In response to some small demand, I took up the story of Riley Mansfield, the main character in my first novel, The Audacity of Dope. The first three episodes, in order, were “Seven Years If It’s a Day,” “Like Old Times,” and “High in La-La Land.” This is the fourth episode. Some adjustments had …
Tag: The Audacity of Dope
High in La-La Land
This short story picks up the story of Riley Mansfield and his wife, the former Melissa Franklin, seven years after the events of my first novel, The Audacity of Dope. This is the third episode. The first two, in order, were “Seven Years If It’s a Day” and “Like Old Times.” The simple arithmetic of …
Like Old Times
Here’s the second episode of this short story, which revisits Riley Mansfield, the main character in my novel The Audacity of Dope, seven years later. The first episode was called “Seven Years If It’s a Day.” LIKE OLD TIMES To his satisfaction, Riley Mansfield’s position had descended in the public consciousness, but he still …
Seven Years If It’s a Day
Ever since I wrote my first novel, The Audacity of Dope, readers have asked about a sequel. I always said “never say never,” but I’d had my fill of its unlikely hero, Riley Mansfield. No sequel is in the works, but perhaps this is a start in that direction. I don’t know. I awakened thinking …
What I’ve Learned Lately
I just finished another once-over – a third-over, if such a word exists, or, perhaps more properly, a fourth draft – of my third novel, which is called Crazy of Natural Causes. I now consider it ready to be publication, though it is not impending. I considered it ready after the third-draft, too. After I …
Still Chipping Away
No, I’m still not through with the first draft of Forgive Us Our Trespasses. This morning I completed the forty-fourth chapter. It’s getting there. Two or three chapters more, and a postscript. I would write “you can’t force these things,” but maybe you can. I can’t. As I bring this crime story to a close, …
The Way I Do the Things I Do
How does one write? It’s sort of like asking a baseball fan, how does one keep score? Why, there’s only one way to keep score. The way it works for you. Or, uh, one. Awkward or not. It’s a matter of person. If one starts in third, one stays there. No gear shifting. It’s got …
Short Stories and Novels
I’ve been working on the novel this morning. I’m taking a break to write this blog. Then I’ll go back to the novel. It’s supposed to rain. I mowed grass yesterday. I need to go to the trash dump, and pay some bills, but, basically, my excuses have expired. It’s been useful to alternate …
I Don’t Want To Bug You … But I Must
I think of “Bones” on Star Trek: “I’m a doctor, Jim, not a tour guide.” The age requires versatility, and I am sadly lacking, in general, but also where my books are concerned. Put me in front of an audience, and I am fine. I’m perfectly confident in my ability to talk about my novels, …
Between Short Stories
From whence do the short stories spring? The majority of the stories on this site began with songs I’ve written. “Facebook Friends,” for instance, began as a song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnmKXEPGCnU As a matter of fact, http://www.wellpilgrim.wordpress.com evolved into a depository for short stories. I split time between working on novels* – “Crazy by Natural Causes” is …
Nightrider's Lament 