If I had to use one word to describe today, it would be: fortuitous. I had decided to end yesterday's ride on the north side of KCMO, so we would not have the city traffic to deal with first thing in the morning (not thinking that it was Saturday).
When I woke up this morning and checked the weather, imagine my surprise when I saw a major storm headed our way across Kansas. I was afraid that I would have to wake my brothers, but they were already packing their iron horses for the day. We were able to escape KC before the rain came and outran the storm until we were past Sioux City. Then, the little rain that we had to endure was minimal and short lived. Once past the rain, the sky cleared and we were presented with gorgeous SD scenery and miles of open road.
We chose to end the day in Sioux Falls and start fresh in the morning. We plan to go through the Badlands on the way. I want to see wild bison.
No incidents to mar our trip. Although, Kevin's wife, Sherry, lost her wedding ring today while riding. Seems it just slipped off. Bummer.
More tomorrow.
P.S. I am taking a passenger along tomorrow. Picture to follow.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Day 2 - A long one!
Today started with the normal 5:30 reveille, followed by breakfast with Heather - yum...sugar smacks and skim milk. Then it was back on the road. Destination: Sikeston, MO to meet up with my brothers and see my dad.
Yesterday, I could sum p the weather with one word: HOT! Today however, started cool, turned wet (boo, rain), and finished very nice. The problem was not so much the weather as the number of hours in the saddle. All told, I rode for 16.5 hours and covered four states.
Now, I am going to bed. No wake up call, please. More tomorrow.
Yesterday, I could sum p the weather with one word: HOT! Today however, started cool, turned wet (boo, rain), and finished very nice. The problem was not so much the weather as the number of hours in the saddle. All told, I rode for 16.5 hours and covered four states.
Now, I am going to bed. No wake up call, please. More tomorrow.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Sturgis:Day 1
The first leg was completed without incident. Traffic was a bit heavier than expected, but the weather cooperated, so it was a decent trade. I wanted to get a picture of my bike at each state line during the trip. I started with Georgia...no problem. However, when I got to Alabama, I was stymied by traffic and no place to pull off. I crossed over in Columbus on Hwy 280 (Liberty Ave). Just no room to stop.
Oh well, I got to visit with my daughter and grand kids for a while. We had fun in the pool with Abbie, the chocolate lab - that dog loves to swim.
Well, tomorrow is another day with farther to go. I meet up with my brothers in Sikeston, MO and see our dad before moving on to Kansas City.
More tomorrow night.
P.S. I found a stowaway in my luggage. More on that and what I did to it next time.
Oh well, I got to visit with my daughter and grand kids for a while. We had fun in the pool with Abbie, the chocolate lab - that dog loves to swim.
Well, tomorrow is another day with farther to go. I meet up with my brothers in Sikeston, MO and see our dad before moving on to Kansas City.
More tomorrow night.
P.S. I found a stowaway in my luggage. More on that and what I did to it next time.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Hiatus
I am eight chapters into Part II: The Western Lands, but must take a brief hiatus to indulge in checking off one of my bucket-list items: Sturgis.
Next Friday, I will begin a four-day-ride from Tampa to Sturgis, SD, where my brothers and I (wife included) will enjoy the week riding and seeing the sights.
I intend to document the ride with blog posts along the way and while there in the Sturgis area. Photos will be attached.
Fear not though, I will be making notes and compiling plot ideas for when I return. There is much more story to tell, and it is trying hard to get out of my mind and onto paper.
Next Friday, I will begin a four-day-ride from Tampa to Sturgis, SD, where my brothers and I (wife included) will enjoy the week riding and seeing the sights.
I intend to document the ride with blog posts along the way and while there in the Sturgis area. Photos will be attached.
Fear not though, I will be making notes and compiling plot ideas for when I return. There is much more story to tell, and it is trying hard to get out of my mind and onto paper.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Query letters net one nibble
Well, in order to garner representation by a literary agent, a writer must submit query letters to agents who deal in the particular genre you are writing: for me, that is fantasy.
There are a host of agents, most of which are based in the Big Apple, and I have begun this tedious process.
The first step is to construct the best query possible. It must be brief and be able to 'hook' the agent with the premise sufficiently that the agent requests more. I think I have done this adequately. I received a request from an agent who wanted to see a bit more of my manuscript.
Happily, I submitted the asked for pages and sat back to wait...patiently. After two weeks I got a reply: "sorry, not for me."
Oh well; I 'm glad I submitted to more than one agent. The process takes time and I have all the time it takes. I am busy writing Part II of the story and will keep you all informed on what happens next.
There are a host of agents, most of which are based in the Big Apple, and I have begun this tedious process.
The first step is to construct the best query possible. It must be brief and be able to 'hook' the agent with the premise sufficiently that the agent requests more. I think I have done this adequately. I received a request from an agent who wanted to see a bit more of my manuscript.
Happily, I submitted the asked for pages and sat back to wait...patiently. After two weeks I got a reply: "sorry, not for me."
Oh well; I 'm glad I submitted to more than one agent. The process takes time and I have all the time it takes. I am busy writing Part II of the story and will keep you all informed on what happens next.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Quest-Part I: The Road to Falsbad is an e-book now
As of today, there is an e-book of Quest available on Amazon.com for download to your Kindle or Kindle app on your iPad or PC.
I am excited and hopeful that the reception for this latest book is favorable. From the early reviews it appears that my fans approve. Let's hope so. It would not hurt my feelings for the book to become popular.
That fate lies with you, dear reader. Spread the word.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Editor's Preliminary Comments
Well, I received the manuscript from my editor, complete with grammar corrections, scene improvements, and her personal observations. I was thrilled to see what she had to say after reading the entire story.
"I am dying for the movie of this. And the barbie dolls of the characters, haha. Lunchboxes. stickers."
I have tried to create a story that entertains the reader. If at the same time I am able to make an emotional connection...well, all the better. As far as I am concerned, that is the best affirmation of my labors.
While I believe I have written a good story, I had no idea that it could generate such an emotional connection with the reader. I am pleased.
Of course, writing the story is only a small part of the equation; I must find and secure the representation of a literary agent. Then the agent must find a publisher interested in taking a chance on an unknown author. To borrow a line from a more successful author: the odds are not in my favor (apologies to Suzanne Collins).
Poor odds or not, I shall endeavor to persevere. With the support of my fans and positive affirmation from my editor, I believe I will see Quest in bookstores someday.
To help make that happen I will need all of you to spread the word. Once I get the manuscript cleaned up, I plan on releasing it in e-book format through Kindle or Nook while I wait for a traditional publisher. Stay tuned for more information.
In closing I would like to share a comment from my editor: "Dang, you're going to be rich and famous before long." "...[W]ow, I had a good time." From her mouth to a NY Times literary editor's ears.
"I am dying for the movie of this. And the barbie dolls of the characters, haha. Lunchboxes. stickers."
I have tried to create a story that entertains the reader. If at the same time I am able to make an emotional connection...well, all the better. As far as I am concerned, that is the best affirmation of my labors.
While I believe I have written a good story, I had no idea that it could generate such an emotional connection with the reader. I am pleased.
Of course, writing the story is only a small part of the equation; I must find and secure the representation of a literary agent. Then the agent must find a publisher interested in taking a chance on an unknown author. To borrow a line from a more successful author: the odds are not in my favor (apologies to Suzanne Collins).
Poor odds or not, I shall endeavor to persevere. With the support of my fans and positive affirmation from my editor, I believe I will see Quest in bookstores someday.
To help make that happen I will need all of you to spread the word. Once I get the manuscript cleaned up, I plan on releasing it in e-book format through Kindle or Nook while I wait for a traditional publisher. Stay tuned for more information.
In closing I would like to share a comment from my editor: "Dang, you're going to be rich and famous before long." "...[W]ow, I had a good time." From her mouth to a NY Times literary editor's ears.
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