Tag Archives: author

Q&A: What authors influenced you as a child?

Thinking back, there are three who come easily to mind. Vicki Grove. She is a local author near my hometown. We read some of her books in class. She would also visit our elementary school and talk about life as an author. Gary Paulsen. Hatchet, of course, is a classic. I also remember reading TheContinue reading “Q&A: What authors influenced you as a child?”

The Firefighter and the Cat (Writing Prompt Wednesday)

For Christmas, my wife bought me a Writing Prompts journal. One of the prompts is: Express the thoughts of a firefighter trying to rescue a kitten stuck in a tree. Here’s my response. Share in the comments your 500-word or less response to the prompt. You’ve gotta be kidding me. Not this again–a cat, anotherContinue reading “The Firefighter and the Cat (Writing Prompt Wednesday)”

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)”

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”

A First Christmas (a Christmas short story)

Today’s Christmas story: “Mmmm.” My eyes slowly opened. I could smell the bacon on the stove. I glanced over the side of the bunk. Stevie’s mattress was empty and his sheets in a tangled clump. I slowly lowered myself to the floor and yipped as my bare feet touched cold hardwood before I could findContinue reading “A First Christmas (a Christmas short story)”