Tag: Author

Blooming or Withered? Notes By Hand – Feb 27

If you’re the squeamish type, or run into the idea of too much information, skip the next paragraph.

Something we don’t talk about a bunch, or don’t remember to keep top of mind, as a wheelchair user, a male wheelchair user, is to mind your balls. I tore my scrotum the other day transferring. Simply moving from chair to bed or back or onto the commode, not sure – didn’t feel it, but I did see the blood on my chair when I hopped on the shower chair. Clean up ensued and then I could’ve gone my entire life without seeing the inside of my sack. The tear was about an inch so don’t imagine a loose sail flapping in the trade winds but I still required a trip to the hospital to discuss and acquire care for my fragile satchel, somewhere close between my scrotum and taint. Seven stitches later I’m taking a week off from swimming (no soaking) and HAL PT (no harnesses pulling on my groin).

Have I mentioned it’s important to give yourself grace? And laugh.

Always laugh.

I once had a nurse tell me very near the beginning of this section of my journey (still in the hospital) that I was the type he’d want to go to battle with. How’s that? I thought.

His good friend was a Navy Seal. The people who graduated the program and tended to survive the ensuing difficulties weren’t the most physically gifted. Those who thrived were able to literally laugh in the face of adversity. Able to keep a good attitude when it doesn’t go your way because oftentimes it won’t.

We can’t choose our circumstances, but we can choose our attitude. We also can’t choose our psychobiology. If you can’t pick up – get help. And meds.

I don’t mean ignore the sad, bad stuff. Feel it, acknowledge it and keep moving.

Resilience will improve your life. Resilience is also a skill. Some of us come to it easier than others. However, some of us have had to practice the bounce-back more than others.

This isn’t a competition. Travel your journey and remember your hard time and mine are hard for both of us.

Be mindful of your thoughts. Those thoughts are your reality. Choose to move in positivity.

Or don’t.

But don’t bitch to me about it.

I sold a rash of books last week. Quite a welcome occurrence.

California Hustle leads the pack, as in the past.

I’m still pushing the stories forward in various ways. I also had a few good ideas that could make great books, hooky and heartfelt. It’s not necessarily finding ideas – it’s finding the right ideas.

I was reading a book two nights ago and the chapter was reminiscent of one of my own. Like really close in some ways of thinking and detail.

What I’m saying is: those ideas are in the universe all the time. The important thing is to use one that best fits your ability to tell more-than-well but extraordinarily.

Here are a few books that are churning through my imagination. One for each series if you are familiar and may be able to guess.

Be well ~ jefe

RECENT READS

If you’re a fan of FFC, you’ll love this deep dive. (Also, Megalopolis was amazing.

Fight me.)

How are we going to handle our changing planet? This is a thought provoking view from the local view.

Heard of a Zero Day? Wonder what’s going on with our computer networks? This is from before AI and Federal Cyber Protection cuts. You may lose sleep.

Notes By Hand – Feb 20

Ya, I write a lot of these things by hand.

Particularly when I’m stuck. And I have been stuck. On my books. On my bony little ass. Like a stick in the mud…

Ya, I write a lot of these things by hand.

Particularly when I’m stuck. And I have been stuck. On my books. On my bony little ass. Like a stick in the mud.

But I’m learning to give myself grace.

I make progress every single day on the health front.  However, the writing hasn’t been robust as I’d like. I’m tumbing around the ideas for Grigsby, Mac – even Kwynn – but pushing each forward a little leaves few measurable pages for you to read.

I did write a great scene with Grigsby but I don’t think it will make the cut. Maybe I’ll spruce it up and release it for you. In the meantime, here’s a link to a short story.

Also, figured I’d share some of what I’ve been putting in my head. It’s both research and fun. If you’re looking for ideas, maybe try one.

Feel free to reach out – It’s grand to hear from readers. It’s proof you aren’t figments of my imagination.

Be well ~ jefe

RECENT READS

For me, the boulder didn’t start rolling until the mid-point but once it starts, you are in for a ride.

Written under a pseudonym, this book does some amazing second act wizardry. A great book.

I was curious about the book that started it all for Lehane and he does not disappoint.

Ever been wrong?

…or how Linda Caroll motivated me to write again…

I was mistaken.

Writing a novel is a lonely, arduous, substantial, joyous experience.

But that wasn’t where I was wrong.

The first one, novel that is, was whipped into the best shape I could and when I didn’t know what else to do, I sent that nugget out.

Wrong move.

I had the naive idea that an agent would see my potential and help me where I needed it. Then, we would send that nugget to an editor who would help me shine and polish before it went into the world as an immediate best seller.

After sending the story to 130+ agents—every single one I thought might find interest—I joined a writing group.

After the first time we shared pages, I told the group what I’m going to tell you now: “The good news is: we can all write. The bad news is: we can all write.”

All the pages were good! Really. Each of us had storytelling ability.

The fact is, anyone who tackles a novel, is probably someone who has been told by many people—teachers, friends, loved ones—that they have talent. They possess something special. Otherwise we wouldn’t suffer so to finish a massive tale to share with the world.

I’m fortunate. A professor once took me aside asking how many classes I’d taken in writing (this is my first), or another tell me I might have a future in this (writing).

I was too young to understand your professors don’t say these things to students to be nice.

I am old enough to understand I wish I had taken them at their word.

I was mistaken.

It’s taken me decades to follow through.

A very successful agent read a script and told me to write the next one so we could get them out in the world and get me started. She wanted more than one. That is a vote of confidence.

I was tired and never followed through. Mostly scared, though.

I was mistaken.

When I finally sent out this novel, I hoped someone would help me get the nugget into the proper shape. I had no idea where to go.

It’s not their job to do this.

Selling stuff is for pros. It is not for finding your feet.

I knew this in previous vocations but not for publishing.

I know this now.

Mistakes notwithstanding.

Here’s the post that kickstarted me today:

How writers gaslight themselves by Linda Caroll

If you’ve ever questioned yourself as a writer, this is for you

Read on Substack