I’ve been known as a book author for nearly 20 years, but before that, I crafted stories in a more theatrical style through plays. The writing bug hit me in my teen years, and after acting in some school plays, I decided to write my own stories through theatrical performance, and in 1993, my junior…
As we welcome tomorrow, hold tight to the things from yesterday
Many folks like the idea of looking to the future and embracing new ways of doing things. New concepts, new technologies—call it what you will, but moving forward is the sign of a good civilization. However, there’s also something to be said about not forgetting the old way of doing things. I’m not talking about…
Change doesn’t happen with calendar replacement
Christmas is finished, and a new year is upon us. There are two certainties with a new year. The first is that people are going to go out on New Year’s Eve, ready to ring in 2026 with confetti, champagne and wonderful anticipation. The second is that some people are going to make new year’s…
Taking time on Christmas Eve to savor the season
There’s something about Christmas Eve—the anticipation of something wonderful coming. After almost two months of a sense of goodwill intermingled with chaos and the hunt for the perfect present, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Whether it’s everybody unwrapping presents next to the tree or a train coming at you…
Not wanting to join the club every time I go shopping
During my high school years, I got involved with a number of clubs. After a rather awkward childhood, being part of the drama club and other organizations made me feel like I was a part of something. It’s how I made some dear friends and been part of people’s lives long after I walked across…
Favoritism not a factor when writing novels
Which of your books is your favorite? This question was asked of me at a recent vendor event for Fox Valley Pride. It wasn’t the first time I was asked the question, but like the other times, I didn’t have a satisfactory answer. It’s akin to asking a parent who their favorite child is. However,…
Magazine escapism old-school method in the new world
It’s a rough world out there, and people are turning away from traditional media, and in some ways, the internet. War, famine, corruption and more. You’ll occasionally find some good news along the way, but you have to ask yourself if it’s real or something crafted up by artificial intelligence. The bleakness of the world…
When Thanksgiving focuses more on the giving part
Thanksgiving has passed. You know, that one holiday whose public relation officials spend most of November asleep at the wheel while the cheerleaders of Christmas take full advantage. I woke up the morning after the holiday and read a news piece about select restaurants opting to open for the holiday as many folks spend the…
Sometimes you’re not the only writer in town
It’s not always easy for me to find time to sit down and read a book. I write full-time for a newspaper, and then I take quite a bit of time putting together my novels. However, I recently discovered a friend I went to school with in Chino Valley is in the same boat I…
This year, we need a little more Christmas
It’s that time of the year when the big debate arises about whether we should be breaking out the Christmas lights and decorations, as well as whether we should be cranking up the Christmas songs. The argument against is that we’ve still got Veterans Day and Thanksgiving to go through, and besides, Christmas has become…
Media influence results in open cabinet doors
There’s a lot of concern out there about the influence of the media, especially when it comes to the national media. Depending on where you get your information, you could be swayed to worship certain people, and on the flip side, consider other people evil. However, I wasn’t certain about how far the influence could…
Can trick-or-treating ever be replaced?
The other day, I was listening to the radio, and the announcer started talking about Halloween, and he posed this question: Is trunk-or-treat going to replace trick-or-treat? It’s an interesting question, when you think about how many trunk-or-treats take place in communities around Wisconsin. However, one noticeable factor about these events is that most of…
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 