I started this blog on August 21, 2012, with the release of my first book, Titan Encounter. Most of those posts are now in what I call the “Early Blog.” I’m gradually updating their format and bringing them into this new journal. Back then the sole purpose of the blog was to promote my books, but gradually that changed.
That’s how it started but, over the years, I’ve mused about other things that are important to me, such as my family, my farm, rural life, and occasionally about politics and country. However, I try to limit the politics in this journal. If you want to know more about my political leaning go to The Conservative Alternative.
I’m retired but I have several jobs that keep me busy.
I spend most of my day writing manuscripts for books, opinion articles for my other website, The Conservative Alternative, blogposts like this one, or social media posts. Those are the usual tasks that consume my day but I still have another job.
Read MoreDebby Lee, my friend, fellow author, and Inklings critique partner announced today that she’s starting work on her fifth anthology with Barbour Publishing!
The Mountain Christmas Brides, Courageous Brides, and Pony Express Romance Collection have all been released and are available on her Amazon Page.
Read MoreI first met Houston two years ago when I spoke about writing as a career at Centralia High School. I read some of his work and noticed a definite writing talent. Then a few weeks ago my friend Julie Zander asked if I’d like to help her mentor a writer as part of the local Rotary/TRiO program.
Read MoreI enjoy National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
During the month of November, the NaNoWriMo goal is to write 50,000 words of a novel. I have a strong internal editor that always wants to correct or improve what I’ve written, so I’ve never been able to write 50,000 words in a month. But, I love the comradery of fellow authors and enjoy watching as they work to achieve their writing goals.
Read MoreI have a wonderful life.
Yes, I made some good life choices, but I also know that the grace of God has shined in my life. I am fortunate to have been born here in America and at this time. I thank God that I met and married my wonderful wife and that I can do what I love for a living.
Read MoreI recently received great news about two of my writer friends.
My friend Debby Lee was recently contacted by her agent about writing a 20,000 novella for a Barbour Publishing anthology. Barbour needed more writers for the project so Debby suggested our mutual friend Barbara Blakey.
Read MoreI have begun studying for my amateur radio or “ham” license. Well, I’m still studying the book and working with my mentor Lorin Moline and his wife Veda.
Read MoreNearly ten months ago I sold the first copy of Braving the Storms.
That was before the book even had a name. I had gone to deliver copies of Through Many Fires and A Time to Endure to my friend, Bill Radtke. I told him he could have them, but he wanted to buy them. That was back on March 20, 2015.
Read MoreToday I spent a couple hours at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds
It’s fair time once again and I was asked to help judge the writing competition for the Grays Harbor fair. Earlier this year I helped judge the Cascade awards for the Oregon Christian Writers conference. That was fun so, when fellow author Janice Clark asked me to help with fair judging I thought that would be fun also. I was right.
Read MoreOn Thursdays, I meet with my group.
I’ve attended this particular group meeting every week I’ve been in town for over a decade. While I think that is notable, the group has met for nearly twice that time.
Read MoreYesterday, I received a letter from an old friend.
Several things were unusual about it. First, it was a real letter, the kind you get in the mailbox. I get close to a hundred emails a day, but very few letters. The other thing that immediately caught my attention was the picture that you see here.
Read MoreBook three of the Strengthen What Remains series is off to a good start.
I haven’t finished the novel or even named it yet, but I’ve sold at least one copy.
Bill Radtke, a friend of mine, is a busy man and has little time to read for entertainment, but he recently bought paperback copies of both Through Many Fires and A Time to Endure.
Read MoreOne of my beta-readers, DeLynn, is a longtime family friend.
Life has taken her away from the area where I live; however, when she came back, to visit family and friends over the 4th of July, we visited.
Read MoreI meet with other writers from my area every week.
These writers have been meeting for nearly twenty years. I’ve only met with them for ten. The only time I don’t attend is when I’m out of state.
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