Author Archives: Mike

Writing Prompt Wednesday (Characters in a Crunch)

Today’s writing prompt comes from Writers’ Digest. Click on over and join the discussion there: https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/characters-in-a-crunch Here’s my contribution: “Oh, my gosh, Dad! What did you do?” James stopped chewing mid-crunch and glanced up from his phone. His eyes were wide as Kole and Katie, still in their pajamas, stared at him. “What?” Katie heldContinue reading “Writing Prompt Wednesday (Characters in a Crunch)”

Meet Meredith Hillis (a character sketch – Until Summer)

She was in love. Life for Meredith Hillis finally seemed to be going the way she had long hoped. She had a good job and a stable relationship. She was mom to one teenage boy and foster mom to another. She was happy with all she had. But when she receives a phone call askingContinue reading “Meet Meredith Hillis (a character sketch – Until Summer)”

“Until Summer” Available Now!

My latest novel is now available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited and in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RSLGHDN/ It is a story of love, hope, and finding light against the darkness of trauma. Foster care is a central theme to the book. I wrote it, in part, because foster care is important to me and there isn’t aContinue reading ““Until Summer” Available Now!”

Pre-Order “Until Summer” (and read a sample)

My new book Until Summer is available now for Kindle pre-order on Amazon. You can check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RSLGHDN Here is the about blurb on Amazon: They were in love but that seemed a long time ago, a different life. Abused and neglected, Meredith and her brothers spent much of their childhood in fosterContinue reading “Pre-Order “Until Summer” (and read a sample)”

Your Imagination Is a Gift

Why do you write? Why do you rhyme? Why do you paint or draw? Why do you build? Most people want to see the world a better place. We might not always see eye-to-eye on how to do that in a holistic sense, but one thing that spurs on the creatives and artists is aContinue reading “Your Imagination Is a Gift”

Cultivate Future Readers

Want to cultivate future readers, writers, and other creatives? Read, read, and read to you children. It’s a near daily thing in our house. We read about five or six books at the start of the day. Usually, as he grabs them, runs up, and shouts, “Bookie!” as he holds it high. Yes, my wifeContinue reading “Cultivate Future Readers”

The Necklace (a Christmas short story)

The seventh and final in my Christmas short story / flash fiction series. Enjoy! I hesitated as I rounded the corner and hunkered into my down jacket. Half a block ahead, a grizzled and unkempt man sat with his back against the brick wall. He wore a stocking hat and overcoat, both of which hadContinue reading “The Necklace (a Christmas short story)”

Let’s Talk Writer’s Block

Writer’s Block. Whether you’re a professional author or sometimes storyteller, you know it. Those moments, days, weeks, or in my worst case several years where you want to write but something is stopping you. The imagination seems to shut off. The motivation vanishes. You hate the words you see on the page/screen, trash it all,Continue reading “Let’s Talk Writer’s Block”