Friday, July 29, 2011

Scientology book author reveals church's inner workings

(TheWrap.com) - Scientology operates more as a business than as a church, relying on techniques perfected by car salesmen to attract new members and celebrities to its rolls.

That's just one of the takeaways from Janet Reitman's controversial book about the world's most controversial and secretive religion. "Inside Scientology" chronicles L. Ron Hubbard's creation of Scientology six decades ago and traces its development into the faith of choice for movie stars such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise.

In an interview with TheWrap, Reitman, a Rolling Stone contributing editor, addressed blackmail rumors and talked about why Kabbalah may represent a bigger threat to it than any "South Park" parody.

Q: Is Scientology still a big religion in celebrity circles?
Reitman: I totally think that celebrity Scientologists are hesitant to be public about it these days, but I don't think they've ever had as many celebrities as people think. There are really very few. Cruise is a big celebrity. Travolta is a long-time celebrity. Jenna Elfman had a TV show, but most of these people aren't huge celebrities. Kabbalah has gotten the superstars. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Madonna -- those are big stars.

Q: How effective has Cruise been as the public face of Scientology?
A: I don't believe he's been an effective face in terms of getting new members, but he's been very effective in terms of getting the existing members excited. There was a specific strategy in place to make Cruise into the model Scientologist. It was a promotional strategy and it's been good and bad.
Existing members are not necessarily aware of how the church is perceived. They are told they should not read newspapers, they would not have watched the "South Park" episode that makes fun of them, and they would not have read the magazine article that became the basis for my book. So from their viewpoint, Cruise's behavior would be perceived completely differently than what we see. It would have made them really excited to see him jumping on Oprah's couch.

Q: There are all these rumors that celebrities like Cruise remain Scientologists because the church knows all their secrets and they fear blackmail. Any truth to that?
A: I didn't go into that too much in my book, but it seems obvious. They have the goods on everybody. A great part of the Scientology experience is the confession that happens in the auditing experience. You are constantly being asked to write up your transgressions, maybe even your unspoken transgressions. They know everything about you. They would know everything about Cruise in the same way that they would know everything about me if I were a member.

Q: How is the celebrity experience different than that of average Scientologists?
A: Basically to ensure that they have a happy experience, are shielded from anything negative. They have church appointed minders who guide them through the process. They have no idea the level of control they're under. If Scientology is a parallel universe than this is really a parallel universe.
There's been a celebrity strategy since the mid-'80s. They are seen as cash cows, as these amazing emotional tools. It's very savvy what's going on, so it's not surprising that celebrities are treated in a wonderful way, a way that's very different than an average member. They are often looked at as more important than the clergy. You have these people who have been serving the church for 35 years who have to salute Tom Cruise and call him sir.

Q: Why do you think Scientology remains so controversial?
A: I think it has to do with its history of secrecy and also its history of litigiousness. I do think that's changed slightly. In so many ways it tries to not be so secretive anymore. It tries to be less aggressive than it was in the past. You don't see them filing those giant lawsuits any longer. I think it's a residual effect. They pled guilt to conspiracy once. They conducted a domestic espionage operation. And you have all these people who left the church coming out about their experience.

Q: What shocked you the most about Scientology?
A: I didn't expect to find out how much of a business they were. They are almost like a multi-level marketing firm. They have a very shrewd marketing sense. They are drilled on how to sell. They use a book written by a car salesman that talks about sure-fire sales techniques and it shows you how to close the deal. It's an essential part of their training.


*This ladies and gentlemen is very interesting, as scientology is huge with celebrities. However, when it comes to "true" religion, I think we all know where "we" stand.*

Friday, July 22, 2011

Book Talk: Baldacci turns to family drama in new book

(Reuters) - Best-selling author David Baldacci is known for penning page-turners such as "The Simple Truth," "Split Second" and "The Sixth Man," in which he guides readers through mysteries at the highest levels of power.

His latest novel, "One Summer," is a family drama, a genre Baldacci explored in short stories before his debut novel "Absolute Power" made him a star in 1996.

One Summer

















"One Summer" follows Jack Armstrong, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, as he tries to keep his family together following the sudden death of his wife and his own life-threatening battle with a mysterious illness.

Baldacci spoke with Reuters about the stylistic departure.

Q: How did you get the idea for this book?
A: "I was at church for my son's confirmation, and I'd gotten there early because my wife had asked me to save some seats for friends and family, so I had some time to think. I had a lot of things going on with my family at the time. My dad had passed away a year earlier. My mom was ill. My daughter was getting ready to head off to college. And I was thinking about my mortality, and this story hit me and unspooled before me -- the premise, the plot, the theme. I had to write it, and spent the next three months doing just that."

Q: "One Summer" is much different than the thrillers for which you're known. What types of challenges did you face in writing the book?
A: "In some ways it was liberating. I didn't have to lay out a lot of red herrings and clues. I could delve more deeply into the characters. Obviously, it's a different sort of genre. But those sorts of stories were what I started with. I wrote short stories for 10 years before I became a thriller writer, and their themes were more like the themes explored in 'One Summer.'"

Q: When do you know you have an idea worthy of a book?
A: "Usually, I rattle it around my head for a month. Earlier in my career I'd get an idea and say 'Great!' But when I'd start the next book I'd realize I didn't have enough material to justify a novel. As I'm thinking about the book, I need to layer the story to have plot and sub-plot, and then I have to think about the characters that could inhabit the story. And if all of that passes my litmus test, which is a feeling, an instinct in which I know I have enough material, I sit down and write it."

Q: What is it you hope readers feel when finished reading your books?
A: "Well, first of all, I hope they find it was an entertaining story that kept them engrossed as they went through the story with the characters. And I hope, with my thrillers especially, that they feel a little bit smarter than they were before they read the book. So if they feel smarter and feel like they've lived the story with the characters then I feel I've met all my goals as a writer."

Q: You're prolific. How often do you write?
A: "While I love to write, I don't write every day, because for me it's a waste of time. Some writers stare at the page or screen until it comes. For me, that means I haven't thought the story through enough. I don't have an official word count that I work with. Some days I'll write 100 words, and some days I'll write 5,000 words."

Q: Will novels survive?
A: "Oh, absolutely. The world is a story and people have been engaged by stories forever. That's how families swapped tales of each other. I think if books go away then humanity goes away, and I don't think anyone wants that."

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

C.J CALETT IS BACK WITH MORE BITCHITUDE!

Bestselling author C.J. Calett just released another book in the bitchitude series for the fat girls.  (fatitude)

However, we hear another version  for the "fat girls" is only dedicated to the fat girls. So watch out BBW C.J. is dedicating one solely to you. (fattitude)

Look out for "BEWARE OF MY "Fat Ass" BITCHITUDE: It's All About The Fatitude." and "BEWARE OF MY "Fat Ass" BITCHITUDE: It's All About The Fattitude."


Get them today at amazon.
















xoxo$^$
Literary Barbie

Monday, July 4, 2011

HAPPY "LITERARY 4TH" OF JULY!

We hope everyone has a fabulous 4th of July with love and fun!

It's about celebrating family, people, and honor.

Be safe.














xoxo$^$
Literary Barbie