A March Wish For Writers

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Can you believe it is the beginning of March already? Winter is almost over, even though where I live it has been almost unbelievably mild, and Spring will soon be here. I know it is a function of age, but it does truly seem that time is racing by!

With that thought in mind, I simply wanted to wish all writers a productive month of writing. Remember to take your writing in chunks, first a day at a time, then a week, and then a month.

Also, keep in mind that if you write only 250 words a day, that by the end of one year, you will have completed a full first draft of a book!

Don’t stop, don’t give up, and always believe in yourself.

Happy Writing!

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Here Is A Simple Wish For Writers

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To all the writers out there, whoever you are and wherever you may be, please remember to value yourselves, to respect your efforts, and to keep on writing.

Also please remember, writing comes from dedication and consistency and not from waiting for inspiration.

Trust your creativity, believe in yourself, value your efforts, and take joy from your writing!

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A Few Thoughts

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As the year comes to its conclusion, I was considering what I thought might be among the most important daily habits to have, not including work and writing! So, I want to present three suggestions to everyone, and their order is not important:

1) Find a bit of joy every day.

2) Learn something new each day.

3) Show some kindness so that you can make the world a better place.

I don’t think these ideas are either revolutionary or new, but I hope they are useful.

To everyone–be well!

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Writers: Have Faith In Yourselves!

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To all the writers out there, who keep working on their books, stories, poems, or any other work, you can do it.

Have faith in yourself.

Keep imagining.

Keep thinking.

Keep drafting.

Keep writing.

You can do it!

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Thank You To Writers!

 

Thank you to all the writers who are creating books, poetry, drama, and short-stories. You are also educating, informing, and entertaining! You are not only the story-tellers of society, but you are also the conscience of the world.

Keep doing what you do, and readers will continue to read your work. 

Also, please remember to have faith in yourselves and your abilities. 

Again, thank you!

How Is Everyone Doing?

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The last couple of years have been turbulent, to be a bit understated, and I hope everyone is finding their way through all the difficulties we face.

I simply wanted to wish everyone well.

Please try to be kind and to find joy at least once a day.

I want to ask everyone: how are you doing?

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To All The Writers–Continue to Write!

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Writers, keep writing!

Please remember that writing is not inspired from some external source, and it does not come in one burst of activity.

While talent matters, what is far more important is the ability to be disciplined and to work every day, to put pen to paper, or sit in front of the keyboard and to create even when things are not going well.

Hard work, discipline, and commitment are the most important qualities that are needed for creating a written work.

Try to write every day, even if your goal is only a couple of hundred words.

Keep writing!

You can do this!

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Writers–Believe in Yourself!

 

To all the writers who might see this blog, please remember to believe in yourself, in your writing, and what you are doing.

Never listen to naysayers, including that voice in your head. Stay positive, and enjoy the journey.

Above all, keep writing!

 

Why Do Writers Write?

 

Why do I write?

I was asked this question several times over the last couple of years, often at writing conferences or by other writers online or by those who have read my books. I was thinking about it, and my answer is deceptively simple: I write because I have stories to tell, characters to give life to, and because I love books.

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I believe in the power of words to communicate between the author and the readers as I believe in the connection of human beings. All stories, no matter the genre, speak to that connection. I remain an eternal optimist and see writing as an expression of that hope. I see the journey into the imagination as creating not only places of wonder but possibilities for the growth of empathy and compassion. I see writing as a way to question society as well as to show its strengths. Mostly though, I am able to tell the stories I have within me.

 

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So here is my question to anyone who might wish to answer: why do you write?

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Available on Amazon

Get The Draft Done! is available here: Amazon.com

 

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

 

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

Available on Amazon

Available on Amazon

Favorite Holiday Movies: Part One!

This season is one of my favorite times of year, and I love doing this series on Christmas movies. Throughout the month of December, I will post on several of my favorite Christmas films.

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White Christmas, the 1954 film about two former soldiers who turn song and dance men and who help their former commander as he attempts to run a floundering ski resort, has special meaning to me. It stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney and was directed by Michael Curtiz. It features the songs of Irving Berlin.  As a major piece of American film history, that would be enough to be of interest to me, but it has a much more profound connection.

My parents were both of “the greatest generation,” which is a description with which I agree. They were born and raised during the depression and were part of the multitudes of America who fought and supported World War II. My father was a Marine, and my mother worked in the Signal Corps.  This group of Americans had a toughness that was forged in the fire of great tumult, both national and international. They understood that the connection to country meant service and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.

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My mother loved this movie, and it was a tradition in our family to watch it when it aired on television, which was, if I remember correctly, every Christmas Eve. If not that night, then it was always on a nearby night. Of course, as a child who was born a while after World War II, it was all ancient history to me then, but for my mother and father, it spoke directly to their lives and to their hopes and dreams.

Both of my parents have been gone for quite a while now, over 20 years–they were married for 48 years and died within 2 years of each other. As I have become older, I have learned to appreciate what my parents did for us, which, I have to admit, when I was young and stupid, I did not. To paraphrase Mark Twain, –it is amazing how smart my parents got as I got older. And I appreciate and try to continue some of the family traditions, including watching White Christmas, but now with my beloved wife. And now my granddaughter is old enough to begin to appreciate and enjoy these films. I still feel the connection to my Mom and Pop when I watch this movie.  This movie speaks to the connection of people, of hope, of joy, of happiness, and of the power of music.

And I wish we would have a white Christmas, and I hope it will happen this year.

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