Articles

Walter Mendez’s ad, branding Kerala as God’s Own Country, in the land of Hindu gods and goddesses, intended or otherwise, was as much an advertising gimmick as a Semitic statement, for India’s tryst with the monotheistic faiths began there – first with the Jewish traders in the 6th century BCE, then with the Christian evangelists in 52 CE, followed by Arab Muslims around 629 CE. However, as the pre-Islamic Arab traders too were polytheists like them, and their monotheistic Jewish cousins chose to keep their religious wares to themselves, the Hindu Keralites have had no inkling of the Christian evangelic agenda or the Muslim Dar-al-Islam obsession.However, having imbibed the Hindu phi...

WHY DO WE EAT TURKEY ON THANKSGIVING?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorSo, in keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would step away from my usual weekly blog about self-publishing fiction books and ask a question that many people might be thinking this morning.WHY DO WE EAT TURKEY ON THANKSGIVING?We are all aware of the story of the first Thanksgiving that we are taught in school. The pilgrims and the indigenous people and the feast they shared. Now, whether you believe the whole story, the question remains. Why do we eat turkey now?Earlier this week the Vice President asked a military gathering. Who likes turkey? Most of the crowd raised their hands. Some because they like tu...

How Can Self-Published Authors Effectively Market Their Fiction eBooks?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorWith the landscape of publishing constantly growing, you have a wealth of opportunities to market your fiction eBooks successfully. Navigating this dynamic environment can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, you can reach a broader audience and boost your sales. This blog post will provide you with practical tips and techniques that empower you to promote your work effectively, build an engaged reader base, and establish your presence in the competitive world of self-publishing.Understanding Your Target AudienceBefore plunging into marketing strategies, it’s vital to understan...

How Indirect Income Shapes Author Autonomy.Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorIt's imperative to understand how indirect revenue streams can enhance your autonomy as an author. By diversifying your income sources beyond traditional book sales, you can gain greater control over your work and make more strategic decisions regarding your career. This approach allows you to explore new avenues such as merchandizing, public speaking, or online courses, reducing reliance on any single revenue source. As a result, you can cultivate a more sustainable writing practice and maintain your creative integrity while navigating the ever-evolving publishing landscape.The Economics of Indirect Revenue Streams...

Can Odd Creative Prompts Reignite a Writer’s Momentum Instantly?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorJust when you feel your creativity stalling, odd creative prompts can serve as a spark to reignite your momentum. These unconventional ideas challenge your thinking and push you beyond your comfort zone, offering fresh perspectives that invigorate your writing process. By engaging with quirky scenarios or bizarre characters, you can unlock new pathways in your imagination and rediscover your passion for storytelling. Explore how embracing the unexpected can ultimately enhance your productivity and motivation as a writer.The Power of CreativityHarnessing the power of creativity is imperative to...

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s literary corpus presents a fertile ground for interdisciplinary analysis, particularly at the intersection of existential philosophy and psychoanalysis. His novels grapple with profound questions of human nature, morality, freedom, guilt, and redemption, while simultaneously portraying intense psychological landscapes. This academic issue centers on examining the internal conflicts of Dostoevsky’s characters through the lenses of philosophical existentialism—particularly the thought of Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche—and psychoanalytic theory, drawing from Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, and Carl Jung. At the c...

Zen, the Absolute Nothingness, and the Transcendence of NihilismThe thought of Zen is often misunderstood, especially when its doctrine of “absolute nothingness” is taken as a form of philosophical nihilism. Such a misinterpretation overlooks the essence of Zen teaching, which is not trapped within the narrow duality of “being” and “non-being.” On the contrary, Zen transcends these terms, showing that truth lies neither exclusively in existence nor in non-existence, but in a field where these distinctions cease to hold absolute power. Thus, the “nothingness” of Zen is not the e...

What Obscure Mind Tricks Help Authors Rekindle Creativity Fast?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorWith your creative energy sometimes dwindling, exploring unconventional mind tricks can swiftly reignite your inspiration. This blog post investigates unique strategies that can transform your thought process and enhance your writing flow. By tapping into surprising mental techniques, you can unlock your imaginative potential and overcome blocks that hinder your creative spirit. Discover how these obscure methods can empower you to rekindle your passion for writing and produce your best work yet.The Science of CreativityYour understanding of creativity can be deepened by exploring its scientific ...

In his savage state, mere sounds could have been man’s communicative tools to vent out his raw feelings, limited to such as hunger and anger and pain and pleasure. However, in time, as he managed to civilize himself in communes, he would have needed some vocabulary to synchronize the habitation therein. And in that lies the seeds of the tongues, which, when whetted by the tenor of the times, could have yielded the fruits of languages. But it was the character of life, as it evolved in a given commune that would have shaped the nuances of the words, leading to the evolution of languages with their unique characteristics of expression in personal interactions and public communions. While at ...

Could Transforming Boredom into Curiosity End Writer’s Block Forever?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorMany writers experience the frustration of writer’s block, often feeling trapped in a cycle of boredom and stagnation. However, by transforming that boredom into curiosity, you can unlock new creative pathways and rejuvenate your writing process. This approach encourages you to explore different ideas and perspectives, turning mundane moments into opportunities for inspiration. In this post, you'll discover strategies to harness your curiosity and eliminate writer’s block for good, empowering you to produce more engaging and dynamic work.Understanding Writer’s BlockWriter’s block ...