The Mystical Odyssey of a Redneck from Texas: A Journey to Living Large

Mike-
Terrific work.I'll add to WL. Well-written ,interesting, concise.

Very best wishes, Claire-Curious Cooper and the Screaming Skulls

Well Mike, what can I say? I am right there, living the life (although not sure I would cope with the punishments meted out). You made it so real with your description and narrator voice. I loved it all, now I know why my daughter is so obsessed with the idea of living in Texas. I think I would too if it were anything like your first chapter.
I will definitely give you some shelf space soon for at least24 hrs and am scattering some stardust now...
Well done
Millie C

You are totally fantastic, Mike! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my memoirs book? :)
God bless you. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. I just looked to see if I had ******-ed your book & they are now ******-rated (6 gold ******'s) :) - could you please ****** mine, too? :) Every ****** -ing & backing moves our books closer to the editor's desk :) I want to ask you if you could please keep my book on your bookshelf as long as possible because I'm 12 from the editor's desk & need to be in the top 5 by the end of November :) - I had a mini-stroke last Wednesday with slurred speech for an hour & numbness of tongue still & 5 smaller ones since & I"d sure like to cross the finish line of the editor's desk after 9 months 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 earlier this year.

Dear Mike, I love that your pitch told of your spiritual struggle & survival & serenity, preparing me for your story. :) Thank you taking me right along, as you helped me to feel what you were feeling. :) Chapter 1 reminded my of Sunday School songs like, "Deep & Wide," "Climb, Climb up Sunshine Mountain," & "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock" - amazing that at 70 years old, I still remember them all. :) Thank you for sharing your spiritual journey. :) In chapter 18, when you said, "I thank God for a beautiful day," you brought to mind the verse, "Oh, that man would praise the Lord for His goodness & for His wonderful works to the children of men, because His mercy & loving-kindness endures forever" Ps.107. :) Great write. :) I have read, commented on, & put your book on my watchlist, to 24 hour back when space opens on my bookshelf. :) Thank you for backing my memoirs/testimony book. :) I have also *******-rated your book :) - could you please ****** mine, too? :) Love, Susie :) p.s. every ******-ing & backing moves our books closer to the editor's desk :)
None of this comment is copy/pasted, but written my best from my heart. :)

This has the makings and premise of an interesting story and appears to be well written. However, if it were me, I would start the book with the last two paragraphs of chapter one.
"At an early age, I had a glimpse..."
The rest of the first chapter isn't good for an opening chapter as there is nothing to 'grab' a reader and make them want to read on. I did, but found it to be more you reminiscing, which is something you do with family or close friends. As a reader, I want something to grab me straight away.
This chapter can always be put in later once the reader has been drawn in..
Start from, 'Redneck from Texas and then the next bit, 'Welcome to Greenville' would be better starting as I suggest.

That is in my opinion and I try to give honest comment, which helps improve one's writing. It is the honest opinion that helped me. Would love to see it again once changes were done. I would back it as I believe it has great promise, but I am struggling to back these days. Have kept it on my w/l in case it lets me soon.

Hi Mike, A day in the life of one very interesting protagonist. You've some intriguing ideas and thoughts and you do well by taking the reader on one cerebral adventure after another. I began at the beginning and also read chapter five. Your pacing and description are balanced well without either going overboard. Creative and profound! Shelved. JupiterGirl (Twins of the Astral Plane)

:) comment to follow after I've read your book :)

Mike - the writers below have said it all and I can only add my praise and have backed you without hesitation - keep writing! Balepy (Valerie of Freckles the Fawn)

What a brilliant story!

Your writing skills are absolutely wonderful! The story is flowing beautifully, and it is interesting to see/read how you have interwoven your personal memoir with the analysis of Campbell, Jung, Casey, Hinduism, Yoga's philosophy/theory (among others). Because of that you were able to re-create what has happened in your life, your gradual progress: your life journey and the events have been parallel to your expanding consciousness, whatever your Mind and Heart had accumulated -- your life has mirrored. AND, at the same time, whatever your Mind and Heart were ready for -- your life would provide, in form of the "coincidences", events that contributed to your Mind and Heart expansion.

I read it all in one sitting. And totally love it!

The only minor suggestion would be -- that even though all what you have described was clear and engaging to me -- perhaps you might want to tighten up some bits. Also, whenever you portray/explain/give your understanding/view of the philosophies/theories - perhaps it would be good to even more clearly weave them with your life experiences so that the effects of the new insights on your life would be even more clearer to your readers? For instance, while presenting a theory -- you might give an instant example from your life, rather than going back and forth to theory and your life. Than again, I might be mistaken -- since I got it, so many will probably get it too! And, it is your call, whether or not you want your book to be accessible to wider audience or not :)

I am truly impressed with your talent, your Soul, your fascinating Mind -- and how you have improved the quality of your life. You are very lucky, to have open up, or rather -- to understand the need for opening up, so that you could achieve such depth, wisdom and happiness. (Yes, achieve! One needs to be willing, and know the value of such wanting. AND -- yes, it is enough to ask -- and you will be given... YET, the receiving is not a passive act. One needs to walk the walk :))

I wish you all the very best -- many further success and all the vast happiness.

The highest star-rating goes to you!

Warmest Wishes,
Johanna Kern
Master and The Green-Eyed Hope

Mike, your work clearly shows you're a seasoned writer of many different styles. You have no trouble formulating your thoughts in a fluid and readable way. The contents of what you want to convey are clear as well. I only have some trouble with the form. It switches from memories to explanations of theories and back again. Next to that, I have a feeling you need to condense this book somewhat. You have a tendency to be a little verbose but it is essential to always keep the reader in view. What do you want to tell him/her, how can you keep their interest fired? Never lose your reader! Sometimes this is done better with less words than with more. But everybody else may disagree with me so ,please this is just one person's opinion. Starred and lots of luck with your memoirs. Hannah

This seems like a cross between a biography and a self-help book neither of which interest me very much, although I like quirky memoirs and yours appears to have some of that charm. I don't feel like I can comment very much on the content when it's real life stuff as it's somebody's life or ideas so I have no place to do that unless I am specifically asked to. But in terms of your writing style, you write fluidly and with great descriptions!
All the best :-)

A very timely and relevant piece of work. Beautifully written and inspiring. This is my favourite genre, and you have done it great justice. I am delighted to give it 5 stars and a place on my shelf as soon as one becomes available. Eunice - The Temple Dancer and The Poetic Voice of Soul.

Mike,
I started to read this with great trepidation. I noticed you were getting some activity and out of curiosity I took a look, expecting to read a couple paragraphs. Your pitches just do not do justice to the wonderful storytelling, the memories that your words brought to mind. You are with out a doubt a natual born storyteller. I'm the mother of a man who at one time jumped out of airplanes, and the grandmother of four little boys with trouble hovering over them like the devil himself. My grandfather and father used to whistle for groundhogs, and I was raised on fried rabbit. I like your thinking, too. You don't suffer from that mind eating disease i call functional fixedness. Best of luck with this. Work on the pitches, do a good line edit, and I think your work will go places. My shelf is loaded with a waiting list, but I'll get this up there soon.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

Hey Mike. When I read this, I felt like I was on your front porch drinking ice tea. It's easy to read and flows so well, you don't get caught up in a lot of complication. I enjoy books like this so much. Who says you can't go home again? One thing, is that cat's name suppose to be "satin" or "satan?" Wasn't sure about that. I backed and starred your book with pleasure.

Debbie Martin

This is truly a really good read. The last two sentences of chapter one are really thought provoking. I would consider using these lines at the start or in your pitch. I can tell that you are indeed a natural story teller and I just know that this book will do well. I am pleased you stopped by to message me, otherwise I may have missed this and I intend to read it all. I have both backed and highly rated your book. Thanks, Casey x

Mike,

You have given George Bush a run for his money with your tale of the extraordinary life of a Texan. Granted, you don't have the long passages that lament international diplomacy gone awry, so perhaps it is not an apples-to-apples comparison.

I would agree with Mr. Ellis the prose is wonderful, but what hooked me in the first chapter was the dry humor. The boy's misunderstanding of a "Red" being a Native American instead of a Russian had me in stitches. The chapter transitions between playful-story and spiritual-introspective are seamless. Well crafted.

Hi Mike,

Steve asked me to take a look at your memoir. Unless you’re someone famous, writing a memoir that will appeal to the masses and sell isn’t easy. In my opinion, you’ve hit a long one!

In addition to some mighty fine writing and storytelling, I love the positive messages you have conveyed in your story. I’m happy to support and promote your work. If you can tighten up your pitches and give them more of a “wow” factor, I’m sure you’ll earn more support. Remember, every word in your pitch counts and should move the plot along.

Rodney
New Attitudes

A great narrative, wonderful storytelling and setting.

It is difficult to read something that starts and continues on with long paragraphs. People will tend to skim them if there are too many of them, and if they do they will miss your wonderful prose! Good read. Many stars!

Craig Ellis
The Sun and the Saber

Your pitch is wordy, rambling and formal, and conveys no storyline, and
nothing of your wonderful storytelling, and your clear, brilliantly readable
and engaging style of writing.

A Journey to Living Large

Dear Mike Ward,

I've only read chapter one and I am enthralled. I love the way you express things, for example, "Katie bar the door."
and "Did i mention he was a strong disciplinarian?"
I will continue reading for its unique and clear writing.
A couple of things I question.
1. The long pitch. it seems too long and repetitive.
The short pitch is perfect!
2. The beginning sentence. I need it punchier . Think about starting with the sign, then explaining.
I will keep reading.
Well done.
A Zoomer

Your memoir is well written and a pleasure to read. Your descriptive writing coupled with your excellent use of the first person narrative voice is perfect for this genre. I have given you a high star rating rating.

Cheers,
Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Mike -- What a gripping memoir from one who has been on both sides of the track, from redneck to philosopher. This spiritual trek has a lot to teach us all about our own walks in life. Fascinating links between Hinduism and Christianity! I read straight through five chapters without stopping. This intriguing hero journey gave me a lot to think about and encouraged me to probe my own consciousness. This will be on my bookshelf for quite a while.

Congratulations for a great piece of writing!