It’s all about me!

But enough about me. What do you think of me?  

I’m sure you’ve heard this old joke, or perhaps used it yourself, resulting in an equal mixture of laughs and groans from your captive audience. Or perhaps you know someone who has droned on and on about themselves, oblivious to the idea that you might have a story to tell also. I mean, shouldn’t it be a clue when someone falls asleep while you’re talking?  

While I’m able to carry on a conversation with just about anyone, talking about myself can be awkward. Part of that is low self-confidence, and part is my strong desire to be considerate and not monopolize a conversation. My wife will tell you I’m too considerate at times, like taking all the tougher pieces of asparagus, so she can have the tender parts, or tiptoeing around the squeaky floorboards so I don’t disturb her sleep. It’s hardwired into my persona at this point, and that’s not a bad thing most of the time, until it comes to tooting my own horn. Even typing this post’s title felt weird, but hell, If I can’t promote myself in my own blog, where can I, right? 

And I want to pause here to thank all of you who read this blog every week, and specifically those who reached out to tell me how much they enjoyed last week’s “heartbeat” blog post. It felt good to write that piece, and I hope it also piques your interest in my storytelling ability. You know by now that I’m trying to realize a long-time dream of becoming a published writer, and my weekly blog is a big part of expressing myself, while hopefully providing entertainment and sparking some interaction with all of you. I’ve been busy learning, writing, and growing as a writer, which feels amazing.  

The other big part about being a writer they don’t tell you is you need to not only market your stories, but also yourself until you get discovered and someone else can sing your praises. That means putting myself out there. A lot. Yikes! Ugh, writing about myself is so weird, and much harder than writing stories, so I’ll take a more comfortable tack. 

Things I’d rather do than promote myself: 

Finalize the cover art for Carry On, my non-fiction inspirational guide to finding hope and purpose in this struggle we call life. This little pocket guide is full of simple ideas and uplifting thoughts for how we can all be there for ourselves and each other. And it’s coming out in June. And June is next week. Holy crap!  

Then there are the final editing touches I’m applying to Redemption Falls, my sci-fi novel with a unique take on extraterrestrial invasion, due out this fall (the book, not the invasion…as far as I know). How will Tommy―a twenty-something land surveyor―work with a small, grizzled team of former military and security personnel to thwart the alien force? Well, I know how, but you’ll need to wait and read that for yourself 😊 

And don’t get me started on my collection of seven short stories also due out later this year. I’m still working on the title, but it’s an interesting mix of tales filled with more twists than route one on Maine’s coastline. There’s something for everyone: revenge, romance, a tree house, ghostly challenges, messages from the Great Beyond, myth-solving, an endearing circle of friends, free cars, and even a beagle! 

Perhaps I could introduce you to young James Wrigley―the star of my latest novel-in-progress―as he learns how to cope with an otherworldly dual identity at the tender age of thirteen, but I’m still getting acquainted with him, his three sisters, and Earl, his mentor. I know, I’m getting ahead of myself, since that story won’t hit the bookstores until 2026, but I assure you, it’s a doozy. And I know a doozy when I see one!  

On the subject of bookstores, and as you can see from my smiling mugshot above, my debut novel, That Moment, is now available in paperback at Gibson’s Book Store on Main Street in Concord, NH. My book. That I wrote. Stocked on a physical store’s bookshelf. Whaaaat?! Talk about a surreal experience! Gibson’s has a nice local authors section tucked in among their impressive collection of fiction and nonfiction books, covering just about any topic you could be interested in. They also have a café, knick-knacks, educational toys, events, and more. Be sure to stop in to check this wonderful shop out for yourself. I look forward to a satisfying partnership with them. (https://gibsonsbookstore.com/)  

The coolest thing about being a writer is that another story is always presenting itself to me. My writing is not defined by any one genre, since I am interested in―and can write about―so many. I have a notepad full of ideas, and all it takes is for me to notice one little aspect, be it with a person, a setting, or an event, and my imagination is off and running. They say real life is stranger than fiction, yet I feel the two are inseparably intertwined, each feeding the other in an endless symbiosis. My job is to add my own twists to that vine, using my unique perspective to grow offshoots of vines for you to climb and get lost in. If my words allow you to hit the pause button on your busy life so you can read, imagine, dream, and think, then I’ll know my gardening efforts have been worth the effort.  

I will continue to till the soil, fertilize, prune, and shape until the ideas blossom and spread across the pages for you to enjoy, because I certainly could not do this without you. 

I guess that means it’s really all about you, eh? 😉 

Our literary journey together is just beginning, and I look forward to sharing the ride. 

Thanks for reading all about me. I promise I’ll get back to more titillating topics next week, so please hang in there. Until then, whatever you are, be a good one.  

-Dave