: About Me

Even since I was a boy, I wanted to be a writer. In high school, college and, later, in professional life I worked as a newspaper reporter. After almost 20 years, I went into government service, writing speeches, press releases and various public documents as well as serving as a community liaison. In September 2007, I negotiated a contract to write a history book of the municipality in St. Louis County, Missouri, where I had worked for seven years. Leaving the relative comfort of a government job was a leap of faith, but one I do not regret. I expect the book-which I researched and am writing-to be released in the fall of 2008. Following its completion, I hope to continue writing full time as a freelancer.

In college I studied philosophy and continue learning more about the great thinkers who have shaped the thinking of humanity. I have a large personal library, heavily weighted with philosophy books as well as great literature: fiction, poetry and essays.

I have two sons, ages 13 and 17, from a marriage that lasted 10 years. They are my joy and inspiration, indeed that strongest reason for me to live. Together, we enjoy the outdoors, in particular our many excursions to fly-fish in Missouri's many streams and rivers.

I have weathered a number of storms in my life: colorectal cancer, the devastation of two long-term relationships that failed, and depression that continues to dog me. I do not, however, consider myself of victim. I'm just a guy who's hit rough spots and does his best to endure.

Creative writing as well as journalism are my current pursuits.

I would describe myself as something of a loner, although I get along with people from all walks of life and am definitely not shy.

Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Wildlife

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It was an August evening. Well after sunset, the sweltering heat lingered and the humid air pulled buckets of sweat from our pores. My sons and I were wading a stretch of water on the upper reaches of the Meramec River in the Missouri Ozarks, one of those fine, clear streams that rapidly alternates from riffle to pool to run. Shallow enough to wade safely even in the dark, the river allowed us to extend our outing long past the time when most anglers had departed. The gravel bars and chunks of rock harbored scads of crayfish, the favorite meal for hungry smallmouth bass. While the sun was ...

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