Thursday, March 14, 2013

Prologue: Why I am writing a blog

So, I have never written a blog before, nor did I ever think I would. I’m not quite sure what to do in this type of case so, if you don’t mind, I’ll just kind-of ramble on in an introductory mode, until I figure this whole thing out.

You might ask why, if I’ve never written a blog before, I have decided to do so at this late date. The reason is, I’m a writer. Plain and simple. I love writing and always have – I started writing as a small child and have continued ever since my brother Mike and I collaborated in writing stories about a little dragon named Hotstuff; I wrote the stories and he provided the illustrations. When I wasn’t busy reading, I was almost surely to be found with a pencil and paper in hand. I wrote my way through junior high school, high school and college.

After that, my writing “career” came to a stop; it was actually never out of mind, but it was put on hold for awhile as I translated other people’s writings into Italian or English, as the case may have been.

In the meantime, I was gaining experiences that could have been transferred later on in life as subjects for stories. I think, at this point in my life, that I have had enough experiences to write a thousand books, or at least stories that could become books. However, I decided at the end of 2003 that time was passing and that I was gaining too many experiences without writing about them. It was time to start writing again.

So, I started gathering up my notebooks and pencils; I started writing Old McDonald Had a Funny Farm on January 1, 2004 and finished it in early 2007. The story begins in April 1960 and ends in July of the same year. It is a fictionalized version of my childhood, or at least that part of it. The story continues in a sequel that will eventually be finished, sooner rather than later, I hope. A paperback version of Old McDonald was published by Vantage Press, Inc. in September 2009. I also published an Amazon Kindle version on February 3, 2013. This version will be free this coming Saturday, March 16, 2013, in a pre-St. Patrick’s day celebration.

And the main reason I have decided to take on a blog is because the magazine I have been writing for since January 1, 2011, Suite101.com, will cease to be a magazine on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Yes, sadly, tomorrow will be the last day that they will accept articles; all articles, including those posted tomorrow, will be put into a sort of archive. They will still be open to the public, but Suite101 has other ideas for the site and so here I am, writing for myself.

I have many interests and it’s probable that I will speak about all of them at one time or another. I’m not really into politics all that much, but since the way they go often influences the way my life is ordered, it is probable that I will also write about politics from time to time. I hope that you will comment on anything I write, if you feel the need. I have no problem with people who disagree with me, but be sure that if your opinion is based on incorrect information, I will point it out. However, I do respect opinions that are based on fact, and if I post something that is incorrect, please feel free to correct me. Feel free to warn me about typos, too. Those comments are especially welcome.

And… I am on my way!!!!!!!