Writing update for 2013

"NARRAGANSETT" my first attempt at a historical fiction novel is in its final stages, being reviewed by my "editor/friend." I'm very excited about this novel. It follows two Rhode Island families from colonial times to the present. The central theme is Rhode Island's strong connection to Narragansett Bay and the natural environment. One of the families harvests oysters for a living, and the other operates a large farm. Both families work together to overcome the environmental challenges of development and industrialization, while developing a deep love for the natural world around them. I hope to be ready for publication by March.

Painting to be used for the cover is by William Stanley Haseltine (1835 – 1900)

"Rocks off Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island"

I have several other projects in the works... I have decided to expand "The Birdman of Nuuanu Valley." Several friends that have reviewed the stories have suggested that I add to a couple of the chapters, giving the central character – the parakeets – more space to develop. This I hope to complete by the end of the summer.

Also, amongst all this activity I have started a new fictional story, "Not Too Late for Paradise." This story has two central characters, both adolescent boys. One boy, is traveling to the Micronesian islands with his archaeologist mother in the 1960s. He's very self-centered, typical moody and difficult teenage boy who would rather be at home with his friends and television, then traipsing through the South Pacific with his mother. This character will be loosely based on my experiences in Micronesia when I was seven and again when I was 16 years old. The other boy is a "purchased" cabin boy working for the notorious buccaneer Captain Henry Bully Hayes. This boy is part Tongan and part American missionary, discarded by his father and sold by his uncle to Captain Hayes. Somehow these two boys will work together to solve the mystery of "Bully" Hayes buried treasure – lost somewhere on the island of Kosrae. In this story, I promise to include ghosts, a magical journal, beautiful Polynesian girls, intrigue, and the search for treasure. So far I'm only four chapters into this new world, so not sure when I'll reach a conclusion.

So, as you can see I continue to write every day – even when I'm not inspired. Book sales are flat, I seem to sell one or two a month, but that does not deter me. As I've said many times before, I write to live and live to write. I don't expect to be a best-selling author, but I do hope that my few friends and supporters who read my stories find some value and entertainment within the pages.
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Start of the new year!

Happy new year everyone! Just wanted to share a little bit how the beginning of 2013 has been going for me... It started off a little bit gloomy. I had a couple of choking/aspiration episodes during the week of Christmas and New Year's Eve. That put a damper on things, and I also caught a slight case of the flu. Had a low-grade fever and body aches for several days. However, spent very quiet days with my family and caregivers. Enjoyed watching all the football – college and NFL. As the second week of 2013 began, I started to feel better and my energy slowly returned. I even felt good enough to go to the Sony Open golf tournament on Saturday. My best friend, Bob, my son and his girlfriend, took me to the tournament for several hours. I had a wonderful time! It's so much fun to see the pro golfers up close and personal. I watched Vijay hit a beautiful drive, not more than 10 feet away from him – what power! Reminded me how much I enjoyed playing golf in the old days. Unfortunately, I forgot to put the sunscreen on that my wife had so diligently packed for us – so now I have sunburn arms and legs! Silly, silly boy... She's scolding me, as I deserve it. Other news is that I was finally able to talk to my mother, she is been in the hospital and rehab since falling in October and breaking her leg. She had some rough times, but it looks like she's getting better and was finally up to having a good conversation with me! Also, Finished my final draft of my historical fiction book about Rhode Island, called Narragansett. Look forward to be published sometime in March. So, the year started off this little bit bumpy for me – but thanks to everyone's love and prayers, things are looking up. I'm looking forward to going out more often. Here's wishing that this year's a good one for all of us!