Sources: It’s a kind of magic
http://www.inspiringvideo.wordpress.com
and
http://www.creativekiwis.wordpress.com
PS
“Life is God’s novel; so let Ultimate Source write it, as it unfolds…”
– me (as inspired by the words of Isaac Bashevis Singer)
from www.craigsquotes.wordpresscom
and www.lifeisgodsnovel.wordpress.com
picture from http://www.lifeisgodsnovel.wordpress.com
Shared by “totally unmusical” c
My first books: Phase I and II (old from 1993)
Book One
An Open Book: My Story, My “little” Life
Also now available in paperback at http://www.amazon.com/Open-Book-little-Normal-Anyway/dp/1494903938
“If you don’t risk everything, you risk even more.”
– Erica Jong in her book ‘Fear of Flying’
from Here, There and Everywhere 
http://www.amazon.com/Here-There-Everywhere-Craig-Lock-ebook/dp/B005GVDCLM
“I’m gonna write till I drop!”
For a bit of “wacky” humour click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogPZ5CY9KoM
Monty Python on novel writing
“Watching children grow
is like threatening the ivy
to climb the garden wall.
You wait for it to happen
you hurry it along with love.
But still you’re disappointed
at giving someone life enough
to walk off on your own
and not be carried in your arms.
You never turn your back – not once,
and yet one day they’ve grown apart
or taller.
It’s all the same.
Polly put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea.
Giving love to children
has made us older overnight.
– Rod McKune
Dedicated to my dear family. “I love you in the very special way that I’ve written about in these pages.”
DIARY OF A ROLLING STONE
and HOW I HAVE JUST THROWN A DOUBLE SIX TO START A NEW STABLE LIFE.
I don’t know why “the hell” I am writing this story of my life; because probably nobody will believe it, but my friends (who are a motley collection of out of the ordinary crazy individuals, as opposed to my dear wife’s rather “straight-laced” friends) have suggested that this account of my life could be a hilarious best seller. We shall see (“dream on, sonny boy”!
*
I am writing these first words on a Jumbo jet bound for New Zealand… and who knows what! I am a 39 year old male, who has been working in Cape Town as the Life Manager of a dynamic insurance brokerage, marking time to join my wife, Marie and twin sons, Gareth and Sean in New Zealand. They have gone there 6 weeks ago on our second immigration to NZ (4th actually in 4 years…so we have had plenty of practice runs). We are going there for a dull stable life of bottling jams, pickling bums, er sorry buns and especially picking noses and endless cups of tea (as my dear mother says, all Kiwis do that – pick their noses, except for “straight” Round Tablers and Rotarians, who don’t do it at functions!). So I guess I’ll have to learn how to pick my nose to be accepted In “Godzone”*. Please excuse my dear “crazy” wife (must have got the “bug” from your author, but indeed she has a heart of gold.
RIP our chaotic crazy existence so far.
* little joke interlude
Question: “Do you pick your nose?”
Answer: “If I were you, I would have picked a better one!”
*
I think that I have always been a bit different to the “normal run of the mill sort of person”; so let’s start at the beginning and maybe we can understand why my life has been waylaid (and I have been laid) by many tributaries off the beaten track.
I am now starting this account of my life on an aeroplane heading for the other side of the planet: the idyllic South Pacific islands of New Zealand to rejoin my family there and a new future. What will happen to me and my family there? We shall see…
October 1989…high up in the sky
*
Though I don’t know why the story of my “insignificant little life” should be so interesting as to have written a book about it. However, my dear wife, Marie said that it may be fascinating and inspirational to others! She also said it might HELP other people having a battle in the “game of life”.
I really don’t know about all that. I think I’m really quite an “ordinary bloke”. Anyway, whatever the “boss” says, gets done. So here is my “little” story, true “ekse”…
Table of Contents
DIARY OF A ROLLING STONE
DEDICATION:
INTRODUCTION:
SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS:
NEXT THING and THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT TO DO WITH
MY LIFE?
THE MIDDLE YEARS EARNING A LIVING AND THE FIRST
STIRRINGS OF MY POLITICAL CONSCIENCE
THE GREATEST EVENT OF MY LIFE and
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES
Also THE BIRTH OF MY
POLITICISATION
“MY POLITICAL AWAKENING”
CHAPTER: THE WRITER IS BORN.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
SCAM – “A PACK FULL OF LIES”
THE FINAL WORD:
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” (including An Open Book and Here, There and Everywhere in e-book format as well as paperback are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children –
MINE!
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
it’s already tomorrow in “little scenic and tranquil” New Zealand
If you want to follow the “long writing journey”, click on https://craigswritingjourney.wordpress.com/
http://sawriter.wordpress.com and www.craiglockbooks.wordpress.com
BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS BY CRAIG LOCK
Dream on.”sonny boy”!
from
https://craigsbooklist.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/craigs-list-of-books/
http://kiwiswhodaredtodream.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/craigs-books/
Tags: Authors, Craig Lock, Books: Hard copies and e-books:fiction and non-fiction
* Hard copies and e-books: Fiction and non-fiction books, self help, novels on South Africa, “faction”, travel, humour, inspiration, words of encouragement and empowerment, motor racing, Formula 1, Grand Prix drivers
I’ve been writing about my passions since 1993.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
from
https://craigsbooklist.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/craigs-list-of-books/
1. HANDBOOK FOR SURVIVAL IN THE NINETIES
(now retitled and updated: ‘How to Survive The New Millennium’)
This is Craig’s first book: A collection of writings on various subjects to help every man or woman survive in a rapidly changing, uncertain world… after the “easy living and prosperity” of the seventies and eighties. An introductory look at the concepts of success, motivation, attitude, goal setting and stress
2. THE END OF THE LINE
This is Craig Lock’s first novel. A short novel set in “the beloved country”. A passionate and heart-breaking tale of South Africa, a true story of the bad old days, but with the hope of the new. THE END OF THE LINE “The End Of The Line” could be described as a “faction”, a fiction with a serious factual grounding. It is simple, and therefore moving. It gives yet another highly individual portrait of that troubled land, and it does so through a believable and sustained narrative form.”
3. HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE
Craig Lock is an extensive world traveller and failed professional emigrater who has spent most of his life’s savings on airfares. He is still ‘sliding down the razor blade of life’, stuck on a deserted (other than a few brilliant rugby players) island at the bottom of the world near Antarctica, where he is ‘trying to throw a double six’ to get off and go out into the real world – but he doesn’t know where!
In the style of Bill Bryson, HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE tells tales of his hilarious hair-raising adventures in his younger years through ‘Grate’ Britain and the Continent
4. THE MAD MONEY BOOK
An introductory guide to make the most of your hard-earned money. This work covers the basics of good money management to helping guide the more serious (and sophistocated) investor.
5.. HOW TO MAKE A MILLION
(even if its only Italian lire!)
We’ll see whether the principles DO work, or whether he’s merely dreaming!
6. DROPPED OUT IN GODZONE
Craig Lock’s humorous travel book about his adventures in provincial New Zealand…
One man and his family – and their experiences “Down Under”.
A new immigrant’s impressions of life in provincial New Zealand (after coming from a large city in South Africa) … and there were one or two rather funny adventures, nay escapades in “Sleepy Hollow” from time to time.
The author and his wife contrast life in colourful, vibrant South Africa with calm and kindly New Zealand – and with large dashes of humour offer much understanding of, and sympathy with the social attitudes of the two worlds.
*
REVIEW:
“DROPPED OUT IN GODZONE is an original and agreeable piece of work. The picture it gives of New Zealand- to one who has never been there- has a ring of complete authenticity. The feeling of the country is relaxed, and perhaps rather unstimulating, but we get an overall impression from the writer that he views his time there with some affection, and above all with tolerance.”
This book breathes a natural humour and kindliness, which is what gives it the individual character that is so appealing.
Autobiography has a particular value as a literary form. It is a shared kind of writing and I’ll continue to bang the drum. It is unusual to encounter two such different manuscripts from the same author. Both (THE END OF THE LINE is the other book) have quality and share an easy and assured writing style that is a pleasure to read. These short books are of first rate quality.”
7. THE NEW RAINBOW
A tale of the many colourful and diverse people in the rainbow nation of New South Africans
8. # SA sportbook: MY LIFELONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH SPORT
A tale of my intense passion for all sports throughout my life.
9. THE WINNING MIND
A look at the psychology of sport, the ‘arm-chair’ author’s great passion. This manuscript goes into more depth, from the amateur sports-person to the professional. How to master ones mind, the “top two inches”
10. STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS
A humorous and “mad” look at how to make the most of yourself.
How to utilize your most probably unfulfilled potential to the fullest…
as well as finding the “crazy” bits in you.
The “secrets” by someone who thinks he has now found them – by “throwing a double six”, at long last – after many, many years of “sliding down the razor blade of life”. Also after having had many detours and come to numerous ‘cul-de-sacs’ (dead ends) along the long and windy road that is life. Up hill and down dale, no rather up mountain and down valley – that is the story of my life.
Written for the ordinary “bloke” or woman in the street
11. ‘QUOTE, UNQUOTE’
A collection of inspirational thoughts that inspired Craig early in his writing “career”
Uplifting thoughts on success, business, sport… and life.
12.. HOW TO WRITE A BOOK AND GET PUBLISHED
(ALL THAT I KNOW ABOUT WRITING!)
Get Cracking and get your book written, completed and published now! We offer the complete package of helping you write that book within you and to get it published. At the end of the book you will have a published book, if you have a manuscript ready to go!
13. I’LL DO IT MY WAY (An Autobiography)
Childhood in South Africa, South African Politics and Apartheid and our new life in New Zealand
MY STORY: Just the real story of my life.
As my dear mother once said, “I’ve been riding the rapids of life in all my years”; so now its rather nice to be becalmed here in these calm waters. Yes, here in the haven and at the same time, the harbour of “Sleepy Hollow”, we are sheltered from the storms of life. And this is the reason why I have been able to write so prolifically. Something that I like very much
and a craft that gives me great satisfaction.
Though I don’t know why the story of my “insignificant little life” should
be so interesting as to have written a book about it. However, my dear wife, M said that it may be fascinating and inspirational to others! She also said it might HELP other people having a battle in the “game of life”. I really don’t know about all that. I think I’m really quite an “ordinary bloke”. Anyway, whatever the “boss” says, gets done. So here is my story…
14. OVER THE RAINBOW
A look at the many colourful peoples, who make up this diverse and vibrant society, as seen through the eyes of a newspaper reporter. Many colourful “vignettes” in this “land of great contrasts” – happy, sad and true, that was the fabric of South African life in the lead up to the historic Democratic Election of 1994. We live in a very complex country of great disparities and extremes, especially in wealth and in living standards. A land of great contradictions: a land of sunshine, a world in one country, a land of laughter in this strange and beautiful place. Much of the laughter from the very people, who have suffered the most and felt the most pain in this strange tormented place of ours. Yes, there is that sadness in the eyes of them too. So to put it simply, South Africa is just one happy, sad land…and I hope that the lives of ALL South Africans will become better in the sunny days ahead.
15. ANGOLAN DAWN
The story of a nation’s agony and hope
A true tale of an Angolan migrant miner who goes to ‘e’Goli’, the big city of gold in South Africa.
Also a realistic portrayal of the Angolan conflict in “darkest Africa” through the eyes of a hospital orderly.
A moving and realistic novel about the evil and destructiveness of war, as well as the inherent goodness within every human spirit.
Angolan Dawn is available at: http://www.creativekiwis.com/angolandawn.html and http://www.lulu.com/craiglock
*
16. “RETURN OF THE CHICKEN-RUNNERS/CHICKENS”
FROM “ROOINEK TO “ZOLJOLLER”???
– Bernoldus Niemand, from the Boer reggae song, ‘Reggae Vibes is Cool’.
A ‘rather wacky’ (“bedonderde mal” and nostalgic look and what I miss about SA life living ‘in exile’ on the other side of the planet… as a new democratic South Africa is being born.
*
BACK COVER
First part of story written from perspective of a rather straight white South African, who emigrates, meets with some sort of accident, loses his memory and later returns home with a very liberal and radically changed outlook. Becomes friendly with several Africans in the New SA, goes partying with a group of them, gets “blotto”, dreams he’s an African…story of his adventures in dreamland.
* *
17. “A DUMMIES GUIDE TO SELF HELP AND PSYCHIATRY”
HOW TO PROSPER AND BE HAPPY IN THIS NEW MILLENNIUM:
BY CONQUERING STRESS AND NERVOUS TENSION.
DEPRESSION/STRESS
# How to Conquer Stress and Nervous Tension
18. A NEW DAWN
The book, the story, the “epic” “I was called and born to write”
and “my life’s work”. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially LOVE for the world and inspired by what I simply term God, the Creative Source of Life itself. That is my legacy to my beloved family…and the world.
from
https://craigsbooklist.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/craigs-list-of-books/
MANY many more BOOKS written and published since then (see below#)
19. Craig is presently working on his latest novel ‘The Awakened Spirit’, based on some true and inspiring stories of the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us. Stories of ‘endless possibilities, far and great horizons’.
He firmly believes in the motto: “Find what you love doing, then you will never have to do a days work in your life.” Craig is certain he has found his niche in life… anyway, what other job would be suitable for him?
# The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk (and/or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock)
https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=%22craig+lock%22&sitesearch_type=STORE (paperbacks)
and http://www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books
* Hard copies and e-books: Fiction and non-fiction books, self help, novels on South Africa, “faction”, travel, humour, inspiration, words of encouragement and empowerment, motor racing, Formula 1, Grand Prix drivers
Tags (key words): books Craig Lock, hard copies and e-books, fiction and non-fiction
PPS
“Together, one mind, one life (one small step at a time), let’s see how many people (and lives) we can encourage, impact, empower, enrich, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials…and strive for and perhaps one sunny day even achieve their wildest dreams.”
“All our dreams can come true…if we have the desire (burning), courage, passion, persistence and patience* to pursue them…long enough.”
-c
* the “three pees”
from www.craigsquotes.wordpress.com and http://www.awritersdreams.wordpress.com
BooKs by cRaig loCk 
You must be logged in to post a comment.