Dillon's Dream: Water and Earth

The 2nd edition of "Dillon's Dream:  Water & Earth" is out, and yet again Lightning Source Incorporated did a phenominal job with set-up, printing, and rapid delivery of my prints.  I can't say enough about what they do, the great people that work there (especially Loria Hampton), and the extremely low cost for set-up and print-on-demand.

In fact, I'm going to start a post to explain the process I went through the publish my book.  Please stay-tuned if you want more information.

Shawn "The Struggling Author" Phillips

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The 1st shipment of the 'new and improved' Dillon's Dream arrvied today.  The paperback is also already avialble at Barnes & Noble, and soon to be at Amazon.  I'm still working on getting the electronic versions (ePub, Kindle, and pdf) out, but it looks like that will be another week or two.

However, the 2nd edition looks awesome.  Great artwork by CreationGraphics, a new prologue, a glossary, and lots of fun reader reviews. Order it....please!!

=)

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I promised myself I wouldn't get into a philosophical lecture on creativity, not only because it would bore all of you but because I hate a blog that goes in that direction.  My comments are meant as one person's opinion.  One person who recognizes and appreciates opinions that others have.  Anyway, I wanted to expand on what creativity means to me as it applies to martial arts/Hoshin.

I remember when I was told that for my black belt I had to add something new to Hoshin.  I was a teenager and it stressed me out as I couldn't for the life of me figure out where to start.  To this day I don't remember what I did, but I do remember that it was at best adequate. 

However, I now have no problem throwing 10-20 ideas out in under an hour but not because I am more creative.  Rather because I understand what creativity can be and understand who I am AND these two things MUST be considered together.  To define creativity without understanding the individual again points towards saying, 'my way is the right way.'  I had one of my rock-solid engineers come to me about 5 years ago and tell me about how he read a book on being creative within a design box.  How one could use established steps to being creativity.  At the time I disagreed, but I now know it was because I saw only my side.  He was a very structured individual and I am a very unstructured person (yes, just like my dad.  If  you saw how he taught, how he pulled things out of the air it was great, but it was also because that was how he was wired.  I had the pleasure of watching Hatsumi teach in Japan last year and I felt the same thing). 

So one must first understand who he/she is, whether it be from a Meyers-Briggs test, meditation, or coaching.  You may be a very detail-oriented person who looks at what is taught in Hoshin and see that a set of maneuvers or moves all apply the fundamental body position or that one attack/defense can set up 10-20 variations to the second step.  If you are an 'improver' you might see how to make a particular throw more effective or take something you learned in Aikido and apply it to Hoshin (I also remember the class at Hillsdale College when a senior instructor brought in the scissor kick.  We all spent the rest of the class launching ourselves at the side of an opponent and striking his/her chest/neck with one leg and the back of the knees with the other.  It wasn't practical but it was creative and led to more useful techniques that took advantage of weak points.  If you are an 'outside the box thinker' you may see a particular way to perform an 'earth' block and move right into a 'wind' throw (notice:  a block to a throw is natural, but try shifting your balance and chi as stated.  I learned this from a training session with Tafessa where he took a simple overhead knife block and performed different 2nd steps based on his chi.  I still think of it ever week or so, and it took me a decade to figure out how simply creative it was).

I could write more, but I hope this helps some out there.

Shawn 

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A while ago I spoke of tradition, how it enforces structure, and how it can rigidize an individual (like myself).  I feel Hoshin should never be completely structured and those inside should revel in this, as the greatest creativity is found in a.) times of desperation and b.) outside of structure.  The times of desperation is an obvious one for anyone who studies history, and the point of creativity can be found by even looking at the # of inventions from small businesses versus large organizations (I'm talking true inventions, not filing patents to block competitors).

I am exhausted tonight, but tomorrow I will write about my first experience with creativity in Hoshin and how it took me over a decade to realize the impact one event had on me.

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I don't know why there has been a dramatic increase in blog hits (yeah, probably a mistake but I'll start tomorrow with some funny things to keep ya' coming back), but I just wanted to point you to the index or homepage (www.dillonsdream.com) where you can read the prologue and then move to reading the 1st chapter of my book for free.

If you buy the book I will even mention your purchase on this soon-to-be-infamous blog!

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I took the day off to wait for the overnight delivery of my 4 proof books from Lightning Source Inc (best printing company out there).  It took until after 2pm, but UPS finally delivered (in my opinion their customer service has plummeted over the years...you can't call to hold a delivery, and they won't let you talk to anyone at their delivery hubs).

Anyway, I nervously opened the box but was pleasantly surprised to find that their were only a few tweaks needed on the back cover and pictures.  It was still more than acceptable for submittal to the 19th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Awards.  I packaged up two copies and shipped them out.

Next up, is going through the book and submitting any corrections for final print followed by ordering a couple hundred books.  I can't wait.

Shawn "The Struggling Author" Phillips

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It's been a long few months but four proofs are arriving at my house tomorrow morning.  I'll make the deadline for submitting for the annual Writer's Digest Self-Publishing Awards by one extra day!  I'm submitting for Genre Fiction and Young Adult.

I also have spent a lot of time re-doing the website (www.dillonsdream.com) and have added a prologue that is in the 2nd edition, but missing from the first.  Also, CreationGraphics did a great job re-designing the cover and the four maps/drawings.  It's all on the website.

Now I just have to figure out how to market the book so people will want to buy it.

If you read this blog, please check out the site and let me know your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Shawn "The Struggling Author" Phillips

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Only a few more things to add in before the 2nd edition is done.  My goal is to have it submitted for printing on April 1st, in celebration of my dad's death.

Check out the new professionally-designed front cover on the website.

Now I'm trying to figure out a way to promote the book and get people to buy it....ok just read it.  The reviews have been awesome, so if you have ideas then please send me a note.

Sincerely,

Shawn "The Struggling Author" Phillips  =)

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So I have two weeks left for putting together the 2nd edition.  I am soliciting inputs from readers to add to the book.  They will either go on the back cover or the inside of the book.

Please send to this blog or shp@ybcoyotepress.com

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I'm having lots of fun getting the second edition ready for print and release by April 15th.  I have a company redoing the art design on the front, and possibly getting the drawings from the webpage artistically redone and placed in the book.  Also, I have went through editing, my editor is going through, and a friend with lots of editing experience volunteered to edit for free (Kenette Gfeller).  Lastly, I am working on a prologue to help ground the reader in the book.

Only one other thing left:  Getting quotes from readers....

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Last Friday I received a request for an order of 200 of my books for shipment to Japan.  I let the excitement brew for about an hour before I did a check on the order address.  Turned out it was a scam, and the address was for a company that makes money by claiming non-delivery and then collecting on shipping charges.

So rather than be another angry person on Earth, I just sent him a letter for self-reflection. 

His e-mail address is:  jasonchan231101@gmail.com

And the bogus address is:

8-10 Palazio Himonya Bldg. 1F,
2-chome
Minami, Meguro-ku,
 Tokyo 152-0013, Japan

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www.flamingnet.com is a website dedicated to the reading of books by young adults AND reviews by young adults.  I was asked to send a book for review back in November, and the reviewer posted this week.  It was another review where the person really liked the book, but didn't like the beginning.  I am currently working on a 2nd edition of the book that has a prologue to ground the reader.

Anyway, check out the review when you get a chance.  Just go to the website and look at the middle of the page that shows recent book reviews.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Shawn

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After a hectic week at work, I have time to reflect on my trip to S. Korea (ROK).  I was there for a week and can honestly say that the people were great, the country was beautiful, and the food was....interesting.

We visited Seoul and Dajeon during the coldest time of the year, even being caught in a snowfall (something that will be happening at my house in about 12 hours).  I love the infusion of modern architecture into ancient cities.  It's fun to sit next to a temple or palace grounds and see skyscrapers in the background.

Now the food:  Before we went I had kim-chi (fermented vegetables within nice fiery red pepper/vinegar bath) was very low on my list of foods I would eat.  However, in Korea it soon became my staple as I was introduced to fermented bean paste, salted fish intestines, jellyfish, ox tail soup, and about 40 other dishes I had never eaten before.  I ran every day at the gym, and while the first couple days I was bothered by everyone smelling of BO and kim-chi, I soon didn't even notice (which meant I stunk of the same thing.  However, I have to admit that I'll eat it all again when I go back =).

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Hey Laurie,

Thanks for the kind words, but yes I am still a nerd (and now happily admit it) =).

Yeah, I kept the martial arts thing pretty quiet back then.  Even more quiet than the fact that I played Dungeons and Dragons every weekend!

However, unlike most nerds I have to admit that I really enjoyed high school and thought that sooo many people were really nice to me.

Wife's birthday so I have to run and take care of a few more things before she gets home.

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A new California law now requires every person to stand outside their car and slowly freeze to death pumping gas. It turns out that the little latch that allows the gas to come out of the nozzle could be dangerous if someone held it down and lit a match.  Thank goodness no one has invented tape or wire!

Anyway, I was pumping my gas in 40 degree weather when a thin lady in a hot, short blue dress started to walk by me. We live in the Antelope Valley, the home of high winds, and sure enough a gust blew at the perfect time.  Her dress flipped up and my eyes saw everything! However, no worries for my beautiful wife as I forgot to mention that the lady was well into her sixties and a walking desert prune.

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