F. Scott Service's Blog, page 4
September 24, 2015
Scribing Lines
Some people I've met have asked me, "How long did it take you to write your book?"
A natural question but, one that is a little more complicated than just a straight forward answer.
First, I personally don't believe there is a time limit on creation. Creation takes its own time and it evolves as it wants and should so, I would never set a time limit for myself. It is what it is in a very real and meaningful way. I've heard of writers starting a work then putting it down for years before they come back to it.
And so it was... kinda with me and writing Lines in the Sand. I actually began writing the book in 2003 when I was deployed to Iraq and got it into my head that I should chronicle the experience if for nothing else than my own posterity, something to look back on when I was old while sitting on my back porch with the sun setting on my tired grey hairs.
At the time, I never had any intention of actually writing a book from my journals, I never sat down and said, "This is my book. This is the one I'm going to write."
So, I went out to my local Barnes & Noble and bought 5 blank, plain journals and later stuffed them in my duffel bag as I was preparing to leave.
I toted those stupid things around all over the place with me, the one I was currently writing in always nestled in the cargo pocket of my uniform. Every chance I got, I would scribble in them even if it was just a random one line thought. I drew sketches and pictures in them, I wrote down lists of things I had to do, I stuffed newspaper articles and clippings in them, even cards that people sent wishing me well... anything and everything.
I filled them.
When I came home from the war in 2005, to be quite honest, I was so disillusioned from my experiences I wanted to completely forget about them. I told myself I never wanted to look at those journals again and tucked them away in a box, stored it, and promptly forgot about them.
Then in 2008, I decided to find them and read through them. It was mainly because I wanted to reconnect with the experience and I was curious. What I found was that I had forgotten most of what was in them and I found myself amazed at how much I had written, how detailed they were, how intense the experience of war really was for me.
It also began to dawn on me that I had a real story in them. That was the first glimmer I had in my mind that perhaps I should do something with them.
So, I sat down one day and began the long process of transcribing them into the computer. Soon thereafter, I put them down again. I had found that the experience was way too intense for me, that it was constantly triggering my little friend, PTSD, and that I just couldn't live with that. It was overwhelming and I couldn't do it.
In 2010, I began again, this time determined to finish the job. This time it went more smoothly and I was able to focus more clearly and my will to fulfill my dream of becoming an author drove me on down the road. By 2013, I had finished and began the next phases of completing my task, editing and publishing.
So, here we are. Ten years after I came home from Iraq, Lines in the Sand is a reality not just some tattered journals stuffed in a closet.
How long does it take to write a book? Who knows. It depends on you, your experiences, your drive, when you are able to sit back and pat yourself on the back for a good job done. It took me ten years overall but I can say now that I am proud of it, that I wouldn't have it any other way. It is what it is... and I'm glad I didn't rush it.
Goodnight world.
A natural question but, one that is a little more complicated than just a straight forward answer.
First, I personally don't believe there is a time limit on creation. Creation takes its own time and it evolves as it wants and should so, I would never set a time limit for myself. It is what it is in a very real and meaningful way. I've heard of writers starting a work then putting it down for years before they come back to it.
And so it was... kinda with me and writing Lines in the Sand. I actually began writing the book in 2003 when I was deployed to Iraq and got it into my head that I should chronicle the experience if for nothing else than my own posterity, something to look back on when I was old while sitting on my back porch with the sun setting on my tired grey hairs.
At the time, I never had any intention of actually writing a book from my journals, I never sat down and said, "This is my book. This is the one I'm going to write."
So, I went out to my local Barnes & Noble and bought 5 blank, plain journals and later stuffed them in my duffel bag as I was preparing to leave.
I toted those stupid things around all over the place with me, the one I was currently writing in always nestled in the cargo pocket of my uniform. Every chance I got, I would scribble in them even if it was just a random one line thought. I drew sketches and pictures in them, I wrote down lists of things I had to do, I stuffed newspaper articles and clippings in them, even cards that people sent wishing me well... anything and everything.
I filled them.
When I came home from the war in 2005, to be quite honest, I was so disillusioned from my experiences I wanted to completely forget about them. I told myself I never wanted to look at those journals again and tucked them away in a box, stored it, and promptly forgot about them.
Then in 2008, I decided to find them and read through them. It was mainly because I wanted to reconnect with the experience and I was curious. What I found was that I had forgotten most of what was in them and I found myself amazed at how much I had written, how detailed they were, how intense the experience of war really was for me.
It also began to dawn on me that I had a real story in them. That was the first glimmer I had in my mind that perhaps I should do something with them.
So, I sat down one day and began the long process of transcribing them into the computer. Soon thereafter, I put them down again. I had found that the experience was way too intense for me, that it was constantly triggering my little friend, PTSD, and that I just couldn't live with that. It was overwhelming and I couldn't do it.
In 2010, I began again, this time determined to finish the job. This time it went more smoothly and I was able to focus more clearly and my will to fulfill my dream of becoming an author drove me on down the road. By 2013, I had finished and began the next phases of completing my task, editing and publishing.
So, here we are. Ten years after I came home from Iraq, Lines in the Sand is a reality not just some tattered journals stuffed in a closet.
How long does it take to write a book? Who knows. It depends on you, your experiences, your drive, when you are able to sit back and pat yourself on the back for a good job done. It took me ten years overall but I can say now that I am proud of it, that I wouldn't have it any other way. It is what it is... and I'm glad I didn't rush it.
Goodnight world.
September 17, 2015
My Editing Education
When I was beginning to write I have to confess I didn't give much thought to editing. In college, I mostly wrote off the top of my head and when done, briefly glanced through my finished product, then handed it in hoping for the best. And I did pretty well.
When I began to write the manuscript for my book, editing didn't even enter my mind. It was only after I had finished and after reading a book on publishing and self-publishing that it began to dawn on me that I needed an editor. The book I read kept saying over and over... edit, edit, then edit again.
To be honest, I took it in casually. At that point and time I thought, "Sure, a couple of edits will work but, I really don't think it will go beyond that." But first things first, I had to find a good editor, an editor I could work with, someone who identified with my work, who connected with me on the same wavelength, someone who would work with me on a good personal level not just treat my work like it was one of the stack to get through.
So, I researched. And I researched more. After contacting a few people I thought were a good fit and interviewing them, I finally found someone. It took quite a while, a good few weeks of diligent everyday work... all day.
But my editor and I connected and after the usual and proper legalities, we dove in.
I quickly realized that I had been naive. My editor told me his policy. We would toss the manuscript back and forth as many times as needed, no matter how long it took... what he called "rinse and repeat." And it took a while. It took months of back and forth, many discussions... many rinses until we could both sit back and smile.
It was the best experience I had had in a long time and he taught me a lot, the whole process taught me a lot.
I realized that no matter how good you think you are as a writer, there is always room for improvement, there is always another edit to be made. Even to this day, I can flip through that book and still find things I would like to edit... and still find errors. No matter how hard you try, no matter how many times you go through a given work, there is always something more to do.
Editing doesn't end.
And in order to produce a professional product, I think you need to go through this editing process. For me, writing a book is more than the writing, it is only the beginning. For me, editing is the bigger aspect. What I mean is that you can scribble anything down but, where it's really at is the editing. That's the key.
I'd be willing to bet there are other writers out there that have felt as I did, that their work doesn't need a lot of editing. But I would tell anyone, "Never underestimate editing. You can never have enough polish. So, grab your rag and start making your work shine."
Goodnight world.
When I began to write the manuscript for my book, editing didn't even enter my mind. It was only after I had finished and after reading a book on publishing and self-publishing that it began to dawn on me that I needed an editor. The book I read kept saying over and over... edit, edit, then edit again.
To be honest, I took it in casually. At that point and time I thought, "Sure, a couple of edits will work but, I really don't think it will go beyond that." But first things first, I had to find a good editor, an editor I could work with, someone who identified with my work, who connected with me on the same wavelength, someone who would work with me on a good personal level not just treat my work like it was one of the stack to get through.
So, I researched. And I researched more. After contacting a few people I thought were a good fit and interviewing them, I finally found someone. It took quite a while, a good few weeks of diligent everyday work... all day.
But my editor and I connected and after the usual and proper legalities, we dove in.
I quickly realized that I had been naive. My editor told me his policy. We would toss the manuscript back and forth as many times as needed, no matter how long it took... what he called "rinse and repeat." And it took a while. It took months of back and forth, many discussions... many rinses until we could both sit back and smile.
It was the best experience I had had in a long time and he taught me a lot, the whole process taught me a lot.
I realized that no matter how good you think you are as a writer, there is always room for improvement, there is always another edit to be made. Even to this day, I can flip through that book and still find things I would like to edit... and still find errors. No matter how hard you try, no matter how many times you go through a given work, there is always something more to do.
Editing doesn't end.
And in order to produce a professional product, I think you need to go through this editing process. For me, writing a book is more than the writing, it is only the beginning. For me, editing is the bigger aspect. What I mean is that you can scribble anything down but, where it's really at is the editing. That's the key.
I'd be willing to bet there are other writers out there that have felt as I did, that their work doesn't need a lot of editing. But I would tell anyone, "Never underestimate editing. You can never have enough polish. So, grab your rag and start making your work shine."
Goodnight world.
September 14, 2015
About Authors
I've heard it said a number of times that authors typically have large egos. I mean after all, who hasn't written something (no matter what it is), an article for a magazine or periodical, an editorial for a newspaper, a novel, a college paper... and when they are finished laboring over it, reviewing it endlessly to make sure it is perfect, obsessing over word choice and phrasing, pacing up and down the living room floor racking their brain to be the most creative or witty of writers then tormenting themselves with yet another revision, sat back in the relative comfort of their writer's garret and patted themselves on the back for all their toil? I think it's only natural to feel a certain pride, a blast of adrenaline to the ego, and to feel an urge to rush out into the world proudly proclaiming, "See world, look what I did. Isn't it just simply fantastic?"
Who can blame any of us?
I can't say that I haven't felt that way. I can't say that I haven't wanted everyone to read what I've written, to feel moved by my work, to want them to see differently somehow and to take pride that I was the one who enlightened someone to something new and positive in their lives.
Sure... who doesn't like that feeling?
But I think, as with everything in life, there is healthiness and unhealthiness... and that goes for the ego as well.
It seems to me that if we allow our egos to step over that all too thin line between being healthy and unhealthy then we lose our precarious grasp on what being humble can teach us.
For me, an ego seasoned with humility is a good balance. It's important for me to realize, and always be aware of, that I don't know everything, that I'm not perfect, that I may not be the best writer, that I always have something new to learn and grow upon.
Yes, it's important to feel a sense of pride, to own your work, to acknowledge that you've put your nose to the grindstone and put forth something worth presenting to the world. But I never want that to overshadow the fact that someone may well just come along with a different view or approach or opinion that may end up making me want to sit down and shut up.
I think this is how we grow in life, how we grow as writers. I've always believed that the day I stop learning is the day I die. For me, that's the selling point for life.
As Marina Abramovic said, "Your ego can become an obstacle to your work. If you start believing in your greatness, it is the death of your creativity."
Interesting thought.
Goodnight world.
Who can blame any of us?
I can't say that I haven't felt that way. I can't say that I haven't wanted everyone to read what I've written, to feel moved by my work, to want them to see differently somehow and to take pride that I was the one who enlightened someone to something new and positive in their lives.
Sure... who doesn't like that feeling?
But I think, as with everything in life, there is healthiness and unhealthiness... and that goes for the ego as well.
It seems to me that if we allow our egos to step over that all too thin line between being healthy and unhealthy then we lose our precarious grasp on what being humble can teach us.
For me, an ego seasoned with humility is a good balance. It's important for me to realize, and always be aware of, that I don't know everything, that I'm not perfect, that I may not be the best writer, that I always have something new to learn and grow upon.
Yes, it's important to feel a sense of pride, to own your work, to acknowledge that you've put your nose to the grindstone and put forth something worth presenting to the world. But I never want that to overshadow the fact that someone may well just come along with a different view or approach or opinion that may end up making me want to sit down and shut up.
I think this is how we grow in life, how we grow as writers. I've always believed that the day I stop learning is the day I die. For me, that's the selling point for life.
As Marina Abramovic said, "Your ego can become an obstacle to your work. If you start believing in your greatness, it is the death of your creativity."
Interesting thought.
Goodnight world.
September 11, 2015
A couple of thoughts on Self-Publishing
Recently, a friend of mine asked what it’s like to self publish and why I had chosen that road to fulfill my dream. She was curious since she’d taken the traditional publishing route, and said that in some ways, throughout the process, she felt as if she wasn't allowed as much input as she originally desired and expected. That notion culminated when her publisher sent her a copy of the finished book.
Looking at it, she realized that what she was facing was a take it or leave it type of thing. Essentially, she had to be satisfied with what they’d designed for her. She felt saddened by that, as if she wasn't really a participant in her own work, as if it had been taken from her and she was more a bystander than anything else. Not that it was bad, she admitted. She didn't mind the book, its front cover, the back cover material and the interior design, but it was the sense of not having input that troubled her.
Now, I don't know if all traditional publishers are like that. Giving them their rightful benefit of the doubt, I’d guess that some allow more or less input than others. Being an indie author and the kind of person who prefers to go his own way, I don’t know and couldn't say one way or the other. But we had a nice chat and I tried to answer her question.
First of all, I had a sense of input. More than that, I was integral and indispensable throughout the process. For example, with regard to the front cover, it was completely my concept. What was wonderful is that my designer took my idea and actualized it. They worked with me through as many revisions as I needed so that, in the end, we were both satisfied. It was rewarding because we were both deeply invested in the project and were in continual contact throughout, which I found to be a fruitful and educational exchange.
This proved to be true throughout the entire process of publishing the book — designing the front, spine and back cover including all the written material; organizing the interior layout; deciding the interior paper color and trim size of the book; approving both electronic and physical proofs; formatting the ebook version; and working intimately with me to help promote and advertise the book — every single confusing turn in the crazy maze of publishing.
Laughing, I told her that if I could sum it up in two sentences I would say that self publishing is a never ending, relentless river of agonizing over making a decision... then agonizing over whether or not I've made the right decision. But in the end, it was entirely worth it.
It was worth it because the end product was wholly mine. I had input along the way and the folks at Mill City Press were not only completely professional, but they worked with me to produce my ideas and vision. I can't say enough good things about those folks... after all, they made my dream real.
Goodnight world.
Looking at it, she realized that what she was facing was a take it or leave it type of thing. Essentially, she had to be satisfied with what they’d designed for her. She felt saddened by that, as if she wasn't really a participant in her own work, as if it had been taken from her and she was more a bystander than anything else. Not that it was bad, she admitted. She didn't mind the book, its front cover, the back cover material and the interior design, but it was the sense of not having input that troubled her.
Now, I don't know if all traditional publishers are like that. Giving them their rightful benefit of the doubt, I’d guess that some allow more or less input than others. Being an indie author and the kind of person who prefers to go his own way, I don’t know and couldn't say one way or the other. But we had a nice chat and I tried to answer her question.
First of all, I had a sense of input. More than that, I was integral and indispensable throughout the process. For example, with regard to the front cover, it was completely my concept. What was wonderful is that my designer took my idea and actualized it. They worked with me through as many revisions as I needed so that, in the end, we were both satisfied. It was rewarding because we were both deeply invested in the project and were in continual contact throughout, which I found to be a fruitful and educational exchange.
This proved to be true throughout the entire process of publishing the book — designing the front, spine and back cover including all the written material; organizing the interior layout; deciding the interior paper color and trim size of the book; approving both electronic and physical proofs; formatting the ebook version; and working intimately with me to help promote and advertise the book — every single confusing turn in the crazy maze of publishing.
Laughing, I told her that if I could sum it up in two sentences I would say that self publishing is a never ending, relentless river of agonizing over making a decision... then agonizing over whether or not I've made the right decision. But in the end, it was entirely worth it.
It was worth it because the end product was wholly mine. I had input along the way and the folks at Mill City Press were not only completely professional, but they worked with me to produce my ideas and vision. I can't say enough good things about those folks... after all, they made my dream real.
Goodnight world.
September 9, 2015
Reflections On Reading
Well, I'm back at it. I had to take some time off lately due to some family circumstances (my father ended up in the hospital) and naturally I wanted to be with him while he recovers, however, I must admit I've missed being here. I've always found that when I don't write my mind isn't as clear, I don't feel as much at peace as I would like to be. As I wrote in my book, I find that I develop some sort of neural constipation when I don't write. Writing is therapeutic, relaxing, and it's always allowed me a great opportunity to express my mind often providing me with greater clarity. It's never mattered if I write fiction, nonfiction, or even a college paper (my favorite was about creation mythology). It doesn't matter because either way you look at it, it's me, my mind, my feelings being expressed in some form. It can be a character I've invented but in a very real form, it's me... just in a different shape and different aspect of my personality.
But anyway, I started a new book... reading it that is. Well, to be honest it's not a new book for me and that leads into what I started thinking this afternoon.
I first discovered Gardner's Mickelsson's Ghosts per a recommendation from a friend years ago, way back in '92. I tried reading it but, I found it dull and put it down. A few years later, I tried again... and again, there was no interest but, this time mainly because I felt I couldn't relate very well to it. A few days ago, I found myself wanting to read it again and dug through my stacks and stacks of books I have lying around my house and found it. I really couldn't say why it popped into my head but, I followed my gut, my instincts, my impulse.
I'm finding that I'm enjoying it immensely. Weird huh? But maybe not. It occurred to me that... perhaps in life, sometimes we are just not ready for a particular work. Perhaps we haven't matured enough or we don't have the right perspective. Perhaps we haven't had enough or even the right life experience tucked under our belts to appreciate what that work is trying to teach us. In other words, I think with a lot of works of writing, we have to be in the right frame of mind or have found the right timing in life, either accidentally or otherwise, to be ready to get the most out of a piece of literature, to allow it to flow through you, become a part of you and enhance your life.
Maybe the trick is to trust yourself, trust your gut, and have the awareness inside of you to feel that now is the right time in your life to allow a book in and what it has to teach you. Is that the way the universe works... in its mystical way? That things happen when they are supposed to and it's up to us to have the faith that they will.
I think that there is a force, whatever you want to call it, that whispered in my ear that now is the time for me to read this wonderful work. Now is the time for me understand what I need to in this book so that I can broaden my life, my perspective, my view of the world, and who I am.
Yet another ingredient of the magic that is writing and reading.
Have a great night world.
But anyway, I started a new book... reading it that is. Well, to be honest it's not a new book for me and that leads into what I started thinking this afternoon.
I first discovered Gardner's Mickelsson's Ghosts per a recommendation from a friend years ago, way back in '92. I tried reading it but, I found it dull and put it down. A few years later, I tried again... and again, there was no interest but, this time mainly because I felt I couldn't relate very well to it. A few days ago, I found myself wanting to read it again and dug through my stacks and stacks of books I have lying around my house and found it. I really couldn't say why it popped into my head but, I followed my gut, my instincts, my impulse.
I'm finding that I'm enjoying it immensely. Weird huh? But maybe not. It occurred to me that... perhaps in life, sometimes we are just not ready for a particular work. Perhaps we haven't matured enough or we don't have the right perspective. Perhaps we haven't had enough or even the right life experience tucked under our belts to appreciate what that work is trying to teach us. In other words, I think with a lot of works of writing, we have to be in the right frame of mind or have found the right timing in life, either accidentally or otherwise, to be ready to get the most out of a piece of literature, to allow it to flow through you, become a part of you and enhance your life.
Maybe the trick is to trust yourself, trust your gut, and have the awareness inside of you to feel that now is the right time in your life to allow a book in and what it has to teach you. Is that the way the universe works... in its mystical way? That things happen when they are supposed to and it's up to us to have the faith that they will.
I think that there is a force, whatever you want to call it, that whispered in my ear that now is the time for me to read this wonderful work. Now is the time for me understand what I need to in this book so that I can broaden my life, my perspective, my view of the world, and who I am.
Yet another ingredient of the magic that is writing and reading.
Have a great night world.
August 18, 2015
On Writing
So, I have a friend out west and about a week ago he passed along his manuscript asking me to check it out. I felt so honored and of course, I readily accepted reading it. It's always cool to read other's works and to help out a friend if I can. He's a great guy I've known for quite some time and I've always respected his writing, his witty sense of humor, his unique way of combining words to create a vivid sense of imagery.
I have to admit, while reading it, there have been several times where I've paused. Not because of him or his writing but, because I find myself musing over everyone's different approach to the craft.
It's funny. When I was polishing my book with my editor, there were numerous times when he would want to strike a passage, a sentence, a word and I would object. So, we had a rather amusing discussion one day. He thought that perhaps I was a little too wordy or gushy or in my own terms (which I readily admitted), flowery. We both got a chuckle out of all this especially when he told me, "Well, you're not a Hemingway kind of writer, that's for sure." What he meant was that Hemingway seems to be much more concise, much less "flowery." I suppose some might even accuse him of being dry. In the end, my editor and I agreed to meet in the middle, laughing all the way.
What all this means to me is that everyone is different, everyone approaches writing differently, everyone views the world differently, through their own personal filters and lenses and that translates into how they express themselves, no matter if it's written. And that should be respected and enjoyed. I think that's the key, enjoy it. It's that diversity that makes works of writing so much joy for me.
For that reason, I will always enjoy reading my friend's manuscript. Something he put his heart and soul into and offered a glimpse into how he sees the world around him.
Have a great night world.
I have to admit, while reading it, there have been several times where I've paused. Not because of him or his writing but, because I find myself musing over everyone's different approach to the craft.
It's funny. When I was polishing my book with my editor, there were numerous times when he would want to strike a passage, a sentence, a word and I would object. So, we had a rather amusing discussion one day. He thought that perhaps I was a little too wordy or gushy or in my own terms (which I readily admitted), flowery. We both got a chuckle out of all this especially when he told me, "Well, you're not a Hemingway kind of writer, that's for sure." What he meant was that Hemingway seems to be much more concise, much less "flowery." I suppose some might even accuse him of being dry. In the end, my editor and I agreed to meet in the middle, laughing all the way.
What all this means to me is that everyone is different, everyone approaches writing differently, everyone views the world differently, through their own personal filters and lenses and that translates into how they express themselves, no matter if it's written. And that should be respected and enjoyed. I think that's the key, enjoy it. It's that diversity that makes works of writing so much joy for me.
For that reason, I will always enjoy reading my friend's manuscript. Something he put his heart and soul into and offered a glimpse into how he sees the world around him.
Have a great night world.
August 17, 2015
Mushrooms... not the short cut
I'm so in awe of nature. Today, I dutifully took a look at the logs I have hidden in a shady place by my back deck and lo and behold, there were 7 shiitake mushrooms growing where I had planted them. Well, not really plant I guess, more like embedded spore dowels into the wood. So amazing. They took quite a while to their thing but yet again, I stand in awe of nature, the power of mother earth.
And my tomato plants are giving me their bounty, of which I always take the time to respect. I think it's kinda symbiotic. I nurture them, they nurture me. Makes ya want all of life to be that way. I'd love a relationship like that. Now that would be truly wonderful. Goodnight world.
And my tomato plants are giving me their bounty, of which I always take the time to respect. I think it's kinda symbiotic. I nurture them, they nurture me. Makes ya want all of life to be that way. I'd love a relationship like that. Now that would be truly wonderful. Goodnight world.
August 15, 2015
Today
So, I had a few thoughts today as I was mowing my lawn and weeding the garden. Some people don't like these chores but, you know, I've found them meditative. They're not difficult, there's no real brain power involved with them so it really gives my mind the opportunity to wander everywhere and anywhere. Oh who am I kidding, it does that anyway.
But those weren't the thoughts. Hah, see how I wander? Anyway, one thought I had was, if we excuse ourselves from our personal responsibility, does that mean the ideals we strive to live up to are doomed to wither? I don't have the answer really, just a thought. The other thing I thought of today was that I really do love the human species, people but, I guess what frustrates me to no end and drives me to rant and rave sometimes is, our collective folly. Why on earth we feel so compelled to go around hurting and killing each other is way over my head. We waste so much time and energy with that. Just think of what we could do if we put that energy into moving forward together. That would blow my mind for sure.
Well, goodnight world.
But those weren't the thoughts. Hah, see how I wander? Anyway, one thought I had was, if we excuse ourselves from our personal responsibility, does that mean the ideals we strive to live up to are doomed to wither? I don't have the answer really, just a thought. The other thing I thought of today was that I really do love the human species, people but, I guess what frustrates me to no end and drives me to rant and rave sometimes is, our collective folly. Why on earth we feel so compelled to go around hurting and killing each other is way over my head. We waste so much time and energy with that. Just think of what we could do if we put that energy into moving forward together. That would blow my mind for sure.
Well, goodnight world.
August 14, 2015
Wow...
So... this is blogging. I feel like I'm sitting in a darkened room in front of a solitary table with a spotlight blazing from above, my illuminated, now pale face quite flushed and exposed.
But, I guess with all things in life, you can't take any other steps without taking the first step. Or as they say in Star Trek, "To boldly go where no one has gone before." Or as Deepak Chopra once said, "All great changes are preceded by chaos."
And so it has been. The chaos that dominated the aftermath of my Iraq War experience has seemed to produce one of the greatest changes of my life. I'm now an author, the dream of a small, awkward 10-year old child banging away on his mother's battered manual typewriter writing his first(admittedly, dreadfully awful) short story... now fulfilled some 30 odd years later.
Now the next step. To blog. I'm wondering where this next great adventure will take me. Perhaps nowhere. Perhaps somewhere.
I don't think there's any point in wondering. It doesn't matter. I'd rather live in the moment and enjoy the experience, let it take me where it may and revel in the joy of what this odyssey reveals as it occurs.
Some thoughts for today as I ramble about: Is it me, or has the election for the highest civil office in this country been turned into a reality show rather than a policy driven, serious discussion of our nation's troubles?
I'd also like to find a good recipe for Aurora's Chicken Pepperoni. I wonder if anyone remembers that great film with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn - Seems Like Old Times. I'll never forget that line, "Aurora's Chicken Pepperoni, I know how you love it."
Take care world, enjoy your Friday.
But, I guess with all things in life, you can't take any other steps without taking the first step. Or as they say in Star Trek, "To boldly go where no one has gone before." Or as Deepak Chopra once said, "All great changes are preceded by chaos."
And so it has been. The chaos that dominated the aftermath of my Iraq War experience has seemed to produce one of the greatest changes of my life. I'm now an author, the dream of a small, awkward 10-year old child banging away on his mother's battered manual typewriter writing his first(admittedly, dreadfully awful) short story... now fulfilled some 30 odd years later.
Now the next step. To blog. I'm wondering where this next great adventure will take me. Perhaps nowhere. Perhaps somewhere.
I don't think there's any point in wondering. It doesn't matter. I'd rather live in the moment and enjoy the experience, let it take me where it may and revel in the joy of what this odyssey reveals as it occurs.
Some thoughts for today as I ramble about: Is it me, or has the election for the highest civil office in this country been turned into a reality show rather than a policy driven, serious discussion of our nation's troubles?
I'd also like to find a good recipe for Aurora's Chicken Pepperoni. I wonder if anyone remembers that great film with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn - Seems Like Old Times. I'll never forget that line, "Aurora's Chicken Pepperoni, I know how you love it."
Take care world, enjoy your Friday.
August 5, 2015
Official Publication Date
It's official, as of July 7 my book is now on sale at Amazon and other retailers. I'm too excited for words.
