Joseph Carrabis, Author Blog

Regardless of your discipline, you entered it because something inside you drove you to it. Creators have a special place in society – they are gods of the universes they create.

Most original source creation myths involve a sacrifice. December’s RoundTable discussion is about what creators must sacrifice in order to create. Do you channel The Goddess? Are you inspired (which originally meant “breathed in by God”)? Do you meditate and let the Muse overwhelm you? Do you see things and hear voices? Are you transported elsewhere and simply document what you see? What drives dancers to dance, painters to paint, actors to act?

December’s RoundTable is about bringing on the Magic. Join us and share your magical experiences. http://nlb.pub/RoundTable 8:30amHawaiinT, 10:30amPT, 1:30pmET, 6:30pmLondonTime, 19h30 CEST.

Zen Citizen’s goal is to provide clear, comprehensive, and practical information on government procedures to help Indian citizens defy demands for bribes and access Government services conveniently. By walking through the application process with citizens, and refining the guides based on real experiences – similar to ‘what to expect when you’re expecting’ – Zen Citizen aims to make a dent in petty corruption and restore the stigma associated with it in India.

I’m thrilled to report Vineeta’s been approached by funders who’ve already offered to support her work and make things happen.

Way to go, Vineeta!

I offered to ask around, hence I’m asking; are you in a critique group and are you accepting new members? Do you know of one which is seeking new members? Let me know, and thanks.

Last month I mentioned Sister Liz Tuckwell’s MoonSleep and Other Stories.

This month Liz shares two seasonal treasures, Carol’s Christmas and Quirky Christmas Stories (co-authored with Rose Bishop).

Carol’s Christmas is a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol. Carol meets Patrick and falls in love. But one terrible night, just before Christmas, she sees another side of Patrick. Can she forgive him? With the help of three unexpected Christmas presents, she makes a decision…

Quirky Christmas Stories is an anthology of twelve quirky, darkly humorous Christmas stories for you to read curled up on the sofa when the long winter nights draw in. Why is Santa stalking a couple? Who will protect seven-year-old Jeannie when a fake Santa comes to call? What is the real story of the first Christmas? Why is Christmas being celebrated in November? What happens when you summon the Genie of the Bauble?

Take a read and enjoy.

As a thank you for any assistance, Greg’s giving away a signed cover image from any one of his books to one survey respondent. If you’d like to win the prize, please enter your email address at the end of the survey.

Synopsis: Most people thought Amy had always had the perfect life, and she worked hard to make it look and feel that way. Eventually, the person she saw in the mirror no longer resembled the person she knew and loved. She longed for that woman to return.

As her seemingly everyday, unhappy married life was tragically coming to an end, she suffered a car accident that left her with Traumatic Brain Injury. She kept her deficiencies a secret attempting to protect her children. Just as life began to progress, a second car accident left Amy’s body physically devastated as she developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Physically, emotionally, and spiritually lost, she prayed daily for God to take her away from this Earth so the suffering would subside. The adversity seemed unbelievable and too difficult to overcome.

Fortunately, beautiful lifelines of hope kept her alive as a spiritual awakening transformed her awareness, and illuminated the light at the end of the tunnel.
No matter how far Amy ventured into the light, darkness pursued her. Ultimately, she knew she had to leave everything behind and start again. The solitude wasn’t lonely; it was a solemn acceptance of a life well lived. Amy used this time to rediscover her truth, identity, and purpose in this world.

If you are in search of answers to questions yet unspoken, allow Amy’s journey to be your companion as you uncover your truth and recreate your future. You are worth it.

Dennis contributed a wonderful foreword to the novel and also published several reader-selected chapters on the BizCatalyst 360° site:
Chapter 19 – Home Runs
Chapter 26 – Chess Lessons
Chapter 40 – Dancing With Death
Chapter 49 – Hormone-Free Dancing In Harlem

And last but not least, the book itself, The Book of the Wounded Healers (A Study in Perception)

Synopsis: Ben Matthews is a mathematical linguist studying spontaneous languages at Columbia University in New York City. Recently home from committing himself to a northern New Hampshire psychiatric center, he spends a relaxing late-May day bonding with his son, Jiminy, at South Street Seaport.
They’re watching a juggler when the East River to Brooklyn and beyond becomes a white sand desert. A sirocco wind raises waves and whips ice cream wrappers, crumpled napkins, visitor guides, ticket stubs, and other ground level trash intown.
Three creatures, their images shimmering in the heat like a mirage, walk across the sand towards The Battery and TriBeCa South. Ben is knocked down and loses track of Jiminy as people race to safety.
The desert fades away, the sirocco recedes, and the three creatures walk up to Ben. The one in front says, “We are Healers from the Land of Barass.” It points to the one on its right. “He is Cetaf, who cries for his own pain.” It turns to the one on its left. “This is Jenreel, who tends to his own needs. I am Beriah. I will tell you how I feel.”

The creature offers Ben its hand. “We are Healers from the Land of Barass.”
All Ben can think of to say is “I’ve lost my little boy.”
Beriah helps him up. “Then you must find him.”

Ben, aided by The Healers from the Land of Barass, embarks on a quest through Manhattan and learns he’s lost much more than his son, and finds much more in himself.

This masterpiece delves into the intricate interplay between trauma, healing, and perception. Through a series of poignant narratives, the Joseph invites readers to contemplate the profound ways in which our experiences shape how we see the world and ourselves. – Dennis J. Pitocco, Chief Reimaginator, 360° Nation

I genuinely enjoyed the way Joseph brought the characters to life and the depth of the storyline. Clearly he’s created something unique. – Ipek Williamson, Transformation Coach, Speaker, Meditation Coach, Author

Joseph Carrabis is a gifted writer who draws the reader into deep contemplation and self-reflection with each turn of a page, all the while skillfully weaving a story that grabs your attention and holds on till the end. – Othneil Archer, RBN, Sensitivity Reader