Category: Blog

On a cold winter night, writers huddle by the glow of their screen, tapping out their masterpieces in fingerless gloves with a cup of coffee steaming nearby. Some do, at least. Others venture further south and sit on their ocean facing balcony and create by starlight. Tonight, I’m in the former group, sans coffee.

The next character I want to introduce you to is Ariel. I mentioned her earlier in my “The Sky’s the Limit” post. She is one of the soiled swamp doves working for Eustace at his shotgun house of ill repute. Even if he does claim it has a good reputation of being clean. Ariel is ten years older than Bill, my main character, and smokes. Bill tells Ariel how things are going with his girlfriend, Anne Marie Laveau. She offers some advice to him, but what she prefers is to work for Bill instead of his foul-mouth uncle.

After World War II, Ariel meets up with Bill in Amsterdam, and they run a successful adult entertainment club. They stay in Amsterdam until the summer of 1950. During their time together, Ariel manipulates Bill into getting what she wants. She’s very good at it. I hope she comes across that way when you read the book, which comes out in May 2018.

I truly enjoyed my time with Ariel. She pushes Bill to where he needs to be to do what he needs to do. She loves Bill, but it is her nature to stack the deck in her favor. There may be other Ariel’s out there, but I was lucky to get this one. After all, history doesn’t write itself.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m up to Purity as “Life According to the Spirit,” section 6 of chapter 2 of part 1 of  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. 329 more pages to go. I’ll be reading this probably for the next two months. I’ve previous read Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West, but now I get to experience the actual words of the great Pope. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

Happy New Year! 2016 was a great year for me. I pray it was for you as well. A couple of highlights include my first rejection letter, all authors have one, signing a contract for three books with Oghma Creative Media, the scheduling of my first book for release in May 2018, started writing my second novel, reconnecting with a great friend and spending some holiday time with her. Truly an amazing time.

Resolutions for next year are taking shape today and tomorrow. If you’re an aspiring author, resolve to write one night a week. Don’t let anybody take that night from you either. If you’re a published author, resolve to write more. What joy it is to create a new world, new people and watch them make a journey we, sometimes, didn’t foresee.

Next week, I get back to revealing more about the characters in my first novel. With this information, it’ll help you understand their actions. 2017 is going to be a great year, and I look forward to spending it with you here on my blog! Just remember, history doesn’t write itself; that’s what authors are for!

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m up to Commandment and Ethos, section 3 of chapter 2 of part 1 of  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. 399 more pages to go. I’ll be reading this probably for the next two months. I’ve previous read Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West, but now I get to experience the actual words of the great Pope. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

Merry Christmas everyone! I pray you have a joyous, and blessed holiday season.

If you still haven’t gone shopping for gifts, may I suggest a Christmas of Service this year? Take you loved ones to a museum sometime next year and pay for everything. Take them on a hike and bring a great picnic lunch. Go explore a cave with them. Do one of those painting with adult beverage evenings. Take them antiquing. Take them to a botanical garden. Take them to the local theater for a play next year. Take them to an author book signing event. One of those will be coming up in May 2018 that will be a perfect gift for next year.

Basically, find more ways to spend more time with your loved ones and friends next year. Sure, the big screen TV, the clothes, and the toys are nice. But what if we spend more time with each other instead of our things. What wonderful things would we find when we choose to spend time with our family and friends at quality events. Instead of communicating via an electronic device, talk to them in person and turn off the electronics so that you won’t be disturbed. Focus on making memories with others next year, not what cool thing you can get for them. People cherish memories more than things. Things wear out and get broken. Memories are with us for the rest of our lives, or at least until we develop dementia in our old age. Memories tell a story better than history. Because after all, history doesn’t write itself.

Christmas and the new year are grand times to make new memories with your loved ones. Give them something incredibly precious: your time.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m up to Christ Appeals to the Human Heart, chapter 2 of part 1 of  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. 440 more pages to go. I’ll be reading this probably for the next two months. I’ve previous read Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West, but now I get to experience the actual words of the great Pope. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

I’m back on track with this Friday night post. Twitter is up to date and even has a couple of new tweets. One of my goals is to be more active on Twitter in the lead up to my book launch in May 2018. Took a big step forward with that as my beta reader returned the manuscript to me yesterday. I asked him to look at my consistency of details throughout the story. I wrote my story over a span of two years, and things change during that time. Now I have marked indications of where the consistency is not uniform. I’ll be doing another round of edits on my manuscript before turning it over to the publisher.

Most of the US is going to be bitterly cold this weekend. My location is not immune to the lower temperatures. Even so, I’m still planning on getting out tomorrow to attend a workshop at the local library. This is the same library I go to for my critic group. The group enjoyed chapter three of my new novel. I’m having a ball with my new story. I hope you enjoy it when it comes out.

Next week is the Friday before Christmas. The following week is the Friday before New Years. I still plan on posting to my blog on those days, even though on one of them I’ll be over 350 miles away from home. In 2017 I plan on highlighting more characters from Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure. Hopefully, this will peak your interest in my novel and turn into a sale.

Speaking of sales, I read this week in Iceland; the entire country has a tradition of giving books to their family and friends on December 24. The recipient then stays up all night reading the new book. Iceland is one of the most literate countries on the planet. Do you think they would enjoy a romp through the swamps of Louisiana to a bordello with a touch of voodoo thrown into the mix?

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m up to Solitude and Subjectivity of section 2 of chapter 1 of part 1  of  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. I’ll be reading this probably for the next two months. I’ve previous read Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West, but now I get to experience the actual words of the great Pope. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

I know I’m a couple of days late, but I hope you’ll forgive me. I’ve been in communication with a very good friend since August. One of the things I mentioned to her earlier was this bit of inspiration, which references the Biblical story of David versus Goliath.

Giants will cross our path from time to time. God will always give us a sling and a rock to defeat them. We just have to be able to determine what form the sling and rock take.

I sent my very good friend flowers this past week, and I believe they became a sling and rock for her as adverse health news about her family reached her the same day. She told me the flowers helped her get through the day. God works in mysterious ways.

My beta reader for my first manuscript is almost finished. I should get his remarks this week. This puts me on track to deliver my manuscript to Oghma Creative Media on March 1, 2017. I’ve finished the first three chapters of my new story. Planning on writing the next two before Christmas. This weekend I should also be able to finish up my Christmas shopping. A fun week ahead.

I hope all those who participated in NaNoWriMo have a good first draft of their story. Although I haven’t participated in the past, I can only image how much dedication it takes. I applaud your efforts.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m up to part six of the introduction of  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. I’ll be reading this probably for the next two months. I’ve previous read Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West, but now I get to experience the actual words of the great Pope. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

 

Last week for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend, I headed east to my cousins in middle Tennessee for a wonderful. My parents joined me on the drive. We took a slight detour to Tomato, Arkansas. Google Maps shows only three buildings in the tiny community on the banks of the Mississippi River in northeast Arkansas. I know it is a tiny hamlet of farmers, but it would be nice if the road department in Mississippi County could repave Arkansas 120. As well as offer better signage when Arkansas 120 reaches its dead end. At that T junction, you can go north or south onto Mississippi county roads. Neither road is marked and compared to Washington county dirt roads, Mississippi County Road 903 is a glorified driveway. Not to be deterred, we ventured down the muddy road and arrived at the outskirts of Tomato. A very large muddle puddle prevented us from actually reaching the town. I know only a handful of people live on the eastern side of the levee, but it would be nice to better roads out there.

Supper Friday night was at the Caney Fork restaurant in Nashville, across the street from the Opryland Hotel. We ate there once before and enjoyed the fried gator chunks. After supper, we toured Jellystone RV park. I don’t know who much work went into it, but they strung millions of Christmas lights all over the empty RV park. Then they set the lights to music, and it was a grand show. At the end of the drive, you could park and take in a campfire and S’mores, visit Santa and other activities. We bypassed that and headed home to my cousins. It was about 11:30 by the time we returned. It was a long day, and I probably wouldn’t have made any sense had I blogged at that late hour.

We returned Sunday. Since then, I’ve worked on my new story, up to chapter three now, and had it critiqued by my original group, Fiction Forge at the Springdale Public Library. Plan on writing more this upcoming week. After all, history doesn’t write itself.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I started reading  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. I’ll be reading this probably for the next two months. I’ve previous read Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West, but now I get to experience the actual words of the great Pope. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

I am now an author under contract with Oghma Creative Media. The contract was signed earlier this morning. There’s still a lot of work to do to turn my manuscript into a book, but I’m excited for the opportunity to bring my hard work to the masses. I hope you enjoy my journey.

I wrote another chapter of my second novel this week. Ideas are popping in my head throughout the day on scenes that need to go into this book. I’m looking forward to getting back into the habit of writing on a daily, or near daily, basis again. It is so much fun to write.

If you’re an aspiring writer, don’t give up. Continue writing, go to workshops and conventions, do the research to make your tale believable and let your characters tell their story. You’ll be surprised at what they say and do. Try not to compare yourself, as only you can write your story. After all, history doesn’t write itself.

Even though writing is usually done in seclusion, you will meet so many people through this great profession. Listen to their advice and soak up all the knowledge you can. The more you know about the whole process, the better your chances are of signing your own contract one day.

This truly will be a remarkable Thanksgiving for me. Life is grand right now. I pray your life is awesome. Write, and enjoy yourself. After all, history doesn’t write itself.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I finished reading Fail to the Chief by W. T. Fallon, a satire about the presidential election. My review is on the Good Reads website. After Thanksgiving, I’ll start reading  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

Grand evening to you all. I hope you had a splendid Veteran’s Day. Thank you to all Veteran’s who served and to our current military family. You deserve so much more than just one day of appreciation. God bless you for your service.

Next Friday, November 18, I sign my author contract with Oghma Creative Media. I’m very excited to partner with Oghma and look forward to my book launch date in the spring of 2018. I know that is a long wait, but I believe the time will be well spent transforming my manuscript into a book.

I’ve started my second book. The first chapter received positive reviews from my critique group. Writing brings me joy. It is wonderful to see and work with others who appreciate and want to reward my hard work. And don’t get me wrong, writing is hard work, especially when you offer your best prose. Take pride in what you write, clean up the mistakes, check for errors and ask for help as needed. Authors are willing to help. I’m looking forward to doing this as well. If I can do this, you can too. Write your story, revise it, send it to publishers and get published. Write the story you want to read, because history doesn’t write itself.

Quick note to all of you in NaNoWriMo: Keep up the good work. Two and a half more weeks of dedicated time and you’ll have a draft of your novel completed. It’ll feel good.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I finished reading Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope. Mr. Breathed paints a wonderful alternative to our humdrum daily lives with Opus, Bill the Cat and all the others excel at lunacy. I’m now reading Fail to the Chief by W. T. Fallon, a satire about the presidential election running as a reality show where viewers vote out potential candidates on a regular basis. I know I said in my previous post that I would get back to my Theology of the Body series by St. Pope John Paul II. I ordered the book last week and didn’t come in in time. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

I received my contract this week from the potential publisher. It was reviewed by an attorney, and I’ve asked for a meeting to discuss the legal document with the potential publisher. Hopefully, next week we will be able reach an agreement whereas I can then be called an “author under contract.” That’d be nice.

One of the first scenes I’m going to write for next story is not the first scene of the book. I have a good set of middle scenes and end scenes, but I felt the opening was weak. Today an idea came to me on how to open my second book. In the opening paragraph, I’ll have the king cough, choke and collapse into his plate of food. I believe that is a good hook to draw my reader into the story. Kill the king and the let the kingdom flounder. Or maybe not. He may survive and play a critical role later on. You’ll have to wait and see how it turns out.

I wish all my NaNoWriMo compatriots the best of luck as they punch out a novel in the coming weeks. I’ve never tried to do NaNoWriMo, but there is always next year. Afer all, history doesn’t write itself.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I finished reading the September 2016 Writer’s Digest magazine, and the entire Summer 2016 Novel Writing magazine. These were good inspirations, and I’m looking forward putting to use what I learned from them into my next story. Tomorrow I begin Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope.  After that, I’ll get back to my Theology of the Body series by St. Pope John Paul II. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.

Being an aspiring author, you hear one phrase over and over again: writers write every day. I know I missed my blog post last week, but still found time to write while on vacation to Cahokia Mounds; Springfield, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin and the suburbs of Chicago. I didn’t write every day, but now I’m going to have to.

I checked my email this evening and had a response back from one of the publishers I pitched my story to at the Ozark Creative Writer’s 50-anniversary conference earlier this month. The publisher found my work interesting and funny and my voice unique. So much so they want to offer me a three-book contract. I’m getting one step closer to being a published author. I’m looking forward to working with them and joining a great team.

Now I have to get busy writing. I have the idea for my second book, but the topic of the third book is anybody’s guess at this moment in time. I’m going to be a writer and write every day. My hard work paid off. Yours can too. Write every day, go to writing workshops, read writing books, surround yourself with writing activities. The more involved you are with your writing, the better writer you’ll be. So far this journey has taken over two and a half years, it’s not over yet. Hard work pays off, you just have to be dedicated to it. And one day you can say, “I’m a published author.” After all, history doesn’t write itself.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. This afternoon, I finished reading The Boston Raphael by Belinda Rathbone. I’m going to read a couple of writing magazines and then turn to Bloom County for some light-hearted fun with Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope.  After that, I’ll get back to my Theology of the Body series by St. Pope John Paul II. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.