I’m assuming you’ve arrived here after reading the ‘Word From the Author’ section, and want to know more about this writing rascal. I was asked once, if I wanted to be a personal kind of author, where people can get to know me, or if I wanted to keep myself at a distance. It really wasn’t a choice for me, as I have always been the person to yell ‘Everybody in the pool!’

I consider myself an extrovert, which can be baffling considering what I do for a living. Over all, I like people and like to make them laugh. For the most part people are fun, and most are ready to smile if just given an excuse to do it. I have never been, and never want to be, that aloof kind of a guy.

I’m not really a possessions kind of a person. I don’t need fancy cars and multiple houses. When I’m hit with the urge to spend money it’s more on experiences than possessions. Some of my experiences I’ve pursued and some have just been a case of being in the wrong place at the right time. I listed some of the things I’ve experienced and I’m sure you’ll be able to pick out the ones that have happened to me as opposed to me happening to them. Although I’d rather have given some of these experiences a pass, they do help with my writing and have, for better or worse, made me who I am.

For example I’ve:

Helped establish a museum – Piloted airplanes – Been to 38 of the 50 states – Swam in the Atlantic, Pacific, Golf of Mexico, all 5 Great Lakes and the Mississippi river – Testified as a witness in a murder trial – Saved a mans life – Broke ice on an icebreaker – Had a dead body fall on me – Taught kids k – 3 how to read better – Attended Penn State University – Earned a degree in Multimedia Development – Cleaned human brains out of the carpet – Performed stand up comedy – Had conversations with two state governors and two congressmen – Been to three countries.

There are a lot more, but these are the ones that jumped out at me while I made the list.

I like to get involved with other people who are out there helping other writers. Some of my favorites include Jane Friedman, The Creative Penn, and a special nod to Joshua Chadd and Blade of Truth Publishing Company. Collectively , these people have been working in the publishing industry for decades and stay up to date with the incredible changes occurring within the industry.

I’m a member of UPPAA (Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association) which includes members, in diverse fields within the writing and publishing world, from across the entire state of Michigan as well as northern Wisconsin. I’m also a member of IPNE (Independent Publishers of New England) which serves as a collaborative educational and trade association for book publishers and independent authors in the six New England states and more.

I like learning from those who know more than I, and I attend Master Class’s where I learn from instructors like Margret Atwood, Dan Brown, David Baldacci, Shonda Rhimes, Steve Martin, Neil Gaiman and many others.

I also have a blog on my DWHOO studio website, where I try to inspire and assist other writers.

I think I’ve babbled enough, so I’ll sign off here. Thanks for visiting and I’ll include a ‘What I’m Up To’ section in my news letter.

Cheers.