Lesson Plans

I'm putting together a lesson plan for a workshop I'm conducting next spring for a chapter of Romance Writers of America. I didn't realize how tough that is. Now I know what teachers go through every day. Whatever we pay them it's not enough. Teachers must deal with not only the screwy paperwork stuff but the undisciplined youth of America.
Pardon me but it seems that there are more unruly thugs in schools nowadays and the parents of these creeps are clueless. I just saw the video of a young man in Chicago being beaten to death by gang members. For once the White House got it right. It was chilling. There were 34 deaths and 290 shootings in Chicago during the 2008-09 school year. Just in Chicago! This is worse than the war zone. That number has escalated each year.
I fear for this country if we continue to let this go unchecked. I'm for strict punishment of trouble makers. I'm talking criminal charges. I thought there were supposed to be guards in place. Where were they?
It just begs for an investigation and some answers.

Was just on a new site for Christians here at home. Got me to thinking. My books are family-friendly. I want my family -even the young ones - to be able to read my books without me being embarrassed by something in it. Excessive language, sex, or violence. I know I could make bundles of money writing erotica. I don't want to go there. Not that I'm a prude. I just think you can tell a good story without all the "extras". It says a lot about the sad moral state of our country that you can earn big bucks writing garbage.
I want to be able to face my Lord and not have him ask why did I write dribble.
Anyway, I want to be be true to my principles.
I hope your day is filled with blessings.

Getting started

The count is now two for blog posts. It's a bit scary to take on a blog. What if I don't have anything to say? What if I have a lot to say and nobody cares? Well, that doesn't bother me. And I've never been at a loss for words. Once I found out if high school that I could make people laugh, I never stopped trying. Always searched for jokes and sayings to relate and watch for reactions.
Everyone blogs these days. Just saw the movie Julie and Julia. It's all about blogging and of course cooking. A good movie and Meryl Streep is an awesome actress. The author of the book had a neat idea that blossomed into a mega hit. If only. I can't cook and don't really know if I can be that dedicated to a task. Now on writing a book, yes I can do that. I can commit to that. Of course I have the time now. I hesitate in my answer when someone asks what I do. I am "officially" retired but I am an author. So that's what I say. I'm on my fifth career and finally got to the one I've longed for. Only took 65 years. So anyone out there who is lamenting (a substitute word for griping) about a job, just wait it can happen. Try to make what you do fun. I know, hard to do in these troubled times. I think the man upstairs really wants us to have fun. Even in church. And I'm glad my church allows that to happen. Doesn't God have a sense of humor? Look at Congress. Don't know who said that but it's true. Probably Mark Twain. Well, I ramble. Story of my life. Come to think of it, we used to have a Rambler. A Nash Rambler. Boy does that take me back.
Check in tomorrow when I may have something important to say. Or maybe not.

One giant leap for Dave

Why did I pick Mikey Spillane? First of all because I'm a big fan of his books. Second that's what a well known mystery writer called me in his review of my first book, Shepherd's Pie. I write mysteries with Mike Shepherd a laid back PI who isn't perfect. He has a sometime fiance who hates his job. Thinks he's wasting his brain and potential on a sleazy profession. So they often have conflict but down deep really love each other. Although that word is hard for Mike to allow to leave his lips.
I've been writing for seven years now and I guess it's just time to get on the bandwagon with a blog. So please check back and leave a comment. Like it or not. As a writer I'm used to rejection. I just love the arrows from whoever. I realize it should be whomever but I have never been one who is totally resigned to perfect English. Oh slap me silly. An author who thinks that way. Shame on me.