Amy Harmon's Blog, page 6
November 4, 2012
You Can't Legislate Love
We cannot legislate love. We cannot legislate charity. We cannot legislate selflessness. When we seek to mandate love and charity we fall into that age-old trap of seeking to take away man's free will in the guise of "forcing righteousness," all for the greater good. Government is not the answer - EVER. When government takes on the mantle of God, people suffer. That is the danger of rich and poor alike depending on government: those who have MORE will assume the government will provide for those who have LESS, and those who have LESS assume government will take care of them in their need. Government FOSTERS this dependence in its citizenry. It wants us to think it is ALL powerful and benevolent. It works on our fears and plays on our genuine desires to provide for those less fortunate. It calls us racist and greedy and bigoted when we question government's motives or methods. Then when true tragedy strikes, instead of helping each other, we all look to government and say "help them!" or "help me!" And then the ugly truth is revealed when NOBODY comes to the aid of those truly in need.
I found this excerpt this morning on the Blaze: "You just need look at some of the stories coming out in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy to see where the progressive mentality leads us. In New York City, the Heath Department shut down a Chinese restaurant that was trying to feed people without food or electricity. Devastated areas like Staten Island and Coney Island are ignored by the Red Cross. Utility workers all the way from Alabama are turned away because they aren't members of a UNION. In the height of insanity, Mayor Bloomberg was encouraging the New York Marathon to run as planned tomorrow while many areas are still without power and available resources decline. It was only after days of public pressure that he finally changed his mind."
I know this is long, and honestly, it isn't meant to be political in the sense of blaming one party over another. Politicians on both sides of the aisle think they know better than YOU and ME. They say "trust us! We know what we're doing, we'll take care of you." But they don't. In almost every case, they make things worse. Real progress is made by people, not government. When people step up and help each other, give freely to each other, look out for each other, LOVE each other, in spite of race, religion or politics, that is when true progress is made. My prayers are with the people suffering right now on the East coast. God bless America.
I found this excerpt this morning on the Blaze: "You just need look at some of the stories coming out in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy to see where the progressive mentality leads us. In New York City, the Heath Department shut down a Chinese restaurant that was trying to feed people without food or electricity. Devastated areas like Staten Island and Coney Island are ignored by the Red Cross. Utility workers all the way from Alabama are turned away because they aren't members of a UNION. In the height of insanity, Mayor Bloomberg was encouraging the New York Marathon to run as planned tomorrow while many areas are still without power and available resources decline. It was only after days of public pressure that he finally changed his mind."
I know this is long, and honestly, it isn't meant to be political in the sense of blaming one party over another. Politicians on both sides of the aisle think they know better than YOU and ME. They say "trust us! We know what we're doing, we'll take care of you." But they don't. In almost every case, they make things worse. Real progress is made by people, not government. When people step up and help each other, give freely to each other, look out for each other, LOVE each other, in spite of race, religion or politics, that is when true progress is made. My prayers are with the people suffering right now on the East coast. God bless America.
October 27, 2012
Free for Halloween!
Slow Dance in Purgatory is FREE now through Halloween. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love with someone no one else can see? It's spooky, it's romantic, and it's full of surprises. Grab a copy and enjoy! http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Dance-Purg...
August 14, 2012
Prom Night in Purgatory
I am so excited to announce the release of Prom Night in Purgatory, the sequel to Slow Dance in Purgatory. This one is full of surprises, and I can't wait to hear what you all think. In honor of the release of the sequel, Slow Dance in Purgatory is free to download on Amazon now through Sunday.
I have also teamed up with the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust. Every time someone downloads or buys a copy of Prom Night in Purgatory this great organization will benefit. I really appreciate the sacrifice of these men and women, as well as the sacrifices of their families, and I want to give back where I can. You can help! Download Prom Night in Purgatory, get a great read, and help the Utah National Guard and their families. Thank you for your support!
July 24, 2012
She Wrote That About Me....
I just spent a great afternoon in the town my book 'Running Barefoot' is set in. I grew up in the town, and if you've read the book, the people and the community play a big part in the story.
It's been almost twenty years since I've lived there, but things haven't changed too much. There have been a few move-ins, as people have discovered the great little town, and the younger generation has grown up without ever knowing my family, or me, because we don't live there anymore.
So it was a hoot to hear from some of my old friends telling me all about the 'stink' my book has caused. They told me folks were saying that "her mother died when she was nine, you know?" or "She always was into Navajo boys," or "Did you see that part in the book, the part that she wrote about me?" Of course all these statements were about yours truly...and not my character Josie. But it seems I have become Josie Jensen, the blonde haired heroine in my story, and she has become me.
Nope. I'm a brunette. My mom is still alive and well, my husband is a red-head with freckles - I've never even dated someone with Navajo heritage, and sadly, I don't know the people who are claiming fame for certain parts of the book. But boy did I have a good laugh with my old friends, and I actually did see a few people who inspired parts of the story, but I'll never tell them that. Ah small towns....there's nothing like 'em.
It's been almost twenty years since I've lived there, but things haven't changed too much. There have been a few move-ins, as people have discovered the great little town, and the younger generation has grown up without ever knowing my family, or me, because we don't live there anymore.
So it was a hoot to hear from some of my old friends telling me all about the 'stink' my book has caused. They told me folks were saying that "her mother died when she was nine, you know?" or "She always was into Navajo boys," or "Did you see that part in the book, the part that she wrote about me?" Of course all these statements were about yours truly...and not my character Josie. But it seems I have become Josie Jensen, the blonde haired heroine in my story, and she has become me.
Nope. I'm a brunette. My mom is still alive and well, my husband is a red-head with freckles - I've never even dated someone with Navajo heritage, and sadly, I don't know the people who are claiming fame for certain parts of the book. But boy did I have a good laugh with my old friends, and I actually did see a few people who inspired parts of the story, but I'll never tell them that. Ah small towns....there's nothing like 'em.
July 7, 2012
The things I'm learning....
As an avid reader all my life, I thought I would never fall prey to the same things I see other self-published authors fall prey to. I taught English, was a recruiter for a business college, and I've been a motivational speaker. You'd think with all that 'schooling' and teaching that I wouldn't have problems with editing. Sigh. I still do. I read the stuff I've written, and because I already know what it says my eyes just glide over the boo boos. I am so happy that my readers so far have seen past the errors and typos and the misspellings and found the beauty. However!!! I have pulled 'Running Barefoot,' re-edited it, and have put an updated edition out there. I HATE that there are editing problems and I am so sorry that it has distracted some of my readers from enjoying the book.
Being a one-man-show (writer, editor, publisher, promoter, mother of four and wife) is difficult, I'm finding. This first go round has been full of bittersweet moments and both happy and sad tears. Thank you for reading and taking a chance on this newbie author. Thank you for your feedback, both good and bad, because that keeps it all real. And thank you for loving 'Running Barefoot.' It is a very personal book for me, and I am so glad I have the opportunity to share it.
Being a one-man-show (writer, editor, publisher, promoter, mother of four and wife) is difficult, I'm finding. This first go round has been full of bittersweet moments and both happy and sad tears. Thank you for reading and taking a chance on this newbie author. Thank you for your feedback, both good and bad, because that keeps it all real. And thank you for loving 'Running Barefoot.' It is a very personal book for me, and I am so glad I have the opportunity to share it.
