I Write...

Frisbee Dreams

(Middle grade fiction)

Lauren is a nail-biting, overweight, underachieving TV cartoon addict who surprises her parents and four “jock” siblings when she evolves into a self-confident sixth grader, transformed by her skill with a Frisbee and encouraged by her relationship with a retired football coach who becomes her mentor. The story addresses physical fitness, intergenerational friendship and sibling rivalry.

“Frisbee Dreams emphasizes the importance of developing friendships, finding one’s potential, and the need people have for each other. Readers will see the value of working hard on a skill, making tough choices and working to develop a positive sense of self. And they’ll learn a good bit about Frisbee as well."

-- Seraina Gessler, teacher

Author’s Comments:

Frisbee Dreams has been an enormously long time in coming. So long in fact, that my son, who loved playing with a Frisbee as a kid and who inspired the story, is about to turn 52.

That is not a typo.

What took me so long? Like so many people I know, I love to write. I always buy custom essay online. I can’t not do it. I’d like to think that I am better at writing than I am at jumping through a
series of painful hoops to shepherd a story from the depths of my computer into the light of day.

Anyone who’s tried it will understand. After a while, you give up and stash your words away in a file somewhere. That’s what I did until I decided to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the world of self-publishing.

Time was, if you “self-published” it meant that you had a big ego and were willing to do almost anything to see your words in print. It was commonly referred to as “vanity” publishing.

Today some of that stigma has disappeared and self-publishing has become much more accessible and acceptable. For better and for worse.

For me, the self-publishing journey has been a great adventure filled with some tension, frustration and stress, but mostly a learning experience I’m happy to have undertaken.

It’s never been about the money. It’s about wanting to share a story—in this case with middle grade young people—that I hope will engage and entertain them. If, along the way, they take away something more than that, all the better.

Frisbee Dreams is a simple story—no zombies, vampires or dystopia—just a bit of imagination intended to make most anything possible.

Available:

• Paperback on Amazon
• From the author:

Running Mates

(Middle grade fiction)

Henry's quirky grandmother embarrasses him big time and insists that he teach her how to run a marathon. One of the slowest on his middle school cross country team, he balks at first, then comes to appreciate his grandmother and take pride in her accomplishment.

“Read right though the manuscript. I could not put it down. Kids will love it and even some big kids. Running Mates is an inspirational story for anyone who has ever laced up a pair of running shoes. It’s easy to connect with Henry and his grandma as they both overcome challenges and discover the joy of running.”

-- Doug Bell, masters national record holder in the 5k and 25k

Author’s Comments:
I hope you enjoy reading about Henry and his grandma. Perhaps you would like to know how the story came to be.

A few years ago, when I first got the idea for this story, I called it Gert Wonders and there was only one character. Her name was Gert and one day she began to wonder what it would be like to run a marathon. My grandma’s name was Gert.

All her life Gert had been wondering about all sorts of things and usually her wonderings got her into quite a lot of trouble. The story told about how hard it was for her to start running and build up to the point where she could run for more than 26 miles.

I worked hard to make her funny and interesting to kids. But guess what. When I first wrote the story, there were no kids in it! When I realized this, I started over.

I kept Gert, the lady who wondered about things, but I added Henry. I decided to have Henry tell the story.

Because Henry was 13, I had to make him talk like a young teen. That wasn’t too hard because I had a grandson who was 13. I thought about what is important to kids that age, what they like to eat and wear, how much they like to sleep, how important their friends are and how a relative can make them feel uncomfortable.

Available:

• Paperback and e-book on Amazon
• Local bookstores
• From the author:

Muffin Magic

(Juvenile fiction)

The story revolves around Adam who loves the muffins his dad bakes every Saturday morning. He loves his dad too, but not the fact that they move so frequently because of his dad’s job. He has a hard time with each new house, new bedroom and new school. He especially hates eating lunch alone at school as new kids often do. When Dad says it’s time to move again, Adam swings into action and dreams up a plan. Dad gives it a try. The story addresses problem-solving, child-parent cooperation, single parenting and learning to cook.

“I’ve been privileged to watch the progress of Muffin Magic from its first mixing through to its rise to perfection. It’s my favorite kind of story where a child solves a big problem.”

-- Linda Arms White, author of Too Many Pumpkins and other children’s books

Available:

• E-book on Amazon
• Local bookstores

Red Ribbons: "Coming in Second is Not All That Bad"

I was fortunate enough to help the Rev. Bob Geller of Fort Collins write his memoir.

Available:

• From the Geller Center for Spiritual Development (970-482-8487)

Sugarbush to Savannah: A Life Journey by Committee

Tells the life stories of a group of 12 college friends. A few copies remain.

Available:

• From the author:

Going Green: True Tales of Gleaners, Scavengers and Dumpster Divers

"Of Rags and Bags" was included in this anthology, edited by Laura Pritchett, University of Oklahoma Press.

Libby's 66-year-old running jacket

Available:

• Paperback from Amazon
• Local bookstores