New And Pretty Excited To Be Here. Your Help Is Needed!

MikeBodak

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My name is Mike Bodak. A few years ago. I had a stroke and three brain surgeries. At 47 years old I live in Southern California.

I barely survived. My third (and hopefully final) brain surgery had a 5 percent chance of survival. A subdural hematoma.

So as I recovered, I joined the traumatic brain injury crowd. You don't want to be there.

But as I made it through some very black days, I pushed myself to read again. It hurt my head. As I began to write I noticed more and more people failing around me. Failing to get better.

Others around me in the TBI world failed to make it. Suicides are not uncommon. All this chronic pain, you just want relief. Which you largely cannot have.

I got new glasses, anything to just keep trying.

And then I began to write. I always wanted to write. So I started and did it.


I hope your still with me.

It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I did it. I sent both my books to copyright.

One is a non fiction anything but basic autobiography about me.

While writing this non fiction book I found I had to write some horror fiction. But I was determined not to let the two mix. I wanted my fiction separate.

So I wrote a short horror collection too.

I have been reading others fantastic works my entire life.

So I am living through both a nightmare and something else. Both painful and wonderful.

I am being candid because I think I am in the right place now.

I need your help. I think I need an Agent.

I need some help on that front. Please. My responses to what I have written is beyond my highest expectations.

Both books have been sent to copyright. Even though my nausea is a level ten every day except when I sleep I was able to write these things.

I think I need an agent but I may just need a really good mentor. Or more than one. Both probably.

Again I think I'm in the right place now. Or the best place. This forum...

Excited To Be Here and Your Help Is Needed!

Also, I have no filter for the most part.
 

Maryn

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Welcome to you, Mike. I'm so sorry you've been through so much and hope your writing has given you both a distraction and a purpose.

There are many threads here at Absolute Write about how to get an agent. They're on this board: https://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?58-Ask-the-Agent It's smart to read what's already been said, then ask questions if it's not clear to you what the next step is.

But in the meantime, it's our pleasure to meet you.

Maryn, glad you're here
 

regdog

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:welcome:


Take some time and read the Newbie Guide and the Stickies found
at the top of Forum pages. They are your best guide to learning about
Absolute Write.


Stop by the Weekend Progress Report each week to brag about your weekly writing accomplishments.
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In fact we have lots of brilliant FAQs check them out.




Members who want to start a thread in Share Your Work to have work critiqued need
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Try stopping by Writing Exercises, Prompts & Whimsical Pursuits and give the Flash Fiction Challenge a try.
 

Ari Meermans

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Hi, Mike,

I'm so sorry for everything you've been through; you seem to have a triumphant spirit and it's good to know you're still here among us. We welcome you to the Absolute Write forums. Please let us know whenever you need help as you work toward your writing goals.

Ari
 

Denevius

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Sorry to hear about your daily battle with illness.

Hope you find what you’re looking for here, Mike Bodak. Welcome to AW!
 

MikeBodak

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Thank you everyone. I am going to absorb everything you have mentioned.

I started another horror collection I found that Halloween is very motivating.

I need to remember to savor the journey.

The no filter part, it is something I have to deal with, but I am learning more and more how to deal with it. It is a traumatic brain injury side effect.

But. You will not catch me being inappropriate here or anywhere.

Thank you again for the tips. I can tell this is a great place!
 
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Chiara Nova

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Hi Mike, so sorry to hear all that you've had to go through. I hope that the future will hold better things.

I think it's great that you persisted in writing and I hope that you will find the things you're looking for here :)
Welcome!