Getting It Right With Kathy Bowes
Current mood: amused
Category: Life

Recently I had the privilege of interviewing Katy Bowes. Kathy is the founder of a program to help people stop overeating and to live better lives.

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Thank you Kathy for agreeing to speak with me.

KM: There are so many dieting programs out there, what makes yours different?

KB: Good question.

There are a gazillion "dieting" programs out there—aren't there? It's amazing.

And I'm saddened by those that are not really helping their clients. Many even set them up for failure.

Hopefully this is not intentional—but at times I wonder if they are aware that what they are proposing may be benefiting their finances more than their clients' health and happiness.

Last week I was talking with one of the participants in my newest class—who has been really struggling to stay on a very popular diet program that supplies refined foods to their clients. This beautiful woman is bingeing, periodically, and feeling awful about her inability to stay on it.

As I spoke with her about how some of us, with a long history of overeating, are sensitive to refined foods, she gave me a packet of this program's salad dressing and I was shocked. Sugar was at the second ingredient and in two other places, under various names.

I love my favorite dressing, Paul Newman's Caesar. It is delicious and sugar does not show up on it's ingredients until the 9^th spot. For me, it's best that sugar is at the fifth ingredient and beyond, because that works best for my body.

My point being, that it's hard for me to believe that such a program does not know that many of their clients are sensitive to sugar. And if they know this, why would they put so much of it in their dressing? It's not necessary. There are already tasty, non-addictive dressings available.

And I just found out that another popular program, that I've tried many times myself, apparently offers two options to their clients. They can choose to focus on portions or eating the right foods.

That struck me as so odd, when I heard that. For me, it's not an either/or situation. I need to eat healthy, whole, non-addictive foods for my particular body—and in portion sizes that enable me to stay at a weight that I like being at.

Meanwhile, I am not able to eat my trigger foods moderately. So, if someone suggested that I just focus on portions—eating any kind of food—I'd be bingeing in no time.

Okay, back to "Living Happy, Joyous and Free on The Road Less Traveled with Food."

First of all it's actually not a diet. We do address what we eat, though in a way that is probably different than other approaches.

During the five weeks of Phase I, we learn about the biochemistry of food addiction and how certain foods may be affecting our body, mind and emotions—and triggering us into an addictive cycle that renders us unable to control our eating and thus—weight.

I encourage participants to keep an open mind and become more aware of how what they are ingesting is affecting them, but I don't ask them to change anything, yet. They are usually pleasantly surprised that there is no scale to get on or a diet to start following at the introductory class.

By the beginning of Phase II, The Action Phase, participants are convinced that the way they have been eating has been affecting them negatively and keeping them stuck in their overeating cycle. They're excited to try something different for at least 28 days and based on what we have been learning—they choose what they are going to eat and the portion sizes for this short period of time—trusting that what I've been telling them happened for me—will happen for them as well.

Essentially, they take a leap of faith and stop ingesting things that they thought they loved and could never live without—like sugar, flour, wheat and sweeteners and within a week or so, are usually bouncing into class bright eyed and bushy tailed—telling me that they wish they had done this long ago.

For me, personally, withdrawal from my particular trigger foods usually takes me 21 days and my habit is set again by day 28, but the brave women who have ventured forward with me have less sensitive systems and truly feel better within a week or so, with a few cravings or trigger thoughts here or there.

By the time we begin Phase III, though, they too are free and exploring other areas of their lives as they release weight. It's a very exciting time and we celebrate our successes in our weekly classes—even dancing and singing, as inspired, to fun songs like Queen's "We Are The Champions."

Second of all, it was created by someone who really understands this issue and has a deep passion to help others break free of their overeating cycle.

From age 11 to 30 I tried so many different diets and methods and none of them worked long term for me. It was extremely disheartening and when people read my bio, Living Happy, Joyous and Free On The Road Less Traveled with Food How I Broke Free of the Bondage of Overeating and Created A Life I Love" they often say, "Man, if you can do it. I can do it!" And that was one of my main intentions when I wrote the book.

It's true. If I can do it, anyone can.

So, I used all of my painful experiences for good, gathered together the parts that did work and finally created a way that allowed me to release my excess weight and maintain it for the past ten years. The way that works best for me is what I present through this program.

And the good news is—that it's amazingly easy—from Phase III on and it's a way of eating and living that we can continue on with for the rest of our lives—if it's working well for us.

I would not be doing this if it was hard or if it did not make me feel good.

I like to feel good. That's why I thought I was eating, often. But too many experiences showed me over and over that my food choices and excess weight did not make me feel good.

Thirdly, we look at everything in our classes and individual sessions—not just what we eat and our weight. Our eating is multifaceted. We're multifaceted. And sometimes it helps to look at our belief systems, patterns of thoughts and behaviors, inner child and adolescent, and anything that comes up—that is somehow intertwined with our eating. We create a positive and safe place to do this with one another in our classes and individual sessions.

Also, at its core—this is a spiritual program—and I created this from a place of viewing all of us as beautiful souls, here on earth for a variety of reasons, that only we can decide. People of all faiths are welcome and even those who are not into spirituality can come if they don't mind that I see them as an amazing soul having a human experience.

With this as its foundation, though, my concern is not really what participants weigh or what they eat—unless these are blocking them from what they know they can be, while here on planet earth.

Every morning, I affirm the following:

MY INTENTION, THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, IS TO:

_Bring the world love & joy! And uplift collective Consciousness in the process

_Remind people that they are beautiful souls—luminous light beings

_Help them break free of a self-destructive pattern with food—so they can live more happy, joyous & free, enjoy their blessed lives, be who they are, and do what they love and what they came to do while here on planet earth.

I'm a feeling person, so my focus is always on our happiness, not weight. If I had been able to be genuinely happy when I was overweight—this program would not exist. I sincerely wanted to be the kind of person that did not care about my weight or how I looked. But I was not—and when I was out of control with my eating and carrying excess weight—I felt depressed, hopeless, embarrassed and many other negative feelings.

So, now participants in my program and I have a way to break free of overeating if we ever get back into that cycle. And by week nine we are already feeling way better and releasing weight.

How good we feel, the clarity we attain, and the weight release hooks us into continuing to do what we did in Phase II during Phase III and beyond.

I'm just here to support all of us along the way

KM: What do you feel makes you qualified to offer this program?

KB: I guess more than anything, my personal experience and passion to help in this area.

I truly felt like I needed to do my part to help, before I left planet earth, because this issue is not going away. In fact, I began putting my year long program together almost four years ago and at that point 60 percent of us were overweight or obese and now the number is 66-67%.

I feel sadness over this, because I know that there are people out there, like me, on their knees—asking for a way out of their overeating cycle. I don't want them to keep trying methods that cannot work for them—due to their biochemistry. I don't want them to feel like this is a moral issue or a sign that they don't have self-control or self-discipline. I don't want them to feel ashamed about this or blocked by this anymore. I want them to experience the freedom that I have, today, so that they can do something more fulfilling with their lives while they're here.

Maybe some of us are here on planet earth to eat as much food as possible—and that's fantastic. I feel no judgment around this. But for those of us who really don't want to do that and know that we are here for something different—now there's a simple, easy, doable way out and limitless possibilities await us.

I also did receive my masters in social work from the University of Chicago with the intention of helping those who want to stop overeating do so, and I completed my second year internship at The Rader Institute.

KM: What is your success rate?

KB: That depends on what you mean by "success." Each person decides that for themselves, I guess.

On my website www.kathybowesonline.com you can read some testimonials of participants.

For me, it means that participants are happier, feel more in tune with who they are—outside of their overeating cycle, and more on track with their life's purpose. And with that in mind, I'd say that probably every one of my clients, thus far, felt that way—while they were meeting with me—through classes and individual sessions.

Participants who have moved onto Phase II and beyond—have experienced freedom from the bondage of their overeating cycle and released weight—which has inspired many of them to continue on meeting with me into Phase III, IV and for some—beyond.

Until a month ago, I was actually still meeting, almost every week, with two women from my original class, which took place in November of 2003.

We are still staying connected through emails and phone calls, though, and they have been clear to me, consistently, that this program has changed and uplifted their lives in all areas. They are my strongest supporters because they know how powerful this approach is.

Almost all of the people I have worked with, so far, keep in touch with me and periodically have an individual face-to-face or phone call session with me.

Some have maintained eating according to a non-addictive food plan, for their particular bodies, and are now focused on other areas of their lives and some ask for a bit of support around getting back onto their food plans when they've gotten off of them.

I was someone who relapsed a lot so I see it as all good and trust the process for them and I am here, whenever they need me.

The participants who have stayed committed to our weekly group or weekly contact definitely have done the best.

Most of the world looks at food in a very different way, so it helps to stay connected with those who are doing the same thing.

KM: Is your program difficult to follow?

KB: For those who feel inspired to follow it—it is so easy and made in such a way that it supports you every step of the way.

It is way easier than overeating, carrying excess weight, and struggling with that whole cycle.

I call it the easier softer way that I was always searching for.

Upon first glance, I think it appears challenging, but it is the kind of thing that builds upon itself.

When we are eating in a way that allows us to feel more happy, joyous and free and in balance, and our weight is at a place that we like, and we feel better about ourselves, and we are busy creating lives that we love, and our relationships are move loving, and we are doing work that inspires us—we look back and say, "I thought it was going to be hard to not eat sugar, but, I would not trade my life today, for some ice cream and mom's. No way. No how!"

Until you experience it, it may be hard to fathom. But once you do, you enjoy the sweetness of life instead of the false sweetness of refined foods that back fire on you.

KM: What is a consultation session with you like?

KB: It's very spontaneous and open.

Interested parties usually arrange, with me, a time to talk by phone or to meet with me face-to-face.

During this first session, we usually talk a bit about where they are at with their eating and weight. They share some of their experiences and what they are looking for and I answer their questions about the way the program works.

Then they decide if it sounds like something that would be helpful to them—and if so—we begin to meet individually or they join an upcoming class.

KM: What is a group session like?

KB: Groups are really fun and uplifting. We incorporate some educational pieces, prayers, music and lots of sharing.

It's not uncommon for there to be moments of deep sharing, that brings up tears for those present—and also laughter.

What's really neat to observe, though, is how much the laughter part increases in Phase II and beyond. It's amazing! And inspires me further to try to encourage participants to just give this a shot and see for themselves how good they can feel.

KM: What is the total cost of a program, say for someone who had to lose fifty pounds?

KB: That depends how long they choose to attend the weekly classes and/or weekly individual sessions.

Fees are not based on the amount of weight lost and each of us releases weight at our own pace.

Individual sessions are $60 and two hour classes cost $25. Each guidebook is $27, including tax. It's extremely reasonable—purposefully.

I need to support my son and me, but I want to make it so people can afford it.

KM: What is the expected time frame for someone looking to lose fifty pounds?

KB: That is up to each person.

It sure is easier to eat smaller portions—and thus fewer calories—when we are not ingesting foods that are triggering us to want to eat more.

So, if a participant is like me, when they begin Phase II, they will choose to eat whole, non-addictive foods—for their particular body—and in small enough portions to take off the eight more quickly.

During my weight release cycles, I usually ate between 1200—1700 calories daily and made sure to walk or dance as well. Sometimes I was able to take off 45 pounds within a few months, and at other times it took me a little longer, but I knew I was heading in the right direction and the weight would eventually come off. And it did!

Some of my participants have lost their weight in a matter of months and others have chosen to take it off more slowly—after their initial weight loss—as they adjusted to the changes that weight loss brought to them on various levels.

KM: What methods of payment do you take?

KB: Cash, checks and PayPal.

KM: How did this program come to be?

KB: Nearly four years ago, when my son was two and a half and in preschool, I felt the desire to help those who wanted to stop overeating—do so—become strong, once again.

Originally, this desire had motivated me to attend the University of Chicago, so I could receive my masters in social work and be best prepared to offer counseling in this area.

When I began to look around, many of the inpatient hospital programs that understood food addiction in the 1980's and 1990's had closed down.

And where I live, though there were still many programs for alcoholics and drug addicts, the programs for those with eating disorders were designed for those suffering with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

I could not find something that was designed to help overeaters.

I think our sensitivity and/or addiction to certain substances found in foods and drinks—and the consequences of active food addiction—is as serious and debilitating as any other addiction, but—at that time—it did not seem that many were viewing it this way.

So, I decided that I would create my own. I wanted a positive, nurturing, educational, and doable program out there that people all over the world could have access to—and participate in, if so inspired.

Since then, while facilitating classes and individual sessions along the way—I created this year long program and in January of this year, I completed my 16^th guide book.

Just recently I began to spread the word about my program and my availability to help in this area and I am praying that those who have been praying to find something like this—find their way to me.

KM: What are the other benefits to your program? Besides helping people to quit overeating and lose weight.

KB: Because we are open to covering anything that comes up—there are so many benefits above and beyond the weight loss and the cessation of the overeating cycle.

_Just about every participant shares that they feel closer to the God of their understanding.

_They feel better about themselves and more beautiful.

_Many report that they are not the same person who walked into the introductory class.

_Some are much more comfortable with and exploring potential relationships and their sexuality—which they avoided when they were overweight. It's a fun and scary thing—but we talk our way through it all—and they come back with fun stories of their growth in this area.

_Some are doing better financially because the changes they are making have freed them up to put themselves out there in more risk-taking ways and it is paying off for them.

_Some are creating their own businesses—because they have more faith in their ability to do something outside of the mainstream now.

_Most are loving exercise for the first time and enjoying the changes this brings to their bodies and the lifted endorphins afterwards.

_Those that complete Phase II report that they are more aware of how they feel about things and that they're thinking is much clearer. (It's as if a fog lifts when we complete withdrawal.)

_They are also more willing to express themselves with loved ones—even if they know they might not be supported. We provide support for one another.

Many of us, who used to overeat, stuffed down our feelings and avoided confrontations, and as we eat healthier and feel better about ourselves—we become less willing to do this—but there is usually a process of learning how to be more assertive—and we work on those kinds of things in class.

We cheer each other on and celebrate each time we do something we'd never have done while overweight and isolating with our trigger foods.

Those are just some examples that come to mind at the moment.

KM: Thank you Kathy for taking the time to answer my questions.

KB: Thank you so much, Karen. I appreciate your time and hope you can find the main points in here.

Take Good Care,

Kathy

If you, or someone you love, wants to stop overeating, release weight, and live more happy, joyous and free--I'd love to help you, or them, with this. www.kathybowesonline.com

http://empoweringmessages.com/visitors/KathyBowes.shtml

http://www.myspace.com/kathybowes

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Chatting with Christopher Barran
Current mood: creative

CHATTING WITH CHRISTOPHER BARRAN

On Monday November 27, 2006 I was able to speak with Christopher Barran while he was at his mother's home in Calgary, Alberta. The previous evening he had performed for the hometown crowd. Unfortunately, the inclement weather there had prevented many from attending yet he had still been pleased with the evening.

"People were mouthing the words to the songs, even those that weren't as popular." It was great experience for Barran and a natural high that he was still on.

I have known Barran for about fifteen years. I used to be Administrative Assistant for a mall in Calgary where Christopher's father owned the pharmacy. I walked in one day and saw a young man behind the counter wearing a POISON t-shirt. I reminded him of that and he says it was a good thing he had gone to the concert. I also reminded him of his music then; how I enjoyed the excitement I felt listening to him rock and then the difference I feel listening to his debut CD 'Song of The Angels'.  So I asked him how he felt the music has changed.

Barran feels that he is now more mature. Whereas before his music was all about chasing women and getting Ferraris (he and a partner actually had a clause in a contract that they would get a Ferrari if they sold so many albums) now he is more spiritual.

When you visit www.christopherbarran.com - and I urge you to do so - you will see that The Agape International Spiritual Centre is something that means a lot to Christopher. So I asked him how he came to be associated with them.

"When I arrived in Los Angeles people kept telling me I had to go to the Agape Church, about how much they loved my music there. So I went and saw this amazing minister, Dr. Michael Beckwith." Barran goes on to speak of Beckwith in glowing terms and with reverence. He describes the man as a spiritual force to be reckoned with and it sounds as if Dr. Beckwith could convert anyone. You can find a link to The Agape International Spiritual Centre through the links page on Christopher's site.

Christopher comes across more settled, more spiritual than when I knew him previously. I asked him if this change was an epiphany or a more gradual one. At first he said gradual but later in the interview he amended that with a heart-wrenching story.

While visiting a hospital for children with polio in Pune, India, Christopher looked into a room and saw several children in various degrees of pain. He asked one of the workers what had happened and it was explained that these children had had surgery that day. The hospital was too poor to supply anesthesia or pain killers. One of the nurses suggested that Barran sing so he did. It was like magic as the children lost themselves to the music, forgetting their pain for the moment. Christopher realized that day how powerful his gift was and just how much good he could do with it. As he rode back to the hotel in the van, he cried. The trappings of music stardom aren't worth a lot unless he can do something meaningful with it. And that is now his goal. To attain a level of stardom and to use the power associated with that level to help those in need.

Christopher has traveled to many countries, spreading hope through his music. Philippines, Nepal, India, Costa Rica, Kenya and Peru are just a few of the place that have been blessed by the sounds of Christopher Barran. Although I have never been honored to hear Christopher perform live (the one opportunity I did have we had car trouble and arrived just as the show had ended) Christopher says it is an experience that surpasses the CD. So if you have the chance, take it.

But we almost didn't get to hear Christopher's gift. He was determined to be an athlete, to compete in the Olympics in downhill ski racing when a near fatal accident ended that dream. After he healed, a friend talked the young Barran into singing with his band and the friend's mother, an opera trained singer, overheard Christopher. She trained Christopher for a while then turned his training over to her vocal coach. The rest, as they say, is history and the Olympics loss was music's very worthy gain.

But our conversation wasn't all serious and spiritual in nature. If you go to his website and look at the photos, there is one with Christopher and a llama. Christopher is just beaming and it says 'The love of my life, Peru.' I thought he meant that Peru was the love of his life so I asked him why.

"No, the llama," he says. "That's my girlfriend. She's got great legs." Kind of hairy though, don't you think? 

And then I asked him about the fact that he was born in South America, I met in Calgary and he now lives in Los Angeles. Where would he consider himself to be a citizen of?

"An earthling." Was his immediate answer. I chuckled.

"I was betting you were going to say a citizen of the world." I remarked. This time it was Christopher's turn to laugh.

"I was thinking that."

It was great having the chance to speak with Christopher Barran again and catch up on what's been happening. He's grown and matured but I expected that after all this time. Yet he is still charming and amusing. I look forward to keeping in touch with him, watching his career take off. I look forward to one day being able to say - I knew him when!

Visit his site at www.christopherbarran.com and take a look around. Listen to samples of his debut CD, 'Song of The Angels', learn how to order it, learn more about Christopher. You won't be sorry you did. 

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Celebrating Life
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Parties and Nightlife

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Christopher Barran
Current mood: mischievous
Category: Music

Christopher Barran Song of the Angels   This 12 song CD is interesting. The songs are relaxed yet possess a power uniquely their own. Long after it finished playing, I found remnants of the tunes floating in my head, calming me.   The first cut - the title song - starts the CD with Barran's distinctive voice and style. Then the CD flows into the next tune, 'Skies are Blue', and a song I remember from years ago. It's like meeting an old friend. It's changed, grown but still made me smile, as did 'Gypsy Winds of Change'.   Christopher does a cover of one of my favorite songs, the 1969 'One Tin Soldier'. He does it justice, managing to bring tears to my eyes.   I have known Barran for many years and hearing 'Song of Angels' I was pleasantly surprised. The young musician that I rocked with all those years ago has grown and matured and I heard that in the songs, in his voice. His life's experiences are being poured from his soul into his art. These songs will tear at your heart but they will also mend those rips leaving you feeling more complete than you were before you started.   This is a CD to listen to by candlelight, either alone or with the special someone. But it is one to definitely listen to.   Check out Christopher Barran at www.christopherbarran.com or his myspace page www.myspace.com/christopherbarran

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Excerpts from 'Let Us Play, A Rock 'n Roll Love Story'
Current mood: blah
Category: Writing and Poetry

Excerpt 1

PROLOGUE

     People ran from the concert hall, screaming in reaction to the horror they had just witnessed. Their clothes bloodied, assorted limbs broken and their minds numb by the massacre they had just seen, many fought their way to the ambulances that were just pulling up.

     Appearing much calmer than the fleeing concert attendees, several identically black clad individuals emerged holding various assortments of weapons. Those waiting for services of the ambulance attendants cowered at the sight of these imposing figures and anyone who would manage to retain their sanity knew that they would never forget this horrific night.

     In addition to their confusion, the earth began to shake violently. Buildings shook on their foundations; people struggled to maintain their balance as they attempted to assist those in need. Suddenly, a crevice in the ground began to form around the auditorium. Rapidly, it widened and the concert hall began a slow descent. Before the horrified eyes of the onlookers, the building slowly disappeared from sight and the ground sealed itself around the buried structure.

     The earth stilled but was replaced by a forceful wind that seemed to approach tornado proportions. The gusts were so strong that people were thrown from where they stood and deposited a few feet away, trees were uprooted and vehicles were overturned. Sand from the nearby beach was lifted by the winds and created a sandstorm that was blinding.

     As quickly as this chaos had started, it stopped with what many later claimed sounded like a great sigh. Two events of importance happened that night: Rock and roll music ended and a legend was born.

Excerpt 2

Chapter Six

 New York City

     The night air was dense - the pollution eating away at a person's very life breath. Across the street from a luxury apartment building, a lone figure stood and carefully watched. Clothed in an evening dress covered by a dark cloak, the female figure watched intently until the person of her attentions left the building.

      Crossing the street, the female figure walked seductively up to the security desk where a young guard sat. Flicking her platinum blond hair over her shoulder and letting the low cut silver lame gown gape open slightly, she leaned over the desktop to bat her grey eyes at the astonished young man.

     "Excuse me," she breathed, "I was wondering if you could help me."

The young guard blushed under her intense gaze and stammered a reply.

     "I, I hope so." He prayed with all his might that he could. "What is your problem?"

     The woman lowered her eyelashes demurely, as if ashamed that she had to ask for assistance.

     "I have made a terrible mistake." Her eyes opened wide and the guard saw embarrassment and a little fear hidden within their depths. "I was supposed to meet Mr. Arnold here and I totally forgot."

     "Well, he just left the building." The woman let tears fill her eyes.

     "Oh dear! " Her voice cracked with terror on those two words. "He probably went out to find me. What am I going to do now?"

The panic in her voice touched the guard and he offered a solution to her problem.

     "You could wait here." He began then saw the disappointed expression in this young woman's beautiful face. "Or I could let you in his apartment and you could wait there." She immediately brightened.

     "Could you? I would so like to surprise him!" The guard's heart warmed at the expression of joy that illuminated the woman's face. At this moment, he would do anything for her.

     "Of course. I have a master key and I will just take you up there." The guard smiled brightly at her, which she returned with a warmness that aroused the guard. Taking a key from a line of several, he led the young woman to the elevators.

     "Here you go." The guard stated as he unlocked the door and it easily swung open. "If you need anything else, my name is Jerry and I will be on the front desk until midnight." The woman stepped into the apartment then smiled sensuously.

     "Thank you Jerry, you have been extremely helpful. Just don't tell Mr. Arnold that I am here, I would like to surprise him."

     "I won't." Jerry promised. "And, if I may say so, he should be pleasantly surprised."

     The woman smiled and closed the door. As she leaned against the wooden barrier, she allowed herself a self-satisfied smirk.

     "I should say that Mr. Arnold will be surprised." Kaya chuckled. "Though I wouldn't make any guarantees about the pleasantly part."

     An hour later, at approximately eleven PM, Kaya heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the apartment. Kaya hid behind the door and poured ether on a rag. Holding her breath, she listened to the key turning in the lock. Judah Arnold walked in, closed the door but before he could turn on the light, a rag was pushed over his mouth and nose. After a few minutes of useless struggling, Judah sank to the floor.

     Kaya dragged the heavy figure over to a waiting chair. Struggling she pulled him into a sitting position then fastened the handcuffs on each wrist connecting the other end to the chair arm. Taking his ankles and placing them against the chair legs, Kaya hooked the unconscious man to the chair. The chair had already been securely tied, the ropes running tightly through the shelves of a heavy bookshelf that was fastened to the wall. The chair was incapable of moving, as was the occupant of it. In the world, there would be very few men strong enough to break the bonds that held Judah captive.

     Kaya sat on a sofa a few feet away from the sleeping Judah. Alert, adrenaline flowing from nervous anticipation, the real possibility of personal danger and the general thrill of her actions, Kaya waited for her enemy to wake up. 

     Groaning, Judah's eyes opened slowly .He groggily went to move before realizing that he was trapped. Suddenly fully alert, Judah looked down in horror at the contraception before tentatively pulling on his arms and legs to break free.

     "I wouldn't waste your energy Mr. Arnold." Judah's eyes focused on the woman sitting on his couch that he had just become aware of. Something about her looked familiar but he would be damned if he could remember what it was. Gazing lustfully at her slender form he allowed his eyes to wander over the well shaped long legs that peered out from the slits in the form fitting skirt; his lecherous eyes strayed to the flat stomach and tiny waist which the tight bodice showed to their best advantage; he gasped at the perfectly formed, not too large, breasts that were barely covered by the strapless gown. The long silver hair flowed seductively around her shoulders, bangs framing the extraordinary eyes. His passion filled eyes met her hate filled ones and he felt the erection that had sprung up, wilt immediately. Whoever this woman was she wasn't here for sexual games. The gun she held pointed at him told him that even if her eyes hadn't.

     "Who are you?" He croaked. "What do you want?"

     Kaya rose gracefully from the sofa, her two-inch heels extending her height to just less than six feet.

     "To talk. That's all want, I have no desire to harm you in any way."     

     "Then why don't you release me? It is very uncomfortable for me sitting here like this." Kaya gave a sarcastic laugh.

     "Oh no, Mr. Arnold. That would be very foolish of me don't you agree?" Without waiting for an answer Kaya continued, "We are going to have a discussion then I am going to leave. In the morning, an anonymous telephone call will be made to the PARR headquarters and they will come and release you." Judah vainly struggled against his bonds.

     "I don't know who you are Miss but you are going to pay for this. No one treats me like this!"

     "I think I had better introduce myself." Kaya ignored the threat; she knew the dangers of this escapade before she had even started it. This is why she had not told Gleven or anyone else what her plans were. "My name is Kaya More and I am here to tell you that PARR might as well give up now. There is no way you are going to stop us."

     Judah's eyes widened at the mention of her name. He had heard rumors that Kansall More's daughter was now involved with LUPO and was responsible for many of the disastrous PARR activities during the last two years, but he hadn't paid much attention to the stories of others. Now he believed.

     "Well, Miss More." Judah said. "I certainly never expected anyone so beautiful to be involved with such a degenerate movement as LUPO."

     "If I were in your position," Kaya said, her voice smooth and deadly. "I would be careful of the insults I threw around. You really are not in a position of power right now."

     Judah's mouth gaped at the implied threat behind the softly spoken words. Not in years had anyone dared to even consider threatening him. It was at this point that Judah realized just how formidable an opponent Kaya was going to be.

     "Ten years ago," Kaya began, her voice turning soft and melodic "you shot a man who was organizing those who disagreed with you. Like the coward you are, you shot the man in the back when he was unarmed and unaware. I was there that night, I saw you so don't try to deny it."

     "Why would I deny shooting a criminal?" Judah's arrogance returned. "I was just doing my job." Kaya raised her eyebrows. 

      "So your job is, or at least was then, to murder innocent citizens who have the courage to speak their minds? Hmm."  Kaya smiled grimly, sending a chill through Judah. "Remember that one day, and you won't know when, I am going to help destroy you and everything you stand for. I may not be able to punish you using the legal system but I will punish you. From this day on, I will make your life a living hell. You will never know what I am going to do, when I am going to do it or how I am going to destroy the policies that PARR stands for." Kaya, tired of this interrogation turned to leave but Judah stopped her.

     "The people don't want to have the responsibility of making their own decisions!" He protested. "They like having us do it for them."

Kaya paused at the door and turned to face Judah will a self-satisfied expression on her face.

     "We will see who is right about this, Mr. Arnold." She calmly responded. "And I would be willing to bet anything that it will be LUPO and I who are victorious in the end." 

    "Over my dead body!" Judah yelled, totally enraged as the door was closing behind Kaya. Kaya, who had heard his words before the sound proofed door clicked shut, smiled.

   "Just remember you said that, Mr. Arnold."

Did you enjoy that? The entire novel is available at
http://www.lulu.com/content/405581

Let me know what  you thought of that  taste of my new book.

10:41 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Self-Publishing: death trap or career booster?
Current mood: creative
Category: Writing and Poetry

I am in the process of self-publishing my second book Let Us Play, A Rock n Roll Love Story. And because it is self-published I seem to be hearing so many doubters and haters on self-publishing again.

Granted, it does take a special sort of person to travel that journey of self-publishing. And anyone who goes into it feeling that they are going to make a lot of money is liable to have those hopes dashed quite quickly. But does self-publishing automatically mean a black mark against the author or mean that their career is ruined? Hardly.

One of the Yahoo groups I am on brings in top agents. Now I do admit that one of them is against self-publishing and feels it is the last resort for a writer. But another is for it and is curious to read an authors self-published product. It depends on the person.

As technology changes so does the industry. We have seen success stories in the past that have begun as self-published writers and that gives us hope. More and more places are accepting self-published books too; the author just has to find them. I have even heard of a Lulu author getting his book into a Chapters bookstore.

Self-publishing is a lot of work and requires ingenuity too. Thinking outside the box is a definite requirement.

Editing is also a must. I have now edited Let Us Play so many times in the last twenty-four hours that I am sick of looking at it. LOL. But I am going to be receiving a hard copy in a few weeks so I will be looking at it again.

Although The Bond has been out for two years I am not going to quit promoting it. Instead I am going to try to combine efforts with Let Us Play. And I am going to try things that are long shots. But hey, sometimes long shots pay off. All I can do is try.

I don't intend on self-publishing forever. Yet I am glad that I decided to do it with these two. I have learned a lot about the process of getting a book from my imagination to print. I am constantly learning about promotion and it helps the creative side of me to know the business side. When I do land that big contract, I think I will be better suited to deal with an agent and have a better understanding of what the publisher and the publicist etc. goes through. I will know what it takes to make that book sell. I will know better how hard it is.

12:47 AM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment