Category Archives: Stories about my life

05/21/2013 · 1:00 pm

What Are the Odds of Success? … Really?

Statistically speaking, I have no chance of making it as a big-name writer, and yet that is my stated goal. Whether I’m talking to friends or family members, I’m not afraid to say that this is my goal.

I could make a number of points as to why I personally believe it’s possible, but a skeptic could rightly refute them with ease. (And this has happened, and such thoughts are like a cancer to a hungry searcher like me. They can make even a crazy believer like me start to doubt, so I don’t usually discuss my chances much with skeptics.)

But I’m getting off my point, and my point is I have a dream and I think I can achieve it. Despite hurdles that are probably as steep as trying to make a career in the NFL, I believe it’s totally possible.

And the following article splendidly explains why. And if you have a dream, I assure you this article can apply to whatever road you’re working your way down.

Here’s the article: What Are the Odds of Success? … Really?

Read the article and get moving on your own dreams. I really think you’ll find the article very motivating.

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

4 Comments

Filed under Motivation, Stories about my life

05/19/2013 · 7:58 pm

Admin note about my new foreign policy blog

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday.

I wanted to make a quick admin note about the site. In the past, there have been a lot of entries about foreign policy and national security here, which didn’t mesh well with what the rest of the site was focused on.

So, I’ve launched a second site to keep up with those subjects called Marine Watch: A blog on American foreign policy, national security, and all things Marine Corps. I’d love to have any of you who are interested in those topics over there. (And just like this one, you can subscribe in the upper left corner to follow it and receive updates on when I make posts there.)

Big thanks to my good friend Melissa, who helped me see I needed to do this.

I’ll try to keep this blog to the following topics.

  • My life, with the ups and downs of my long-term dream to become a best-selling author.
  • Motivation and dreams. (Living life to the fullest).
  • Eastern philosophy. (That is, trying to balance the nut-case, Marine side of my life with the Eastern-philosophy idea of slowing down and living in the moment.)
  • And a new category that I’ll call great writing, in which I post some amazing examples of writing that I’ve across in all my reading.

Sorry for the interruption and thanks a million to all my friends who have followed me, cheered me on, and made some excellent suggestions as I keep pushing forward on this journey to (hopefully) the top. (Here’s that address again for my new blog: Marine Watch.)

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

2 Comments

Filed under Random posts, Stories about my life

04/10/2013 · 9:09 pm

My anniversary message to my wife Danah

I think the greatest asset a man can have is a strong woman who believes in him. I’m extremely blessed to have that, and it’s something I definitely do not deserve. Almost five years ago, I met Ms. Danah, and we’ve hardly been separated since.

Three years ago today, she married me. So, I just wanted to say, “Thank you, my love, for always believing in me. For seeing a businessman where others saw a man who earned little and struggled under boatloads of debt. For seeing an author when others just saw a dreamer with about 30 unfinished manuscripts. For seeing a strong and wise man when others just saw a guy who was scared and delusional and one bad cashflow week away from being completely bankrupt.

“I knew I was marrying an incredible woman three years ago, who was beautiful, funny, and artistic, but I had no idea what a friend you’d be, what an incredible business partner you’d become, and what an amazing cheerleader you’d prove regardless of whether I was trying to work on the paper or publish a book.

“You took me as I was, you threw yourself into the paper, and you’ve suffered FAR too much stress, long workweeks, and missed vacations. It’s my greatest hope that I can make all of this up to you someday, and that I can be just 1/10th of the man you think I am. I love you tons and tons and tons…”

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please accept the greatest gift I can give, a book I believe to be worth $10,000.

P.P.S. Thanks to all who continue to make my novels a success. I seriously couldn’t have done it with everyone’s support. Please continue to talk about them, share links to them, and review them where you can. Oh, and don’t forget to follow my blog — you can do so by email up at the top right of the page.

10 Comments

Filed under Stories about my life

04/08/2013 · 9:56 am

“Sold Out” gets a super-sweet review

I landed a great review this weekend on “Sold Out,” which totally made my day.

Take a look at it here, and just a reminder, if you want to help me and have already read my book, the best thing you can do is drop it a short review. Basically, once a book garners 30 or 40 reviews, it’s considered to have “made it” and been properly screened as an indie book. And usually, once that happens, sales start to tick up noticeably. (Currently, it has 14 reviews.)

Thankfully, my sales have been decent thanks to incredible covers by Danah and because of your all’s enthusiastic support, but a few more reviews would definitely help. And don’t be intimidated by Mark’s great review. Just two or three sentences saying why you like the book is all you need, i.e. it moved fast, you liked the characters, or the plot I created,  or something like that.

Thanks all, and thanks for all each of you do to encourage and promote me!

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please accept the greatest gift I can give, a book I believe to be worth $10,000.

P.P.S. Thanks to all who continue to make my novels a success. I seriously couldn’t have done it with everyone’s support. Please continue to talk about them, share links to them, and review them where you can. Oh, and don’t forget to follow my blog — you can do so by email up at the top right of the page.

3 Comments

Filed under Stories about my life

04/04/2013 · 6:33 pm

This is really bad news for Republicans

Just a reminder about my side project. I run a moderate political blog. Love for those who haven’t glanced at it to come take a look see. (And this serves as a good FYI for my new followers in the past few weeks.)

Also, a reminder that I’m looking for guest posters there, so if you have a good thought you want to share, let me know.

Here’s a recent post from just a while ago: This is really bad news for Republicans.

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please accept the greatest gift I can give, a book I believe to be worth $10,000.

P.P.S. Thanks to all who continue to make my novels a success. I seriously couldn’t have done it with everyone’s support. Please continue to talk about them, share links to them, and review them where you can. Oh, and don’t forget to follow my blog — you can do so by email up at the top right of the page.

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Filed under Stories about my life