Guess Who's Back?

Hello Fire Enthusiasts.

So, would you believe I just woke up from an extended coma?

No? How ‘bout kidnapped by aliens and they finally grew tired of poking and prodding me. I realize there’s a joke there. Let’s leave it be, shall we?

Not buying that one either, huh? Would you believe I walked away from blogging in order to chase other means of world domination that ultimately evaded me, and now I’m back? Okay, I’m glad we understand each other.

Assuring you that my life is not that interesting is probably a failure right out of the gate. So, let’s not say that. Oops! Already did. Damn! Um, okay. *Clears throat* What I mean is, I’m back, but we’ll take it slow in order to achieve a balance. You can also be assured that your inbox will not overflow with content from me. I plan to post just frequently enough so you don’t forget me, and as briefly as possible because our attention spans are no longer that long – for better or worse.

I have published two more novels since I last stood upon this hallowed ground. Yeah, I laughed too. Photographs came out in 2010 at the same time as the virus-which-shall-not-be-named. That was a bummer because I really believed (and still do) in that book. I actually spent two years querying it before deciding to stop wasting time and get to the next book. As I type this, I’m 57. If I was 27, I might still be in the query trenches with it. The book has a character that I rescued from a terrible novella I wrote while in school that will never see the light of day. You’re welcome. It entailed demons that were trying to build a bridge into this world through a house that belonged to a drunk and washed-up actress. In any event, she needed to be rescued from that horrible story just like she needed to be rescued from the current one. I was delighted at how Photographs came out. Point of fact, it’s the fan favorite where I live. It flies off physical shelves and my table at events. If only the rest of the world would find it! Most recently, I published The Color of Sound. In that one, a teenager loses the scales from her eyes which allows her to see both good and evil all around her. It explores what a young teenager could hope to do with that type of superpower and offers an explanation as to why someone might decide to take their own life. And since the story takes place in the same city as my vampire series… Hmm? Might she be able to assist them…?

I am the secretary for the Central Valley Fiction Writers here near Fresno, California. I have been in the group for a couple of years now. We meet monthly, attend book events, and help each other along our journeys.

In the past few years, I have read more books than ever before. I plan to share some of them with you. I read 52 in 2023, 68 in 2024, 95 last year and 40 so far this year. As I climb back behind my writer’s desk later this summer for Dance on Fire 4 the reading will slow, but hopefully not that much. We will see.

Beyond that, I work out with dumbbells 3-4 times per week in my home gym. I told you I was 57! Mr. Eastwood is famous for warning against letting the old man in, so I endeavor not to do so. Lastly, my wife and I are empty nesters who have discovered a love of travel. That should explain why writing will not begin until later this summer. We are heading back to Ireland.

Okay, friends. That sums it up. Thanks for taking the time.

We’ll talk soon.