Today I reside full time near Guadalajara, Mexico where I find time for work, play and my passion, creating works of fiction. I believe that I am an okay writer and an excellent story teller. I am also not a one novel wonder as I’ve just completed my 4th novel, a futuristic story based on the science and pseudo-science of today.
I'm probably not much different from the throngs of would-be novelists who started writing late in life - not that I'm old or anything. I've always dreamed of writing and of all things, my son beat me to it by authoring several unpublished novels and scads of short stories a number of years ago.
I always used the excuse for not writing that I was working for a living, supporting a family and paying my employment dues so to speak. When my wife and I moved to the warm and wonderful shores of Lake Chapala in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, I was further motivated to write by residing in the artist village of Ajijic.
Initially life was too good here and I spent my days on the tennis courts and working remotely as president of my two companies.
Initially life was too good here and I spent my days on the tennis courts and working remotely as president of my two companies.
Four years ago it was time to put my proverbial pen where my mouth was (the ink tasted like shit) and get busy. I managed to tell my first story, all 80,000 plus words with the help of friends and my editor, James Tipton, the local poet laureate of Lake Chapala. We both agreed that it was worthy of your consideration and I decided to self-publish on Amazon Kindle. Yes, it had become time to unleash it onto the unsuspecting public.
While my peers suggested that I write what I know, the lead character from Die Laughing is not autobiographical, at least I hope not.
Honestly, if one follows that hackneyed rule of thumb very few authors of fiction would ever write about murder or mayhem, and if they did my guess is that law enforcement would pay much greater heed to writers and their deeds, assuming that one writes about what one has experienced.
Honestly, if one follows that hackneyed rule of thumb very few authors of fiction would ever write about murder or mayhem, and if they did my guess is that law enforcement would pay much greater heed to writers and their deeds, assuming that one writes about what one has experienced.
While the long-term editing process was in full swing I began to think that Die Laughing might be my one trick pony. Did I have another interesting idea for a second novel? With support and open ears to my outline for novel number two, my lovely and talented wife Dr. Patsi - (she tells me that she can and will write soon) - supplied much needed feedback on my concept for a futuristic political satire story.
In the interim I have written a 3,600-plus word short story called Council of One. It too is a black comedy story of a down and out young man who finds love and courage at a Council of National Products convention. After I found the time to edit it a few hundred times I have made it available in its entirety on this site.
This short story is indicative of my writing style and general view of life. Both I and my fictional characters are self effacing, non-perfect humans, searching for something better in our lives. None of us cares much for bullshit or Congress, which are pretty much the same thing. As the dust settles on our lives we realize that nothing really matters after all except that we find a way to actually like ourselves.
James Tipton has been a real help beyond his editing talents. He has encouraged me to enter literary contests and locate a literary agent that will accept unsolicited manuscripts. More on those results later.
My equally talented son, Scott, who I mentioned is an accomplished writer in his own right, has also lent his graphic design skills and designed my dust covers for all four novels. About the Die Laughing cover he said, "I have a thing for clowns, but I thought in the case of the subject matter, it might be an interesting metaphor if used in this desaturated way. Using it upside down is both for visual impact and give a more ominous feel". I would love to hear your feedback on both this design and the synopsis blog to follow.
So far what I have found out is that I'm a good story teller with unbridled imagination and an okay writer. Hopefully with experience and the support of my many friends I can grow as a purveyor of syntax without sacrificing the God-given ability to tell a whopping good tale. Whatever happens it's all great fun.
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