Brian Michael Good is a self-made man. He has lived a life buffeted by
character-altering hurricanes. His life storms began in his trauma-filled
childhood within his dysfunctional family.
He survived childhood verbal, physical, and sexual abuse; the death of
two siblings; the stigma of being homeless - not once, but three times; two
bankruptcies; a six-pound cancer that was doubling every two months; a
near-fatal suicide attempt in 2003; the death of his best friend; three
divorces; and the rejection of his only daughter. How can
one man encounter so many hurricanes, survive them, learn from them, and then
strive to make the world a better place? This was the question Brian asked
himself that led to “Never Surrender Your Soul.”
DO: How are
you? Thank you for joining us today on Authors’ Curtilage Book Dialogue.
BMG: It’s
great to have the opportunity to be here to talk about my book,“Never Surrender
Your Soul.”
D.O: Your
publicist told me that you are on a book tour.How has it been so far?
BMG: This is my
first book tour. It is fresh, new, and exciting for me.
D.O: Oh, you are welcome to the club. When
did you know you wanted to become a writer?
BMG:
After graduating college, I never expected to write a book,since I had failed
my writing proficiency exam twice before passing it on the third attempt, which
was a requirement to receiving my Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and
Economics. I
decided to become a writer so that I could help others. With “Never Surrender
Your Soul” I aim to reach out to anyone who is down, sad, hopeless, in pain, or
thinks life is no longer worth living. I want them to know that they are not
alone in their experiences. I feel that what I learned from my own personal
experiences can give people hope.
D.O: Actually if we face the truth, in life there will always be the time when fate is not favorable. And there will always be the time of swarming joy if we don't surrender to defeat during test. You have a good goal Brian. What
are the various crafts you’ve studied before you came into the publishing
industry, or do you simply possess a natural tendency to write?
BMG: In 1994,
I became an entrepreneur when I opened my own job recruiting company. During my
thirteen years as a recruiter, I wrote over a thousand resumes. I learned to
write by the rote method. As my writing began to develop a style of its own, I
studied proper sentence structure on the web. In 2008, I started writing a
journal with the intention of publishing a book.Without the help of others, I
never would have published my book. No human is an island if they want to be
successful.
D.O: Hmm. You are correct on that. What
are the steps you took to develop your book from a rough draft into a published
book?
BMG: Helga
Holscher, who I met in 2008 and who reviewed my journal in early 2009, gave me
much needed encouragement. Stacie Morgan, even though she was working on her
novel in the research stage, reviewed my writings and gave me suggestions that
helped me to begin to pull together some initial ideas that proved helpful in
the creation of the book’s vision in 2010. Three different women assisted me in
the editing process during various stages.
D.O: No, is island. [SMILES] What
did you do in your book to inspire readers?
BMG: “Never Surrender Your Soul”is a heartfelt
and deeply thought through book that provides positive encouragement. In it, I
share my personal experiences, which can help others to know who they want to be.It
also helps people to understand why they are who they are.There are many chapters
in life in which a person must learn from to reach a better existence. If a
person is spiritual, the suffering they experience in life is only part of the
lesson. The most important part is to overcome the challenges faced. A person
must examine their flaws and try to fix them. Then, in the next chapter of their
life, they will live a better existence, one with compassion and tolerance for
others.
D.O: That's quite inspiring Brian. I'm touched. What
sensitive material does your book discuss?
BMG: Corporal
punishment is one sensitive topic that I explore in my book. I share how my
childhood was filled with tension, excessive discipline,and yelling – at home
and at grammar school – and how it instilled fear in me. I share how it
traumatized me and how it contributed to a lower self-esteem and academic
performance during my formative developmental years. I also share how years
later I attempted death by suicide. Sharing my lowest moments with others in my
book helps others to not feel alone in their struggles and to have the courage
to change their life.
D.O: What’s the subject matter of your book?
BMG: “Never Surrender Your
Soul” speaks of finding your destiny, spirituality, God, and religious texts.
It discusses reincarnation, health, family, parenting, work, and life
struggles, and deciphers the truth about these personal/spiritual-growth
subjects.
D.O: What is
the underlying theme that explores truth or moral in your book?
BMG: To
illustrate this, I’d like to share an excerpt from a review submitted by JD on
February 26, 2015:
“I would
definitely recommend this [book] to anyone wanting to make changes in their
lives or if they have children that are feeling lost. I think this book can
help others not only learn about religions and spirituality, but to open the door
to learning about oneself.”
D.O: Having
a unique point of view in a book provides the book with intention. From which
viewpoint is your book written?
BMG: My book
is written from my perceptive. I share my own experiences and knowledge to help
people who are struggling in life.
D.O: What do
you want most in the world – for yourself and others?
PEARLS OF SPIRITUALITY
Have
tolerance and respect towards others and their culture.
No one
should resolutely affect your pursuit of the truth.
Avoid
judgment of ethnic, racial, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religious
differences in society.
Do not
attempt to control anyone’s free will.
Avoid
gossip, bullying, rumors, hearsay, hazing, harassment, shaming, shunning, and
slurs.
Forgiving
others sets us free. Leave any vengeance to Weshemehe [my word for “God”].
Trust that Weshemehe will judge all of us.
Do not steal
anything in any way.
Integrity
and honor should be part of every fabric of your beliefs.
Do not kill
emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually.
Trust and
loyalty should define your relationships.
Value the
passion you have for your life’s work more than you value material gain.
Have
kindness, compassion, and empathy towards others and the natural environment.
D.O: Thanks for
sharing that precious counsel with us. What do you do to achieve your goal of
helping others?
BMG: I share my
experiences and life challenges I have faced, and I ask the reader to address
their own personal issues.I hope that by reading my book readers will be
encouraged to overcome difficult times in their life.
D.O: What
are your core truths?
BMG: I
believe that being able to deal with life’s sudden changes makes you a survivor,
which defines your human spirit and soul. What is most important in life are your
beliefs, since they have everything to do with how you live. By learning from your
experiences, you will be able to have peace in your life.
D.O: Do these
values make sense from your backstory?
BMG: Yes.
People need to find their own destiny, as I have found mine.
“Find a
purpose for your life and you will do extraordinary things. You are in the center
of your happiness when you pursue your passion. When you pursue your passion,
you are the master of your environment. When you are the master of your
environment, you often meet your destiny.”
D.O: What is
the main message that you offer your readers?
BMG: “Fear not. Never look back, never give
up, never stop trying, never quit, not even a bit.”I want my readers to know: No one can defeat
you. You can only defeat yourself.
D.O: How do
you think your book positively influences your readers’ growth?
BMG: “Never
Surrender Your Soul” is a very positive book that initiates change in others.I would
like to share a pearl of wisdom from my
book that seeks to motivate my readers to make changes in their life:
“Life’s
experiences are not woven with a constant thread; life in our world is
constantly changing. We must re-purpose what we have endured and the lessons we
have learned, creating a renewed sense of hope. Life is what it is. The
question is: What are you willing to do to change your life?”– Brian Michael
Good
D.O: Any
hint about your next book?
BMG: I
recently decided that the second book I will publish will be about organic and
natural skincare. As an eCommerce entrepreneur, I have sold organic and natural
skincare for 14 years and have earned excellent testimonials during this time.
I have written many articles from my expertise and I placed these on my
website. I have more than enough material for a book.
D.O: [SMILES] I can't to have you back on Authors' Curtilage.
BMG: I can't wait to be back here. Thank you.
D.O: What do
you suggest to writers to have great sales in the ever-changing economics of
the publishing industry?
BMG: Write a
book for the right reasons, purpose, and for your enjoyment. I wrote “Never
Surrender Your Soul” to help other people. I found out after the book was
published that in writing it I had saved myself.
As far as
book sales, bear in mind that most books make three hundred dollars of sales a
year and twenty-five percent of writers earn seventy-five percent of the sales.
D.O: It's been rewarding chatting with you. Thank
you once again for joining us on Authors’ Curtilage Book Dialogue. May your
work obtain you fame, fortune, and honor. It deserve it. I wish you continued
inspiration, ideas, and all that is good.
BMG: It has been
a pleasure to connect with your readers at Authors’ Curtilage. I hope that what
I shared today will encourage your readers
to allow “Never Surrender Your Soul”to be their guide to helping themselves,
embrace positive thinking, live a happier life, and find their destiny.
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Big Bang Publishing
Publication Date: December 29, 2014
Genre: Self-Help/Spiritual/Memoir
Formats: Paperback,
Kindle
Print Length: 104 pages
Paperback Price: $8.00
Kindle Price: $2.99
PICK UP YOUR COPY OF "Never Surrender Your Soul"
