I am 35, a veteran of both Gulf Wars and Somalia, an Instrumentation Fitter by trade, and an aspiring writer. I went to the Univeristy of New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina, studying English and Fine Arts with a specialization in Painting.

I am also about to be a dad. My wife will have our first son within a month (although she asserts it will be a week or less). It is a boy, and we will name him Drake Talon, which means "dragon's claw." I think it's the perfect time to be saddled with a name he'll be able to do something with, something cool.

I began to draw when I was old enough to hold a pencil, but not seriously until I was five. I remember the attention my first drawing earned, and I have never stopped craving it since. Unfortunately, in August of '91, I was involved in a motorcycle accident that tore my hand from my arm (didn't break the skin, but shattered my wrist into little bits). I now live with chronic, severe arthritis, which worsens as I perform.

Fortunately, I also love to write, and that takes a lot less physical labor. I began with poetry and lyrics, but the first time I made a girl cry (in a good way) with a poem, I witnessed an impact that no drawing I had ever finished ever had. I knew that writing was my number one passion.

I made my first attempt at writing at a novel at age 16, a "Choose-Your-Adventure" book based on a kiddie book I had read. I wanted to make a more mature version, but I had no idea the magnitude of work it would be to complete. I never did, but not for lack of trying. I had...issues...when I was a teen, and I lost the manuscript for years (although I recently found it and hope to one day go through it for possible upgrade).

Anyway, I hope that you like my writing, and appreciate your attention. If you are interested, go to www.writing.com/authors/avistarrone to read more. Thanks!

My passion is ...

Writing

I know too much about ...

Art, my fictional world

My parents always told me ...

You'll never amount to anything

My childhood ambition ...

become a professional writer and artist

My favorite memory ...

getting married

Why I write ...

because I have too much on my mind to keep quiet

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien (not Peter Jackson). etc.

My first job ...

Navy

My best moment ...

Marriage, Navy Achievement Medal, getting published

My inspiration ...

Getting more published

Autos > Auto Repair (Other) Increasing the life of your vehicle

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The truth is in the middle. Your vehicle is an internal combustion engine that uses small, controlled explosions for power. With proper safety precautions, most people can learn routine maintenance, which decreases fuel consumption and keeps your vehicle out of the shop for longer periods.

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