What have you read that made your heart clamor for more, more of this?

I remember the first time that I read a book by Robert Heinlein. It was one of his juveniles adapted for publication in Boy's Life, a magazine that I started reading when I was twelve. I was amazed. Is it possible that there can be more writing by this man? It was possible, and thus began my forty-plus year love affair with Bob Heinlein. Some of his stuff was great, most of it was very good, and only a few pieces, thankfully, were bad. He's not the point of this blog post, but rather the moment that I stumbled over his writing. Sparks flew. I have heard of other authors having that impact on readers, most notably Mark Twain. I had that same feeling this past week. I ducked into a small estate sale in Gresham, Oregon on a Sunday, which is a great day to visit an estate sale. Magazines were free, and I quickly piled up several copies of "Firsts," a magazine about first editions, and then more than fifteen copies of a magazine called Biblio, which I had never seen before. Biblio is also about first editions, but is broader in its approach. Auction results are given, bookstore owners are highlighted (including Michael Powell), and collectible ephemera is discussed. One article discussed more than a dozen English-language bookstores in Paris. Another dealt with the original Tom Swift series. I have told my wife that I won't subscribe to any new magazines unless I drop one. I would have to find a way to make room for Biblio. It was that good. Reading my first issue of Biblio was bittersweet. By the time I read my first copy Biblio was already a thing of the past. It lasted just three or four years, and was gone by 1999 or 2000. I have little room in my den for more magazines, but it will be hard to not find room for these 25 issues that I picked up. But I will find the space, I think. It was that good. And I'll watch, I think, for the issues that I am missing, to complete my set. What book or magazine did you read that caused sparks to fly, that made your brain or heart clamor for more, more of this? Add your comments to my blog. Thanks for reading.

Free Books, They Told Me.. A Dangerous Thing to Say to To a Leslie

Kristi and I stopped by an estate sale on Sunday. Their internet listing said that they closed at 3, and also that they closed at five, which gave us an advantage. Most people left, but they let us stay and root around without competition Almost everything was picked over, but four bookshelves were labeled "free books on Sunday." They meant that ALL books and magazines were free. That's a dangerous thing to say to a Leslie. Kristi helped me haul more than 40 books to the car, including several dozen kids' books from the 1940's to mid-1950s in new or almost new condition. They included the Real Book of Daniel Boone, All About Dinosaurs, eight books from the Landmark series of books, including books about the Marquis de LaFayette, Lincoln, The Battle of Britain, the U.S. Air Force, and others. It appears that a small, two-shelf bookshelf had been slid in front of a tall bookshelf, and no one troubled to move it. They snooze, I win. Most of the books are on eBay, with more to follow. I also picked up several dozen issues of "Biblio" and "Firsts," both books for book collectors. So the hint is, if you love books, go to estate sales on the last day. You won't always find free books, but you may find some bargains. Good reading.

What Books have Impacted you?

A recent Facebook post challenged me to list ten books that have impacted me. Fortunately, there was no requirement to explain why you had been impacted. Here's my list, which is not in any particular order, and which is not complete. The Power of one, by Bryce Courtenay Don Quixote de la Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes Shibumi, by Trevanian The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Robert Heinlein The Honor Bound series, by W.E.B. Griffin Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsberg My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George The Immigrants Saga, by Howard Fast Winds of War and War and Remembrance, by Herman Wouk All Creatures Great and Small, by James Herriot. Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis Money, Possessions, & Eternity, by Randy Alcorn. Okay, I cheated. That's more than ten. The powerful impact that two of those books had on me came back to me as I wrote the list - Mixed Up Files and My Side of the Mountain. Both of those are kid's books, but I can still remember how I felt when I read them, approximately 1.2 million years ago. I decided that the thing to do was right to Jean Craighead George and E.L. Konigsberg and say "thank you." Sadly, both of those authors have passed away in the past two years. I'll never have the chance to say thanks. I looked through my list and quickly determined that the authors of 10 of my 11 favorite books have passed away. See if you can see the one that remains. My challenge is for you to write to your favorite author, not to request an autograph, but to say thank you. If your favorite isn't alive, write to your English teacher, or to the librarian who introduced you to those books. We are in debt to anyone who introduces us to a writing that impacts us.

Like Elephants, I Work for Peanuts

I stumbled over an idea for a treasure hunting article. The magazine that I chose (which shall remain nameless) asked for a proposal and an outline of how I would treat the subject.  As I almost always do, I ignored their request, and just wrote the article.

Which they immediately purchased.  For peanuts.  This writing business is tough.  To put the payment in perspective (they asked me to conceal the payment - they usually don't pay at all) it would pay for a medium-nice dinner.  If you don't drink a glass of wine or have dessert.

Peanuts.

But hey, I love writing.  This is about the tenth article in a row that I have written on spec, which immediately sold.  I must be doing something right.

Novel is progressing well.  Hope to send it off to a couple of agents soon.

AICPA Article

Here's a link to my latest article, which appeared in the E newsletter put out by the AICPA, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants:

http://www.cpa2biz.com/Content/media/newsletters/cpainsider/cpainsider140324.jsp

A letter to my cat

Dear Frodo,

I'm jotting you this note in the interests of protecting our relationship.  We've been together seven or eight years, and I have reached the conclusion that I am doing the things necessary to maintain our relationship, but you are not doing your part.  I feed you, keep you inside when it is cold outside, and take you to the vet when you need a rabies shot.  (I know you don't care for that, but it's important.)  I pet you every day, even when you dig your claws into my leg.  On the rare occasions when I leave town, I make sure that there is someone to look after you and feed you.

I don't ask much from you.  Most of what I do ask, you handle just fine.  I asked you not to throw up on the pillow in the spare room - like our old cat did - and you've complied.  I ask you to do your business either outside, or in the kitty box, and you do that just fine.  I don't think you've had an accident. 

But I need more.  Your job is to protect the house, and the yard, and the moles are getting out of hand.  There are at least three of them that need your attention.  Our old dog helped with that, and I think you should be able to do the same.  You outweigh them by a factor of eight or ten, and you have claws and some rather sharp teeth.

So, that's your assignment.  Save me from having to go dig in the dirt with the four mole traps that are rusting on the shelf in the garage.  Go to it.  By the way, there is something in it for you.  I have my eye on some catnip, and if you can accomplish this simple task, I'll arrange for it to find it's way to your bed.

Thanks,

Bill

Good news!

My pen has been busy, and I have some good news.
o I sold two articles last week to Family Chronicle, a genealogy magazine.
o I placed a third article with the AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. 
o And it appears that I will soon place a fourth with American Digger Magazine (a treasure hunter's magazine.)

Persistence is the key.  Fellow writers, hang in there, and write about things you care about.  Write for yourself, not for others. 

Meanwhile, my novel pushes forward.  I am on rewrites...