, all eight of us began a 13-month combat tour in Vietnam. Five of us made it back home. The other three will remain 19-years-old forever. I ended my story by expressing my personal philosophy regarding war in general: When the last shot has been fired, the peace treaty signed and the war is officially declared over, regardless of which side they have fought on, there are no winners, only survivors.
My grandson expressed his honest opinion that my story was not very exciting. I replied that war is not very exciting. Hopefully, he and a sufficient number of other members of his generation will come to the conclusion that war as depicted in video games is pure fantasy and, therefore, there must be a better method for nations to settle future disagreements.
I graduated from high school in 1965, which just happened to be the year that the United States' involvement in the Vietnam conflict evolved into a full-scale war. Seven boyhood friends and I decided that it would be a great idea to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps together and join in the fight.
In February of 1967, all eight of us began a 13-month combat tour in Vietnam. Five of us made it back home. The other three will remain 19-years-old forever. I ended my story by expressing my personal philosophy regarding war in general: When the last shot has been fired, the peace treaty signed and the war is officially declared over, regardless of which side they have fought on, there are no winners, only survivors.
My grandson expressed his honest opinion that my story was not very exciting. I replied that war is not very exciting. Hopefully, he and a sufficient number of other members of his generation will come to the conclusion that war as depicted in video games is pure fantasy and, therefore, there must be a better method for nations to settle future disagreements.
