I've been serious about writing since I was eight years old when I wrote a story about a mule named Charlie that ate anything and guzzled it down with a bucket of glue. My audience was my family and they thought it was clever, so my ego was hooked. My career was teaching, secondary English and theatre. Because of the demands of my career, I got little time to write, or that was the excuse I used for not writing. The craft of writing always scared me because I thought I was not good enough and would not see publication. Now that I'm an old dude, I write for my own enjoyment, and publication is a joy to contemplate but not necessary to my happiness. I just like to write. I am a regular contributor to "Voices of the Valleys," a forum sponsored by the Roanoke (VA) Times. They have published me often. My first novel, For the Heart's Treasure, was published through createspace.com in January 2010. It is a love story set during the Great Depression. I'm a Virginian by way of Indiana. I have four daughters, four stepchildren, 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Since retiring in 1998, I am a full-time writer. My wife of nearly 30 years died in 2006, and now I am in a new relationship and hope to marry soon. I am a serious animal lover, cat fanatic and "daddy" to two dogs.       

Published novel in January, 2010. Licensed teacher. "Awarded" retirement in 1998