Monday, May 26, 2014

A Trip Home


Often stories take hold because of a setting, a special setting. Seems easy to write about place, if you can picture it. What better way to picture a place, than to visit it, again.

Sometimes a trip down memory lane is good for the mind and soul. We got to see old friends, and as my dad used to put it, I got “back to the old stomping grounds”.
This is the road, not a drive - very little use

Actually not only my, old stomping grounds, but my dad’s, and his family. Although I did spend the first few years of my life in this house, now abandoned for more than half a century.

 
I have lived much of my adult life in Wyoming and find it a beautiful and fascinating state.   My trip down memory lane was in northeast Nebraska where I was born and later taught for more than a decade. Most people wouldn’t recognize this ruggedly beautiful area as Nebraska. Unspoiled by resorts, getaways or people, what a great place.
 
A trip back home - old friends, old places, memories for a lifetime.

 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Create Space Publishing


“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
—George Orwell

Well, I found help, help for the writing pain, especially if you are going the self-pub route. Rick Smith’s, Create Space & Kindle Self –Publishing Masterclass, is the only resource needed if you wish to publish on Amazon in either print or for e-readers.

The blurp on the front cover says, “The Step by Step Author’s Guide to Writing. Publish and Marketing Your Books on Amazon. I believe this says it all.

My current, work in progress, yes, I know I am supposed to use WP, but I still like to write it out. But I digress, my current nonfiction work in progress will have more than 100 photos and about 30,000 words. That could be a formatting nightmare, but thanks to Mr. Smith, and his book, I have made it through. Will publish by June 1.

Summer slows down my writing – too many distractions

 

 

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Wilkie Collins -The Women in White


I have long been a huge fan of Charles Dickens and felt it was about time I read one of the works by his longtime best friend, Wilkie Collins. I am part way through Collins, The Women in White, his fifth and reportedly his best novel.


So who was Wilkie Collins? The author who started detective fiction, the ending cliffhanger and maybe modern day detective mystery novels. Collins novel, The Women in White, I referenced above, often pops up on lists of 100 greatest novels, and so far, half way through, I have not been disappointed. Next time you find a good detective mystery or a story with a super cliffhanger thank Wilkie.

Wilkie Collins died at 65 after years of battling gout and drug problems related to pain meds he took for the gout. Wow, did that hit home. I have been battling gout problems for years. Think I will read some more of his stuff but will stay away from reading any more about his sufferings from gout.

One last note, The Women in White, is a Kindle free download.
 

 

Monday, May 5, 2014

A Walk In The Park

Some days there is nothing better than a nice hike. This is the Red Cliff Trail in Guernsey State Park, Guernsey, Wyoming.

Steps to start the trail
Trail Side Waterfall
Looking West to the Spillway
Looking south toward Guernsey and the RR bridge
 

The Red Cliffs


End of a Nice Evenings Walk