August/Sepember 2022 Update

Fall in Western Missouri

“Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.” – Seneca

The end of summer 2022 offered a flurry of activity…my daughter’s two homecoming celebrations – one in Lee’s Summit and the other in Warrensburg…finishing up a short story for an upcoming anthology for Writers of Warrensburg…and keeping up on life.

Book Two is moving along at a good pace, but in late July, I dove head-first into the short story. It is written in a different genre from what I traditionally focus, but horror has always been a pursuit of mine. Between Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, and Edgar Allen Poe, I have always been fascinated by how humans handle fear. There are too many other authors to list here, but horror authors have terrified readers for centuries. Horror can serve as a cautionary tale, or it can serve as a way in which to learn how to contend with something which may evoke fear in a person.

If horror isn’t something you enjoy or normally read, that’s okay, too. The Writers of Warrensburg anthology will reach a wide audience – there are numerous genres offered in the collection…suspense, adventure, comedy, and so much more.

Writing highlights

• I continued making progress on the first draft of The Blighter’s Shadow.
  
  • Final chapters are being written and editing has begun.
    
  • A late-winter 2023 publication is planned.
• Writers of Warrensburg is finishing work on a short story anthology. Sixteen of the group’s authors have provided a story for inclusion in the collection. The anthology is scheduled to be out in late October.
• I completed an interview about the anthology, writing, and my inspirations. Once the interview is ready, I’ll send out a follow-up update for your convenience.

Inspiration: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

The WPA is an organization quickly fading from the public’s awareness. In essence, it was vital to the United States during the recovery from the Great Depression. The WPA offered jobs to folks who had been unemployed, while also benefitting communities.
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The WPA’s workers created public works in many communities throughout the nation. Their work was not a temporary solution, as several long-range goals were implemented. Much of their work still stands today for visitors and customers to behold. For example, many state parks throughout the United States are a product of the WPA. Murals in older post offices are likely a product of a WPA artist.

The WPA is an inspiration to me, as it elevated society to a higher tier of effectiveness and general camaraderie. The leaders looked forward, not just to the next few years, but to the far future. The WPA pulled citizens out of unemployment to help benefit their communities, while also giving money toward their family’s survival. It also illustrated that government can pull together society during the toughest times to seek out options for effectiveness and compassion.

Perhaps we can even witness positive and effective echoes of the WPA in modern politics and leadership.
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Challenge for October:
Take a few moments to visit a place that inspires you. A forest you've not seen in a while (especially as the leaves change color). A favorite bookstore. A beloved book that will transport you to another time and place. 

A late summer collection of mushrooms