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Hi! If you've wandered through the rest of our web site you'll have discovered that writing is but one part of my life. But it came to be quite a large part. Although I had written articles on homesteading topics for many years, I had never thought of being "a writer" -- it was just something I did because I wanted to. Then we began getting quite a bit of mail as a result of those articles, and many times the questions were the same. Since we couldn't visit personally with each person who had questions I decided that a book would be just the thing to share our experiences, our mistakes, and our learning. So I started to work on "Homesteading Adventures". In the midst of that project one midwinter night, I was grousing about not having "something good to read" -- which, at that moment, meant a good novel. Our bookshelves were full of books, but almost all were nonfiction and not what I was in the mood for. But I did have a dream from the night before floating around in my head. A short bit of a dream really. I wondered . . . I mentioned it to Steve and he said Why not? Why not indeed. So I sat down and started writing. "The Last Lamp" began. The novel took hold of me and I put the homesteading book aside to work on it. Many years (and a lot of writing and endless editing) later the novel was published (which gave rise to ManyTracks Publishing -- quite another adventure). I went back to the homesteading book. Then I became intrigued with the idea of a short story. It was a different kind of writing -- was it something I could do? I was busy with the publication of "The Last Lamp" and the writing of "Homesteading Adventures", and didn't need any more distractions at that time, so I set the thought aside. But it didn't go away. And soon there was an idea attached to it, and trailing the idea was a story. I said no, not right now, it said yes, I'm not going away, and it didn't and I did. "Carlos's ma's Friends" turned out to be quite a surprise to me. I can't trace where it came from, but in the end I was glad it did. It was too long to be a short story, but it introduced me to another great format -- the novella. Then came "Frost Dancing", and "Rosita and Sian Search for a Great Work of Art". And more short stories, and a play. Creativity begets creativity. Where do the ideas come from? I know, yet I don't know. And, like anything magical, I don't really want to know, not in a way that can be put into words. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have ideas that were going all in the same direction. But that isn't the way it is happening. Maybe my writing muse is taking the name ManyTracks too literally. But for whatever reason, there is no lack of ideas and stories that want to be given life. From the city streets, to a trek across the country, to a fanciful world seldom visited by adults. From the present to the future to the unknown and back again. It's work, it's play, it's frustrating, it's fun. I'm never sure where it is taking me next, but I'll let you know when I get there. Meantime, if you'd like to visit where I've been, I'll be glad to share my books with you. Just go back to the Books page and click on How to Order. All books purchased from us will be signed. If you want them signed to someone in particular, just let me know. Some of the books are also available from the library. Check it out! If they don't have what you want, ask them to order it. Others may enjoy reading it as well. Thanks! September 2001 P.S. January 2007. I just looked at this page and realized I probably should update that photo! (taken some years before the above words were written). But, that's where I was when I was so involved in writing, so I think I'll leave it. I'm not writing much now (other creative adventures have garnered my attention), but the feelings and ideas are always there, just below the surface, ready and waiting. I'm sure I'll delve back in again in the future. 01/25/2007 |
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