Another One Bites The Dust / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-June-2026

 

Yup!  It happened again!

First, I am going to link back to these two blog posts, one from two years ago and the other back from 2017.  Here they are:

Views From The Outhouse: The Toxic Mix of Politics And Entertainment Creators / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-March-2024

Views From The Outhouse: The anatomy of a jerk / Happenings In The Outhouse 27-Jan-2017

Well, it happened again.  A few weeks ago now as I write this (I typically write these a few weeks in advance, although the posts I've done lately on the short stories were done over a series of months) someone in the music industry now came forward and dishearteningly made a statement on them not participating in an event to celebrate . . . well, let's put it this way, instead of writing on the nose about this one and publicly stating who it is, let me just share that it's a leader of a band that I have been a huge fan of, and follower of, for decades.  Yes, decades!

All the way back to the mid-1980s rock scene, mind you.  Probably one of my favorite bands--if not my favorite.

Not any longer.

I unfollowed them.  Everywhere.  From all social media and even Spotify.

Am I being petty?

Maybe.  But as other entertainers have stated lately, entertainers entertain.  That's it.  Like me.  I'm a writer.  I write.  I write to entertain.  That's it.  Do not ask me my political opinion.  I will not state it publicly.  I do have views, I do have values.

I am just not going to share it.  There are better things to do.

When Ideas Spark / Happenings In The Outhouse 05-June-2026

I have always been amazed at when a story idea presents itself to me.  Some ideas come fully formed, like a thousand-piece puzzle tossed into a table.  A number of pieces do fall on the floor, but they're all there.  I just have to put them together.

Then there are the stories that I search and search to uncover, like sifting through an archeological dig.  One never knows what you'll find, but you'll know it when you see it.

Last month my wife and I went to visit her parents.  On Sunday, we go to their church (my father-in-law is the pastor, and his sermons are always an inspirational joy to listen to) and during the prayer at the beginning of the service, an idea struck me.  It was from the prayer that was said, and I envisioned a story.  Almost in its entirety.  Remember, there are a few pieces of the puzzle that fall on the floor, get brushed into the corner.  It's great fun to put all of the pieces together, to see what it becomes.

Then, just the other day, my wife told me about a dream she had and thought it would make a great story.  This was another thousand-piece puzzle moment, where the story seemed like it was all there.  All I needed to do was put them together.

Distractions And Focus / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-May-2026

There are a lot of distractions keeping you from achieving your goals.  Social media.  The news (is 24/7 news media really necessary?).  Politics.  Global events.  The stock market.  Funny videos/reels.  Online browsing, looking for deals.

You name it, it can distract you.

That is, if you let it.

I recently read a blog post (geared toward writers) about distractions and "how the world is right now" blah, blah, blah . . . 

Again, let me repeat: IF YOU LET IT.

What separates those who achieve their goals and those who do not is getting things done?  Finishing that novel.  Building that website.  Setting up that newsletter.  Submitting that proposal to whatever gatekeeper you name.  Finishing something, whatever that may be.

The phrase "how the world is right now" threw me for a loop because it all comes down to perspective.  Sadly, for many, their world revolves on who is sitting in the White House.  If "their person" is in there and "their people" are in Congress, then life is peachy.  If not, then it's all gone to hell.

For me, I don't like discussing politics (even with my wife, we don't like to discuss it, and we hold the same values and voted for the same) and don't like discussing politics with people who also hold our same values.  There are other things to talk about.  Family.  Dreams.  You name it.

Keep an eye on what is distracting you.  If it is demanding more and more of your time (there is a certain game on my phone that does that, and I am more purposeful on what time I devote to it) then you might ask yourself, "What's important to me?"

Is it your dream?

Or the distraction?

New Story - Unmistaken Identity / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-May-2026

 Amazon.com: Unmistaken Identity eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Boyd Wheeler loves to tinker.

When he befriends a TX-class assassin robot in the middle of a junkyard, he knows his life isn't going to be the same.  He soon discovers a conspiracy that has global and historical implications.

Unmistaken Identity is a science fiction story filled with wonder and intrigue.

Purchase here on Amazon Amazon.com: Unmistaken Identity eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or at your favorite ebook retailer.

New Story - Air So Cold It Hurts / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-May-2026

 Amazon.com: Air So Hold It Hurts eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

Erica Wickstrom never expects to find her grandmother's brooch.  At a rummage sale of all places.  But there it is, next to a dozen other pieces of vintage jewelry.  Her grandmother was last seen wearing it the day of her husband's funeral.  Over twenty-five years ago.

The day she disappeared.

Will Erica finally discover the truth about her grandmother?  Or will she uncover a sinister evil that lurks in the shadows of her beloved small town home?

Purchase the ebook on Amazon Amazon.com: Air So Hold It Hurts eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books or at your favorite ebook retailer.

New Story - Pocket Change / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-May-2026

 Amazon.com: Pocket Change eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

After the tragic death of his wife, Kenny Rodgers returns to a roadside diner for a bit of peaceful nostalgia.  Suddenly, a breaking news release about a pair of thirty-year-old cold cases has Kenny feeling the heat.  Has his past finally caught up to him?  Did his late wife finally give the police the missing link they've been searching for?

Pocket Change twists and turns in this suspenseful mystery that will keep you on your toes to the very last page.

Purchase it here on Amazon Amazon.com: Pocket Change eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or at your favorite ebook e-tailer.

New Story - A Vintage Fit / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-May-2026

 Amazon.com: A Vintage Fit eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

For Marty Crystal, walking into his late grandfather's house was like taking a step back in time.

But Marty's grandfather Wally had a secret.  One that he passed on only to Marty.

A Vintage Fit is a whimsical tale of one man, dealing with grief, and discovering a brand new world filled with wonder and magic.

Amazon.com: A Vintage Fit eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Find this tale on Amazon or your favorite ebook e-tailer.