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My 5th Book

By Amazon, Books & Authors, Creativity, Health, ThinkingNo Comments

Hello All,

If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I’m an Author of four books:

There’s lots of metaphors about writing a book. They are in the main negative, describing it in ways such as it’s like pulling teeth. But that isn’t my experience. I love the whole process of writing a book, from the initial concept, to developing and fleshing out the idea, to the process of writing and editing it. Then finally sharing it with the world when I publish it internationally on Amazon, in as many formats as possible.

I am proud of each and every book that I’ve published, four in total so far. Each time I feel that it is the best work I have done to date and have no idea how I’m going to top it in the next book. But I always do.

Each of my books is unique and takes me on a wonderful journey of learning and growth. I liken it to being like what I imagine bringing a new born baby into the world is like. This sometimes makes them harder to sell, as they are all so different.

But sales is never the aim of producing these creative works. Maybe it should be? Maybe it shouldn’t? Whose to say? Right now, as long as I’m happy with the finished product, that’s good enough for me.

It will come as no surprise to you that I’m already working on my next book. Hopefully due out later this year (2024). Here’s a very early draft (subject to change in the editing process) of a small section I’ve just finished writing today:

It’s the first time I’ve ever shared some of my work this early in the creative process.

So what can I tell you about this mysterious 5th book I’m working on?

  • Well it has a title and a finalised book cover.
  • As you’ve probably guessed from the sample section above, it’s a book about the human body.
  • It’s going to be aimed at Healthcare Professionals and anyone who wants to know more about the body.
  • In this book I’m experimenting with using humour to bring the topic to life. Humorous writing is much more difficult than it sounds.
  • I’ve also bought some Illustrations and a Commercial Licence for these from a rather brilliant Illustrator.

I don’t want to share any more than that right now. But I hope that’s peaked your interest in learning more about book number 5. More updates and information to follow soon.

Write soon,

Antony

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Book Review: Sane New World – Taming the Mind by Ruby Wax

By Amazon, Books & Authors, Health, ReviewsNo Comments
sane-new-world-ruby-wax-book-cover The self-acclaimed poster girl for mental health Ruby Wax went to Oxford University and completed a Masters in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy. Wax wanted to understand the neuroscience behind her own mental health and maybe find a better way to manage her mental health.

On completion on Wax’s Masters she wanted to share her own mental health story, along with what she’d learned at Oxford. So she embarked on a tour of mental institutions, before widening the tour to the general public.

I went to see Wax’s Sane New World Tour, but for anyone whose not had the opportunity or wants to know what secrets Wax learned at University, they can read her book Sane New World – Taming the Mind.

Sane New World is a funny, informative and captivating book on the subject of mental health. It’s easily the best book I’ve ever read on the topic. So it is a MUST read for anyone interested in or whom has experienced poor mental health.

In Sane New World Wax covers:

  • What Drives Us Crazy.
  • The Critical Inner Voice(s).
  • Emotions.
  • Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Stress, etc.
  • How Our Brain’s Work – Neuroscience.
  • The Functions of Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, Cortisol and Other Chemicals in the brain and body.
  • How Our Brains Grow and thought/behavioural/emotional patterns can be changed.
  • The basics of Mindfulness.
  • Some good, but brief mindfulness exercises.
  • Alternatives to Mindfulness (if it isn’t your sort of thing or doesn’t work for you).

Throughout the book as I have mentioned Wax tells her story. Sane New World includes some wonderful illustrations that give an insight into how Wax operates and is relatable to all. After all, we are all human beings and all being stretched by life to the point of breaking. If we’re not careful we might actually break. We need to take hold of the reins in our minds and in our life and if necessary make some changes.

Sane New World will improve your understanding of mental health, teach you how to be and remain mentally and emotionally healthy and be an enjoyable read, all at the same time. It will teach you how to be in control of your mind, rather than it being in control of you. Definitely worth the investment in my humble opinion.

Sane New World by Ruby Wax is available to buy on Amazon and at all good bookshops.

Review soon,

Antony

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Amazing Illustrations from the Talented Sye Watts

By Friends & Family, The WebNo Comments
logos compared

Left: The Old Logo, Right: The New Logo (2011)

Some time ago I commissioned my good friend Sye Watts to design a logo and some icons for my blog. I asked for a cartoony feel and he did a brilliant job.

Then for my Christmas present in 2011 Sye redesigned my logo (see image left for the two designed compared). It reflected a more mature blog, to match a more mature me.

Recently I commissioned Sye to redesign some of the old cartoon icons and create some new ones to match the new more mature style of the new logo. He did a fantastic job and created some amazing illustrations. Here are the old icons, redesigned, based on the brief I gave him:

adventures-goals-compared

Left: Old Goals/Adventures Illustrative Icon, Right: New Goals/Adventures Illustration.

books-compared

Left: Old Books Illustrative Icon, Right: New Books Illustration.

cameras-compared

Left: Old Photos Illustrative Icon, Right: New Photos Illustration.

celebration-compared

Left: Old Celebration/Good Times Illustrative Icon, Right: New Celebration/Good Times Illustration.

home-compared

Left: Old Home Illustrative Icon, Right: New Home Illustration.

paganism-compared

Left: Old Paganism Illustrative Icon, Right: New Paganism Illustration.

And here are the new illustrations:

imac-contact-me-large

New: Blogging/iMac/Contact Illustration.

cats-large

New: Cats Illustration.

diabetes-BM-reader-large

New: Diabetes/Health Illustration.

familyandfriends-large

New: Friends & Family Illustration.

film-reel-large

New: Films/Movies Illustration.

gay-world-large

New: Gay/Gay World Illustration.

gay-love-large

New: Love & Relationships Illustration.

piggy-bank-money-large

New: Financial/Money Illustration.

technology-iphone-ipad-large

New: Technology Illustration.

writing-quill-ink-well-large

New: Creative Writing Illustration.

Sye Watts is a truly Talented Illustrator. Professional throughout the process. He allowed me to sign off on the work – so that all of the illustrations were exactly as I want them and exceeded my expectations in all regards.

If you need an Illustrator I would without any hesitation recommend Sye Watts. He does a wide range of work including: logo design, illustrations, posters, comics, personalised gifts, etc. Sye is friendly and helpful – so please get in touch with him if you have a project that you think will utilise his talent, skill and knowledge.

I’ve used the illustrations for the background of the blog, along with selected ones at the top of various pages.

I’m also excited to announce that I’ve used some of the illustrations to create a new page Blog By Topic. Blog By Topic is an easy way to view blog posts by topics, categories or tags.

Blog soon,

Antony

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