Now tell me again, why are you writing this book?
I’ve been asked countless times over the past 16-months “Are you crazy? Why are you writing a book about the affair and extortion attempt? Don’t you want to forget everything that happened and hope everyone else forgets it too?” But writers write, and I need to tell the parts of the story that the media didn’t capture, or chose to leave out.
Sure, there is the tawdry public story that everyone thinks they know – the story of an affair between a state senator and a staffer with the spice of extortion thrown in. The public details answered the “what”, but […]
The Extortion of Forgiveness
Two years ago my life was quite different. Compared to today it is dramatically different. Back then, I was serving my ninth year in the Tennessee legislature and my third as a State Senator. I chaired of one of the Senate’s most powerful committees, was a husband and father and held a bright political future. All that came crashing down as a result of a series of unfortunate circumstances, brought on by many poor decisions that began with me.
The political life I coveted began unraveling when a guy, Joel Watts, attempted to extort $10,000 from me saying that he was […]
Wine Time in Savannah
Small towns in the south are wonderful places to live and grow up in. When someone asks where I from, my response of “Savannah,” is usually followed by, “Oh, you’re from Savannah, Georgia?”
“No, Savannah, Tennessee.” I reply. My Mom calls it the “Garden Spot of the Universe,” not to be confused with the narrative non-fiction movie and book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” that brought fame to the wonderful city of Savannah, Georgia. […]
A Great Start to 2011
January 3, 2011, the first “work-day” of the New Year – kind of like the first day of school but with three layers of clothes on. Beginning in the wee hours of the morning, millions of Americans began their daily trek so they can arrive at the grindstone before putting their nose to it. There are a few aspects of the office environment I miss but the morning commute doesn’t rise to the top of the list. For those who make it on behalf of the rest of us- thank you – for whatever it is you do.
So long Shelby…
Life has lots of twist and turns, joys and challenges that are filled with memories of special times and places. Losing those we love is always difficult and having to make touch decisions on their behalf is even harder.
After twelve wonderful years with our Dalmatian, Shelby, we drove her to the veterinarian for the last time yesterday. I can imagine what you’re probably thinking; a Dalmatian, aren’t those the crazy, hyperactive dogs that are dangerous around children? […]
Writing the book proposal
Ah, the Proposal…”Now why do I need that?”
After reading my last blog about the “query” process and finding an agent, a fellow writer called and politely pointed out that I put the “cart before the horse” by not talking about how to write a winning proposal before trying to secure agent representation. Uh, yeah, …I almost forgot about the proposal – kind of like telling you to go see your banker before you have your business plan finalized and in hand. […]