Tag: book

Unpacking the Truth Behind Stupid Shit

Unpacking the Truth Behind Stupid Shit

A sure-fire way to win an election? Easy. Just call 78 million people mentally ill. That’s the kind of genius strategy that screams, “Vote for me, I’m relatable!” Now, Jasmin Crockett is smarter than this—or at least I thought she was. So why the hell did she do it? Did she lose a bet? Was it Opposite Day? Or maybe she just wanted to see how fast she could alienate half the country. Bold move, Jasmin. Bold move.

Personally, I think it is political theater.

Let’s get one thing straight: nobody on either side of the political aisle is mentally ill for believing the stupid shit the media spoon-feeds them. Nope, they’re just regular people, happily slurping up the bullshit stew served daily by their favorite talking heads. And honestly, who can blame them? It’s easier to swallow than thinking for yourself. Thinking is hard. It burns calories. And let’s face it, most of us would rather save those calories for nachos.

Personally, I like to pay closer attention to what people actually do versus what the media tells me they did. Crazy concept, right? It’s almost like I’m trying to use my brain instead of letting it rot into a pile of mushy clickbait. But hey, that’s just me. In my book, Stupid Shit, I break down exactly how you’re being manipulated. Spoiler alert: we all are. And the people pulling the strings? Oh, they’re the ones in power who want to stay in power. Shocking, I know. It’s like discovering that water is wet or that Taco Bell isn’t authentic Mexican cuisine.

The Soros Conspiracy (Or Is It?)

Here’s a fun question to chew on: why did George Soros buy 200 media outlets right before the election? And why did the FCC fast-track the whole process like it was a Kardashian getting a VIP pass to a plastic surgeon? I don’t know much about Mr. Soros. The media paints him as the boogeyman, lurking in the shadows, twirling his mustache, and cackling like a cartoon villain. Is he? Hell if I know. Maybe he’s just a guy who really loves controlling narratives. Or maybe he’s misunderstood, like that one kid in high school who wore a trench coat and listened to death metal but secretly just wanted a hug.

Speaking of boogeymen, let’s talk about Putin and Zelensky. The media portrays Putin as the devil incarnate and Zelensky as Superman. Why? Because it’s easier to sell a story when you’ve got clear heroes and villains. Nuance doesn’t get clicks. Nobody wants to read an article titled, “It’s Complicated: Both Sides Are Kind of Awful.” That’s not sexy. That doesn’t trend on Twitter. But if you want to start a war—domestically or globally—all you have to do is attack what people believe. It’s like poking a bear with a stick, except the bear has nukes and a Twitter account.

The Foundation of Beliefs (And Why They’re Easy to Exploit)

Here’s the thing about people: we’re all walking around with these deeply ingrained beliefs that shape how we see the world. They come from religion, culture, personal experiences, and whatever our parents yelled at us about when we were kids. These beliefs are like the operating system of our brains, and once they’re installed, they’re damn near impossible to uninstall. It’s why people will fight to the death over pineapple on pizza or whether “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie (it is, by the way).

Let’s break it down:

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs

People believe in God, gods, or some cosmic force because it gives them comfort. It’s like a celestial security blanket. Heaven, hell, reincarnation—it’s all part of the package. And don’t forget the moral codes: compassion, honesty, justice. You know, the stuff we all pretend to care about until someone cuts us off in traffic.

Moral and Ethical Principles

Fairness, kindness, hard work—these are the things we tell ourselves we value. But let’s be real: most of us would sell our souls for a free iPhone or a lifetime supply of tacos.

Scientific and Rational Beliefs

Some people trust science and logic. Others think the Earth is flat and vaccines are a government plot to implant microchips. To each their own, I guess.

Cultural and Social Norms

Family values, community, traditions—these are the things that keep society from devolving into complete chaos. Well, most of the time. Unless it’s Thanksgiving, in which case all bets are off.

Personal Identity and Purpose

Everyone wants to feel like they matter. Whether it’s through religion, relationships, or posting selfies on Instagram, we’re all just trying to find meaning in this chaotic shitshow we call life.

Myths and Unproven Ideas

Superstitions, conspiracy theories, and urban legends—these are the cherry on top of the stupid shit sundae. Did you know some people still believe in Bigfoot? Or that the moon landing was faked? Or that pineapple belongs on pizza? Wild.

Philosophical Foundationalism

This is the fancy way of saying, “I believe what I believe because I believe it.” It’s like arguing with a toddler who insists the sky is green. You’re not going to win, so why bother?

Why It All Matters

Foundational beliefs are important because they give us stability and purpose. They help us navigate the world and make sense of the chaos. But they’re also incredibly easy to exploit. Politicians, corporations, and media outlets know this, and they use it to manipulate us. They poke at our beliefs, stir up our emotions, and watch as we tear each other apart. It’s like a reality TV show, except the stakes are real, and nobody wins a cash prize.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Simple: think for yourself. Question everything. And for the love of all that is holy, stop believing the stupid shit the media shovels down your throat. Or don’t. It’s your life. Just don’t come crying to me when you realize you’ve been played like a fiddle in a hillbilly hoedown.

And that, my friends, is the essence of Stupid Shit. Stay tuned for more. Or don’t. I’m not your mom.

Make sure you get on the e-mail list for when the book Stupid Shit drops.

Have a nice day!

Stupid Shit the Tease…

Stupid Shit the Tease…

Have you ever found yourself utterly overwhelmed by stupid shit? Like, truly drowning in the sheer tsunami of idiocy that seems to be the hallmark of modern life? Yeah, me too. Welcome to the club—we meet on Thursdays, bring snacks.

First things first, let me level with you: I am a writer. Mostly, I stick to science fiction because imagining dystopian futures where robots take over the world is somehow less depressing than facing the actual stupidity happening outside my front door. But lately? Lately, folks, what we’re witnessing out there makes Orwell look like a f*cking monk calmly sipping tea in a monastery while the rest of the world burns.

So, why did I decide to write about this? Two reasons. A) Writing is cathartic, and frankly, if I don’t get this dumb shit out of my head and onto a page, I’ll probably end up yelling at pigeons in the park. And B) I thought, “Hey, why not channel my rage into something people might actually enjoy reading?” Because let’s face it: there’s enough depressing crap out there. What we need is a book that takes all this absurdity, rolls it in sarcasm, and serves it with a side of humor. That’s the goal here—keep it funny, keep it sharp, and for the love of God, keep it real.

Alright, folks, hold onto your hats because there might just be a third reason for all this madness. You see, when you take a good, hard look at the world’s dumpster fire of problems through the eyes of someone who’s not afraid to think outside the box—let’s call them “the wonderfully weird”—you might just stumble upon a few suggestions that’ll make you go, “What the actual f*ck?”

So, are you ready for this rollercoaster of absurdity? Buckle up, because here comes the wisdom from the land of ridiculous ideas!

Now, what you’re reading here is just a sample—a teaser, if you will. Think of it as the appetizer platter of stupidity. The original plan was to write a novella. You know, something short and sweet, around 10,000 words. But guess what? Surprise! This thing is now over 120,000 words and counting. At this rate, I’ll be challenging Tolstoy for the title of “longest book no one actually finishes.” Move over, War and Peace, here comes Stupid Shit.

The truth is, there’s just too much material. The world is bursting at the seams with stupidity, and it’s like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teaspoon. Everywhere you look, there’s another mind-numbing act of idiocy begging to be documented. It’s relentless. It’s exhausting. And honestly, it’s kind of impressive—like, I didn’t even know humans could be this dumb on such a consistent basis.

But here’s the thing: I’m not just writing this to vent (okay, mostly to vent). I’m writing this because we need to figure out how to slow the stupidity down before it suffocates us all. Or, at the very least, we need to learn how to laugh at it while we all collectively go down with the ship.

Now, ICE raids? They’re the authoritarian roommate equivalent of storming into your room at 3 a.m. and yelling, “EVERYONE OUT, NOW!” while you’re just trying to watch Netflix in peace. Naturally, people are pissed—and hence, the social media outrage, hence the reinactment of WWII in a city near you.

Here’s the kicker: being pissed off is like COVID—it’s damn catchy! Just like a smile can spread faster than a rumor in a high school cafeteria, the unbelievable bullshit that comes from doing something stupid, getting caught, and then pointing the finger at the cop like they were the ones who parked the car on the sidewalk? Yeah, it’s that stupid.

Seriously, it’s like a viral meme in the world of idiocy. One person’s meltdown can ignite a whole chain reaction of “Hold my beer, watch this!” moments. And trust me, the only thing worse than being the idiot in the spotlight is watching others join the parade of morons. So, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the sheer ridiculousness of it all—because if we don’t laugh, we might just end up crying.

In truth, this book—coming soon!—isn’t just a laugh riot; it’s packed with solid information about why we do the dumb shit we do and, more importantly, how to avoid becoming a useful idiot for the people who’ve mastered the fine art of mindf*cking the masses. Consider it your guide to dodging the bullshit and keeping your sanity intact in a world gone mad.

Riots, however, are protests’ drunk, angry cousin. They start with “Let’s make a point” and quickly turn into “Let’s burn some shit down!” It’s chaos: flipping cars, smashing windows, and, for some, a convenient excuse to loot a Walmart and snag a free TV. For example: LA today. Or yesterday. Or, honestly, pick any random Tuesday in LA. If you’re not sure whether it’s a protest or a riot, just check if there’s a couch on fire in the middle of the street. If yes? Riot. If not? Protest. It’s really that simple.

The ongoing riot in LA is a clusterf*ck of monumental proportions, and it all starts with a weak-ass governor who seems more interested in auditioning for a Netflix drama than actually governing. Gavin Newsom, the self-proclaimed savior of California, is out here juggling riots, forest fires, sky-high taxes, and his dream of forcing everyone into electric vehicles (you know, if you can afford one). At the same time, he hires his official photographer to capture his perfect hair. Oh, and let’s not forget his obsession with wind power—because nothing screams “leadership” like betting the farm on a breeze.

This clownshow thinks he can blog, tweet, and virtue-signal his way into the Oval Office by calling Trump a “loser” every five minutes. Meanwhile, LA is burning, businesses are being looted, and self-driving cars are literally on fire. But sure, Gavin, keep telling us how this is all Trump’s fault while you dare the National Guard to arrest you like you’re starring in some low-budget action movie.

Stay tuned, folks. Because if this is the kind of leadership Newsom’s bringing to the table, 2028 is shaping up to be one hell of a circus.

We’re being told not to believe our lying eyes—apparently, the riot is totally peaceful. But hey, why not ask the people who’ve lost their businesses, been pelted with rocks, or had Molotov cocktails tossed at them how “peaceful” it feels? I’m sure they’d have a different perspective. Were they out there roasting hot dogs on the burning cars? Maybe making s’mores while their livelihoods went up in flames?
Because nothing says “peaceful protest” like shattered windows, looted stores, and a bonfire made out of someone’s Toyota. But sure, let’s just keep pretending it’s all kumbaya and good vibes while the city looks like the set of a post-apocalyptic movie.

Maybe they honestly think it’s just a protest—because, let’s be real, the weed stores out there must have the best stuff. How else do you explain people standing in front of burning buildings, looted stores, and smashed-up cars saying, “Yup, totally peaceful, bro”? Whatever they’re smoking, it’s gotta be next-level.

The book’s clocking in at 120K words of pure, unfiltered chaos and will be hitting the market soon, with zero censorship. Want a front-row seat to the lunacy of our world? Sign up for emails and get ready to laugh, cry, and wonder how the hell we got here. Don’t miss out—because let’s face it, stupidity this good deserves to be shared.

-Best

Noise

Noise

Red Pill or Blue?

The media is currently either throwing a tantrum or engaged in a celebration over the former president’s arraignment.

If you are like me and are focused on living in ‘your world’ and not in ‘this world of corruption, violence, and craziness, ’ you must find a way to detach.

I lead a writer’s group in my hometown.  I was asked why I write.  The answer is simple.  I like my world and characters more than those who seek to control us through emotional triggers and corrupt media who will print or say anything for clicks.

Journalism is dead and buried.  Whoever owns the most media controls the world.

I was disappointed when Stephen King weighed into the fray, tweeting, ‘Lock him up.’

Does Stephen have privileged information that we don’t have?  Is he friends with the DA?  Maybe he lives in the white house and tells Biden what to say.  That would explain the twisted way the country is currently being run.

As authors, the public, ‘our audience’ shouldn’t know which way we lean politically.  They should be totally clueless if we are pro-life or pro-choice.

They should know what kinds of stories you create, what you have done in the past, and your current WIP.

I cringe when I see want-to-be best sellers go off the deep end, regurgitating the talking points of the left or right-wing media.

It matters not who you vote for or which way you tilt.  You should know that what you believe to be true is probably not the entire story.  The media is incredibly Stalinist, and today’s youth think socialism can work if you just do it correctly.  That is akin to being ‘kind of pregnant.’ They either didn’t study history, or it wasn’t taught.

You have heard the phrase to live or die by the sword…Well, my friends, the media lives or dies by the lies they create.

I will get more clicks if I add the word black or white to describe a person.  I will do it.  Pissing people off is the way to get more readers.  Pissing people off also foments racism and violence by dehumanizing an entire race for what; clicks?  Who cares if someone gets hurt or is pushed in front of a subway because they are a different color?  You got more clicks!  People are irresponsible when it comes to the media.

I genuinely believe we are living in the matrix.

Six people are killed in Tennessee.  The president jokes about Jenny’s chocolate chip Ice Cream before giving a predictable speech about gun control.  Others pray for the trans person and not the people she killed. OMG, I misgendered the murderer! Who cares!  Three nine-year-old children were shot to death, and three 61-year-old people were also killed.  What the hell is wrong with people worried about the shooter’s pronouns?

Be respectable, and I will respect your right to identify as a toaster if you are an adult and that is what you want to do.  Be an asshole like that, turd, nope.  Not going to dignify her in any way.  She can rot in hell.

The answers to violence in the world are painfully obvious, but…the lobbyist purchased the elected officials to lie to you and me.  From the NRA to the teacher’s unions to the gaming industry, it’s about money.  Money and power trump the taxpayers every time.

Mental health is the problem!

If you are young and seeking a vocation, become a mental health expert.  The world, not just this country but the world, is in crisis.  I totally believe that video games are the gateway to insanity.  That and mind-altering drugs.

Hollywood is not excused; they are culpable too.

Those with the loudest voices live in gated communities and have never entered a Walmart.  Tell me, how much $16 a pint of ice cream is in your freezer?

I don’t listen to opinion shows.  Again, they don’t live in our world.

I live in our world but can escape, and so can you.

While I create the worlds, the characters, and the situations, you can come into my world by reading my latest novel ‘Earth’s Last Hope.’

Everything you would ever want in a novel, from aliens, affairs, sex with the president, and I destroy this world before I give you a happy ending.  Each page is rich with the story, so don’t skip to the end; it won’t make sense.  Start at the beginning and simply enjoy it.

Don’t start it late, or you will be up all night.  You will love the character as the pages turn, and the science fiction is not hard science fiction.

Trigger Warning: If two ladies loving each other bothers you, this story might not be for you.

-Best

Give it a review!  Reviews are critical to the process of success for authors.  My e-mail address is in the book so, write to me if you have any comments.

Getting Published #writer #author

Getting Published #writer #author

 

I write the following from what I have learned thus far on this subject.  I would appreciate input from those of you that have made this trip successfully.

Write Well 

It cannot be overemphasized enough to write well.  I have read many books written by people who were self-published. They wrote their story that they wanted to tell.  Not being able to make their fortune from their manuscript, they self-published. They spent the next several months trying to sell enough of their books to re-coop their investment.  Not everyone was meant to be a writer or published.  If they had read their work more carefully they would have discovered that it was not written well.  This leads me to my next thought.

Write for your enjoyment. 

The passion that most writers have is not to sell millions of books, just to write.  It has been said that if you want to get to know the author, read their book.  Take this one-step further.  If you want to get to know yourself, who you are…, write a book.  When you are reading your story, if you are listening, you will find yourself in your characters.  Insight as to who you actually are will come out in their actions and feelings.

If your characters do not have feelings, you need to go back and try again.  Sell the story through their actions or feelings.

Which reminds me, do not try to do this for a living, until you are famous.  Your sanity might depend upon you being in this world with a day job. We are social creatures, being around people and not in your world of your story all of the time is important.   Of this… I speak from experience…

Start out with a bang!

The first few pages sell your book, especially for an unknown. The prologue is a good place to entice the reader to want to know more, than you can build the story after the prologue. Once you become a JK Rowling, than you can let your name (or brand) sell your product.

Be well read

Most successful writers read a lot.  While I have read some “flash in the pan” books that were not well written, nor were the authors “well read,” that actually made it.  Statistics show that more often than not, books that get published, are from people who were well read.

Have a story that is unique and interesting

Your story should be unique.  If it is a rehash of a common situation, there is a good chance it will sit on the circular file cabinet of some publisher, until the janitor makes his or her rounds.

Expect rejection

You must have thick skin to be in this vocation.  Your own family may not like what you have written.  Do not expect everyone to love it as much as you do. This is your baby, your passion not theirs. As soon as you send it off to someone, start working on something else. One of the publishers that I have been talking with might take a year before they get back to you simply telling you, no thanks!

A Good Agent

First off, agents are about as hard to sell as are publishers themselves.  Many folks take up writing as a get rich scheme instead of for the pure passion of writing or telling a story.  Agents get a commission for what they do.  Never pay someone up front…If the agent is a true agent worth their salt, they will know from your synopsis if this is something that they can sell.

Do lots of research on your agent before signing.

Good agents are available. Locating them through a writers league might be a good idea as the others in the league might have an experience to share.

Finish your work before you think about getting it published

I have spoken with many who get some idea for a book and immediately approach an agent or publisher.  You have nothing to sell, until there is a manuscript of 120,000 words or so in your hands.” 

When writing your manuscript do not get hung up on the word count!  After the editing process, your 135,000 words might be around 95,000.  Somewhere between 100,000 and 120,000 seems to be optimal.

Check your work well before you send it off…

As alluded to in the last point, editing your work is paramount.  When you decide to send it off, it should be as good as you could possibly make it.  I like to read it aloud although one trick that I found is to have something like “Nuance’s Naturally Speaking” full edition; read it back to me, one paragraph at a time.  Your mind will skip over clumsy sentences or bad grammar.   The program only reads what it sees so the “you instead of the your” will pop out at you!

Try to get something published in a magazine prior to getting your book published.

This is a great idea for first time writers.  Write a short story or several, 5000 words or so and submit it to magazines.  If they publish it, they might pay around $500 for the story (one time) but you then can write on your cover sheet…published in….  That is a great way for your manuscript to get more of a look than 3 seconds, of some agent or publishers time.

“What magazine you ask?”  What do you write?  Sci-Fi… Pick a science fiction magazine and approach them with a story…

Submission guidelines are critical…

Everyone has some idea of what they expect to see when they open your manuscript.  I have found double-spaced block type, cover sheet etc… They should have guidelines to follow…follow them not just a little bit, to the letter.

Have a well-written synopsis keeping it to two pages.

This is a problem for writers.  You need to tell the complete story, with the ending in 500 words or so…2 pages…  Look for guidelines online… Oh yes, it must be written well…

Purchase The Writer’s Market published by Writer’s Digest

Query Letter

Send a query letter even if they say they are currently not accepting. The worst thing that will happen is you wasted a stamp.  (One page)  Many publishers may say that they do not accept unsolicited manuscripts but truth be told, they all want best sellers.  A query letter cost you .50 cents and it might perk their interests.

Sending your manuscript to agents and or publishers should not be with a lot of fanfare.  Simply box it “if it fits its ships” or padded envelope and let the post office do it for you.  No FED EX nothing like that…Media Mail in fact… Anything else gives the appearance of desperation.  “They should be lucky that you have chosen them to publish…”  Ok, maybe not but, you get the gist.

Now go back to writing and tell a story….

-Best

Below are a few links that I have found while digging.

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/

http://agentquery.com/publishing_mp.aspx

https://querytracker.net/whatisqt.php

http://www.writersmarket.com/

https://duotrope.com/

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