"The Creative Process of Writing
is a Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"
www.virtualwritingcoach.com
June, 2009
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Book Review: Newt Gingrich's Real Change
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Writer's Connection explores the creative process
of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings,
and actions. We are an interactive community of authors
and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre,
but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips
for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing
information.
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton
and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript,
and are provided to the general public. Because we are
an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints
are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters
with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Publisher's Note
June, 2009
Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: A Book Review on Newt
Gingrich's
Real Change
3. Book Review: Newt Gingrich's Real Change
Whether you live in a blue or red state, Newt's 2008 book,
Real Change, will cause
you to think about red, white, and blue and a return to American values as first proposed
in the Declaration of Independence and later incorporated in the 1789 Articles of Federation.
Gingrich is perhaps the most widely read and educated politician that Washington has seen
in a long time. You may disagree with his politics but you must admit that he is intelligent,
cogent, and polished. He does not pontificate, need a teleprompter, or speech writer. His views
have been honed over the past forty years well before his election to the U.S. House of
Representatives from Georgia and his "Contract with America" and his subsequent election as
Speaker in 1994.
This is a must read for anyone interested in policy rather than politics, in platforms rather
than polemics, and in rational discourse rather than speculation and innuendo. Below is Newt's
platform for America.
- English should be the official language of the USA. The U.S. should only grant
citizenship to those who "want to embrace American values and culture". Our Founding
Fathers embraced Judeo-Christian values and support the Pledge of Allegiance without
omitting any reference to, "One Nation under God."
- Immigration, the Border, and Assimilation: America was founded by immigrants and
wishes to extend the same rights and privileges to those with special skills, H1B and H2B visas.
"There should be a worker visa program making it easier for people to work legally in the U.S."
The Constitution does not support illegal immigration and American employers who knowingly hire
illegal aliens should be prosecuted. Tamper-proof ID cards will be provided to those who wish to
enter our country from their home countries. The IRS should conduct audits of companies "who hire
illegal immigrants to determine if those companies have paid the taxes they owe".
- Science and Technology: We should provide incentives to math and science teachers and
give monetary rewards for patents and inventions that are friendly to green energy and the
environment. Tax credits should be given to homeowners and builders who use solar, wind, and
geothermal energy. We should drill offshore to lower our dependence on foreign oil.
- Taxes and Jobs: Eliminate the death tax, go with a flat tax of 17% for everyone, eliminate
loopholes for the rich, and eliminate the capital gains tax for small business.
- Social Security and Retirement: Let workers decide where to put their social security dollars.
They can buy annuities with benefits going to family members, besides the spouse only.
- Freedom of Religion: We reject the 9th Federal Circuit Court's ruling that the Pledge is
unconstitutional because of the phrase "under God". We reject the claim that the Pledge and School
Prayer violate the separation of church and state. We reject the denial of religious symbols on buildings,
documents, and landmarks. "The Founding Fathers understood that religion and morality were important...and
is central to America's success today."
- Defending America: We must be prepared against nuclear, biologic, or chemical attacks. Iran,
Hezbollah, and the Hamas are serious threats to the U.S. Any terrorist convicted of a terrorist attack
should face the death penalty.
Helpful Hints:
- Defend the position that America must open its doors to anyone willing to cross
borders whether they have a work visa or not. What part does American business play in
supporting non-worker programs?
- Over 70% of PEW respondents surveyed, support Gingrich's "Contract with America"
despite their political ideology. What does that say about centrists versus liberals
and conservatives?
- Scientific knowledge will increase seven-fold over the next 25 years. How will
this affect the American health consumer?
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Keith Barton, Ph.D.
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Fax:281-583-5008
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(c) Copyright 2009 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
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The Writer's Connection SM Mission:
The Writer's Connection
SM is dedicated to
helping first-time authors create their first manuscript
for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and
opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming
authors.
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About Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina,
consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded
and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing
group home services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality
