Our local community college held a three-week “Kids Camp this past week.” In the afternoon of the third week, there were two creative writing sessions. I got a call on Tuesday asking if I could help out. Apparently, the writing courses were not to be done simultaneously, and with only one instructor, they were overwhelmed. I agreed to help.

I arrived on Wednesday afternoon expecting there to be a curriculum, supplies, and a plan of action. Instead, I got a stack of ordinary copy paper, nine pencils, and one eraser. Oh, and six kiddos. In talking with them about backstories, I learned one was heading into the 2nd grade, three were heading into the 4th grade, and 2 were heading into the sixth grade.

I began my teaching career in 1971 but spent most of my time at the junior high/high school level. I have never worked with this age group. The course was titled “I AM AN AUTHOR.” So, I have three days to make the statement factual. What do I do?

Thanks to Google, I came up with three writing prompts My Pet Aligator, The Box, and My Super Powers. I gave them a template to write an eight-page picture book and some things they should include. Students were free to choose their topic. They designed a cover, numbered the pages, and then wrote one sentence on each page. Next, they drew a picture related to their sentence. On Friday, they colored the pictures and read their book to the class.

According to the students, they enjoyed the structure of the class. According to the parents, the kids were excited to write, color, and publish (staple the pages) their book. Something is exciting about publishing, even if it is a picture book for and by elementary students. It was fun for me to see the pride each took in their creation.

What is your next creation?

I was at First Trades Day in Canton in June. My wife and our friends walked through the various pavilions without buying a whole lot. We were heading to Europe for a retirement party/vacation. We booked this excursion when I retired in 2021 but Covid hit and it got postponed. I went back into the classroom as a substitute teacher, so my wife now considers me partially retired. My wife celebrated her 10th year of enjoying the “retirement life” and her best friend retired the day before we left. Her husband just went part-time. I wanted to go and get a wallet I could keep in my front pocket, which I found.

Near the end of our adventure, I met writer Deanna King. She is a kindred spirit as she is an independent author as well. She was bubbly and excited and we spent a lot of time talking together. I wound up buying and reading one of her Whydoneit novels – Lethal Liaisons. A serial killer is on the loose in Houston, Texas and it follows a team of top-notch detectives to the end. The method of murder was unique and her characters colorful. Check it out wherever you get your books, physical or digital.

My new novel goes live on April 4, 2022. This means you may order it from your favorite bookstore or online (paperback) from Amazon or Barnes and Nobel. If you prefer digital books, you may order it from these two sites or Apple.

One of my favorite groups from the 60s is The Lovin’ Spoonful. They were full of good-time music and fun. Even today, I enjoy listening to them as I write. One of my favorite songs is Do You Believe in Magic? The song is about the magical connection between a guy and a gal. But it could be the magical connection between the writer and their computer (or whatever they use to create the story).

When I started writing about two years ago, I never dreamed I would write a narrative of more than 1500 words. But, next month, my first novel launches, and it clocks in at more than 92,000 words. It has been described as “A pleasant, quiet tale about the gradual improvement in a young man’s life” – Kirkus Reviews. Another reviewer said, “I felt like I was watching it live.” – The Workshop. So, I think I have reached the first level of becoming a good writer.

I was at a wine dinner with some friends, and one suggested a story about a burglar deciding he has had enough and retires. When I started the book, that was all I had. I am a ‘pantser,’ meaning I write from the seat of my pants. I invented everyone and every event on the fly. When I started, I had no character names, setting, or idea how he became a burglar or what made him decide to give it up. “Winston Thibodeau James” are the first three words of the novel, and they just magically appeared on the page. I would write a chapter and take a break. Then reread what I had written and asked myself, “What should happen next?” and wrote the next chapter.

You may be a plotter with detailed snowflakes, beats, or outlines. Perhaps you are a pantser like me and like to just let it flow freely. It could be you fall somewhere in between. The one all writers have in common is they write. I know some writers who prefer to write at a specific time of day and/or for a specific period of time. I have a wife, friends, and a part-time job. I write when the time magically appears. In my home office, I write on a Mac. Elsewhere, I write on a tablet. One webinar suggested writing a minimum of every other day. I write every day. It may be an hour or two on my novel. It may be just practicing dialogue or describing a scene. The key is writers write.

It matters little what you write or how long you write. It only matters that you write!

One thing I hear from just about every writer, scholar, pundit, or expert is writers write. I always thought there were writers and readers. I honestly didn’t know writers were either PLOTTERS or PANTSERS. I am a pantser. Whether in high school or college, I hated outlining. I never quite figured out whether it is a Roman Numeral, a letter, or a number. In the end, my effort to organize my thoughts was a nightmare.

My first novel is being prepped for publication as I write. The book is over 92,000 words, more words than I could have ever imagined. A friend gave me an idea. A burglar decides to retire. My working title was “The Retired Burglar.” I had no setting, no characters, just a retired burglar.

I had read an article on protagonists, and it said two things. First, the protagonist has to be unique. Unique in their name, how they spell it, their physical being, something memorable and makes the reader want to care about them. The second thing is they must be flawed. There has to be something wrong with them or their surroundings that needs to be fixed, and only they can fix it.

I cannot give you my thought process, but I wound up with Winston Thibodeau James. In the opening scene, we find out three things. First, Winston was named after his grandfather’s favorite brand of cigarettes. Second, his dad is a carpenter but enjoys seeing how quickly beer flows out of a bottle or can. This also means he wants to see how fast he can get drunk. Third, mom works at a nightclub featuring exotic dancers. Does his mother take her clothes off in public? His dad wants everyone to believe she does. Winston is not sure but is afraid to ask.

And with that, the novel took on a life of its own. I would write a chapter and the next day ask myself, “What happens next?” I wrote. I finished the book in six weeks. I took the time to edit and re-edited it. I loved the characters and enjoyed the heck spending time with them. I took time off to write a short biography, edit and publish it (Vanished: The Mark Dennis Story), and then went back to Winston and his problems.

I finished my editing, having other proof it, and decided to spend the money and have it professionally prepared for publication. Which is where I am not.

In the meantime, what do I do? The answer is write! And that will be part 2.

I am a twice retired school teacher who just can’t keep out of the classroom. After 40+ years in the secondary classroom, I am back as a substitute teacher. I find the classroom environment and the association with kids keep me young. Over the years I taught junior high and high school students, as well as continuing education classes at a local junior college. I have taught students at both ends of the spectrum, tested for gains/losses in reading and math, coached mock trial, taught broadcast journalism, and ran two libraries – among other things.

At the ripe old age of 74, I discovered two things. First, I really enjoy writing. Second, there are people who like what I wrote. I got involved in NaNoWriMo and published my first book in January 2021. THE ALBUM: GROWING UP IN THE AGE OF INNOCENCE. It is mostly factual with some fiction about my life in Southern California from 1940 to 1964.

In June 2021, I decided to write the book I was meant to write. VANISHED: THE MARK DENNIS STORY was published in December 2021. Mark was my best friend in the Navy. He introduced me to my wife of nearly 54 years. We have two grown children and our son is one of five boys to be named in honor of Mark. The most satisfying aspect of this book is finding the answers I wanted the family needed.

[Both are available in paperback where ever you purchase your books. They are also available in digital format wherever you get your e-book]

Stay tuned as I share my journeys and side trips as a writer.