David C. Russell's Blog: On The Journey

Writing and Moving Forward

Hello GoodReads Member,
This is August 29, 2025 as we begin our visit. It has been a busy month for yours truly, and a challenge as well. They tell us both busy and challenge are necessary to keep us from atrophy. Do you find that to be so?

On the writing front, here is the blurb to my forthcoming book title, From My Red Chair: a Short Story Collection". Tentative release is set for the month of October.

Cover Blurb
Fiction/Short Stories
The late author, Wallace Stegner, observed that strength is measured by the burdens
one can bear. In David C. Russell’s new collection, From My Red Chair, he offers
commentary on life’s difficulties through six stories. Imagined situations and their
respective participants will appear as different from each other as dusk is from dawn.
Serenity, complaint, familial flexibility, expert opinion, and amends between associates
are viewed in the confines of created, real experience. Though each burden borne and
response chosen varies, the characters share the sense of affliction, struggle, and the
response it requires. This author offers some homemade insight through these stories
under the umbrella we call mental health.

I will be publishing to Draft2Digital, distributing to Amazon and other book venues.

Also, I was given the opportunity to write a story for the Divine Moments Christmas Anthology. I titled my story, The Silent Stars. It's set in or near Bethlehem, Israel. An older couple have run a boutique for a few years, and due to changing demographics and aging parents, decide to return to the UK. It was a fun story to create and put forth.

Reading, my wife and I are into our fourth novel by Freida McFadden, The Wife Upstairs. It's an entertaining read!

Is the season starting to show change where you reside?

For us, this is so. Nights cool, afternoons quite comfortable.

Until our next visit around mid September, read something informative and entertaining. Enjoy the good things you have been given.

Happy Hours Ahead,

David C. Russell

Mixed Blessing: August 1, 2025

Hello Readers,

Is there a mixed blessing in today being Friday, and today being August 1st and President Trump's tariff measures take effect? I'll leave that for you to decide!

Book Progress
Currently, my next title, "From My Red Chair" is undergoing my review from its first full edit. I appreciate the work done by Editor, Tyler Tichelaar of Superior Book Productions based in Marquette, MI. I will be looking to them to aid me in birthing this title in a couple months! This is a five story self-anthology with each story focused on mental health.

As to reading, I am about to begin a Mary Higgins Clark mystery, and just finished two titles by faith-based author, Lori Hope. I recommend her "Hevanely Daiz" series.

Have you been by to check out my posts at
https://spillwords.com/author/davidcr...
You will find several free-to-read short stories authored by me thereon.

Personal, I am healing from a recent elbow fracture. This has slowed my days somewhat, and am getting a new fresh glimpse into being semi-retired.

Unbtil our next visit, (by end of August) take care, read a good story, enhance your own story.

Happy Hours Ahead,
David C. Russell, Author

What Are You Doing? Summer 2025

Hello readers new, old, experienced,
gaining experience,
Today is Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
I hope to post twice monthly over the next several months, with desire to make some new acquaintances and include you among them. Since we are about reading, what or who is your favorite author?
your favorite book(s)?
or periodical?
As for me, "Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine" put out every other month. The stories are of reasonable length. Some in each issue are like a little novella that may be a good hour to read from start to completion.
I also enjoy writing. A sample of several stories of mine are at:
https://spillwords.com/the-chronic-co...
being my most recent story at this site.
Currently, working on producing a short story collection that will be released in four months, Lord willing.
The theme, seeking mental health.
Let's continue our visits together.
I hope to hear from you, and plan to drop by again in late July.
Happy hours,
David C. Russell, Author

New Habits Old Ways

Hello GoodReads Reader,
It has been a while since posting here and also: since I had steamed, peeled, shrimp, swam in a great lake or at a beach, lifted weights, smoked cigarettes, heard from a dear friend, and did I say, post here?
I have modified my goal to lift weights to three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Cigarettes are too darn expensive to enjoy; coffee is now in first place.
I plan to post here at least once every two months instead of every ... years.
as to writing, I have had works published in six of the last quarterly, New Authors Journal, (print, sold on Amazon) and hope to keep this habit alive.
I also hope to figure out the best way to give my 18-month-old title, Human Being Human Doing, new life and interest!
It has been shall we say "dormant" for months.

I have several free stories at:
https://www.spillwords.com/author/dav...

Reading: Just finishing, "End Of Us" by Colleen Hoover, and have short stories by Rex Stout, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and Lisa Genova coming up as authors to read.

If you are acquainted with any or all these three, let's talk, okay?
What did you like about either or all of those mentioned?

My current stories in "New Authors Journal" are around a gentleman's adjustment to widowhood. The first two stories are in the respective Fall 2004, and Winter 2005, issues. Again, "New Authors Journal" (print, on sale at Amazon).

Gosh I hope to hear from you and pardon me for excessive conversation.

Until Next time, (March 2025, Lord willing)
All the Best and Keep Moving Forward

David C. Russell, Author
:)

Summertime And The Reading Is ....

Hello friends and readers alike,

Today is Monday, June 17, and in an email from our county library system, it is day one of their Summer Reading Program, which ends August 17.
Do you read year-round?
I do.
How many titles do you read at any given time?
For me, two are currently underway.
"December's Dean" by the late Saul Bellow;
"To The Ends Of The Earth: .... by Dr. Jeffrey Seif.

I just finished writing a new story idea and have some revision.

Currently one of my stories is on Spillwords.com,
"The Demagogue"
Would you like to read it for free and for entertainment?
Ah, come on, go for it, be my guest.

https://www.spillwords.com/author/dav...

By the way, "Human Being Human Doing" will be 13 months old on June 23.
For inspiration, encouragement, and info start by going to:
https://www.books2read.com/u/mlqXG9
This is the "universal book link" where you can view a portion of the book and obtain it from a few select vendors.
The title is in print and EBook.

Till next visit, thanks for stopping by.

I am more regular at Blogger,
"Grafted In And On The Journey."

Later, and happy summer to you and yours, or winter if down under!

David C. Russell, Author

See You In September or September Morn

Hello friend,

Gee, it has been a while since we have had a visit. I just answered a question concerning what I have been reading this summer, and Autumn is just a week away according to the experts. New shows on TV, new school year, new beginnings or so it seems generally speaking.

I am working on short stories for a collection, or anthology publication by others, and recently I have a story in
Buckets of Hope by one Kat Crawford, on Amazon.com.

Buckets of Hope is an anthology devoted to the grieving process. Do consider if you find yourself in a season of loss. We all do from time to time.

Please tell me what's new in your reading, writing, living world in general. I want this to be a conversation.

Happy page turning,
David C. Russell, Author

Reading this summer/winter?

Hello Friends,

According to statistics, my last post here was around May 20, 2019. Now it is June 25, and time to catch up.

As some of you may live "down under" I titled this post thinking of you in the midst of Winter. Here, summer has just begun with temperatures in my region reaching near 25 to 30 degrees C.

Writing
I continue to work on short stories for the publication "New Authors Journal" and have two pieces in their Spring journal and two in their summer journal. I plan to submit one longer story for the Fall New Authors Journal, amazon.com.

Reading
Joan Dideon, and Faye Kellerman are my authors to read this summer. I am nearly through "South And West" by Ms. Dideon, which is about her visit to the southern and western US in the '70s. The Faye Kellerman novel will be her latest installment of the Peter Decker series.

My wife and I have taken the occasional two to three day trip and seem to enjoy this length of venture from home. Travers City, North Carolina, and central Wisconsin are stops made or to be made over the next couple months.

Quiet lives are fun to lead and live, and hope all is well in your latest chapter of living.
Drop me a note just so we know each other is out here!

happy page turning,
David C. Russell

https://www.dldbooks.com/davidrussell

Live By The Rules!

Hi Friends,

I have been going through some English grammar resources of late to brush up on one of my least favorite subjects during grade-school, but now valued as a writer. Here are just a few common rules noted:
There is a difference between part and apart. Sample, I'll tear this apart. I have a part in the play.
You cannot always end sentences with a preposition: What did you step on? On is the preposition. Where are you is as meaningful as, Where are you at?
There are twenty-three helping verbs that are used often.
- is, am, are, was, were
- be, being, been
- has, have, had
- do, does, did
- shall, will, could, should
- may, might, must, can could

For those who observe a faith practice, perhaps the King of the Universe gave us the greatest rule some of us are learning to live:
Love the Lord God with all your mind, all your strength, with all your soul (animal instincts) and your neighbor as yourself.

In Brief
- Thanks to you who take the time to like my blog. Big thanks to Patty Fletcher for so doing!
- I have two stories that will be part of New Authors Journal, summer edition. I will inform when available.
- My autobiography titled, Homecoming: A Memoir" by David C. Russell
is available online and can be ordered at some Kobo or Barnes and Noble Stores by walk-in patrons. You need to order the book from those stores if in their catalog.

Until next visit, happy journey and happy page turning!

David C. Russell

Who Do You Remember?

Hello Friends,

It has been a little over a month since last here, but like you, have been active for the most part.
I am reading the selected short stories of the Late Raymond Carver, an author from the mid 20th century. His stories have endings that allow one to consider rather than wrap things and put a bow around them. As a writer, I appreciate his example.

We lost an American icon this week, singer and actress Doris Day. She lived a full life with joys, sorrows, successes and challenges and cared about our world all along!
A friend from my elementary school days recently passed. His name is Karl (Korky) Hess. His life wisdom to us, Do what you can when you can. Korky as he liked to be called took life in stride and laughed when possible. Good-bye Karl.

I am sure you have folk you remember from your journey. Each challenges us in his or her own way to tend our respective legacy that others will remember us. Give a "damn" about yourself, your Higher Power, your others, our world!

Happy Journey til next visit,
David C. Russell, Author

Note: Comments wanted, welcomed, appreciated!

Writing, Reading, and Arithmetic

Hello Friend,

Just out of curiosity have you visited:
David C. Russell - DLD Books
www.dldbooks.com/davidrussell/
Web page for author David C. Russell. ...
- Story by David Russell in the Spring 2019 issue of New Authors Journal. David Russell's story, "Little Man No Big Ham 
I'll settle for a simple yes or no, yep or nope, yay or nay, up to you..

- Today is April 10, and I remarked to my wife earlier that in October we will say or write 10/4 or 10/04. It doesn't take much to amuse me..

This month began with accepting the contest challenge to write a romantic story trope. A "trope" is something repeated a few times either in one story or in several writings by an author. I will send it into the submission this weekend, by April 15. The month continued with a four-day visit with my aging father, youngest sister and her two sons in another state. The time away was a God-send!

I am reading Leslie Jamison's book, "The Recovering. If you know her, tell her David C. Russell is a new fan and like her reading voice! I recommend this if you are into self improvement!

Finally, I may have a second story in the forthcoming, summer edition of New Authors Journal. Copies are available through Amazon.com. If you like short stories in a book you can hold, give the New Authors Journal a try!

OK, that's about it for now. I appreciate your time, your like, and any comments too.

Happy page turning,
David C. Russell