 "Woman on Mountain 1" Copyright 2025 Brian Braden Photography As a writer and a book reviewer, I’ve made some observations and learned a few lessons over the past few years about the state of mind of many emerging authors. If you care to listen, I’ll share a few. Take them for what they are, the opinions of an author who has published independently and traditionally. First, I think many new authors fail to take an honest account of their motivations before jumping into writing. Motivations are legion, but every writer wants their work published. It may not be the only motivation, but it’s likely the most important. I call this powerful motivation the Writer’s Drive. However, when a writer doesn’t have other goals besides publication, such as improving the quality of their work, the Writer’s Drive can become overpowering. A relentless, obsessive, and often frustrating quest for publication can cloud judgment and seriously interfere with their craft. To put it another way, too much Writer’s Drive is a bad thing. Writer’s Drive often leads to Writer’s Desperation, the overpowering desire for feedback and validation. Desperation leads to anxiety and impatience. It often comprises a writer’s work as they rush it to publication before its ready. Alas, desperation often leads to fear. Writers often fear criticism because writing is an intensely personal experience. To some degree or another, writers must lower their shields and open themselves up to the judgment of strangers, resulting in varying degrees of apprehension, or what I call Writer’s Fear. Like any other human endeavor, most people who try their hand at writing fail. After the sixth grade most ballerinas and baseball players give up and become other things. Sadly, it takes more time for writers to get a clue. Unlike sports, writers can insulate themselves from scrutiny and, to avoid hurt feelings, friends and relatives sometimes aren’t entirely honest. When writers finally hit a wall of honest, often brutal, feedback, they have three choices: quit, learn and adapt, or lie to themselves. Which brings me to my last observation: writers can be self-delusional. There isn’t a writer out there who hasn’t suffered Writer’s Delusion. We’ve often ignored a golden nugget of advice that a manuscript might need major work. People naturally hear what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. It reminds me of the movie Dumb and Dumber when the Lauren Holly tells Jim Carey he only has a one-in-a-million chance of ever going out with her. He smiles and says, “So you’re telling me I have a chance!” Yep, that’s us writers. There you have it - A strong, unchecked drive to publish often leads to desperation, fear, and self-delusion. In other words, it leads to a very frustrated writer. So I come back to the point about motivations. As a writer, if you’re honest about your motivations you can often find other reasons than publication. Getting published is a natural, long-term goal, but there is more to writing than seeing your book in print. Improving your craft, for example, is an important and attainable near-term goal. Bottom line, you need something to keep you motivated on the long road to publication that doesn’t stress you out, keeps you writing and moving forward. Find reasons that are uplifting, relaxing, and positive. This will give you patience and peace of mind. It also beats the hell out of fear, desperation and delusion. In time, one way or another, the publication thing will take care of itself.  Originally published 26 October 2012 in Underground Book Reviews. It has been updated for this blog.
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Success by Association: Eight Questions Authors Should Ask Themselves Regarding Collective Marketing3/3/2025  Marketing- that word often sends indie authors diving for cover faster than a tornado siren. You poured your heart into your novel, its edited, beta-read, and edited again. You’re ready to publish, but you have no idea how to get the word out. The blogosphere is abuzz with advice columns on how to market your novel. Consultants bombard your inbox and Twitter account with spam promising they can deliver hordes of readers. This humble columnist’s own experience with marketing has been hit or miss, but I’ve learned there are three resources critical in marketing a novel: Time, money and friends. As for money and time, I don’t have a lot of either (yet), so I’ll save those topics for future columns. Today, let’s stick to the subject of friends. Writers need friends, most notably other writers, like Oreos need milk (creamy whole milk, not that healthy 1% crap). Collective marketing is when authors team up to advertise their books, and is perhaps one of the most effective strategies one can pursue. A writers’ collective is not a communist literary colony, it is when two or more indie authors join forces on a common platform for the purpose of expanding their readership. Platforms vary dramatically. They can be indie publishing groups, book blogs, writing circles, or simply a common Facebook page. Each author brings their own social network, skills, and talents to the group. The objective is success by association; to integrate, leverage and grow your social network, and hence, your readership. Success via collective marketing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a cumulative, long-term process. The key is to start early, even before you’ve finished your novel. Before you step down the collective marketing lane, there are eight questions you should ask to avoid common mistakes (or at least the ones I’ve made). Question One: What do you bring to a collective marketing organization? Take a personal inventory, including your social media and platforms. Begin building your platforms well before your first novel is completed, even if you don’t plan on joining a marketing collective. Lay the groundwork via a website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Pinterest and whatever social media you think might help. Get an online presence before your novel is finished. To use a cliché, prime the pump. Research should be a key part of your personal inventory. Accomplish your marketing homework as you write. Once the novel is complete, you’ll be eager to publish. That isn’t the time to start researching these elements. Once you’ve built the platform framework, consider adding these elements to your network: 1) Reader forums in your genre (duh). 2) Other writers in your genre (they bring readers). 3) Quality, affordable editors. 4) Quality, affordable cover artists with experience in your genre. 5) Potential marketing collectives, of course. A strong personal inventory and market research will make you a valuable asset to any writers’collective. Now that you’ve answered Question One, take a long look at your list of collectives. Even if you found a few you like, there are still seven more questions to answer before jumping in. Question Two: Do all or most of its authors write in your genre? It’s one thing to be in a writing circle with authors outside your genre, but once the novel is finished you must reach YOUR intended audience. Some variety is good, but too much and you’ll dilute marketing effectiveness. Question Three: Is their writing any good? Read some of their stuff before even making contact. A good writers’ collective must have standards and selective membership. If they don’t meet your literary standards, then association may be detrimental. Once you join, your work will be associated with the group, so know what you’re getting into. This leads into the next question. Question Four: Do they have a leader? Writers are cats (except for me, I’m the token dog) and are notoriously difficult to herd. A common platform must have a leader, or it will splinter, lose focus and fail. The leader is also the focal point and filter for quality control. Question Five: Is it a quality platform? The collective may be chalk full of brilliant writers and great books, but if their public presentation sucks, it doesn’t matter. Whatever the platform (websites, blog, Facebook, X, etc.), it must strive for a professional, and appropriate, presentation for its genre(s) and target audience. Once again, be careful, because once you join, you and your work will be associated with the group. Question Six: How aggressively do they market their work? If they aren’t out hawking their wares, you’re wasting your time. Does everyone pull their weight, or are only a few carrying the load for the others? Watch them, Like them on Facebook and Twitter, and keep track of their members. (Not like a stalker, but more like the NSA). If you’re satisfied and it's an equitable arrangement, proceed to Question Seven. Question Seven: Are you and this organization are a good fit? This is a personality test. Exercise caution when inviting someone into your life and around your precious novel. Always remember this is a business arrangement, not a social club. Eccentric, flamboyant, and fun personalities are great in a writers’ collective. Jerks are not. Make sure the people are stable, mature, positive, and will help, not hurt, your marketing efforts. Once again, this goes back to Question Four: a good leader should filter these personalities out. If, at this point, everything looks good and you want to join, ask yourself the next question. Question Eight: Can you commit? Are you ready to step up, pull your weight and push the work of those in your collective? You will have obligations, be ready to fulfill them. Collective marketing leverages a small, emerging web presence by creating dynamic outcomes that can propel a book, and its author, in unexpected directions. But it’s not a magic bullet, and it’s not for everyone. Before you commit to a common platform, do a little research first, and ask yourself these eight simple questions. This article originally appeared in Underground Book Reviews 17 May 2014. I have updated this article slightly due to market and technology changes.  In the first installment of this series about writing effective consumer book reviews, we explored maximizing the five-star rating. Today, we’re taking a closer look at writing the review itself. Let’s start with some general guidelines applicable to all consumer book reviews. I emphasize the word guidelines, because the first rule of a properly structured consumer book review is there is no such thing as a properly structured consumer book review. This isn’t English Composition 101, it’s a product review. However, a poorly written review can be misinterpreted, and possibly reflect poorly on the reviewer. Therefore, here are a few tips and tools regarding writing effective consumer book reviews. First, some important tips interspersed with some example reviews that hit several (not all) of these tips:  Review Example Tip 1: Take writing reviews seriously. Make it worthy of your time and effort, as well as that of your fellow readers. Tip 2: Use a word processor first, and then paste the review into the website’s form. This technique inhibits impulse reviews and gives you latitude to save it and let it “cool” before posting. It also aids in spell checking and proofreading. (Update: AI makes a great spell check, but that's about it. See Bonus Tip below.) Tip 3: Always be respectful, even when being painfully honest. Tip 4: Profanity has a place in literature, but not reviews about literature. It’s a bad idea, and may not make it through the website’s content filter. Tip 5: Never make your review personal, derogatory, mean-spirited or bullying. Tip 6: Be cautious when employing satire (not recommended) and humor (best know what you’re doing before taking this leap). Remember, the written word can easily be misinterpreted by the reader. Tip 7: It’s good to discuss how a book made you feel, but not how you felt when you read the book. In other words, it’s a book review, not a diary. No one wants to know how you felt the day you read it, if you had the flu, or you had just broken up with the love of your life.  Review Example Tip 8: Shorter is better. If your consumer book review runs much longer than the book description/back-cover synopsis, then it’s probably too long. Around 300 words is a good rule of thumb. Tip 9: One way to keep it short is to avoid rehashing the plot unless it’s absolutely critical to your piece. Tip 10: If you rehash the plot, then avoid spoilers. If you delight in blowing the plot for the next reader, there is probably little I can say to change your mind, other than please don’t do it. If, however, you find it absolutely critical to include a spoiler in a consumer book review, please be kind and add “SPOILER ALERT” as the first two words in your review. Tip 11: Never say anything like “I usually don’t read this kind of books, but...” You read it or you didn’t. Your opinion is as good as anyone else’s. Tip 12: Unless a book is mechanically or structurally broken, don’t review a book if you didn’t finish it (see the previous installment for more on this). If you didn’t finish a book just because you didn’t like it, writing a review reflects more on you than the book. Tip 13: Buy the book whenever possible. Seeing “Verified Purchase” above your review bestows instant credibility. Tip 14: If you received the book as a complimentary review copy, then state so upfront. This doesn’t ruin credibility, but in some markets this may be mandatory. (Update: In some places its legally required to disclose if you received a complementary copy.) (Update, Tip 15: artificial intelligence (AI) "summaries" are becoming common for book reviews. Never let an AI write the review for you. Large Language Models (LLM) AIs can only recognize and regurgitate word patterns. A purely AI review is a review written by other people and, essential, plagiarism. Choose your words careful, as your review may be plagiarized by AI and forever get caught in the "Matrix." If you copy and paste the review on multiple website, the AIs statistically be more likely to use it. )  Review Example Now it’s time to look at some review writing tools, starting with the headline and first line of the review. The first sentence and headline (if the website supports headlines, such as Amazon) should directly tie the review’s narrative to its star rating. This is the “walk-away,” the primary point which drove you to give the book a particular rating. In the previous installment, I provided several examples based on a one-to-five star rating. It could be as simple as “I gave this book a three star rating because...,” or “I disliked this novel due to...” Once you have established the framework for your review, write a short paragraph supporting your opinion. Writing a review shouldn’t be painful, so don’t write a dissertation. Simply craft a few well-written sentences expanding on your opening statement. If you can’t think of a way to organize your thoughts, try the “PCCS” Template: Plot, Characters, Climax, and Author’s Style. You don’t have to cover all of them, nor do you have to discuss them in this order. The PCCS template merely gives the reviewer a tool to structure his or her thoughts. Chances are, you already mentioned one of these elements in your opening statement and need only expand on the idea. This template is especially great for middling reviews, were some of a book’s elements get favorable marks, while others don’t. A great way to wrap up a review is with a recommendation. Should the next reader buy it? Maybe it’s not worth the ten bucks you dished out for it, but might be worth three dollars. Do you want to run out and immediately buy the author’s next book? Should the book be banned? You get the idea. Provide the next reader a recommended course of action that is commensurate with your opening statement. How do you know you’ve written a good consumer book review? There is no one metric, but it’s a good sign if people start marking your reviews as helpful.  For writers, getting reviews is part of the job description and, occasionally, an occupational hazard. However, what people often neglect to consider is how a book review reflects on the reader who posts it. A well written review, whether positive or negative, commands attention from both fellow readers and authors. Such reviews reveal intelligent, thoughtful and serious readers. Poorly written reviews are quickly dismissed, the reader often not taken seriously. I’m talking about “front-line”reviews, posted by readers on sites like Amazon or Goodreads, not formal reviews like you’ll find here at Underground Book Reviews. Books presented in magazines like ours are heavily filtered before they are even considered. One and two star-level books don’t make it into the magazine, so the quality scale has been “shifted” right, so to speak. Filtered, formal reviews have their place, but front-line reviews are critically important, too, because: 1) They are often from paying consumers; 2) They represent direct communication between authors and readers; 3) They are raw and unfiltered. A reader's book review is a personal thing. Let me be clear, I'm only offering practical advice to empower your front-line book review. Goodreads and a few blogs offer some very generic guidelines on how to review a book, but otherwise its a free-for-all. This series offers the reader a more detailed toolkit. Doesn’t something this important deserve care and attention? In the next three articles I’ll offer some easy tips and guidelines on writing effective consumer book reviews. Today, I’ll provide some examples of appropriate review statements, but I’ll save the bulk of the suggestions regarding writing good accompanying narratives for part two. In part three we’ll talk about how to sift through other readers’ reviews when trying to make a decision on purchasing a book. In this installment, we’ll dissect the common five-star rating, the most prevalent graphic rating scale. The star scale is the first thing a consumer sees when considering a book. Some authors hate it, many consider it a necessary evil. Readers often find ratings unhelpful for various reasons. It's clearly subjective and often doesn't translate well between genres. Like any numeric assessment scale, its subject to inflation. Five-star reviews litter the literary landscape, and, sadly, many are undeserved. On the other hand, there are plenty of undeserved “OMG, I hate this book!” one-star reviews, too. However, Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari and many others use variations of this device. While imperfect, the five-star system is here to stay and perhaps the most convenient tool to quickly rate a book. With that said, here are some suggested guidelines when assigning meaningful, more objective star-ratings.  Reserve ONE-STAR ratings for quantifiably flawed books. Mechanically or structurally flawed books are improperly edited and should be avoided by all readers, regardless of taste or opinion. Mechanically flawed novels are littered with typos, structural problems, severe formatting mistakes, syntax errors, and so forth. Structurally flawed books are mechanically sound, but poorly written. They are plagued with weak prose, overused tropes, poorly developed characters, slow pacing, clichés, and so on. Statements to accompany a mechanically flawed book might include, “Needed more editing,” or “Wasn’t ready for publication.” Possible statements for a structurally flawed books might be, “Clunky prose,” or “I couldn’t follow the convoluted plot.” Unfortunately, the single-star could be dubbed the “Indie Star,” because too many self-published novels are poorly edited. In theory, a traditionally published book shouldnever rate one star (but, sadly, that’s not always the case.) A one-star rating is, in my opinion, the only time a reader has a legitimate excuse to not to finish a book and yet, in good conscious, still post a review.
TWO-STARS denote strong dislike for an otherwise properly written book. You hated it, but why? Did the characters not come to life? Did it drag? Did it offend? Was it unoriginal? Did it rip off another novel or idea? Since your dislike is clear, powerful statements should be easy to write, such as, “The ending was a total disappointment,” or “Dragged all the way through,” or “I could not relate to a single character.”
THREE-STAR reviews range from the mildly negative to the weakly positive. It is critical to explain why three-stars earned their rating. A three-star review without a narration is practically worthless and a waste of time; it leaves the consumer scratching their head and moving on. A negative three-star might be accompanied by statements like, “Well written, but the ending felt dissatisfying,” or “Finished it, but dialogue was lacking,” “Readable, but the author brings nothing new to the genre,” or “Others might like this, but it wasn’t my thing.” A positive three star review might have statements like, “Dragged in the middle, but the ending was good,”or “I liked the hero, but the plot wasn’t believable,” or “Okay novel, but almost lost me a few times due to graphic violence.” Bottom line, a three star review always needs a good justification.
FOUR-STARS are the opposite of the two-star rating; a solidly good book. There may be some elements you didn’t like, but the overall experience falls squarely in the positive. Once again, back it up with clear statements as to why. Comments may ring something like, “Started slow, but really came through,” or “Satisfying read, I’ll buy the sequel,” or “Ranks with some of the better novels in the genre,”or “I’ll look for more by the author.”  FIVE STARS should be reserved for truly exceptional books, ones you couldn’t put down and stay with you long after you finish. A five-star goes beyond merely enjoying or strongly approving of a book. It is a hearty recommendation, a resounding endorsement. It stands out among its genre peers. Perhaps you want to read it again. Instead of throwing out some possible five-star statements, it would be easier to link to an Amazon review of a book I think is clearly a five-star – The Watchman, by Matt Langford. We’ve taken something clearly subjective and, hopefully, firmed it up a bit. With a well thought-out star rating acting as both gateway and framework, we’re ready to write a short, quality narrative. Next week we’ll explore how to write reviews that catch other readers’ attention, as well as effectively communicate to authors seeking feedback.  Godiva, a.k.a "Moppit Head". Here's the answer to a question I've never been asked, but secretly wish someone would have asked: What exactly is "the illusion exotic"? Really, no one has ever asked me that. Bummer. I'm going to answer it anyway. The simplest answer is that it's the title of my short story compilation, which is currently available in eBook form on Amazon. More specifically, the compilation's title, "The Illusion Exotic," was taken from a line in my short story "Spaceship Name." There is a line from the story that calls our sense that we truly control our fate an "exotic illusion." The Illusion Exotic is the human delusion that we are truly in control of our destiny. At best, we can influence our destiny, perhaps stack the odds a little bit, but in the end, we are at the mercy of fate, which has a mind of its own. I call it "going sideways." You think you have it all figured out, and then "BAM!" life throws you sideways, and all your best-laid plans are for naught. It's in those sideways moments when the universe teaches us an important lesson: that we humans are merely fragile fleshy water bags riding a hunk of rock hurtling through the galaxy. Why are humans plagued with this exotic illusion? It's sort of a byproduct, a kryptonite, so to say, from our superpowers. As intelligent primates, we only have two superpowers, and neither of them is making or using tools. (BTW, tools are overrated because eventually it results in way too many different types of screwdrivers.) Our first superpower is the ability to make a decision, a choice. With the exception of a woman trying to decide where she wants to eat out, humans are otherwise decision-making machines. The funny thing about that superpower is it can only be wielded in a mystical, magical land called "The Present," sometimes called "The Moment," or, as Sammy Hagar once said, "Right Now." Right Now is the crossroads where the past and future collide. It's where the probability wave function collapses and the cat finally commits to life or death. Before the Moment, our decisions are just ideas, and after that, our decisions become "history." It's in the imaginary lands of history and ideas, far beyond the Right Now, where humans suffer from the Illusion Exotic, and this is entirely the fault of our second superpower. First, let me digress and talk about dogs. Other critters besides humans make choices, but only humans can claim it as a superpower. For example, a dog may say to itself, "Do I bite or lick this hand currently trying to pet me?" or "Do I pee on this new carpet or do I pee on the linoleum?" Animals make choices, but no other animal experiences the Illusion Exotic except us (and maybe white mice and dolphins, but that's another story). That's because dogs, and other critters, only think and act in the Right Now. Humans, on the other hand, seem to get all wrapped up about what comes before and after the Right Now. That's because we've developed the unique skill of being able to store information and pass it from one generation to the next. Dogs and other critters suck at this. This is our second superpower, and why we suffer the Illusion Exotic. This is also why dogs feel sorry for us and have generally agreed among themselves for the past 10,000 years to suffer our indignities (and for treats, of course). You see, dogs and most other animals live in the moment and prefer it that way. Dogs have been patiently trying to explain this to us for at least 10,000 years, but we have failed to get the hint. Don't believe me? Go ask your dog; they will tell you. Here's how: First, call your dog's name. Second, watch them come running. Third, look into your dog's eyes. What will you see there? Nothing but love, and THAT is your dog telling you to live in the Right Now. Your dog isn't thinking about the past and therefore doesn't care that you didn't take her for a walk yesterday or at all in the past two months. Your dog isn't thinking about tomorrow or how to plot her revenge against you for not taking her for enough walks. No, she's simply staring at you Right Now, thinking about how much she loves you no matter how fat you are because you don't walk enough. (BTW, don't try this with your cat, because cats lack souls). I'm going to come back to this point. The ability to make decisions based on knowledge of the past and applying that to forecast the future are human superpowers. Superpowers are cool, and this generally makes us smug and think way too much of ourselves. That's the Illusion Exotic, the mirage of control that often robs us of the precious Right Now. It makes us fret over what we can't change and makes us anxious about a future we truly can't control. The Illusion Exotic makes us blind to those closest to us currently sharing the Right Now. Oh, sure, planning for the future is probably a good idea; just don't count on it and get all bent out of shape when it doesn't transpire the way you think it ought to. Don't live in the future, because it's not real. Life will go sideways like a rollercoaster going off the track, and your plans can crumble in a moment. In those times, all that will be important is who you are sharing the rollercoaster with. Yeah, it's great to learn from the past and occasionally bask in warm memories; just don't live there, or you'll find yourself dancing with ghosts. Which brings me back to that dog staring at you. She's looking at you that way because she loves you Right Now. A dog's love is perfect because it only exists in the moment. Dogs don't care about the past, and they damn well don't care about the future. They care about the Right Now and being with you. They are totally immune to the Illusion Exotic. What I'm really trying to say is maybe we need to be a little bit more like dogs. No, that doesn't mean sniffing butts and chasing squirrels. It means that you should get up Right Now, walk away from your computer or phone, and find that person you love the most and stare at them the same way your dog stares at you, with perfect love in the Right Now. Because life goes sideways. The past is the past, and the future isn't real. All you have is perfect love, and it's only meant for the moment. But don't take my word for it. Take it from Sammy Hagar and Dog Halen.  Dog Halen One step ahead, one step behind me Now you gotta run to get even Make future plans or dream about yesterday, hey C'mon turn, turn this thing around , hey It's your tomorrow (Right now), C'mon, it's everything (Right now), Catch a magic moment, do it Right here and now It means everything  Dr. Beverly Crusher (gates McFadden) in the Star Trek Next Generation episode "Remember Me". A Notable EpisodeI'm an unapologetic Star Trek enthusiast, particularly when it comes to anything crafted before the year 2000. While the original series holds a special place in my heart, it's Star Trek: The Next Generation (STNG) that truly captivates me. Though there might be a future blog post dedicated to this passion, today's narrative doesn't focus solely on Star Trek. Instead, it delves into a specific episode, #79 titled "Remember Me." Airing in October of 1990, this episode is notable not only for its content but also for marking the moment when STNG equaled the original Star Trek in episodes produced. Now, if you're not well-versed in Trek lore, bear with me for a moment. "Remember Me" presents an intriguing scenario wherein the USS Enterprise's medical officer, Dr. Beverly Crusher, becomes ensnared within an alternate universe spawned from an errant engineering experiment. This alternate reality bears an uncanny resemblance to the familiar one, initially masking Beverly's entrapment. The plot thickens as crew members vanish inexplicably, leaving Beverly as the lone observer to this enigma. However, a twist unfolds: the remaining crew retains no memory of those who vanished, except for Dr. Crusher herself. Despite her attempts to communicate this perplexing reality to her closest companions, her efforts fall on puzzled ears. Time progresses, and all but Beverly vanish, leaving the alternate universe to shrink until only the ship's bridge and engineering deck endures. Dr. Crusher faces solitude, anticipating the inevitable moment when she, too, will fade into oblivion. But in a heartening turn, her son Wesley intervenes before the alternate reality collapses entirely, rescuing her from its grasp. For those unacquainted with the Star Trek universe, here's a glimpse back to 1990 via a television commercial capturing the essence of this remarkable episode. This blog post doesn't intend to offer a review of the episode, but it's worth noting that "Remember Me" is beautifully crafted and expertly performed. Interestingly, it's an episode I initially overlooked in my younger years, and it remained dormant in my memory until last week, when my mother no longer recognized me. You see, my mother developed dementia a few years ago. Mom's Shrinking Universe.At first, the signs were subtle, slipping past our family's notice. Her vocabulary gradually dwindled, and she often struggled to unearth the right words to convey her thoughts and emotions. Pronouns replaced names, and her short-term memory faltered, while her recollections of the distant past remained intact. Slowly, the ability to recognize faces faded, eventually giving way to a heartbreaking reality: she couldn't recognize even her own family. Paralleling Dr. Crusher's experience, my mother found herself trapped in a diminishing universe. Mom's reality fluctuates based on "good" and "bad" days, but over time, it consistently contracts. Deep within, she might vaguely sense her shrinking world, yet comprehending and articulating it remain elusive. Loved ones gradually fade from her universe, replaced by unfamiliar faces. The town she's called home for 45 years becomes unrecognizable, despite remaining unchanged. Her universe narrows, leaving only her husband and her home. Fortunately, she still recognizes them—most of the time. She spends her days between her bedroom and the living room, watching the birds at the feeder or gesturing towards her parked car, dreaming of a drive she can no longer manage. Her grasp on my father, her anchor, is unyielding. The gruff man of my childhood memories has transformed into a gentle caretaker, patient and kind. Yet, the shrinking universe encroaches even on this haven. She gazes at strangers' clothes in her own closet, bewildered by who put them there. On occasion, the universe expands slightly, and she might recognize me, if only for a fleeting moment. These instances are like welcome breezes in the midst of a scorching day—refreshing, yet transient. In "Remember Me," Dr. Crusher deploys her intellect and skills to diagnose her predicament, while her son Wesley labors outside the alternate universe to save her. Similarly, my mom navigates her contracting universe, aware that something is amiss but powerless to halt it. Like her, we, her loved ones, stand powerless outside her shrinking reality. In 2023, our capabilities are impressive, but we're still unable to halt, reverse, or cure dementia. Somewhere within my mother's mind, she stands on a personal bridge as her universe collapses around her. A day approaches when her husband and home will vanish from her awareness, and her universe will dissipate entirely. On that day, her voyage through this reality will conclude, though her physical shell may endure for years. The Harsh Teacher.The anger wells up within me—anger directed at God, especially. I love the Lord, but I still get angry at Him. And it seems, in understanding my frustration, God is patient. Perhaps someday, understanding will find me. I'm aware that my family's suffering and my mother's battle with dementia, isn't unique. Many walk this path, witnessing loved ones' personal universes evaporating-away daily. As these private realms shrink, our shared universe endures, a testament to resilience.
Suffering, though harsh, is a potent teacher. Whether we absorb its lessons rests with us. Suffering is indifferent. So, what can I glean from my mother's journey with dementia? Keep your personal universe as big and as vibrant as possible for as long as possible. Share it widely with others; and perhaps a fragment of you will reside in their universes. We're entrusted not to let those we cherish fade into oblivion. In our personal realms, and the universes of others, their memory should persist, passed down to those who follow. We must remember. Always. "What was that?" my oldest son said and pointed at something along the roadside. When you see something unexpectedly odd, it takes you a second to register it. That was the case for me a few weeks ago.   Travelling between Huntsville and Memphis on US 72 was a new experience for me. Although someone had warned me it was a dull road, I found it quite the opposite. The smooth pavement and light traffic made it an easy drive, and the charming Tennessee River farmland was a pleasant sight. I fell in love with the area instantly. As we approached the Mississippi border and passed by Cherokee, my oldest son in the passenger seat drew my attention to something unusual. At first, I thought it was a strange fruit hanging from a roadside tree, but as we whizzed by, I realized that these were shoes suspended from the branches. I longed to stop, but we were pressed for time. "We'll check it out on our way back," I promised, and we carried on towards Memphis. The following day, I kept my word. As we drove back towards Alabama in the mid-afternoon, I spotted the shoe tree and made a U-turn at the next crossover. I pulled over and grabbed my trusty Canon T-5, taking a few shots. The sun was high, and the air was fresh and cool after a major spring storm two nights before. The tree was beginning to bud with fresh shoots around the shoes. I managed to capture some shots despite the passing vehicles, and then we continued on with our journey.  Before stumbling upon the Cherokee Shoe Tree, I had no idea it existed. However, after a quick Google search, I discovered that it has been around for quite some time, though the exact number of years remains unknown. The earliest article I could find dates back to 2009, from the Tuscaloosa News. The article includes this quote: "... tree comes an unspoken rule: Need a pair, take a pair. But if you can spare a pair, then do it." According to a 2018 article on OMGFacts, shoe trees may have originated during the Great Depression as a way for people to donate extra pairs of shoes to those in need. This theory makes sense on several levels. For instance, Cherokee is just one of at least a dozen shoe trees in the United States. Roadside America provides locations for many of them, and if you click on the link and examine the map, you'll notice that many are located along routes used by economic refugees during the Great Depression. These routes led from the Deep South and the Dust Bowl to places like California and Detroit, where jobs were available. Why do shoe trees still exist today? Is it due to nostalgia, novelty, tradition, or tourism? Some sources suggest that spiritualism may be the root cause. As for the Cherokee Shoe Tree, there is an eerie and sacred quality to it that I find hard to describe. Though this feeling was somewhat subdued by the bright midday light and clear blue sky, which favors reason and logic over mysticism. Under different lighting conditions, such as dim light or murky mist, other aspects of the human psyche may hold sway. These are the moments when both my camera and I yearn for. Yet, even under the brightest sunlight, the primitive magic of this place seeps through. I could feel it, even though my camera failed to capture it fully. Perhaps shoe trees tap into something deeply mystical and ancient that is rooted in our common humanity, reaching back to the dawn of our species. "Trees have been regarded as the first temple of the gods, and sacred groves as the first places of worship.; they are held in the utmost reverence" - Hughes and Chandran. The tree is a universal symbol of life and a life-giving force in nearly every culture and civilization on earth. In the Bible, trees are mentioned 525 times, second only to God and humans. Trees are present at the beginning of Genesis, with the Tree of Life and the Tree of Good and Evil. Christ referred to himself as a vine, and he died on a "tree" of sorts. Christians even have the tradition of the Christmas Tree, which has its roots in European paganism. Trees are also sacred to many other faiths. Tree planting as a sign of life is mentioned in the Koran, and Buddhism and Hinduism also revere trees in their unique ways. European pagans worshiped in tree groves and considered oaks and yews sacred. The phenomenon of shoe trees taps into this ancient tradition. The shoes thrown across the limbs and scattered on the ground resemble a sacrifice, a gift, and a ritual all in one. It represents an interaction between two species, one ancient and one ephemeral. These shoe trees seem more at home in ancient druidic groves than beside a modern highway. If a druid were present, what would they say with each tossed sneaker or pair of high heels thrown into the branches? "Great and Ancient One, these shoes are a gift to the future, for someone I will never know and who will never know me. Please hold them for me. Watch over and guard the shoes until needy hands pluck them from your branches, or until they fall from your limbs like rotting fruit. There, they will cover the ground among your roots, among the fallen leaves until the earth reclaims them like old bones. Remember us, Great and Ancient One, and whisper our names to the forest so that one day others might know we once walked here. "Remember us." Articles About Shoe Trees and Tree Stuff The Legend of the Shoe Tree Grows on America's Loneliest Highway. Shoe Trees in Michigan and the Rumors That Surround Them. Shoe Trees are Popping Up All Around The World. Witness the Shoe Tree of Middlegate. Shoe Tree. Alabama's Legendary Shoe Tree: Lost Soles of Just Old Sneakers Thrown Over A Limb? A Few Youtube Videos on Shoe Trees.
If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." All images and literature are protected under US Copyright laws and shall not be downloaded or reproduced without written permission by Brian Braden Photography.
"And when I die and when I'm dead, dead and gone There'll be one child born In our world to carry on, to carry on, yeah, yeah..." - "When I Die" by Blood, Sweat & Tears, 1968. A civilization must obey two basic rules if it is to survive: have children and pass along to those children the culture that made it successful. Fail either task, and the civilization falls. The "birth gap" is a quantitative measurement we are failing the first rule. Now, when you die, there isn't one child born to carry on. In fact, in Alabama, there is currently a 13% deficit in "carry on-ing."  The sun sets on a derelict "dog trot" home in Coffee County. These homes were common in the late 19th and early 20th century Alabama. In recent years many have commented on the impending global population collapse. Perhaps no other journalist has put it in such clear focus as Stephen J. Shaw in his documentary "The Birth Gap - Childless World." In "Birth Gap" he explores several facets of the industrialized world's impending depopulation. We're getting older and having far fewer children. Since Shaw is also a data scientist, he gets to the heart of why this is happening and points to the grim mathematical outcomes if the trend isn't reversed. The graphic below from the Birth Gap website clearly illustrates the phenomenon. The redder and blacker the area, the wider the birth gap. Those red and black gaps are beginning to spread across the South, and the Wiregrass, like a pox.  In 2020, 50+ year olds outnumbered births about 64,000 to 56,000, or a birth gap of 13%. Alabama's birthrate (as well as that of the rest of the industrialized world) is falling below population sustainment level. This unabated decline will result in too few workers and consumers to support a healthy economy and aging majority. In the post-COVID era, we are just experiencing a taste of that now. Of note, the illegal immigrants living and working in the shadows across the Wiregrass are also experiencing the same birth gap phenomenon as the native born populations. When working on my book "Abandoned Wiregrass" I discovered far more abandoned and derelict houses than I ever thought possible. As I drove around the Alabama's cities and towns, I saw decrepit downtowns and once proud structures slated for demolishing, There are many reasons for abandoned homes, but I believe there is a correlation between all these abandoned structures and the growing "birth gap". If one extrapolates this trends, then it won't just be old derelict dogtrot shacks, like the one pictured here, that will litter the landscape. It will be modern homes and businesses, even those being built now, that will become vacant and fall into disrepair. This may be happening now. Simply put, there may be too many homes currently being built than will be needed. "Demand is strong right now because of an unusual emotional surge driven by the pandemic. Demographics, which are a better measure of housing demand historically, do not support more construction.." - Dennis McGill, director of research at Zelman & Associates.  This old home had likely been renovated to more modern standards sometime in the past. The "dog trot", the breezeway between the homes two halves, had been framed at one point. Modern windows had been added at one time before they were torn out. In Abandoned Wiregrass, I think I unwittingly caught the leading edge of this coming wave. I had over 700 images for Abandoned Wiregrass alone, mostly taken from 2018 thru 2020, and only a fraction were used in the book. If I stopped and took a photo of every abandoned home I ran across in the Wiregrass, I could fill multiple books. They are far more numerous than you can imagine, and the Wiregrass is not a unusual case. Taking photos of abandoned places has even become a sub-genre of photography called urbex (urban exploration). I don't know where this trend will end, but I know we will probably be better off with more children, not less. It would be nice to die knowing there was one more child to carry on. #urbex #abandonedwiregrass #birthgap #populationdecline #abandoned   If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
 My personal Instagram banner. regarding Social Media.Maybe its time to reevaluate my relationship with this time slayer we call social media. I started seriously writing in my 40s, just about the time social media became a thing. It still seems like a new thing to me, but its been around for well over a decade now. It started with a personal account on Facebook, and then it morphed to a few business pages for my writing and my old company Underground Book Reviews. Then I branched to Instagram for photography as well as a few minor apps that have come and gone. As for Twitter, it's been on and off but we are currently seeing each other...but not seriously. I leave apps like Discord and Tiktok to the next generation. Frankly, there are so many apps that I find it exhausting. Lately, I find myself asking "Why?" Why do I feel the need to even have one social media account, let alone three or four? Is my life richer for the experience? Was I better off before? What do I get out of all this time I've spent with my face in an app? Well, I enjoy seeing what my friends and relatives are up to. On second thought, do I really? There is an awful lot of drama on the inter webs, and if someone close to me really needs my help they know my number. I like being able to contact people. Well, some people. Actually, I have a phone, too. There are also a lot of people I don't want to be contacted by. I also don't enjoy people knowing too much about me. In fact, there is way too much information about be on the interwebs as it is. I like to post photos and look at friends' photos, but why am I really posting it? Some are for business, but as for the other images, like family events, I could just as easily text those the image to those who actually care to look at them. Maybe I should think twice about posting those photos. Isn't it all really about attention and vanity if am brutally honest with myself? After seeing all these Tiktok videos bleeding over onto Facebook, its becoming apparent our society is taking the definitions of "vanity" and "narcissist" to new levels every day. Speaking of vanity, nothing is more vain than being a political blowhard on social media (guilty, guilty, guilty). I don't think anyone really gives a damn what I think about politics, and that's okay. So why even post it? There is also news on social media, right? Social media is good for posting news stories, and therefore can be educational and informative. True, but we've also learned in the past decade a lot of that news and educational material can be false or heavily skewed. Perhaps I should be more careful when reading and posting. It also makes me uncomfortable to think about how much I whip out my phone just to mindlessly doom scroll, like a smoker taking another drag. I know its not healthy, I'm self-conscious of it, but I do it anyway. But if I didn't, how would I be able to look at the latest funny cat meme? Some days I think the only redeeming element of social media is funny memes and videos. I mean, there is some really funny and insightful stuff out there. Cat memes are truly the only thing I would miss about social media if I were to ever walk away. Is it even possible to walk away? It's everywhere. Many non-social media websites and apps have some element of social media built into their user interface. Social media seems to plug into every other aspect of our culture and lives. We're steeped in it like a teabag left too long in the water. It leeches us, and makes us physiologically pale. It has become impossible to extricate SM from the fabric of our culture. Case in point, as much as I hate to admit it, I will eventually share this blog post on social media. Can we really escape it? Should we even escape it? While I estimate I have lost a full year of productive writing because of social media, I also got a photography book deal because of it. Social media is truly a two-edged sword, with great promise and dangers.  My Twitter banner Personal Social Media Experience.My social media experience has two flavors: Personal and professional. The personal journey started with Facebook just about the time I retired from the military. In the years since, Facebook has been a great way to keep in touch , both through good times and tragedy. I've reconnected with old friends from high school, college and the service. I've made new friends from all over the world. Its been fantastic to connect with those that share my same interests, such as writing and photography. In the early days, before censorship, algorithms, privacy issues, and unbridled monetization twisted our social media experiences, it was fun. Social media has even taught me some life-lessons. Social media taught me my that my 20 years in the service, and perhaps my upbringing in rural Alabama, put me in a "bubble." In the military I thought (wrongly) most Americans viewed the world like me and shared my values. Social media's wide-open, uncensored early days showed me how naive I was. Social media taught me there are only two unwinnable conflicts: Nuclear war and debating on social media. I also learned through interactions on social media that the generations behind me are vastly different than those that had come before. They think differently and don't share many of the older generations' values by an order of magnitude, especially those who are college-educated. They read fewer books. Most have never read any portion of the Bible, from either a religious or secular perspective. Many are overly hostile to any religion without the least acknowledgement of faith's critical role in human civilization. Most American young college graduates are unfamiliar with the US Constitution or any of the important documents that led to its writing. They are technically far more savvy and advanced than those who came before, but lack the foundational culturally building blocks that define their western culture. In fact, many are openly hostile to their own culture and civilization. Labels and slogans have replaced objective truth and critical thought. All that is "new" is morally right. All that came before is "bad," including history, philosophy, faith, and even science. They are obsessed with race, genitalia, identity but they have no idea who they are, or what they want, or where they are going. They are easily outraged and offended and feel like mob in search of a riot. Once again, this is a general observation and does NOT apply to everyone younger than me, especially any young people currently reading this - you are special and definitely the exception. As a result, I found myself interacting less and less with some younger people on social media because, frankly, they aren't much fun and they scare me just a little. I also found many people my age also interact less often on social media, too. Maybe we're been turned off by the rise of censorship and fact checking. I think a lot of older people really don't want to support many of these platforms. Social media companies have proven untrustworthy and don't have their customer's best interest in mind , and they've proven too cozy with big government. Taken as a whole, my personal social media is locked down tight and I generally restrict it to Facebook. If one is not an immediate family or a close personal/non-work friend, you're on the "acquaintance /restricted" list. Sorry, it's nothing personal, it's simply privacy and protection. The older I get, the less I'm interested in the world seeing my personal business. Also, I see many people getting hacked, especially older people, and I want no part of that. I still post family events, personal achievements, the occasional funny meme and even political opinions, but not very often. My posting is becoming less and less as the years go by. I see a day when I'll walk away entirely. The only reason I'm still there is because of my writing and photography, but that is hanging by a thread.  My author Facebook banner Writing and Photography Social MediaWhen I started writing my fellow writers said I needed a platform. So I got a platform. Its also how I got into blogging. At first, the platform-thing worked pretty good. Prior to 2016 I used to sell books using Facebook as an advertising tool. I used to get hundreds of clicks when advertising on that platform. In fall of 2016 everything dried up. It was like someone threw a switch. Now, an advertising dollar doesn't stretch near as far on Facebook. I abandoned Twitter in 2016 when the trolls and garbage became overwhelming. I recently returned hoping under Musk the platform had gotten better. It didn't and it's clear I'm not going to find a readership out there. In the early days of Instagram, one of my images could get 20 or more likes easily. Today, I'm lucky to get 6. In all these SM cases, it became clear there was an algorithm behind the scenes that needed appeasing, and obviously I wasn't appeasing it. I began to feel like I'd been put in a digital cage, and the price for breaking out was too high. It was also obvious that algorithm could change without notice. It also became clear in the revelation of the Twitter Files, that shadow banning and "social-media scores" were actually real. And I don't want to appease Algorithm. I'm sick of the Algorithm. I keep hearing to get a social media following you need content - lots of content. I have content, its called my books. I can either write and take photos, or I can spend hours upon hours honing an online presence in hope of appeasing some hidden and mysterious daemon to reach readership. I don't have the time, energy or inclination to spend the precious moments of my life trying to get a few more clicks. Sure, I'd like to sell more books and prints, but it's not worth it. In fact, it destroys my creative process. I'm good with that. I'm at peace with that. So what's my advertising and marketing plan on social media going forward? You're looking at it. I'll continue to blog here, and occasionally post those blogs to Facebook, Instagram and maybe Twitter. I'm also on Vero, but that place is a ghost town. Mostly what I plan to do is write and take photos and create. That's where I want to apply my efforts. I also plan to use in-person appearances to get the word out.  My photography Facebook banner The Way ForwardI think social media, and the internet in general, held so much promise in the beginning. In the early days, before the corporate giants took it over, it was algorithm-free. No one and nothing stood between you and everyone else. There were no filters, no shadow banning, no fact-checkers, no social credit scores, - just you and the rest of humanity connected instantly. The people were different back then, too. I don't fully understand the people on the other side of the screen anymore. What I see out there doesn't bode well for our species. I really don't want to interact with those people for fear I may become one of them. I'd rather interact with those people I see out here in the real world, those that smile and shake your hand and have manners. You are welcome to disagree with me, but I've reached a point in life I've come to trust my own observations and instincts. Social media and the internet was once wonderful. And now it's gone. I'll hang around the social media interwebs for professional reasons for another year or two, and see if anything changes. After that, I see no reason to stay. I am a member of Gen X, the last generation who will remember the world before the internet and social media. Last I checked, the real world was still there. I think I'm grab my camera, hop on my motorcycle, and go explore it. I'll crawl back into my bubble and shadow ban the world, thank you very much. Maybe I'll drop a post on Facebook about it. Maybe I won't. (picks up phone and begins to doom scroll) #socialmedia #essay #culture #facebook #twitter #instagram #vero #theillusionexotic  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books.
 passion [ pash-uhn ]; any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate; strong sexual desire, lust;.a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything; the object of such a fondness or desire; the narrative of Christ's sufferings as recorded in the Gospels. Synonyms: fervor, zeal, ardor. From Late Latin passionem (nominative passio) "suffering" or "that which must be endured." This isn't about the passions of sexual or romantic love, nor does it concern the Passion of Christ's crucifixion. I'm talking about the passions of that capture the imagination, that compel the curious people to seek learning and excellence and diversion. These passions can drive a man to build entire landscapes in his basement just so tiny trains can travel through them, or compel a woman to spend her free time painting water colors of humming birds, or for parents to follow their kid's travel softball team around the country every weekend. It's the kind of passion that torments the writer to edit a manuscript all night, or a photographer to buy a new lens she really doesn't need, or a young girl to a buy a new book when she already has a shelf full of the unread, or a runner to attempt his first marathon. Passionate people fall headlong into an idea, a concept, an art, a project, a sport - anything, and completely surrender to it. The Passion SpectrumPassions fall into many categories, but I generally categorize them into this spectrum: 1) ideas, 2) people and 3) things. A person can have passions across this spectrum (and usually do), but tend to mostly favor, or begin, in one category or another. Books, writing, cinema, politics, poetry, and music are examples of idea passions. Public service organizations, social clubs, sports and scouting are examples of people passions. Cars, quilting, model rocketry, computers and scrapbooking are examples of thing passions. These categories spill over and blur into one another in complex ways. An abstract idea or a thing or object will usually manifest in a social aspect like clubs, organizations, Facebook pages, etc. Passions can be hobbies, they can be professions or even both. Passions can be weekend diversions or all-consuming obsessions. Passions can be expensive. Passions can be age-dependent, and can pass as quickly as they come. Passions can evolve. Some people wear their passions openly, while others keep them hidden. BlessingS and Curses A passion can be pleasant diversion, an accessory to life's otherwise mundane drudgery. These necessary loves are therapeutic for person's mental health. Passions can often be unhealthy obsessions that eat away at one's life like an addiction. These passions cling to us like an abusive lover. Often times, people don't know when their passion has crossed that line, it simply happens. Those around you will sense it first. Sometimes, interventions are necessary. Go to a garage sale, pawn shop or thrift store and you may see the remnants of such interventions. Truly passionate people tend to get carried away. Get them to talk about their passion and you'll understand what I mean. They simply won't shut up about it. Of this, I am guilty. Over the years, I've learned to look for the tell-tale drifting eyes, a glance at the watch or phone, and the steady increase in the listener's "uh-huhs." When I see the signs I realize I might have gotten carried away. I look for a polite way to change the subject and let my victim gracefully disengage. Its a level of self-awareness I've tried to improve on over the years. In most situations, at least outside the internet, it can be difficult to find people who share any of your passions depending on how unique, elite, or expensive the passion is. Deeply passionate people often learn those they share their lives with don't share or understand their passions. At best, their loved ones listen patiently and try to understand that which must be suffered. Sometimes, the partner's passion is merely tolerated, or may even be a source of friction and conflict. Maybe the passionate find it better to remain quiet. Perhaps it easter to be alone then be misunderstood. One's passion can be isolating, and self-validation often times must be enough. That's why meeting someone who shares your passion is one of life's rare gifts. I think that's were there are so many clubs and organizations centered around passions. Even introverts want to share common experiences. It can be exciting when you finally meet someone who shares your passion. Its like taking long, cool drink of water. You can't drink it fast enough, and you can't get full enough. You know it may be a long time before you can find another watering hole. What's your passion? If you don't know, just go online to Google or Amazon, and the "Algorithm" will quickly tell you what it thinks you passion might me via ads, pop-ups and suggestions. The internet has made it easier to not only find others who share your fervor, your zeal, your ardor. It's also made it easier to improve at whatever you love (Youtube), or at least to spend money on it. I hope your passion makes you happy, whatever it may be. Thank you for stopping by, and sharing a little bit of my passion. #passion #hobbies #books #writing #essay #photography #abandonedwiregrass  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word about my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my epic fantasy novels available on Amazon.
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