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Education:
BA: Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA
Executive MBA: Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Writing:
I studied creative writing in college. That was a long time ago. My professor was the world renowned author, Robert Olmstead, who, back then, had a very red beard and was not world renowned. Bob and I drank beer on a few occasions and talked about writing. We talked about character and people. He introduced me to what great writing sounded like. Without Bob, I would never have become a writer, and I'm grateful for his gift.
So, why didn't I write sooner? Lot's of reasons. Fear of poverty.Thinking I wasn't good enough- all the usual suspects that stifle creativity in everyone. But I have no regrets. It's okay to be a late bloomer. It's okay to hold your water until you have something worth saying.
Personal:
Kath and I have been together more than thirty years. We have adult children- Drew (and Kara) and Jenny. Everyone in my family is waiting to pounce on weakness. We have an abusive love language with no safe word. But behind the gristle? There's some really juicy, tender stuff.
I was born in West Germany. Grew up in New England and Pennsylvania. I lived in the Midwest for over 25 years. Now, we spend time on a lake in New Hampshire. I hike up mountains with my faithful buddy, Duncan and then smoke cigars until I feel my lungs collapsing under me.
Professional: Linkedin
My current profession is sitting alone in a room and staring into my skull searching for intelligent life. Prior to that I had some success in sales and marketing. Kath and I started an insurance agency- it's better now that I've left. I spent some years as a growth strategy consultant. Writing is my second mountain, and I love the journey.
Who I read:
Everything. Seriously. Nonfiction. Fiction. Horror. Humor. Love short stories.
A Few Authors that inspired my early love of reading
John Jakes- Kent Family Chronicles were my introduction to reading and to history- I was ten or eleven reading on a South Jersey beach, and thanks to John Jakes, that summer I discovered the transportive joy of books.
Ken Follet- The Master. He builds suspense and scene as well as anyone I've ever read.
James Michener- Yes, the books were dense with history, but I kind of enjoyed the fossil and volcano stuff along with the great stories.
Stephen King- He tells a great story and often does it with humor. He also scares the shit out of me. He lives near my home in NH. I'd like to meet him one day.
David McCullough- So smart, so accessible. His talent for nonfiction storytelling is genius.
Robert Olmstead- My professor and my most enduring and personal connection to the written word. Reading Olmstead is like being witness to a lava flow: deliberate, stunning, heartbreaking, all consuming. My goal is not to embarrass him by association.
BA: Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA
Executive MBA: Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Writing:
I studied creative writing in college. That was a long time ago. My professor was the world renowned author, Robert Olmstead, who, back then, had a very red beard and was not world renowned. Bob and I drank beer on a few occasions and talked about writing. We talked about character and people. He introduced me to what great writing sounded like. Without Bob, I would never have become a writer, and I'm grateful for his gift.
So, why didn't I write sooner? Lot's of reasons. Fear of poverty.Thinking I wasn't good enough- all the usual suspects that stifle creativity in everyone. But I have no regrets. It's okay to be a late bloomer. It's okay to hold your water until you have something worth saying.
Personal:
Kath and I have been together more than thirty years. We have adult children- Drew (and Kara) and Jenny. Everyone in my family is waiting to pounce on weakness. We have an abusive love language with no safe word. But behind the gristle? There's some really juicy, tender stuff.
I was born in West Germany. Grew up in New England and Pennsylvania. I lived in the Midwest for over 25 years. Now, we spend time on a lake in New Hampshire. I hike up mountains with my faithful buddy, Duncan and then smoke cigars until I feel my lungs collapsing under me.
Professional: Linkedin
My current profession is sitting alone in a room and staring into my skull searching for intelligent life. Prior to that I had some success in sales and marketing. Kath and I started an insurance agency- it's better now that I've left. I spent some years as a growth strategy consultant. Writing is my second mountain, and I love the journey.
Who I read:
Everything. Seriously. Nonfiction. Fiction. Horror. Humor. Love short stories.
A Few Authors that inspired my early love of reading
John Jakes- Kent Family Chronicles were my introduction to reading and to history- I was ten or eleven reading on a South Jersey beach, and thanks to John Jakes, that summer I discovered the transportive joy of books.
Ken Follet- The Master. He builds suspense and scene as well as anyone I've ever read.
James Michener- Yes, the books were dense with history, but I kind of enjoyed the fossil and volcano stuff along with the great stories.
Stephen King- He tells a great story and often does it with humor. He also scares the shit out of me. He lives near my home in NH. I'd like to meet him one day.
David McCullough- So smart, so accessible. His talent for nonfiction storytelling is genius.
Robert Olmstead- My professor and my most enduring and personal connection to the written word. Reading Olmstead is like being witness to a lava flow: deliberate, stunning, heartbreaking, all consuming. My goal is not to embarrass him by association.
