Blog Archives
I Found It Just As Interesting
Ships, Sleighs and Christmas Lights tells the story of how a young boy from Patara grew into the man we now think of as Saint Nicholas. What inspired you to write this story?
There are many wonderful things about gift-giving at Christmas time but for Christians who celebrate the holiday, it can be tricky separating the commercial from the spiritual. I have friends who want to embrace the fun of the season with their children, while making them aware of the historical figures associated with Christmas. I wrote the book with them in mind. Having researched Nikolaos’ life, I found it just as interesting as some of the fantasy stories about Santa Claus.
What were some of the challenges you had moving from being an illustrator to an author and illustrator?
I am used to complimenting an author’s words with illustrations so owning both aspects of picture book storytelling was a new experience for me. An outline of the story came first, then I sketched some of the key scenes. I worked with an editor before I started drawing, so the text was finalised and I knew how much space would be needed in the layout for the illustrations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Nikolaos is recognised as a saint. I wanted to explore ways in which his upbringing shaped his beliefs. Not everyone will relate to him in this way but I’d like to think the book will be of interest to people with different beliefs too. Much of the book is about culture and the ways in which we influence one another (hopefully for the better). Although our clothes and countries of origin may appear to be different, people are always drawn to goodness.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
There were so many legends about Saint Nicholas to draw on and some were only hinted at in Christmas Lights. I am writing a story about three young girls whose father fell on hard times. Nikolaos allegedly provided the family with special gifts but I wanted to tell the story from the girls’ perspective so they have a sense of agency. Most girls work hard but are not given opportunities or rewards. I’d like to think a privileged man like Nikolaos would address such imbalances. I hope to publish it in time for Christmas 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
The Toxic Consequences
Dr. O and the Eco-X follows a doctor who invents a way to eliminate plastic and pollution, but the innovation has unexpected consequences. What inspired the idea at the heart of this story?
Some time ago I was shocked to learn about the massive size of plastic waste afloat off the Southern California coast. What hit me was the reference to the plastic mess as being larger than the state of Texas! Then I saw some graphic photos of the ugly mess floating out there and the toxic consequences to marine life. How long will are “fearless leaders” be able to ignore a major problem like this? Perhaps when the first surge of the plastic waste drifts up Hollywood Boulevard?
This seemed like a fun book to write. What scene did you have the most fun writing?
It was fun to do a satire on a scientist, one more time. deciding he could outwit Nature and get away with it. They never learn. Eco-X creatures were fun to portray along with the consequences of ego saving actions, disavowing any involvement and of course a rush to make money off the glaring publicity. It was fun.
What were some ideas that were important for you to explore in this novel?
The numerous reactions of people to the crisis from pointing fingers at others to proclaiming innocence, and how money always carries the day.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have a finished manuscript staring at me every day but I have to feel right about the story before releasing it. This one is another satire/humor novel but the feeling I get when I know it floats hasn’t happened yet. Thanks for your interest.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
KILLER BEES are an African species introduced because of its ability to produce more honey in a short time. Unfortunately it is agressive and will take over any area. Domestic bees aren’t bred to be fighters and are defenseless against these marauders. ORIENTAL LEAPING FISH were certainly a surprise when they began to appear in fresh water lakes. This little gem leaps out of the water as it swims, and eats water plant life voraciously. Another froriegn invader threatening to wipe out many species of domestic fish since they leave nothing to eat for other species. Swell.
Dr.O had great respect for the powers of nature and altering things in its domain was a perilous path. He vowed never to venture there.Dr. O spent 20 years using embryos to design a unigue creature whose diet consisted of the oil carbons in plastic. Any plastic. As genetist and DNA expert he created the perfect creature to rid the planet of the plastic mess.
Growing them out of embryos there was absolute control of the population since they didn’t reproduce. Success brought on unexpected problems as the world demand mounted and his embryo process was too slow to meet the demand.
Greedy pigs became part of the operation and they pressured Dr. O into making them capable of reproducing. No. no, no he protested—- But perhaps if he was very careful he could keep Nature’s laws out of his creation. No need to tell you there was hell to pay. Follow the wild adventures of the reproductive ECO-X and the humorous incidents they caused. Call them the Wild Bunch.
Demo at initial conference:
As we all know plastic is not bio degradable, but by removing their oil carbon atoms, the rest of the plastic components return to their natural state. He had to stop talking because the crowd erupted into hundreds of excited conversations. Joe stepped aside for Dr. O. so he could continue on with the lecture when the audience calmed down. They moved on to the actual field demonstration of the plastic eating animal A large round container was wheeled to the center of the auditorium filled with plastic scraps. The lab assistants opened the metal box and brought out one hundred Eco-X. They didn’t have to be coaxed to eat plastic They dove head first into the plastic and bored holes with their corkscrew snouts. Soon there was a low hum emenating from the container similar to the sound of sawing wood. They watched the level of plastic parts sinking faster and faster as the Eco-X creatures swung into eating their native sustenance. Within fifteen minutes all of the plastic was consumed. There were audible burping sounds coming from the container. At the bottom of the tank the Eco-X chirped loudly apparently a happy noise for a great meal. It sounded like the chirping of small birds, wrens, warblers etc. in springtime. Around them a vapor cloud formed and floated upward over the amphitheater. It rained inside the auditorium until the cloud was gone. It was all too weird for most of the guests who rushed for the exit doors in a panic. They were soaking wet and wondering if these glutinous little beasts might still be hungry.
I Wanted To Challenge The Narrative
Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving takes readers through the mental process of turning their ideas into actions. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My inspiration came after noticing an omission in entrepreneurship education. When students learn about entrepreneurship, teachers refer to already successful companies, like Google or Apple, but rarely talk about how those founders developed and cultivated their ideas in the first place. This type of teaching does a disservice to students. It can lead to frustration as people ask questions like, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It can also lead to confusion and even damage a person’s creative confidence. Many who experience this omission wonder if they would ever be able to develop an innovative idea, permanently labeling themselves as “not creative.” I wanted to challenge the narrative around how we teach entrepreneurship by creating a nonfiction work that teaches readers how the top creatives and innovators develop ideas in the first place. I do this by taking a step back and examining the ideation process to serve as a foundation for entrepreneurial development.
As someone who grew up where language arts was my weakest subject, I wanted to challenge the typical design of a nonfiction book. I wondered whether a nonfiction book could be redesigned to be a better teaching tool for readers. Research from the University of Chicago, Boston University, and University of Texas show that experiential learning increases comprehension of a subject. While typical books use text and pictures to relay information, I realized that rethinking communication entirely would provide readers the best chance to learn and absorb information. Throughout the book, I included 54 exercises meant to take the reader on an experiential journey that helps them better reinforce and explore the information presented.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
The hardest part of accomplishing work is often getting the courage to get started. Once you form a routine it is like a slow-moving train that keeps inching closer and closer until you cross the finish line!
Also if you have a risky idea, try it now. Don’t wait. You never quite know where the idea will take you and you can always stop along the way.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
It was, “Write about what you know.” If you feel like you have expertise about something, write about it. Putting out a published work in nonfiction will increase your credibility on the subject. This can ultimately lead to new career opportunities, new personal opportunities, and new connections.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I currently have a couple of ideas I am working on! None of them are quite final yet, but I hope to be able to put another creative work out there soon!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
ReadFree.ly Top 100 Indie Books of 2021
2021 Living Now Mind Award Winner
Nonfiction Authors Association Gold Medal Book Award
2021 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest – Marketing Book of the Year
Independent Author Network Book of The Year Awards – 2021 Business, Finance, and Sales Book of the Year
Best Book Awards – 2021 Interior Design of the Year
Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion Winner
This book is carbon negative.
From an author who has written for Business 2 Community & Advertising Week comes a book featured by Yahoo!, Booklist Magazine, Publishers Weekly, ABC’s Good Morning Washington, Thrive Global, multiple affiliates of CBS, Fox and NBC.
This non-fiction business and self-help creativity guide encourages innovation in aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. Have you ever looked at a product and thought, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ or, ‘I’m just not a creative person!’ Improve problem-solving skills and increase the effectiveness of knowledge management in your organization to come up with the next game-changing idea to hit the market!
In this book you will:Learn how others innovate by examining the world around them
Practice asking questions, and see how to recognize details in observations
Complete creative exercises to get into the right mindset
Understand the importance of sharing ideas, and assess their feasibility
Fueling You to Find: Your Next Big Idea
It Was Going To Get Away From Me
The House on Chambers Court follows a corporate spy who’s forced to steal a special book in a magical but dangerous land. What were some sources that informed this novels development?
I challenge myself with each book. In the case of “The House on Chambers Court” I wanted to write a ‘caper’ novel, but within a Fantasy setting. That was the core of the book and the story evolved from there. More than any other book I’ve written, it evolved with the writing, a lot of the characters and circumstances appearing rather than planned. The secret is to write what one knows, and I’ve years of experience in martial arts, and include rock climbing as part of my past endeavors. I was living in Mexico during the writing. As I was a 6’4″ red-headed Gringo, there was no way I was ever going to blend in, and I thought it made for an odd counterpoint for a ‘spy’. I also love the intelligence inherent in the animal kingdom and all of my books give them some kind of inclusion.
This seemed like a fun book to write. What scene did you have the most fun writing?
It was fun throughout, as I really felt like I was trying to keep up with the characters rather than leading them on. The whole instance of them stealing all of the horses instead of just the one was a prime example. I live on a farm now, and horses have their own heads. It was obvious when I started writing the scene that, like the horses, it was going to get away from me and yet it provided the opportunity for the packet to fall in their hands. The interactions between Xavier and Kendra were fun to write as well. Their conversations really fell out of me easily, two people who genuinely liked each other.
What were some ideas that were important for you to explore in this novel?
The idea of writing of shapeshifting really started listening to a recent album by Santana called ‘Shapeshifter’. I was blissfully unaware of the glut of ‘shapeshifter’ urban fantasy novels on the market, or I’d never have used the device. The album, and cover, really got me thinking more in terms of the shamanistic legends as the basis for my character. In researching the worlds related to spirit or guide animals, it’s really a mechanism by which we try to understand at our own natures. We have elements of the animal kingdom that influence us, we are animals after all. We also have our culture and the genetic memories of our ancestors. There are also the male and female qualities inherent in each of us. Thinking of ‘shapeshifting’ allowed for all of these things to come into play for me, so in the process of writing the story, a lot of those ‘conclusions’ came out. It’s impossible to put ourselves into the minds of the various beasts. We’re so involved in verbal communications and the electronics of life. I wanted to explore the animal sense where so much of the communication is non-verbal, then relate that as a writer. I dedicated the book to the ‘animals in our lives’. Anyone who loves their pets will understand.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I presented myself with another goal, to write a murder mystery. Agatha Christie did it. Why not me? And of course toss in layers of magic, for what would Fantasy be without it? Those sorts of whodunits have all kinds of suspects and motives and so it presented a new challenge for me as a writer. I hadn’t gone too far along in the plotting before I included the characters of Xavier and Kendra which were introduced in ‘The House on Chambers Court’. They were still fresh in my mind and fun to write, so I kept going with them central to the plot. The story has become “The Masque of Count Milado”. It’s a spoonerism on a Poe title and I’m not changing it. Bibliophiles will laugh. ‘The Masque …’ isn’t a sequel, rather a whole new tale. I’ve just had the second draft returned by my editor, so the final draft is being polished. I hope for its release in Spring 2022.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Amazon
Xavier becomes a stranger in a strange land and must stay beyond the notice of the ruthless Guardsmen as well as a powerful Oracle, all who have reason to want him dead. To succeed, Gaines must discover the location of the Book and in the process, the truth of his own inner nature.
The Fascinating World Of Holes
The Hole Story takes children on an adventure exploring all the different holes there are in the world around them. What inspired you to write this picture book?
I have spent my life telling entertaining and educational stories to my 6 children and 13 grandchildren. I also love puns and wordplay and for many years joked about someday writing a book and calling it “The Hole Story.” During the pandemic when I was forced to be separated from my children and their families, I decided to write this book as a gift for my grandchildren. After receiving it, my daughter who is an Education faculty member at a university, encouraged me to publish the book as it had many elements that teachers could use in the classroom to help teach spatial concepts in a fun way. Thus, The Hole Story was made available for the public to enjoy!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Katelynn Hoefelman?
Katelynn is a joy to work with. We have a great collaborative relationship. I draft my manuscript and try to think of examples of scenes or illustrative elements that will augment the telling of the story and move it forward. I break down my suggestions into the sections of text for pages and suggestions for artwork and Katelynn takes it from there. As I have more than one book, and intend to write more, we have agreed on an illustration “style” for my books that will hopefully make them more recognizable. Katelynn is responsible for coming up with a number of innovative paths in the illustrations that just add to the readers enjoyment.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
First and most important, learning should be fun. And, second, you need to look beyond the obvious and use your imagination to see the possibilities all around you. Holes are just one example of looking beyond the obvious “hole in the ground”, for instance, and seeing that it has a purpose. It’s just one more step to seeing other critical things such as looking beyond a person’s physical appearance and being able to see who they really are. I also wanted to introduce children to wordplay and that a word may sound the same as another, but can be spelled differently and have a completely different meaning. Many paths for a teacher or parent to take with these concepts.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book will be “The Whole Dollar” and is based on a true story about my two oldest sons. This story focuses on the close bond between siblings, what it means to share, and the unexpected gifts that can return to you later on in life. It’s one that will tug at your heartstrings and will speak to big brothers, little brothers, big sisters and little sisters everywhere.
The book will be in pre-sale at major book distributors in the next couple of weeks and will be released on March 4, 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
I Like Interesting Stories
Something Went Cold is a collection of thought-provoking short stories on a variety of topics. What inspires you to stop what you’re doing and write?
I suppose I’m like a lot of writers in that I felt I had some very intriguing stories to tell or share and that motivated me to write the stories in Something Went Cold. I also felt I had some talent, and talent wants to be expressed. I’ve never had any shortage of ideas. What has stopped me is the work involved. Good, cogent writing requires hard work, patience, and discipline. Stephen King was right: “Writing is re-writing.” And good writing requires nothing less.
Another thing that motivates me is that I like interesting stories as much as anyone. I like stories that intrigue, are thought-provoking, and entertain. I personally enjoy reading stories that are impactful with a quick payoff of enjoyment. If one thinks about all the movies, TV shows, plays, and books that we are bombarded with, there is one fundamental element: someone wants to tell a story that they think mandates attention or interest. (We truly are a culture of storytelling.) Fundamentally, I think I can identify a good story, and tell a good story. So, that is what compels me to write, and what compelled me to write Something Went Cold.
The characters in your stories are varied but equally interesting. Who was your favorite character to write for?
I enjoyed writing all the characters in Something Went Cold (I know that sounds like a cop out!). However, if there is only one that I’d have to choose that was fun to write, (as much as it was disturbing), I’d have to say the Adolf Hitler character. I had to learn a lot about him in writing the story and he was most definitely a loathsome character, to say the least. I had a very specific plot line in mind for that story and I never deviated from it. Lastly, I suppose I enjoyed writing about his fictional story in I that I enjoyed making sure he got the justice he so richly deserved meted out to him so thoroughly in my little universe.
Now deceased actor Spencer Tracy once said that he put himself into every character he portrayed. I think a writer can’t help but put a little bit of themselves into their stories. So, second place for me would be the girl from the #MeToo story. It’s a completely fabricated story and character but almost everyone in some form is bullied in life in some way, and almost everyone wants to see people who hurt them get their comeuppance. So, that was an interesting character and story for me to write, too.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this collection?
To be honest, I never wrote any of the five short stories contained within Something Went Cold with the express intention of focusing upon a specific theme. I was more concerned with writing stories that were intriguing, interesting, unique, enjoyable, and readable. In my opinion, if a writer focuses upon a theme too heavily, it can harm the story. Every story has an arc and while I certainly sought to hit the guideposts of format, which helps to make a story linear, I think that the events and problems that characters need to solve or deal with in a story are what create suspense, intrigue, and a “what’s-gonna-happen-next” type of feel. One of the best compliments I received from a former work colleague who bought my book was when he messaged me on LinkedIn saying, “I didn’t want to put it down.” When I read that, I felt within myself that I had made the story intriguing enough to merit such a response. And that pleased me.
To me, a story’s universe of problems, characters, and scenes must contribute to the reader experience, and to me, reader experience is everything. It’s more important than theme, in my opinion.
Lastly, I’ve always been a fan of the now 60-year-old-plus television show The Twilight Zone. Each story had its unique characters, storyline, theme, etc. Almost all of the stories gave a “jolt” to the reader – and I liked that. That’s how I view the short stories in my book, Something Went Cold. They are somewhat like The Twilight Zone stories in that they are unique stories that end unconventionally while subtly exploring dark themes of survival, life, revenge and so forth. The thematic elements were again not deliberate but inevitable, I suppose, given the stories’ construction.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I just completed a book tentatively titled “The Success Secrets of Arnold Schwarzenegger.” It’s about the Austrian movie star’s goal-setting, success, and visualization strategies using neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) principles and postulates to decode and isolate his processes. I don’t know when it will be available. I’m looking at the different options available to me with its publishing, marketing, etc. I’ve also started work on a novel. That’s what I’m involved with now. I actually have no shortage of novel and short story ideas. Obviously, I’m hoping to find a marriage of commerciality and story. That would be the best of both worlds.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
In Something Went Cold, you’ll read five such stories. Short stories that will seduce and entertain while taking you on a jolting journey of surprise and enchantment. In “#MeToo,” you’ll relish how an abused young woman gets her revenge. When you read “On the Serengeti, Nothing is Wasted,” your heart will beat faster as you accompany our heroes in a survival tale unlike any other. In “The Afterlife of Adolf Hitler,” you’ll find death is just the beginning for Der Fuhrer.
In Glenn Reschke’s Something Went Cold, you’ll read stories that will transport you to another world where you will be changed. And moved.
A Tribute To Her
Happy Tails Camper Stories: Lucy Learns to Share follows a young dog as she learns that having the toy you want but no one to share it with is not any fun. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My inspiration for this book was our Westie, Lucy, who actually did have a favorite toy at her doggie daycare that she would not share with the other dogs. I was also motivated to write her story as a tribute to her, because she got very sick and we had to say goodbye to her last year. Writing the book was cathartic for me and brought me closure after her loss.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Sarah Gledhill?
The publisher, Atmosphere Press, referred me to several illustrators so I could make my choice. What drew me to Sarah’s artwork was the way she draws dogs…they are charming and expressive without being “cartoon-y”. Sarah was able to draw Lucy, her friend Bingo and some other dogs based on photos I sent her. I’ve had many compliments on Sarah’s illustrations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Sharing can be tough for young children, whether it is with siblings or playmates. I think children can relate to the sharing issue as seen through Lucy’s eyes and hopefully learn that it really is better to share toys with friends.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I actually have ideas for two more books in the series. Shortly after we lost Lucy, we adopted a stray that showed up in a friend’s neighborhood, so I am working on a story about Harry finding a new home. Also, I know a new baby in the family can be difficult for a child, so I think Bingo will be getting a little brother and will learn to deal with the issues that a new family member will present for him. I would like to have both books done by the end of 2022.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
On her first day at Happy Tails Dog Camp, Lucy meets other dogs and sees lots of toys to play with. But another dog grabbed the toy she wanted and ran off with it! Lucy has a plan to get that toy for herself, but when she does, her plan doesn’t work the way she had hoped.
In “Happy Tails Camper Stories: Lucy Learns to Share” by Sharlene Novak, we experience Lucy’s disappointment when another dog takes the toy she wants and when her plan to get that toy has an unexpected result. But her friend Bingo saves the day with the perfect solution!
About Real People, Not Heroes
We’re Not Heroes follows survivors of the apocalypses on their journey to reach loved ones in a world where everything they knew is changed or gone. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Honestly, I’m a ‘what if’ kind of thinker. I love the post-apocalyptic genre, but was always disheartened by the need for authors to use a ‘hero’ – you know, the ex-SAS Soldier or retired Navy Seal. (Talk about coincidence that one might be on hand for every post-apocalyptical story). Anyway, I got tired of it, and decided to tell a story that I would want to read. About real people, not heroes.
One of the highlights of your novel is how detailed the scenes were, it was easy for readers to visualize the action. What was your favorite scene in this story?
Thank you, I’m so pleased that I was about to conjure the imagery. I enjoyed writing the scene where Maree and Leon come across the young mother with her children. I wanted to detail the horrific acts that some people will commit in a state of lawlessness, and yet others still will be compelled to hang on to their morals and humanity. In saying that, Luca intrigues me and I thoroughly enjoyed creating his character. His broken English made it difficult for him to fully express himself. I would love to find the time to explore his past.
Was there a reason why you chose The Great Southern region of Western Australia as the backdrops for your story?
Yes! I live here. The area is the backdrop to my life. I can see and feel the characters in and around where I live. The Great Southern is semi-isolated from the most isolated city in the world (Perth)! It is majestic and powerful and holds me captivated.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am hoping to intertwine other sets of characters with Jon and Maree’s story, exploring the hardships after taking many things in life for granted. Ideally, this book is probably around 12 months away.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Struggling with a deep sense of foreboding, Maree struggles with the desperate need to find her family hundreds of kilometres away. A fight for survival and family she can’t live without.
Their world has changed. It’s time to survive.
LITERARY TITAN 