A week into the New Year brought a defining moment; a moment charged by unresolved conflict and wounded pride buried in my psychic underground. This unexpected occurrence, motivated by an historical political drama, would be an opportunity if not for revenge then for some professional vindication. The memorable sequence started with an email from a known Washington, DC media attorney and literary agent. She had seen The Washington Post, Style Section piece during the height of the post presidential election uncertainty. The bold headline: "Stress Doc to Bush and Gore: Face Facts, Chill Out." Another distinctive feature was the accompanying triptych of a scowling Gore and Bush (with bandaged boil) along with a smiling pic of yours truly, wearing Blues Brothers hat, and sunglasses pushed down on my nose, with mischievous eyes peering out. (To see my original photo, click on Stress Doc Bio link in left ladder index; see "Cool Mode" pic.)

Anyway, back to this momentous morality tale. Ms. Double AA (Attorney/Agent) had also checked out my website and in the email commented on my varied endeavors. Asking if I had thought about having a book published, she proceeded to list several of her authors appearing on The New York Times best-seller’s list. Health and psychology are two of her strong suits.

Of course, Ms. AA does not know that, Athena willing (the Greek Goddess of creativity), my inaugural book, Practice Safe Stress with The Stress Doc: The Art of Managing Stress, Burnout & Depression, will pop out of publisher AdviceZone.com’s computer screen in about a month. Actually, the book initially arrives in hard copy…Finally. (For tickets to the ever delayed bris, email StressDoc@ninemonthsoverdueandstillcounting.com .)

Another small item momentarily escaping Ms. AA’s radar screen is the fact that over three years ago yours truly had approached her when exploring the world of literary agents. At the time she gave me the brush-off, somewhat haughtily declaring: "Come back when you’re more famous."

So now the Stress Doc wheels are spinning. While still intending to write a second book on anger for AdviceZone.com, the possibility of exploring more established, bricks and mortar publishing houses is tempting. I already have a working title: "Top Ten Commandments for Practicing Safe Stress."

At this moment, confidence is waxing in my ability as a writer and in my ability to attract regional and national attention. Since the Summer 2000, I’ve been featured or interviewed in a myriad of media forums, including Cosmo Magazine and First for Women, profiled in The Washington Flyer (the publication of the DC-Metro regional airports), quoted extensively in Fox News Online (for a piece on sex and humor) and just before The Washington Post buzz, a four page profile in Biography Magazine.

In fact, how I obtained The Post interview is instructive. Seeing the spread in Biography, with it’s centerfold-like Stress Doc in "Shrink Rap" (TM) regalia pic, my gut told me to run with it. And I did…straight to a Post Style editor and to a reporter. (I was hoping for a story on local author gets some national pub.) Two days later I hear from the reporter, we set up a lengthy telephone interview and a dramatic opening paragraph is born: "With all the post-election stress that Al Gore and George Bush are surely suffering, we took it as our patriotic duty to call "The Stress Doc," otherwise known as Washington Psychotherapist Mark Gorkin." (Now you know why one of my favorite aphorisms, especially apt when dealing with the media, is: "I no longer count on nor discount any possibility.")

While these dramatic media happenings are exciting, as significant are the three or four newspaper, magazine, radio and web-based media professionals – from big and small markets/audiences – who come to the Stress Doc Den for commentary on a weekly basis. These interviews are helping me cultivate a national presence. What this all means is that, previously, if such a person as Ms. AA approached me (okay, such a person never did) I may have been a bit intimidated. Today, I’m ready to match her arrogance with some of my own attitude.

It takes us a couple of days to hook up by phone. After superficial pleasantries, Ms. AA acknowledges that a few days went by before she recalled our meeting years ago. When I remind her of her earlier parting words, her basic Type A nature bursts forth: "So, are you famous yet?" Without missing a beat, and with a blend of boldness and smugness in my voice, I retort: "You called me, didn’t you!" (Definitely a Bogie or Clint moment.)

Raise the flag for all struggling writers and artists who’ve been dismissed by the publishing and artistic powers that be; who’ve displayed false humility in the fragile hopes of artistic visibility. My pointed retort took some of the airs out of the AA ego-balloon. We quickly agreed on a meeting time. And, of course, will keep you posted on the dance.

So what’s the moral here? Forgive my lyrical lilt: Sweet things can come to those who wait and write and who build an uncommon website. And too, not being afraid to counter blustery bark with a confident bite. Surely poetic words to strive for and some wisdom to help us…Practice Safe Stress!

Shrink Rap™ Productions