A BOOK of BEiNG

The Book of Being.
By - Spigner C. Gawain.

This book takes some reading. Its a very deep book with psychological overtones. I see it as being in some way poetical and it requires full attention to absorbe the content. A Little bit heavy for me I'm afraid but I think there will be a market for it out there.
Well starred all the same.

Regards,

Neville The Secrets Of The Forest - The Time Zone.

Splgner,

I check out your book today and I liked what I saw so I backed it. If you could please take a look at either of my two novels DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS or MY GENTLEMAN FRIEND, for your possible backing, your help will be greatly appreciated. Good luck and happy writing.

Dwain-Thomas

Cookie,
The very title "A Book of Being" says it all, for to be or to exist exacts a tremendous toll on us. In the case of Alhena, her siblings and her mother, it means submission to the vile desires of a child molester masquerading as their protector. You have a poetic bent which manifests itself in your choice of words. Your straightforward prose is a powerful a beacon that shows up the wrinkles and distortions of reality. Thank you so much.

Kenneth Edward Lim
The North Korean

Dear Cookie,
Curiosity kept me reading. References to “The bearer” and all the children, had me a little befuddled in the first few chapters, but overall, I thought this to be beautifull and poetic prose, and a very profound read.
best,
Maria
"Dark of the Moon"

This is definantly a great read! It should go far.
Leslie

I usually don't read this catagory but you got my attention from the start and kept it, way to go! Definately a great read for fantasy enthusiasts.
Leslie Gervais

Interesting book with some very disturbing themes; however, it kept me reading and that is always the writer’s goal. I liked the “otherworldly” quality of the prose. Good work. I’ll back when shelf-space opens up.

Jaen Wirefly
Glimmers

How totally wonderful you are, Spigner/COOKIE!! :) Thank you so very much for backing my memoirs/testimony book. :) May God richly bless you. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - could you please ****** mine, too. Every ****** -ing & backing more than 24 hours moves our books up authonomy's lists. :) I want to ask you if you could please keep my book on your bookshelf because, I'm #1 on the editor's desk & I don't want to lose traction & to remain in the top 5 to be chosen February 28. :) Please read my profile page: I had a mini-stroke Nov. 10 with slurred speech for an hour & numbness of tongue still & over 24 smaller ones where I couldn't speak since & I"d sure like to cross the finish line of the editor's desk after almost 1 year of trying on authonomy. :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me :) - I have lost 3 sisters to strokes & my last sister, Mary had 2 heart attacks this past year.

Hi Cookie, a very intriguing pitch. It's labeled Christian so I assume the light is God or His light. What a mystery life really is. SO filled with surprises, tragedy and joy. God is all over this worldl, us and our lives and yet so many do not see the mystery. This book sounds like it would keep that fact in front of the reader always. That life is far more than it seems. good luck and well done, backed, lynne... if you can, could you take a look at You Turn.

Hi Cookie. You owned me by your synopsis, and carried me easily away into your journey's tale. Nice, solid structure. Terrific!

sincerely
jim
jack & charmian london

Your writing has a poetic rythmn and there's rich imagery. I tend to agree with the previous commentator that sometimes this is almost overdone--the first paragraph is a good example. On balance it works, but I can't help thinking it might work even better with a little judicious pruning.

Backed

Your descriptions are certainly vivid (at times perhaps a little too much so and some pruning would help) but your overall writing style is attractive and the narrative is a strong and vibrant one.

BACKED

This book is (at times) as much about the words as it is the story. It can be a bit of a challenge to decipher, but now and then I enjoy a challenge. If this were my book, I would consider the importance of certain descriptives and weigh these against conciseness and truth. That first sentence, for example seems a bit overdone and maybe just short of truth. “opulent allure” and “lackluster purple blue sky” What is the “opulent allure”? is it the night sky? I assume it is, because the comet “cracked” it (the sky). And, if it is, then aren't the two descriptions contrary?
And “tearing a hasty streak.” Comets do not tear hasty streaks… no… they are always very lazy in their travels across the sky, that is, from the POV of someone standing on Earth. Perhaps you mean a falling star or an asteroid. Perhaps this is a comet such as there has never been before.

But then, reading on: “The burger was old fashioned, slippery with mayonnaise, mustard, white onions, and pickles. There were potato chips with the meal, crispy and light to the small hands. Each brood crowded a burger and chips into a small mouth…” I love the way this brings the reader down to earth. I love the simplicity of the idea and the appropriately simple language. I took liberty with the commas though.

Very well done…
Backed with pleasure.
Rodney Jones

Your writing is very poetic, which is good for painting pictures with beautiful words. Your sentences are at times a little hard to understand. Sometimes this is a comma thing. If they were replaced the sentence would flow better. Overall, you are a very talented writer. There is no disputing that. Happy to back you.

Lacey

My wife downloaded your book and read it. She enjoyed it and told me to back it ! So congratulations.
I would appreciate if you/children could look at my childrens' book; paperbat adventures. Thanks.
Jerry [paperbat]

This is lavish, generous writing which some people will adore and others shy away from. It's clearly the work of a poet, thus images clash against each other, or repeat lyrically, 'the night's opulent allure ... lacklustre purple blue sky', 'sitting upon the edge of the chair ... the girl sat at the edge'. Words take on special meanings or greater importance, thus the mother becomes 'The Bearer', and in so doing, she is made less of a mother as her deeds also prove. Some words are just there because they are perfect, 'persnickety'. It's a story that disguises as well as reveals, gradually showing the face beneath the mask. It's demanding in both subject and form, and it won't be to everyone's taste. For a wider audience it would need taming a bit more, toning down. But as it stands, it's a bold and vivid portrait of a unique character ... backed.

Hi Cookie

I found this interesting. The subject matter is very strong and your strange distant prose style is effective, although I do find it a bit over-written at the beginning (too many adjectives) and I'd also be inclined not to include the poem at the beginning. The child's pov stuff is affecting though and this is obviously a work of some ambition. Backed.

Nicole
Chosen

Book cover is very eye catching. The pich is gripping and the story wriiten well.
Backed with pleasure.

Dawn,
My Friends and Me / Sammy and the Wise Willow

Excellent read. Backed with pleasure.
M J Webb
Jake West - 'The Keeper of the Stones'
www.jakewest.co.uk

Backed with pleasure
Eveleen
(Turning a new leaf)

Hey Cookie, best of luck . you are amazing as a writer and also encouraging
Denise
The Letter

Dear Cookie,
well just wanted to get back to you, you were such an encouragement to me
when I first came on to this site. I have
already commented on your book but looking back i cannot
find the backing
please let me know if you find it if not i will
back it again
BEST OF LUCK
Denise
The Letter

You are totally fantastic, Cookie! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my 2 memoir books?
God bless you. :) Love, Susie :)

Both of your books are heartfelt because you focus on women's quest for happines. :) Fantastic!!!! :)

Cookie,

You've got a great style of prose. It's very florid, but I never found myself lost or unsure where you were driving the story to. The only note I have is that I caught one paragraph where you had more than one character speak, and technically those need to be separated. It's a small note for a confident and accomplished piece.

Nice work! Backed! Looking forward to your thoughts on Head Games!

Kevin Alex Baker
Head Games

Than you fo backing my book first of all. I will add you to my watch list for when I have worked my way through all the other books I must look at.
Eunice

An interesting account of how life's hardhips shape us and make us the people we are. Like my own, the journey's darkness brings hope and everything makes sense at the end of our lives.

Cookie, I've read a bit of this. Your writing is very unusual, a kind of prose-poetry. If the whole thing continues in this style, I have to hold my hands up and say 'not for me'. Which is not to say it's bad in any way, just different. I'm wondering where the plagiarism comes in. Slightly baffled, me.

Hi, everyone please overlook the comments made by PAL. I have never commented on this guy's book and you can check that for yourself. He continues to comment on my book, and has the insanity to ask me to stop commenting as though this were his comment page. He makes the comment below which says it seems I copyied the book from another person. ** I feel this has become a copyright issue now, but no worry have my original draft and do have a copyright though I heard it was not needed .**I took this as the ultimate insult, but others feel it is ok for him to write such things on my book. I am sure it would not be the case if it was their book. I have reported it to HC since I feel that comment is totally out of line.** I can assure A Book of Being, is original and dare anyone to find another book like it. Best wishes to all Cookie.**


Sir since all else has failed I will be reporting your recent comment to authonomy for abuse. You are not a friend of mine as you have implied.*** You have unrighteously accused me of plagarism, and seem to single me out for undue abuse.**This is very offensive to me, and would be to any writer. **Plagarism is a sin and the accusation unforgivable for any author.** You seem to be highly offended by the subject matter and perhaps this is the reason for this assault on my character and writing. I request one last time remove your comment. * I cannot believe you are asking me to stop commenting on my own book, did you realize you are commenting on MY book, not the other way around. You have an attitude of hate disguised in sweetness and light.** I HAVE AN ACUTE DISTASTE FOR PEOPLE WHO USE SCRIPTURE TO SUPPORT SUCH ACTIONS. I kind of feel sorry for this guy.

A BOOK of BEiNG is no one but my own original work I have the original drafts to prove it, all of them from day one to current revisions** Might want to take a look must be some king of book to elicit several unsolicited hateful responses, one would do *No I still will not comment on his book. I do not play that game. best wishes all Cookie Gawain, 'A BOOK of BEiNG, & TATTERINGS.'

OK, Cookie, I did try again, to see if perhaps my first impressions were wrong. They were not.

I gave it an honest read - most of four whole chapters. Your writing is poor. You do not have a good smooth logic flow.** At times you seem to be copying someone else entirely**. You introduce new subjects sometimes that are never resolved. I really tried, but your book is a labor to read, where a good book should be a joy for a lover of great books such as myself.

I struggled to find out where you were going with this, and finally had to conclude that you didn't really know where you were going. Your concluding chapters did not answer any of my questions.

As it is right now, **this book will never be published, nor should it be.** I'm sorry, Cookie. I don't want to jump on you. I would much rather just smile and say, "Have a great day". But that would not be honest, nor would it help you. You are only helped when someone has the courage to say what they really feel. I hope you can accept it.

Most of the people on this website are not interested in helping you. They only want to flatter you so you will back their books.(THESE COMMENTS ARE FROM PEOPLE WHOSE BOOKS I HAVE ALREADY BACKED) ?? I am not into that. If you find honest faults with my books, I would be delighted if you would say so, honestly; how else can I improve them if all I get is flattery?! So go ahead. Return the criticism. Find the worst places in my books and rake me across the coals. All I ask is that your criticism be honest, as is mine. I promise, I will thank and bless you for it.

I care enough about you, as a child of God made in His image, to tell you the truth. I freely admit, I am only one man, and others will certainly have other opinions. But I have read many thousands of good books in my 63 years, and my opinion should be worth something. Scripture assures us that "faithful are the wounds of a friend." I truly hope that my criticism will help you, and that in the end, you will acknowledge me as your friend.

PAL

OK, Cookie, I did try again, to see if perhaps my first impressions were wrong. They were not.

I gave it an honest read - most of four whole chapters. Your writing is poor. You do not have a good smooth logic flow. At times you seem to be copying someone else entirely. You introduce new subjects sometimes that are never resolved. I really tried, but your book is a labor to read, where a good book should be a joy for a lover of great books such as myself.

I struggled to find out where you were going with this, and finally had to conclude that you didn't really know where you were going. Your concluding chapters did not answer any of my questions. I sense that you are wrestling with theological problems for which you do not yet have answers.

As it is right now, this book will never be published, nor should it be. I'm sorry, Cookie. I don't want to jump on you. I would much rather just smile and say, "Have a great day". But that would not be honest, nor would it help you. You are only helped when someone has the courage to say what they really feel. I hope you can accept it.

Most of the people on this website are not interested in helping you. They only want to flatter you so you will back their books. I am not into that. If you find honest faults with my books, I would be delighted if you would say so, honestly; how else can I improve them if all I get is flattery?! So go ahead. Return the criticism. Find the worst places in my books and rake me across the coals. All I ask is that your criticism be honest, as is mine. I promise, I will thank and bless you for it.

I care enough about you, as a child of God made in His image, to tell you the truth. I freely admit, I am only one man, and others will certainly have other opinions. But I have read many thousands of good books in my 63 years, and my opinion should be worth something. Scripture assures us that "faithful are the wounds of a friend." I truly hope that my criticism will help you, and that in the end, you will acknowledge me as your friend.

PAL

I ve read the first two chapters. The opening sets the scene for the style of writing that beads its way through what I have read so far. For someone who gravitates towards more stark styles, I was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the prose. There's also some wonderfully quirky lines, such as that about the old fashioned burger which for some reason, made me both laugh and brim with melancholy, all in one, which is a good thing. Straight to my shelf with a smile and rear.

I believe and don't feel this is over demanding or unreasonable, you should at least read at least one to two chapters in order to comment. Also flowery language, and childish are contradictory so I fear the the content has offended you. If you would please read if you are going to comment., think how you would feel. If you prefer not to read pass on my book for something you can read, thanks. Cookie Gawain 'A Book of Being & 'Tatterings'.
report abuse

Sorry, Cookie,
I read small portions of chapters 1 and 4, but just couldn't get past the overly flowery language. Your word choices remind me of a child high on too much sugar, bouncing off the walls. I guess some people like that wild imagery, but I'm just too down-to-earth for it.
PAL

Sorry, Cookie,
I read small portions of chapters 1 and 4, but just couldn't get past the overly flowery language. Your word choices remind me of a child high on too much sugar, bouncing off the walls. I guess some people like that wild imagery, but I'm just too down-to-earth for it.
PAL

After a fable style beginning, we're dipped into this poor girl's life. You really got the girl's dialogue spot on, I'm feeling uncomfortable for her. Nice work and backed.

Lisa

I loved the opening, the prose were just right and added so much to the story.
Keith

Cookie, when you write about the elder screaming for the babies to be taken from him it's impossible to feel anything but pity. You create endless impressions like this and out of so few words but all well chosen and full of meaning. This book is beautiful and moving, not just the prose but what underlies it. Very best wishes for its success. Backed. Lynn

O Cookie, Cookie!

I love your style - poetic and sharp. And, the opening is very very strong. I will come later to read more, but for now - both thumbs up!

And backing with utmost pleasure,
Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

Cookie You hypnotize the reader, giving them no choice but to carry on and face something that is very hard to digest. You have a very disticnt style and you will draw your own readership based on that alone, people will be looking for whatever comes next... Bravo....Backed Patricia aka Columbia Layers of the Heart

Your imagery is impressive right from the start. You enrich your touching narrative with apt similies such as 'like a life-sized tin soldier.' Your dialogue reads real and adds depth to your story. Your pacing held my attention.

Nit:
'Her mother had accepted the elders account.' Elders (plural) should be elder's (possessive). There are more cases of this type of problem.

This is an intriguing tale. Backed.

nice pitch. it is thought provoking.
j

Cookie

This is very intriguing. It's very unusual in the way that it's laid out, The sentence structure follows the same pattern in each paragraph, and the tone is very passive - I assume that's intentional? To be honest, it's not the sort of thing that I'd normally have read, but it's certainly unique, and quite unlike anything else on this site.

Peter

unusual and poetic. I personally do'nt believe in changing style simply because somebody suggested. My advice to you - be yourself, dont change. Backed with pleasure-
Siddharth Bajpai "sunshine days"

Vivid imagery and unique style. Quite intense.

hi Cookie, drifting, drifting, through horrors and pleasures, trying to distinuish what is good and what's not. The writing is real/unreal while softly embracing the reader's consciousness. Very unusual and strangely pleasant. Already backed.

Excellent writing, very gripping backed with pleasure.

Being has this wistful, haunted feel with clear, rich, descriptive passages.. I love the synopsis and the promise of mystery to unfold.. I'm glad I found this one, it will certainly stay in the memory.. Backed and best wishes
Diane
Good Blood

Your lyrical writing style is beautiful, but that somehow only adds to the chilling nature of the narrative. There are a few punctuation issues, mostly unneeded commas, but overall the writing is solid. I can tell this was written with an extreme amount of discipline. Really nice work, and easy to back.
Craig
The Job

What a gripping pitch. I cannot believe I've missed this so far. I am always looking for something different, something extraordinary, and this novel "Being", has certainly satisfied my desire. I am backing it with pleasure
Helen

Poetry disguised as prose -- that's what you brought into BEiNG.

The language is beautiful, though at times a bit esoteric and abstract. Then again, I'd rather experience that than some cliche-filled thriller.

Backed!

If you like poetry, you might like my protagonist, though he certainly isn't heading into the heavens! Check him out in Notes on Orange Burial when you get a moment.


Warm regards,

g

I liked the concept, but I found the prose a bit too florid for my taste.

Hi Cookie, I loved the introductory poem. You have a real talent for word craft. Less sure about ' a slight bit of encouragement' in first para. Maybe, 'a trace of''? Just a suggestion. The rest is lovely. Backed. Best regards, gordon