Write!

Someone allegedly commented to author, Alex Halley, I want to write. What should I do? Alex Halley replied, Then, write. This, of course, was a paraphrase, but you get the gest. I had the pleasure of using this phrase at a book signing. A woman told me several times that she wanted to be a writer, and I replied, “Then, write.”

The reasons certain individuals become writers is as vast as the leaves on a forest full of trees. For example, I never set out to be an author.

My initial attempt at writing was in my first year in high school. When I attended high school, the grades began in the 9^th, ending in the 12^th. So, I was about fourteen.

My English teacher gave the class an assignment to write a short story, the subject being our choice. As I was fascinated with tornado’s, I quickly concocted a story in my head of a family trapped in their home with a tornado approaching.

Not only had the teacher graded and returned the paper to me, but she had also added notes. She enjoyed the story and wanted to meet with me to further discuss my writing. I was intrigued by the thought of someone being interested in a story I had penned; however, being bored with school, I never pursued her invitation.

Years later, when my son started elementary school, I purchased him a computer. During my free time at night, I drafted short stories for my own enjoyment. By the time he was in high school, he had caught the writing bug and was taking classes in creative writing. We shared what we wrote at times. He enjoyed my short stories a lot and took several to class to share. The stories were well received by both students and faculty.

Unfortunately,while my son was still in high school, I was informed my department was being eliminated, and I would be laid-off in the spring. Talking about future options during a long weekend surf fishing trip to Hatteras that winter, he suggested I take up writing as my next career. The wheels began to turn, and I started penning short stories as soon as we returned home.

I began my first novel several months later and now, after 17 years, I am working on book 7.

Isn’t it wonderful to sit back and watch God work? Give Him a chance. He’s just chomping at the bit to make a difference in your life.       

Taking Things at Face Value

I contemplate the writing on any one of many virtual pieces of paper. Whether it contains my latest manuscript, short story or blog post, each one calls for a purposeful amount of thought. With each blog entry that I  post, I try to keep each one interesting, humorous and informative. I’ve heard many things throughout my life that I have taken at face value, but found some things not to be true. No doubt a few of the following may prove to be redundant.

To begin, Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill, not on horseback, but on foot.

The term, “separation of church and state” is found nowhere in the constitution . . . go figure.

If you throw a frog into boiling water, he will jump out. If you allow a frog to float in room temperature water and slowly raise the temperature, guess what happens when the water gets hot? He jumps out.

During the summer, when you look into a clear nighttime sky, if you stare long enough you will see a flash of lighting. My father told me it was heat lighting. Much to my surprise, I found it was not heat lightening, but a distant thunderstorm. To stay on the subject of lightening, another farce I was told as a child was that a car was the safest place to be because of the rubber tires. It turns out a car is a safe place to be, but has nothing to do with the tires. The safety is due to the metal body directing the electrical charge around the occupants. Who would have thought?

Did you know that the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not in the bible. And, wonder of wonders, it is never too cold to snow.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these little tidbits of information and have maybe even found some of your childhood myths shattered . . . and by the by rabbits do not like carrots

Have a great week and may God bless you richly.     

Back in the Saddle . . . ish

To my followers:

Thank you for your patience while I have been ill and unable to write my weekly blog. I am happy to say I ‘m on the mend and hope to be writing again soon. Please be patient a bit longer, and you’ll see my smirky commentary back for your perusal.