You Have The "Write Stuff!"
Although I had been writing off and on since college, it wasn't until I published my first book, "Jew in Jail," in 2004 that I really felt like I had accomplished something.
The fact that I penned it while behind bars was increasingly instrumental in helping me regain my self-esteem and self-confidence, which had sunk to an all-time low when I was first arrested back in 1998.
These days, I go around delivering motivational and inspirational speeches on recovery from addiction at drug treatment programs, hospital detoxes, jails, schools, or anywhere people are either still sick and suffering or headed down a destructive path, since helping others also keeps me clean and sober as well.
I have always found writing to be liberating, as it is one profession that is personal, has no set hours, affords one the opportunity to be creative, and garners feedback from potential fans.
In addition, a person does not even have to write for the purpose of making money, as it is a craft that lends itself to expressing one's feelings while using the talents and abilities they were either born with, or acquired through education or life's lessons.
If you have always wanted to write something yourself - a book, poem, song, short story, or even keep a journal or diary - I highly recommend it.
You don't even have to publish it. It can be tucked away under your mattress and saved for a later day, if, for nothing else, than to chart and measure your progress.
The point is, you have the ability to compose anything your heart and mind desires, and by doing so, just may discover how great you are at it, and then go on to a brilliant and successful career.
I continue to write blog posts, articles, and contribute comments on many internet websites geared to book promotion, as well as recovery from alcohol, drug and gambling addiction.
It allows me to stay connected to people and topics I am very interested in, learn more about both industries, and broaden my horizons.
In a nutshell, it permits me to go from a "Jew in Jail," to a man who refuses to fail!
But I want all of you to put pen to paper and see what you are passionate about these days.
In this fast-paced world we live in, private time is at a premium, but setting aside a few minutes every night to jot our thoughts down is well worth the effort.
And who knows - you just might have the next great novel or number one song in the country renting space in your brain, clamoring to come out and be seen!
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It's time for the weekly hop!! If you want to join the fun, visit Alison Can Read or Parajunkee's View for the link.
Q: What is a book you didn't like that all your friends raved about or what book did you love that wasn't popular?
Oh that one was easy - book/series. It seems like almost all my online buddies love the spin off series of Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead) - Bloodlines but I hated it! I felt bad not wanting it like the first series, I was too disappointed and you know what? Just because I read two of the Bloodlines novels, I lost excitement with the VA movie. I blame Sydney for this feeling! LOL Sorry guys, I really hated the main character. No more Bloodlines for me. Should have stopped at Last Sacrifice.
Another one was Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. I never felt the connection between Calla and Shay. I loved Ren! If I'm going to read another book from that series, it would only be because of Ren!
One book I loved but not popular as it's from a new author was The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle. It was my first selkie book, loved this Scottish folklore. Would love to read more selkie books!
Happy Friday!!!
It's Nothing Personal
Author: Kate O'Reilley
Paperback: 386 pages
Publisher: Kate O'Reilley; 1 edition (January 18, 2013)
Amazon Link
Kindle Edition
File Size: 533 KB
Print Length: 387 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0988663317
Publisher: Quandary Publishing, LLC; 1 edition (January 14, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link
Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Kate O'Reilley. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.
Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Situation: You badly needed a surgery because there is something wrong in you that needs to be corrected so you entered the operating room (OR), trusted your doctor and the hospital only to find out one illness is gone but somehow in the middle of the surgery process, you acquired a new life-long, deadly disease/infection. What would you do?
In It's Nothing Personal (based on true events), one of Dr. Jenna Reiner's patients got infected by Hepatitis C after the surgery. It was actually a cosmetic surgery, a bust lift. Imagine, the girl only wanted to improve her appearance but she ended up having that life-long/deadly disease. The infection came from a used syringe infected with Hep C by one of the scrub technicians Dr. Reiner trusted. Apparently, this scrub technician is a druggie and she's addicted to Fentanyl. So before every surgery, the scrub technician steals Fentanyl in a syringe and then substitutes one used and infected with Hepatitis C syringe filled with saline in the anesthesia cart. Dr. Reiner wouldn't know about the switch because both Fentanyl and saline look the same.
Okay, let's talk about the trust issues (only one of the many issues discussed in the book). It's a fact, doctors trust staff in the OR, because doctors trust the hospital who hired the OR people. Even I trust those OR people not because I know them personally but because I trust my doctor and the hospital. Even after reading this, I can't decide on the trust issues. It's been three days since I started writing this and yet I still can't finish the review. Oh well, I am about to see my doctor (my OB doctor of 7 years) today for a yearly check-up and maybe I'll ask her something so I can finally stop thinking about this!
Back to the book, the story flowed smoothly. It's like being told by a friend or someone I knew so I just kept on flipping the pages. Every page is interesting at the same time frightening. The protocol for every operation was discussed and I was shocked that the hospital didn't have a clear cut rules on the safekeeping part. I'm not going to say who is at fault, readers of this book can decide for themselves.
There were too many memorable LOL moments in the question and answer portion (deposition). The questions were mostly brutal but Dr. Reiner handled it pretty well, the answers were intellectually funny. I've worked in two law firms for 10 straight years but never had the chance to be in an actual hearing, only read the hearing transcripts and there are some amusing lines from the defendants like this one. The story has too many interesting facts like the first medical thriller (Morton's Fork) I've read the other month. I really liked Dr. Reiner and her husband. His undying love and support to her made me cry at times. The book did not disappoint. I'm sure your money is well-spent on this one.
About the book:
On a chilly January morning, anesthesiologist Dr. Jenna Reiner made her daily drive to St. Augustine Hospital, completely unaware that her life was about to change forever. One of the surgical technicians has been stealing syringes and infecting patients with hepatitis C. The battle against the thieving surgical technician was only the beginning. Jenna Reiner was about to begin the fight of her life -- the fight for her reputation, her pride, and her sanity. Beautifully composed, and inspired by true events, "It's Nothing Personal" is a riveting, suspenseful, and emotional thriller which chronicles the story of faith and fortitude when an innocent woman finds herself surrounded by corruption and greed.
About the author:
Kate O’Reilley is a physician, specializing in anesthesiology. In late 2009, Kate was thrust into a painful battle in a high-profile, medical malpractice suit. The calamity that ensued nearly destroyed Kate and her family. After the suit ended and the wounds started to heal, Kate was urged by close friends and co-workers to document her experiences. The words flowed, and It’s Nothing Personal was born from Kate’s journey through her temporary hell. Kate’s second book, In Good Hands, is a moving, gripping, and tragic story of an anesthesiologist who dispenses her own version of justice after being the innocent victim of a brutal crime. Kate currently resides in Colorado with her husband and their beautiful daughter.
