In 30 years as a police officer I have written every kind of police report there is. From simple traffic crash reports as a young uniform officer in the Patrol Division in the early days of my career to the much more complex and detailed homicide and other major crime investigative reports during my almost 12 years as a plain clothes investigator in the Criminal Investigations Division. In those days the thought of writing a novel never entered my mind.
I guess I’ve always had a creative side to me. In high school I took art classes; drawing still lifes in pen and ink, painting landscapes in oils and water colors. I never could master drawing or painting people. I did win a high school art contest once with one of my landscape paintings. I’ve been a frustrated musician all my life. I began learning to play the guitar at the age of 12. Over the years I have written numerous unpublished songs…..most of which should probably remain unpublished! As an adult I got into woodworking. My specialty became designing and building wall and mantel clocks. By no means am I a master craftsman, but I do enjoy the hobby.
NEVER did I ever think someday I would write a novel and have it actually published. My high school English Literature teacher would probably turn over in her grave if she knew I was now a published author. I almost flunked out of her class my senior year for not completing many of her reading and writing assignments.
I have two college degrees – one in Police Science; the other in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. All I ever wanted to be was a cop. Nothing from my education or background would point to me becoming a novelist someday.
I’ve always been a dreamer. I believe in having dreams. I believe in trying to fulfill ones dreams. I’ve never been one to give up just because someone told me “No”. Retirement life has given me a lot more time on my hands….more time to dream. A little over a year ago I came up with the idea I could write a novel. Everything told me this was a ridiculous idea on my part. I didn’t know how to even start. I knew nothing about how the whole process worked. But I didn’t let that stop me. To quote someone who knows a thing or two: “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” – Napoleon Hill. So, I didn’t give up and here I am – a published writer!
On a personal note, I live in Western North Carolina near the Appalachian Mountains. I am blessed with a wonderful and caring wife – Lori, a son and daughter and two step-daughters. Two of our children are out of college with good careers and the other two are about to graduate from college. All of them have left the nest. Our babies at home now are a dog and cat. I work part-time in security for a local college. I am also the webmaster for two websites I designed and maintain for two different organizations.
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