A Writing Update!

-

I’ve had a lot of thoughts since the release of “The Barking Lions” - a mostly fictional story and “Life Isn’t  Always Beautiful” a non-fiction, inspirational story about Dave & Carolyn Neisser.

Both books were honored at book festivals and landed pretty well…

…but I spent some time wondering what was next.

I enjoyed the short story format and wrote a half dozen of those - all of which I like - but I also went back and worked on the start of three other stories - all of which seem possible somewhere down the road.

Kicked around a ‘Barking Lions II’ as well and I’m excited about a sequel.

I have two books completely done as well…just sitting in the can…a mystery and a crime thriller…

…but I wanted something funny to come next.

Life has seemed humorless for a few years now with a lot of back and forth between people who see themselves as political enemies here in a country where we are supposed to be united.

So, I considered what I could use as a source of humor and perhaps I was inspired by my 40-year high school reunion.

I began by rehashing some of my less than stellar moments in just living a life.

I recalled something someone asked me once after a particularly embarrassing moment:

“What Are You, An Idiot?” 

The guy had asked me.

So, I started by outlining some instances where I did something that could be considered ‘idiotic’ and much to my chagrin…

…there was a pretty consistent pattern emerging.

I have lived a life of idiocy!

A lot of the stories are pretty comical, but the thing about writing ‘funny’ is that as an author, you never quite understand how amusing it truly is.

We are going to see!

“What Are You, An Idiot?” has emerged as the odds-on favorite for the next release and there’s a whole lot of material to work with.

From my first day of kindergarten (when I badly injured a classmate on the way to our lockers, to the day when I tried to set up a pool for my kids)…

…there’s little room for doubt.

I definitely know how to answer that guy’s question.

“Yes! It appears that I am!”

But we all have had moments in our lives when we’ve done something stupid, and there was also time for introspective thoughts as I began to understand that we all take ourselves too seriously.

Early to mid 2023!

I’m my own punching bag this time around!

A whole bunch of people who’ve shared my life also will make an appearance in some of these stories.

You know who you are!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more