: About Me

Joe Rector

2216 Frostland Lane

Knoxville, TN
37931

2006-present Knoxville News Sentinel Knoxville,TN

Freelance writer

Write weekly column call "Four Corners" for "West Section" of paper

Write several feature stories for this and other sections of the paper

2004-present Fountain City Focus Knoxville, TN

Columnist

Write weekly column for weekly newspaper

Write occasional feature stories

2006- OakRidge Observer Oak Ridge, TN

Contributing columnist

2006-present Chicken Soup for the Soul

Work appeared/will appear in the following books:

Mother and Son Soul

The New Mother Soul

The Menopause Soul

My Resolution

2006 Low Explosions: Writings on the Body

Work appears in this Knoxville Writers' Guild Anthology

"Hands"

Writings published in literary magazines and other newspapers

Member of Knoxville
Writers' Guild

*Member of the National Press Club

www.thecommonisspectacular.com

www.teachertales.net

Why I write ...

I write because it's something that I enjoy. At the same time, I like having ideas and putting them to paper. Some are good; some aren't so good, but each thing I write is my own special creation.

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

I'm reading the works of Lewis Grizzard, one of the best columnist to ever live and a fine southern gentleman.

My first job ...

My first job was teaching high school English. After 30 years, I decided I'd had enough and turn my energies to writing.

My inspiration ...

Inspiration is found in all things, good and bad, happy and sad, common and spectacular.

Personal Finance > Auto Insurance Why I am glad I have car insurance

28 of 36

My wife Amy and I hadn't been married long. She owned a new model Dodge; I was the proud owner of VW Beetle. I was in my first year as a high school English teacher, and she was a college student. My wife also had joined the army reserves to help pay the bills of a newly married couple. She attended training exercises on weekends at the local base. One Saturday morning she took my VW to training. Her vehicle used too much gas. It was a chilly spring morning, and a light rain had begun to fall during the early morning hours. Amy left the house early since the twenty-mile drive would require...

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