Thursday, March 17, 2011

Wisdom Revisited

I had another discussion with the publisher today.  They will be booking 'book events' for late April and well past the release date of May 10.  But Land Run is still available for early purchase.  I would give them away if I could just to get interested folks reading and the the word out before the release date.  But I am afraid that is not an option.  So if you would like to get a copy now - just click on the image below.




Now - for something completely different.  I was once (25 years ago...really?!) a crew member of a Coast Guard patrol boat.  One day my Chief told me, "Mark, there are only two rules. One, don't sweat the small stuff.  Two, everything is small stuff."

I literally thought nothing of it at the time.  I was 19 and mainly had just a couple very specific thoughts at any time...and a few meaning-of-life questions at other times.  Today I realized the old Vietnam Veteran was telling me that for a reason.  There was something, in his observations, that made him want to help me.  You know, I am still thinking about the application of that attitude. 

Today, personally, I have a greater context and cause to apply his rules.  Maybe his 'rules' sounded like 'one hand clapping' to me - so to speak.  Those rules still begged the question 'why?'  At least Jesus gave an answer to that question, "Because I am big, put your small stuff here with me."  (paraphrase, of course ;-)

In some places Land Run will have some interesting mentor-relationships for readers to follow.  Some older characters with wisdom they gift to the young.  Who will take it and run with it?  Who will not? 

I just realized that I still have some small stuff sitting around here now...sigh. ;-)

If you have some stories of wisdom passed to you please share them in comments.  I would love to hear about it.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

On Reading

Thanks to all who have shared out information about Land Run.  I have already heard that many folks now have their early copy in hand and are reading.  I invite all to post any thoughts or comments - excited to get some feedback.  You can post anywhere and I'll find it. :-)

I am interested in the 'state' of American fiction.  There seems to be something for everyone - very American.  Sometimes writing can be strong on story or in eloquence, or both.  I hope readers will find both in Land Run.  And find some, "yes, I've never thought of it that way, but that's how it is." - Moments.

Personally, I came up on a literary diet that was a mix of sorts.  My early teen reading was mostly whatever my (much older) parents brought home from the library.  Later, through the teen and military years I mixed thrillers, classics (mostly 1920-1940), a mess of Louis L' amour, and whatever was new.  My time in the military was great for reading as TV was still something you scheduled to watch and usually missed whatever you scheduled.  Because life was more consuming. We had what was called a 'mid-watch'.  This was from midnight to 4:00 a.m..  My volunteering for this watch made me popular at any unit; read, make rounds, read, make rounds, etc. 

College was a matter of getting the textbook demands scheduled (a kind of auto-pilot mode) and then read whatever I wanted. While there I hit the classics again for a couple years.  And took interest in my Creative Writing courses.  I guess I was blessed to have this extended holding-pattern before entering the 'real life' phase.  I am still in that phase, I notice.  I am reading some contemporary international stuff nowadays.  It turns out that people outside of America write novels - good ones. :-)

What are your fiction leanings?  Who are your considered 'greats'?  I would like to know.






Tuesday, March 1, 2011

LAND RUN is now on YouTube!

I have a spot now on You Tube for the novel.  It is a short clip but it gives a great feel for the novel.  And in a way of presentation that I think complements the story details on the back cover of the book. 


When you can please swing by and check it out - and share it out.