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Nightmare

Chapter 3 – Nightmare and Unwanted Thoughts

By Michael Paul | Mar 5, 2021

Note – This post about a nightmare and unwanted thoughts discusses a part of my mental health story from 2018 to 2020 and may trigger unwanted thoughts or emotions in those that have suffered traumas. This post is part of a story told chronologically. Work was colorless. I had a good boss, was on a […]

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Stomach and Jaw Pain

Chapter 2 – Stomach and Jaw Pain

By Michael Paul | Feb 26, 2021

Note – This post about my stomach and jaw pain discusses a part of my mental health story from 2018 to 2020 and may trigger unwanted thoughts or emotions in those that have suffered traumas. This post is part of a story told chronologically. Beginning in the spring of 2018, acute pain stung my stomach, […]

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Mental Health Journey

Chapter 1 – My Mental Health Story

By Michael Paul | Feb 26, 2021

My name is Michael, and I’m the author of the upcoming book Cornerstone. I’m excited about its release this Fall, and I’ll continue to post updates on my Instagram page. This book was a labor of love, and I’m eternally grateful for those who walked with me as I journeyed through the lands of deep […]

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Traditional or Independent Publishing

Chapter 5 – Traditional or Independent Publishing?

By Michael Paul | Feb 22, 2021

October 2019 was a rough month for me. Two weeks after Robyn died, I had another major panic attack that forced me to go to Howard University’s ER. When I returned to Raleigh, I began my last week of work at Caterpillar. I was riddled with anxiety as I drove to each factory. When I […]

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Beta Reader Review

Chapter 4 – Beta Reader Review

By Michael Paul | Feb 22, 2021

After I finished my final edit in May 2020, I quoted professionals at Reedsy. I chose a copy-editor and walked away from the book for several weeks. I visited family and hung out with Finley, my golden retriever puppy. While waiting for feedback from Cindy, I approached several beta readers and asked them if they […]

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Cornerstone the King writing lessons

Chapter 3 – Cornerstone Writing Lessons

By Michael Paul | Feb 18, 2021

Using Robyn’s writing lessons and guidance from the deep scenes book, I revised the manuscript several times during the spring of 2020. I reviewed every scene. What were the protagonist’s goals, and how was the antagonist trying to thwart those goals? What kind of scene was it? An escape scene? Lay of the land scene? […]

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Cornerstone the King Point of View

Chapter 2 – Cornerstone Point of View

By Michael Paul | Feb 18, 2021

During the summer of 2018, I submitted query letters to thirty agents and received rejections from twelve of them. The rejections were politely and professionally written.  One wasn’t a standard rejection, however; the agent gave subtle feedback. “Unfortunately,” she wrote, “your beginning just isn’t pulling us in the way we had hoped.” Only later did […]

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Early drafts of Cornerstone the King

Chapter 1 – Early Drafts of Cornerstone

By Michael Paul | Feb 18, 2021

I watched Lord of the Rings on a flight from Curitiba, Brazil, to Houston, Texas. It was 2015, and I had spent a week in Brazil for work. I forget which of the three films I was watching, but as the confined space on airplanes enables both focused attention and wandering, something creative unlocked within […]

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Kayak Haiku

By Michael Paul | Feb 8, 2021

Floating on water Aware of Presence within Paddle back to Earth

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Cornerstone Poem The Way

The Way

By Michael Paul | Feb 8, 2021

When I lose sight of the Way When I wander away Call me to return and pray   You are good, good, good   June, warm with a cool breeze, high noon Alone, thousands of miles from home A road-less-traveled showing; Wheat growing, Spirit flowing Slow-walking, no talking, Bending and ascending to Francis   When […]

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