Hey Friends,

I’m stopping by to give you an update on my adventure. As you know, I gave up a beloved teaching career with great sadness and reservation. It is no surprise that I miss the children, their parents, and being in a classroom. Some have asked… and no, I won’t ever go back. This writing gig is going to work, I’m quite certain. Fact: writing is ever so much harder than teaching, but I remain steadfast to my checklist.

To date I have written and edited three chapters of my humorous cookbook-The Quickest Way to a Man’s Heart is With a Butcher Knife. I will begin the task of publisher’s query letters in the next few weeks.

My children’s book series-Hank and Milo is off and running. With carefully checked facts, an expert in the field, and an extensive lesson plan package, the first in the series is complete. Of course the underlying tone is character education. (You can take a teacher out of a classroom, but…) Nine completely different query letters are now out of my hands. My hope is that at least one of them makes it to a publisher’s desk. No rejection letters, as yet. Hash tag Brightside.

Additionally, in the works are such titles as Revenge of Little Miss Muffet (look up splatter punk) and Quarter Mile to Nowhere. Raise your hand if you thought I might write about cars. The binders on my desk are endless, and that’s a wonderful thing. No writer’s block here.

Finally, during the month of November I am participating once again in an all out writing marathon. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writer’s Month) is a self inflicted boot camp whereby I will be writing 50 thousand words in 30 days; all the while giving attention to other projects that might bring $ in quicker fashion. (There is the house payment to consider.)

The Gentry: Fire Trial is a mystery that takes place at a B&B in a small town. The underworld of fairies will provide mayhem, mischief, and magic. Murders will take place and ley lines will be crossed. Second sight will be granted and hearths will become the judge’s chamber. How can something so small be so evil? Site name Aubrey…

As I end this post I hope to cast a spell upon my social media friends. Please wish me luck, pray for me if you’re so inclined, and email me a swift kick in the pants from time to time. Writing is a lonely life, as Hemingway illustrated with his love for whiskey.

Final aside: This post is not about cars. However, while not dragging my feet, I’ve shifted careers. Using wordsmith engine-uity I hope to spark your interest. I promise to stay on track, never to exhaust my fervor. My drive remains between the lines and I will not curb my enthusiasm. Vroom vroom!