I read hundreds of books a year and while I always leave 5 stars I rarely leave reviews or reach out to authors. I wanted you to know how exemplary I find your book. It will be a classic!
Thanks very much. Your comment and review mean a lot to me–more than people think. I’m delighted you enjoyed Stormer’s Pass and hope you’ll consider giving another of my books a chance to entertain you.
I enjoyed reading “The Will”. It has motivated me to start my own type of list. My husband is asking about it so I wanted to give him the List of tasks. I jotted down “the list” but I am missing one. Is it printed anywhere?
Thanks for stopping by. I’m afraid I don’t have a printed list. I’m aware of other readers having compiled the list from the book, but I’m not in possession of any of them. I checked through the notes I kept when writing the book, but I couldn’t find the full list. If you’re missing an item, maybe you could substitute one from the speculated second list mentioned in the last chapter?
Thanks again, and all the best to you and yours going forward!
Thanks for dropping in, and thanks for reading “The Will”. I’m glad you liked it.
I understand you think “The Will” is “a copy” of a movie called “The Ultimate Gift,” but it most certainly is not. I have never seen that movie.
Here is the absolute truth.
I originally began writing “The Will” as a movie script in 1999. I finished it in 2001. Around 2002 I submitted it to a major movie script contest. The script made it to the quarterfinals. This is long before the above mentioned movie.
Shortly afterward, the script was optioned by some Hollywood folks. After years of back and forth, nothing happened. It was optioned twice more after that, but again nothing happened. At that point I decided to rewrite the movie as a novel. I self-published it, but it wasn’t until 2015 that I did a second edition and republished it on Amazon.
In short, The Will is 100% my own creation. I have all the drafts of all the scripts and books to prove it. I have the certificate that it placed in the contest’s quarterfinals. I also have all the correspondence with agents and movie directors dating back to 2002.
I hope this satisfies your concerns. Feel free to write me at laskin@mac.com if you have any further questions.
Thanks! Murphy’s world is a fun place to hang out, especially in difficult times. So glad you did!
I’d like to write a Murphy 4. I miss the guy. I’ll probably start it if or when the book reaches at least 20 reviews on Amazon. (I think it currently has 14.) As difficult as it is to get reviews these days, I don’t know when that might be. Meanwhile, I’m finishing up two other books that I hope to release this summer. I’m also well into another book to come out after those.
I really appreciate you stopping by and cheering Murphy on! It means a lot!
As a dog lover, I was also curious about the dogs and was hoping for more than just comic relief in The Will. I absolutely loved that novel and it gave me inspiration to start writing my poetry again. Thank you for such an engaging and fun few hours of reading. I had read Murphy’s Law a few years ago and didn’t realize that you were the author of that delightful book also. I will be reading more of your writing since I love your style and imagination. Thank you for writing!
Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m thrilled you enjoyed The Will.
As for the dogs, Groucho, Harpo, and Chico, you may be glad to know that they are back in The Will 2! Not only that, the poochies have more “screen time” in the sequel than in the first book.
The book isn’t finished yet, but I hope to get it out next year. It’s about two-thirds completed. (I’m working on two other books at the same time.) The Will 2 will be quite different from the first one (It takes place six years later), but most of the main characters return, and hopefully you’ll find the story equally engaging.
I’m glad you liked Murphy’s Luck, too. In case you don’t know, there is now a Murphy’s Luck 2 and a Murphy’s Luck 3. They are zany good fun.
Thanks again and all the very best to you in the coming year!
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for stopping by!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book, and thanks for picking up the next in the series! I hope you get a kick out of Murphy’s further adventures. Murphy’s world is a fun place to hang out. Feel free to email me to let me know how you liked it.
All the very best!
Benjamin
Benjamin, I did just now receive your reply and thank you so much for it. I immediately replied to your reply, if you did not receive it, please let me know. All the very best to you, and again, thank you.
Benjamin Laskin, How nice to be able to talk to you. I am writing because I love your books. I read Murphy’s Luck 1,2 &3 and I left reviews on Amazon, and because I want to thank you for the content of Coinworld am on book 3 and have 4 and 5 waiting. Subscribed to Amazon’s Unlimited Reading group I have chosen instead to buy your books for kindle to be able to keep them to read over and over again. I get the subtext, the power of the mind and will and synchronicity of the universe. I am finding in the books companions of students of the universe. Thank you so much for your help along our respective ways, yours included. Thank you. I know that sounds trippy but I am also using these books to help me move to the next best feeling following a baffling and heart rending break up. Allow me, please a little latitude in the woo woo department, thanks again for the help you offer to all who will hear in your books, a different flavor in ever series. Loving this.
Hi, Luanna,
Great to hear from you. Thanks so much. I’ve replied to your comments at the email address you provided. If you haven’t received it, please let me know!
All the very best to you, and thanks again!
Benjamin
Hi Mary,
Thanks very much for the kind words. Glad you hear you like Murphy. I’m pleased to think of the book sitting on your end table too! I hope you get an equally big kick out of Murphy 2. All the best! -Benjamin
I loved reading ‘The Will’. It is a very inspiring story. I do hope you can get the screenplay made! I was picturing many different actors in each role… I look forward to The Will 2 and your other books!
Hello Benjamin, I just finished reading 4 Cent Ned and immediately purchased book 2 of the series. I have read a few books that use inanimate objects as character such as the sci-fi classic Flatlanders, and another one by Tom Robbins that follows a paper bag and a spoon as they travel across the USA. Must be a difficult theme to write about, because there are so few books of this type out there.
I truly enjoyed you book, the paragraphs read like poetry with a certain rhythm that was an absolute joy to partake in. I do enjoy good rhythm in a well written novel. It’s almost like reading a song. Is this something that you work at achieving or does it just come naturally to you? I can’t wait to read some of your other books just to partake in your wonderfully written songs!
Hi Heidrun,
Thanks very much for the kind words. I’ve replied to your comments at the email address you provided. If you haven’t received it, please let me know.
Thanks!
Benjamin
Loved Murphy’s Luck.. The power of positivity, and the thought that we are going through life only half awake! Excited to start the coin series. Thanks!
Hi Janey!
Thanks for the hello, and for the review, too! I’m glad Murphy put a smile on your face, and I think 4¢ Ned might keep it there. 🙂 People who like Murphy’s Luck seem to also really like the upbeat and inspiring story that is The Will. Have a terrific summer, and thanks again!
Hi Benjamin, I was really pleasantly surprised by ‘The Will!’ At first I thought it was just another novel about a hedonistic self absorbed yuppie. It developed from there into something far more intriguing as Josh developed as a person! Great writing, & well done!
Graeme
Hi Graeme!
Thanks much for the kind words. I’m really glad you enjoyed the book! Josh starts as a bit of a jerk, but it is his transformation that makes the book a satisfying and fun read, I hope. Glad you thought so! All the best! – Benjamin
Hi, just finished Murphy’s Luck. Absolutely loved it and will definitely try another of your offerings in the near future. Refreshingly ridiculous and easy read.
Hi Barry,
Thanks! Glad you got a few chuckles from it. “Refreshingly ridiculous” – I like that! If you’re looking for more ridiculousness, you might give my new 4¢ Ned Coinworld series a read. Thanks very much for saying hello! – Benjamin
Hi Lola,
Thanks for reading Murphy’s Luck. I appreciate you gave one of my books a chance. Those who like Murphy’s Luck also tend to enjoy my novel “The Will” and my new series of books, “The Amazing Adventures of 4¢ Ned.”
All the very best, and thanks again! -Benjamin
Hi Linda,
Thanks very much. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I wish you calmer waters and smooth sailing ahead! (If you need a life preserver too, you might want to slip into my novel “The Will” as well 🙂 – All the best, Benjamin
I just finished Murphy’s Luck and thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me stop and THINK and just BE. I haven’t juggled yet but thinking about it. It is a fun book, keep up the good work.
Hi K. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate it. Thrilled you enjoyed the book! If you liked MURPHY’S LUCK, then I think you’d like THE WILL too. Thanks again and have a great week ahead! – Benjamin
I just finished reading “The Will”. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very pleased with how everything tied together at the end. I was left with one question. The dogs appearance and disappearances wasn’t explained. I would love to know what plot you had to their integration into his life. Everything else tied so nicely.
Thank you for sharing your imagination with us. It was a wonderful journey.
No one asked me that before, but it’s a great question. The dogs were for comic relief and worked in nicely with Maggie introducing him to the Marx Brothers. As you may recall, he named the dogs after them.
I considered having Josh adopt the dogs, but his little apartment was too small. Also, when the story ended, he was still unaware that he had earned the money. I like to think that after he marries Maggie, he would move to a house with a big yard for his “coaches” to run around in.
The dogs came from nowhere, but in a way, so did everyone who befriended Josh. In other words, once he committed to the list, the universe began to nudge people in his direction (see the Goethe/William H. Murray quote in the book: page 111-112). The dogs wandering into his life was just one of many synchronicities that began to manifest once Josh began to live in a more deliberate and life-affirming fashion.
I hope this helps!
Thanks again, and if you liked The Will, please check out my new novel, Murphy’s Luck. I think you’ll like that too. You’re always welcome to contact me at benjamin@benjaminlaskin.com
The Novels of Benjamin Laskin 
I read hundreds of books a year and while I always leave 5 stars I rarely leave reviews or reach out to authors. I wanted you to know how exemplary I find your book. It will be a classic!
Hi Gordon,
Thanks very much. Your comment and review mean a lot to me–more than people think. I’m delighted you enjoyed Stormer’s Pass and hope you’ll consider giving another of my books a chance to entertain you.
All the very best to you!
Benjamin
I enjoyed reading “The Will”. It has motivated me to start my own type of list. My husband is asking about it so I wanted to give him the List of tasks. I jotted down “the list” but I am missing one. Is it printed anywhere?
Hi Tresha,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m afraid I don’t have a printed list. I’m aware of other readers having compiled the list from the book, but I’m not in possession of any of them. I checked through the notes I kept when writing the book, but I couldn’t find the full list. If you’re missing an item, maybe you could substitute one from the speculated second list mentioned in the last chapter?
Thanks again, and all the best to you and yours going forward!
Benjamin
You should be proud of it and you should watch that movie because they completely used your work.
Thanks for your support. It means a lot to me!
Sorry, your book I was referring to is “The Will”
Hi Wanda,
Thanks for dropping in, and thanks for reading “The Will”. I’m glad you liked it.
I understand you think “The Will” is “a copy” of a movie called “The Ultimate Gift,” but it most certainly is not. I have never seen that movie.
Here is the absolute truth.
I originally began writing “The Will” as a movie script in 1999. I finished it in 2001. Around 2002 I submitted it to a major movie script contest. The script made it to the quarterfinals. This is long before the above mentioned movie.
Shortly afterward, the script was optioned by some Hollywood folks. After years of back and forth, nothing happened. It was optioned twice more after that, but again nothing happened. At that point I decided to rewrite the movie as a novel. I self-published it, but it wasn’t until 2015 that I did a second edition and republished it on Amazon.
In short, The Will is 100% my own creation. I have all the drafts of all the scripts and books to prove it. I have the certificate that it placed in the contest’s quarterfinals. I also have all the correspondence with agents and movie directors dating back to 2002.
I hope this satisfies your concerns. Feel free to write me at laskin@mac.com if you have any further questions.
All the very best,
Benjamin
I liked your book but it was a copy of “The Ultimate Gift”…a movie released in 2006.
I love everything about Murphy’s world. Please, please write more.
Hi Dawn!
Thanks! Murphy’s world is a fun place to hang out, especially in difficult times. So glad you did!
I’d like to write a Murphy 4. I miss the guy. I’ll probably start it if or when the book reaches at least 20 reviews on Amazon. (I think it currently has 14.) As difficult as it is to get reviews these days, I don’t know when that might be. Meanwhile, I’m finishing up two other books that I hope to release this summer. I’m also well into another book to come out after those.
I really appreciate you stopping by and cheering Murphy on! It means a lot!
Yours, Benjamin
As a dog lover, I was also curious about the dogs and was hoping for more than just comic relief in The Will. I absolutely loved that novel and it gave me inspiration to start writing my poetry again. Thank you for such an engaging and fun few hours of reading. I had read Murphy’s Law a few years ago and didn’t realize that you were the author of that delightful book also. I will be reading more of your writing since I love your style and imagination. Thank you for writing!
Hi Wendy,
Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m thrilled you enjoyed The Will.
As for the dogs, Groucho, Harpo, and Chico, you may be glad to know that they are back in The Will 2! Not only that, the poochies have more “screen time” in the sequel than in the first book.
The book isn’t finished yet, but I hope to get it out next year. It’s about two-thirds completed. (I’m working on two other books at the same time.) The Will 2 will be quite different from the first one (It takes place six years later), but most of the main characters return, and hopefully you’ll find the story equally engaging.
I’m glad you liked Murphy’s Luck, too. In case you don’t know, there is now a Murphy’s Luck 2 and a Murphy’s Luck 3. They are zany good fun.
Thanks again and all the very best to you in the coming year!
Yours,
Benjamin (laskin@mac.com)
I just read Murphy’s Luck and found it intriguing and charming. Thank you for such an enjoyable, well written story. I’m going to start book two now.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for stopping by!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book, and thanks for picking up the next in the series! I hope you get a kick out of Murphy’s further adventures. Murphy’s world is a fun place to hang out. Feel free to email me to let me know how you liked it.
All the very best!
Benjamin
Benjamin, I did just now receive your reply and thank you so much for it. I immediately replied to your reply, if you did not receive it, please let me know. All the very best to you, and again, thank you.
Benjamin Laskin, How nice to be able to talk to you. I am writing because I love your books. I read Murphy’s Luck 1,2 &3 and I left reviews on Amazon, and because I want to thank you for the content of Coinworld am on book 3 and have 4 and 5 waiting. Subscribed to Amazon’s Unlimited Reading group I have chosen instead to buy your books for kindle to be able to keep them to read over and over again. I get the subtext, the power of the mind and will and synchronicity of the universe. I am finding in the books companions of students of the universe. Thank you so much for your help along our respective ways, yours included. Thank you. I know that sounds trippy but I am also using these books to help me move to the next best feeling following a baffling and heart rending break up. Allow me, please a little latitude in the woo woo department, thanks again for the help you offer to all who will hear in your books, a different flavor in ever series. Loving this.
Hi, Luanna,
Great to hear from you. Thanks so much. I’ve replied to your comments at the email address you provided. If you haven’t received it, please let me know!
All the very best to you, and thanks again!
Benjamin
I enjoyed getting to know Murphy. I enjoyed reading a book that I didn’t have to be ashamed to leave sitting on an end table
Hi Mary,
Thanks very much for the kind words. Glad you hear you like Murphy. I’m pleased to think of the book sitting on your end table too! I hope you get an equally big kick out of Murphy 2. All the best! -Benjamin
I loved reading ‘The Will’. It is a very inspiring story. I do hope you can get the screenplay made! I was picturing many different actors in each role… I look forward to The Will 2 and your other books!
Hello Benjamin, I just finished reading 4 Cent Ned and immediately purchased book 2 of the series. I have read a few books that use inanimate objects as character such as the sci-fi classic Flatlanders, and another one by Tom Robbins that follows a paper bag and a spoon as they travel across the USA. Must be a difficult theme to write about, because there are so few books of this type out there.
I truly enjoyed you book, the paragraphs read like poetry with a certain rhythm that was an absolute joy to partake in. I do enjoy good rhythm in a well written novel. It’s almost like reading a song. Is this something that you work at achieving or does it just come naturally to you? I can’t wait to read some of your other books just to partake in your wonderfully written songs!
Peace,
Heidrun
Hi Heidrun,
Thanks very much for the kind words. I’ve replied to your comments at the email address you provided. If you haven’t received it, please let me know.
Thanks!
Benjamin
Loved Murphy’s Luck.. The power of positivity, and the thought that we are going through life only half awake! Excited to start the coin series. Thanks!
Hi Janey!
Thanks for the hello, and for the review, too! I’m glad Murphy put a smile on your face, and I think 4¢ Ned might keep it there. 🙂 People who like Murphy’s Luck seem to also really like the upbeat and inspiring story that is The Will. Have a terrific summer, and thanks again!
Hi Benjamin, I was really pleasantly surprised by ‘The Will!’ At first I thought it was just another novel about a hedonistic self absorbed yuppie. It developed from there into something far more intriguing as Josh developed as a person! Great writing, & well done!
Graeme
Hi Graeme!
Thanks much for the kind words. I’m really glad you enjoyed the book! Josh starts as a bit of a jerk, but it is his transformation that makes the book a satisfying and fun read, I hope. Glad you thought so! All the best! – Benjamin
Hi, just finished Murphy’s Luck. Absolutely loved it and will definitely try another of your offerings in the near future. Refreshingly ridiculous and easy read.
Hi Barry,
Thanks! Glad you got a few chuckles from it. “Refreshingly ridiculous” – I like that! If you’re looking for more ridiculousness, you might give my new 4¢ Ned Coinworld series a read. Thanks very much for saying hello! – Benjamin
I loved Murphy’s Luck. First time for me to read your books. I’ll be reading some more of yours. Thank you for this refreshing story.
Hi Lola,
Thanks for reading Murphy’s Luck. I appreciate you gave one of my books a chance. Those who like Murphy’s Luck also tend to enjoy my novel “The Will” and my new series of books, “The Amazing Adventures of 4¢ Ned.”
All the very best, and thanks again! -Benjamin
LDawley
I have read ‘Murphy’s Luck’ and it was a life raft in a sea of chaos. It has done my soul the world of good.
Hi Linda,
Thanks very much. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I wish you calmer waters and smooth sailing ahead! (If you need a life preserver too, you might want to slip into my novel “The Will” as well 🙂 – All the best, Benjamin
I just finished Murphy’s Luck and thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me stop and THINK and just BE. I haven’t juggled yet but thinking about it. It is a fun book, keep up the good work.
Hi K. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate it. Thrilled you enjoyed the book! If you liked MURPHY’S LUCK, then I think you’d like THE WILL too. Thanks again and have a great week ahead! – Benjamin
I just finished reading “The Will”. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very pleased with how everything tied together at the end. I was left with one question. The dogs appearance and disappearances wasn’t explained. I would love to know what plot you had to their integration into his life. Everything else tied so nicely.
Thank you for sharing your imagination with us. It was a wonderful journey.
Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
No one asked me that before, but it’s a great question. The dogs were for comic relief and worked in nicely with Maggie introducing him to the Marx Brothers. As you may recall, he named the dogs after them.
I considered having Josh adopt the dogs, but his little apartment was too small. Also, when the story ended, he was still unaware that he had earned the money. I like to think that after he marries Maggie, he would move to a house with a big yard for his “coaches” to run around in.
The dogs came from nowhere, but in a way, so did everyone who befriended Josh. In other words, once he committed to the list, the universe began to nudge people in his direction (see the Goethe/William H. Murray quote in the book: page 111-112). The dogs wandering into his life was just one of many synchronicities that began to manifest once Josh began to live in a more deliberate and life-affirming fashion.
I hope this helps!
Thanks again, and if you liked The Will, please check out my new novel, Murphy’s Luck. I think you’ll like that too. You’re always welcome to contact me at benjamin@benjaminlaskin.com
All the best!
Benjamin