On the challenges of writing fiction, part 3

Me: “So there’s a guy with a baler on the shoulder of the road—” Big City Friend: “A what?” Me: “A baler, like a Haybuster. You know.” BCF: “A what?” Me: “A baler, a Haybuster baler!” BCF: “Are you even speaking English?” Me: “I’m describing a vehicle on the shoulder of a county road in…

Jessica is home from the hospital.  She was discharged over the weekend.  I had a phone meeting this morning, and she expressed strong disapproval over my not giving her my complete and undivided attention. (“I just had major surgery.” “You were asleep.” “I might have woken up.” “If I don’t get some work done, we’ll…

I am at the coffee shop and I am thinking, which means—today, anyway—that I am staring out the window and wondering whose life I would rather have. Most of the time my observation is none of you people have the slightest idea what the fuck you’re doing, do you? and so my answer is, conveniently,…

There was a time when all the editors I worked with knew I was a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and so they were all slightly afraid of me. I miss those days. ### My collection of travel stories, Travels with Jessica, is now available! Kindle and paperback here; other ebook formats here. And…

Being gone on vacation means a lot to catch up when I return. So, I do not allow interruptions.   But Jessica tries anyway.   “There’s a cute guy at the door for you.”   But I am not deterred.   “Your agent’s on the phone. Maybe she sold your book.”   But I am…