Rick Bylina lives with his wife, Carrie, and 19-year-old cockatiel, Sydney, near Apex, North Carolina. Ongoing corporate downsizing convinced him to tap into his passion. He scribed any crazy idea that crossed his mind. After gaining discipline, he wrote his debut mystery novel, ONE PROMISE TOO MANY, the first in a series, featuring Detective Roger Stark. Up next, A MATTER OF FAITH. Writing happens spontaneously between housework, gardening, cooking, and wrestling alligators.
- - - Now the real story behind the story. - - -
The corporate downsizing spiral was a major motivator. Being unemployed gave me some time to spend with Hemingway, Russo, Hammett, and dozens of other novelists who influenced my writing. But I lacked a lot of skills to take my short stories to novels.
So, I did the right thing. I joined the Internet Writing Workshop to critique and be critiqued by hundreds of other writers. I became a member of several face-to-face critique groups to develop the thick skin needed and to learn where commas go. I went to the Writers Retreat Workshop twice to learn that I was was still years away from having a book that my friends would like to having something for which someone would buy.
Now, writing is my life. It's just that simple.
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