Saturday Morning Ramblings

After much debate and deliberation among the staff at Third Axe Media, I’ve decided to release a sample of chapter one as a tease for the upcoming launch.  While this section was originally written three and a half years ago, I feel like it’s indicative of the overall plot structure and writing style of the entire book.  As I’ve said before, I think think this is the best book of the series, so far.  So without further ado, here is the sample:

All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy. All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.   All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.

“All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.”

“All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.”

All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy. All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.   All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.  All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy.

Just kidding.  Geez, can’t you take a joke?  That’s as close to an homage to Stephen King as I’ll ever get.

Friday Morning Ramblings

Book three is almost complete.  There are only two more chapters to polish, and then it’s done.  It feels surreal.  It’s taken much longer to complete this manuscript than it should have, and to all of my friends and fans, I apologize for the many delays.  Here is a brief summary of why it has taken so long.

I started writing the book in November 2007, but about a chapter and a half in, my ex-wife told me on Christmas Day that she wanted to leave.  Losing my kids was a hard blow, and the book sat untouched for a year and a half while I got myself together enough to concentrate.  Then, after I was hired by WSCC, I resumed writing in May 2009.  That summer, I knocked out over half the book and really felt like I had some momentum going.  However, that August, I started teaching dual enrollment and was overwhelmed by the volume and pace of the grading.  Again, the book went on the back burner.

Last summer, I dug in and wrote feverishly, trying to finish it before the school year began, and I damn near succeeded.  By August 2010, all that remained were a few pages in the final chapter and polishing.  Having been through dual enrollment before, I knew that my time and energy would be limited, so once again I resigned myself to waiting.  This time I figured I could finish over Christmas Break, but then, as one more obstacle, I got that terrible illness over break that laid me flat for two full weeks.  Before I knew it, school was back in session, and the book still sat unfinished.

Now, it’s really almost done, and a release date should be announced soon.  I feel like it’s a good book, definitely the strongest of the series so far, so hopefully you’ll forgive me for the delays.  Even though it’s been a slow, plodding process, I’m proud that I was able to stick with it.  In the next week or two, I’ll start book four.  Until then, thank you again for all your support and encouragement.

Corporate America Ramblings

 

American-Flag
I got a call from Billy Joe Oilmoney the other day, and he invited me to his office to share his newest bill that’s about to be submitted to the House. Since so much of the media has covered up with pressing news of Royal Weddings, celebrity haircuts, and middle-age indiscretions, he wanted me to share it with the world.

“It’s just great, really great,” Oilmoney said. “We’re changing the Pledge of Allegiance to more accurately reflect America.”

Intrigued, I pressed for details.

“Well, you know, the Pledge of Allegiance is a sacred vow that citizens take to defend their nation. The old Pledge just sounded too socialist and liberal to me, so I wanted to freshen it up so my Tea Party activists would feel more like it’s a reflection of the America they are forging.”

Opening a drawer, he pulled forth a legal pad and handed it to me. In my hands, I held the original draft of our new Pledge of Allegiance:

“I pledge allegiance to the logos
Of the Corporations of America
And to the CEO’s for which they stand
One nation, UNDER GOD,
With liberty and justice
For those who can afford it.
Amen, IN GOD WE TRUST”

“Ain’t it just great?” Oilmoney asked, beaming like a proud parent at a little league game.

And I must admit, it brought a tear to my eye.