Audiobooks. Do you love 'em? A lot of people do. I've enjoyed several over the years, I think the first I ever listened to was Brother Odd from Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series. But I've always been a reader, and I've read far more than I've listened to. That's changing, and I'll tell you why. … Continue reading Listen to this…
Reminders
Writing is, by nature, a fairly solitary gig. Hours upon hours spent alone, as far as anyone could see. Of course, we never feel alone, because our heads are filled with the voices of countless characters, our mind's eye filled with distant, imaginary vistas. But to anyone who might walk by and accidentally see the … Continue reading Reminders
Honesty
Today I'm going to do something in this blog post that I don't usually do. I'm going to be honest. And yes, I know how that sounds and what it implies, so before we get into it, I'm almost positive that I've never told a lie in a blog post and I strive for honesty … Continue reading Honesty
Matters of Lesser Import
There's a lot going on in the world right now. I've written about it in a couple of these posts, and it's really all that matters right now. The stuff in this post is about things that are far less important. I recognize this, and I'm sure there are many of you who will recognize … Continue reading Matters of Lesser Import
Something of a Surprise
There is something special about a real live, out of the blue surprise. Every now and then it's actually a pleasant thing, this crazy shaft of light out of no where. In my writing career it's happened to me twice. No. That's a lie. In writing, to one degree or another, every time I sit … Continue reading Something of a Surprise
A Notion
Here is what I'm thinking: In the months since I finished writing The Terror of Tijuana, my work effort has been, if I'm being honest, hit or miss at best. This is not all straight laziness and negligence, but those are certainly big components. There were other elements in play, and everything seemed to come … Continue reading A Notion
Things That Need To Happen
Here's what's happening in frigid Central New York at present! First of all, my new pup Miles has nearly doubled in size since we got him. He may have doubled in cuteness as well. I'm less sure about that because I don't have an accurate tool to measure cuteness. I guess I'll let you decide. … Continue reading Things That Need To Happen
The Inter-Book Agenda
I wrote recently about the feelings that come about after I've sent a book off to the publisher, about how it was a mixed bag and whatnot. All of that is true of course because I wouldn't lie to you. But now that a little time has passed I wanted to revisit the subject because … Continue reading The Inter-Book Agenda
Going Downhill
The phrase "going downhill" carries with it a mainly negative connotation. We use it to denote failing health: How's Pops? He's going downhill fast. I don't know if he'll last the night. Just in case you were wondering, that's a direct quote from my own children, spoken on an almost daily basis. The truth … Continue reading Going Downhill
Why I Quit Writing (About Politics)
As I've gotten older I've found that high among my life's greatest treasures are the relationships I have forged over the years. I know all sorts of people from all walks of life. Some I've known for forty years or more, some have come into my life only recently. Some share my concerns about the president. But some feel that he is, truly, just what America (and, I suppose, the world) needed at this point in history. And some, (and I envy these folks sometimes) don't give a crap either way.