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.

The Importance Of Staying Organized / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-May-2025

I am so close to finishing my latest work-in-progress, the first novel in a cozy mystery series, that I am excited to see it finally come to an end.

But as I am nearing the end, I am seeing the importance of story organization.  With a mystery--truly, this can be any story too, not just mysteries or similar genres--there are elements of a crime and the law enforcement agent seeking to discover the truth behind the crime (if there, in fact, is one) that authors do not want to miss something.

Along the way, I have made notes on various parts of the investigation, but I still go back, in case I miss something.

As with any story, be it short story to novel, I try to make notes as to where the story went and where it's going.  Over the years, I have tweaked this process, and may still do so in the future.  In the end, it's important to stay organized or else you'll make a mistake in your story and cause the reader to either stop reading your story or (and this is much worse) will never pick up one of your stories ever again.

Greener pastures aren't much (if any) greener / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Feb-2025

Looking elsewhere may seem like the grass is greener than where you are standing, but in most cases it is not.

What am I getting at?

Let's say, for example, that I write a bunch of stories in a certain genre and it doesn't seem to stick with readers.  So I pick another genre and do the same thing.  Nothing.  Then I see that a certain new genre is making the charts so I switch to that.

Again, nothing.

What seems to be the problem?  Well, it's . . . you.  You are the problem.  Work on improving your craft, whatever that may be, because switching genres or moving to a larger city, just because you think you can gain more sales (even though you already have existing clients) is the wrong move.

Because when you get there, the grass looks like where you first were.  In fact, it may even be worse.

More on this next week . . .

QR Codes (Ways To Hinder An Easy Buy) / Happenings In The Outhouse 20-Sept-2024

Ever since one of my daughters went off to her first year of college, we have visited her a few times, to take her to brunch/lunch, and to bring her things that she needed.

One thing I noticed lately was on one of these visits, when we took her to lunch.  It was our second time at this restaurant--one featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives--so we knew the food was good.  But the main difference I noticed between this restaurant and others was that the menu could only be accessed by a QR code.

Okay, you may ask what's the big deal?

The big deal is: what is someone doesn't have a smartphone?  Also, when I asked a few people who were of the older generation, they didn't have a clue what a QR code was.

During our last visit, we took our daughter to a diner for brunch.  I had the French toast, which was like eating a cinnamon roll.  My wife had a pancake that was as big as her plate--she couldn't even eat it all.  But in order to reserve a table, you had to scan a QR code and reserve a table.

Hmmm, again, same question as before.

How's this for an interesting concept: I get why a restaurant owner may want to run their business this way, but in doing so it alienates a segment of the population.  And if you're alienating a segment of the population, what other barriers are you putting in place that hinders an easy buy?

Battling Complacency / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-Aug-2024

It's easy to stay in one spot, be it career or job position or hobbies or place of residence or . . . well, just about anything at this point.

But what if . . . 

Now, I'm not saying that everyone should quit their job, abandon their hobbies, and move away.  But if you are given an opportunity to do something different, even for a little while, what's stopping you?

Pay Attention To What You Are Learning / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-July-2024

Pay close attention to what you are learning.

I had a meeting with one of my colleagues and they were asking what they should be doing to prepare for an upcoming leadership role.

This is an interesting question, and can be applied to many jobs or learnings as there is a multitude of information out there.  Take leadership for a moment.  There are a ton of books, and they run the gambit from dreadful to spectacular.  Okay, so how do you know?  You don't.  And here's the caveat: what one finds no value in, others do.

I have read a lot about time management over the years, and there are good ideas and there . . . well, mediocre ones at best.  But what one finds that works, others do not.  And vice versa.

It's easy to get caught up in the soaking up of knowledge.  In the end, the best way is to actually do the job.  Take writing.  The best way I have found is to sit down and write.  Read too, but also write.

Laser Focus Goals / Happenings In The Outhouse 05-July-2024

Last week, I wrote out my "Next 5 Things" to do for the next three months.  I have been doing this for a number of years now, and it is important that I do this, to focus my energy on what needs to be done in the near future.

I will not share what I wrote, but I am determined to laser focus my goals and achieve as many as possible.  I am utilizing Heinlein's Rules of Writing.  Of which I have utilized before but am becoming more intentional now.

The rules are:

1) You must write.

2) You must finish what you start.

3) You must refrain from rewriting except to editorial demand.

4) You must put it on the market.

5) You must keep it on the market until sold.

Seems simple.

But you would be surprised at how few writers actually do this, then wonder why they aren't successful.  Not that I'm a big name author with big name money.

But at least I'm working at it, and having fun.

Cleaning House / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-May-2024

For the past month and a half, my wife and I have been cleaning out the basement.  Getting rid of old stuff that should've been thrown out long ago and organizing the rest for a more comfortable living space.

One of these areas is an office room.  I used to do the majority of my writing in that room, until circumstances with my late wife made it so I had to do it upstairs.

I have still been writing.  Right now, I'm in the beginning of a new tale, one that I have had the bones of in the back of my mind.  I'm at a point where I don't know where to go, but that's okay.  I'll brainstorm my way of out it, like I do all my other stories that I have gotten stuck in.

When Cop Stuff Is Not Told Right / Happenings In The Outhouse 05-April-2024

This goes with any profession.  From law enforcement to nursing, from plumbing to pilots, and a host of other things, it's difficult to get all of the details right.

As a former law enforcement officer, with years of experience throughout many aspects of that profession, it irks me when I see shows where things are so wrong.  My wife and I just finished watching the hit TV show Sons of Anarchy.  We loved it, but there were aspects of both law enforcement and nursing that struck us both.

It's difficult to get all of the details right, but when some are so blatant (cocking back the hammer on a Glock pistol, for example) I just shake my head as it throws me right out of a story.

The storyline for SOA was complex and entertaining.  Yes, you were cheering on the bad guy, but when there were varying degrees of badness, you seemed to be cheering on some more than others.

The first thing that struck me was that city cops typically wear blue.  County deputies wear brown.  All of the city cops in SOA wore brown.  And when it came to hospitals and security, that seemed to be thrown right out the window with SOA.  No one should be able to walk into a hospital administrator's office or a doctor's office that is closed.

In a nutshell, if you're going to make things far-fetched as SOA had done, do it well when it comes to story.

It's all in the details.

And I could go on with this.  I probably will in future posts . . .

Freedom To Let Your Creative Mind Flow / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Feb-2024

I had an interesting conversation with my youngest daughter last week.  She's in speech competition and was in the process of writing her creative speech.  But she kept hitting a roadblock and didn't know how to finish it.  She reached out to a few others for help, but in fact got more roadblocks.  An English teacher told her to use some formulaic path to writing the story, and this only frustrated her more.

Once I heard her out, I told her to throw away all of the advice she had given.  Her eyes grew wide, then I told her to brainstorm as many ideas as she could.

"The first few ideas will be easy but you won't want to use them," I said.  "By the time you get eight, ten, twelve ideas down, that's where the great ideas will be.  The ones that will spark the direction your story will go."

When seeking advice from others, please be aware that not all advice is good.  In fact, no offense to the others, but they aren't a creative like my daughter and myself.  I knew how to speak the language of a creative.

When you feel stuck on a project, sit alone and just brainstorm.  Let your mind go.  Let it be free.  You will be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Now, on a side note, there is nothing wrong with the advice regarding formulas to writing.  There are a variety of methods, but I knew for her it would just confuse her.  So I kept it simple.  And guess what?  She finished it!

Troublesome Story Finished / Happenings In The Outhouse 09-Feb-2024

My latest short story is completed.  I finished it Monday morning, and have been doing some small editing this week.  Along with a new title.  I didn't like the original title, as my original vision for the story has changed (as happens often for me).

I will be submitting it to a contest, so once it's away then I'm on to the next story.

Stay tuned . . .

Still Overthinking / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-Feb-2024

Overthinking.

Yup, I'm still doing it.

Some authors call it the critical brain getting in the way of your thinking.  I agree, that's what is happening to me.

I've been working on a short story for a number of weeks now, tweaking here and there, and I've hit a point where I don't know where to go.  When I looked at it from a larger picture, I realized that I was overthinking.

In the past, I've had no troubles working through a story (for the most part).  If I hit a troublesome spot, I'd brainstorm about it.

So, that's what I did.  I should have it done shortly.

Idea Machine / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-Sept-2023

I have written about ideas and brainstorming before, but let me elaborate on what could be an idea machine.

I've been improving my writing chops by taking writing classes through Dean Wesley Smith's WMG Publishing on Teachable.  If you're a writer and want to improve your skills, taking Dean's classes (also taught by his wife Kris too) is a must!

Now, what about ideas?

When you're thinking of story ideas, do you go with the first thing that comes to mind?  Chances are, it's what most people will think of and your story will be predictable.  Even the second and third and possibly the fourth thing will be predictable.

When you're brainstorming, try and come up with ten ideas.  I had to do this for one of Dean's classes.  The first few ideas were easy, but to come up with ten was a bit more difficult.  Not impossible by any means, but it allowed me to think well outside my comfort zone.  Well outside the mainstream ideas and come up with something more original.  More unique.

Good luck!

Stealing Ideas / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-June-2023

If there ever an original idea that can be stolen?

And how original can your idea be?

Recently, an acquaintance suggested to their employer to have a bake sale to help raise funds for some new equipment.  Nothing more was said by the employer, and then when the employer actually did have a bake sale, this acquaintance had the nerve to say, "They stole my idea!"

As if NOBODY else has ever heard of having a bake sale.  It was an idea.  A suggestion.  Seriously, get over it.

That being said, the employer could've said, "Hey, thanks for the idea!" to at least give the employee some recognition.  They didn't.

Ideas are a dime a dozen.  They're everywhere.

I recently attended two online writing workshops.  One was on cold cases and the other was on modern murder cases.  At the end of the three-week workshops, I had to write a short story with a specific given scenario.  I completed them on time (I got great feedback on them too, by the way).  Now, I have no way of knowing this, but there were probably dozens of people taking both courses and I'll bet that each story, despite having a specific scenario, were all completely different.

Come up with ideas.  Share them.  Give them away.  Then come up with more ideas.

In fact, one assignment on the cold case workshop was to come up with ten different ideas for cold cases.  That was quite a feat, and I had a blast doing it.  The first ideas were easy, but as I got down the list they were more difficult to come up with.  But I still did it.

So go have a bake sale!  Don't worry, it wasn't my idea!

On a side note, I'm nearing the end of my current work-in-progress.  I surpassed the 90,000 word mark.  Hoping to finish it up in the next few weeks.

Rebranding And Brief Pause To WIP / Happenings In The Outhouse 19-May-2023

A large local employer in my area is going through a rebrand.  Rebranding what they stand for and what they do, how they want to be perceived by customers, vendors, and even employees.

Even if you are a solo entrepreneur or artist, your brand is just like this.  John Grisham is known as the legal thriller author.  Stephen King is known as a horror author.  J. K. Rowling is known for Harry Potter.  J. R. R. Tolkien is known for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.  Despite all of these authors writing outside of what they're known for, that is their brand.

Your brand also reflects what one does on social media.  If you are politically sided on one end of the spectrum or always known to be contentious, that's your brand.  If your brand is that you are a genuinely nice person, then so be it.

What do you want to be known for?  What will be said about you at your funeral?

Think on it.

And live your life to fulfill that.

On a side note, I am slowing down my work on my current work-in-progress.  I am taking two online classes (three weeks in total for each of these two, and both are being taken at the same time) I achieved from a Kickstarter about cold cases and modern cases from a fiction writing perspective, and it's eating into a little of my writing time.  But that's okay.  Because it's only going to make my writing that much better.

Adapt And Overcome (Makeshift Chopsticks) / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-May-2023

The other day at work, I brought leftover pot roast.  My girlfriend had made it a few nights earlier, and it was amazing.  But when I opened my lunchbox to retrieve the leftovers, I discovered something was missing: no plasticware.  No fork, knife, or spoon.

Nothing.

Across the room, near the coffee pots was a container of stirring sticks.  I grabbed a few, and used them like chopsticks to eat my lunch.

I adapted to the situation, and overcame.  I succeeded.

Oh, sure, I could've used my fingers and ate like a pig, but I didn't.

When many are hit with obstacles, their first instinct is to curl up in a ball and whine.  Don't do that.  Think to the positive.

Another example occurred just the other night.  My youngest was doing her homework and had to write something.  But something happened that caused her work to get lost.  It was no longer retrievable.  She asked me, "Dad, have you ever had this happen?  What did you do?"

My answer was simple: "It happens all the time when I'm writing.  Maybe not a software glitch, but I may get stuck.  So I go do something else and come back to it.  Or think of it as a fortune, because I'll write something better."

You know what happened?  She wrote something better.

If you hit obstacles, think of it as a blessing and come up with a solution.  A better one will present itself.

Conundrum / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-March-2023

Conundrum.

Most don't use this word, nor do they even know what it means.  It can be defined as a problem that has no clear solution.

Over the past several months, I have been writing a middle grade novel set in the 1980's.  I am currently around 73,000 words and--here's the conundrum--I have no idea as to how much longer it's going to be.  My original due date to finish it was the first of the year.  If you check your calendar, that's long past.  Then, I put April 1st as a due date.  Yup, you guessed it.  Still not done.

I do feel like it is winding down, but I don't know if I have 10,000 or 20,000 more words to put into it.  It's getting to be one long book, especially for a middle grade novel.

For now, I put May 1st as a due date.  I'm crossing my fingers that it will be done by then.  At that time, I will share more details on it.

Outside The Comfort Zone / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-March-2023

The best way to grow as a person is to do things outside of your comfort zone.

Now, this may seem easy for one to say, but not so easy to action.  Unless you make it a habit.  Make a habit of going outside your comfort zone.  My girlfriend and I go on frequent date nights--at least once a week, if possible.  When we go to a restaurant, I look for something I haven't had before.  One of our favorite restaurants in a nearby town I have had most items on the menu.  We have also gone to a variety of concerts, from heavy metal to country western.  Now, honestly, country isn't my thing, but I do love music in general.  And those country artists I have seen have certainly put on a great show.

Last week, we went to see the 80's heavy metal band Skid Row.  They have a new lead singer, Erik Gronwall, who was absolutely amazing!  I vividly recall the first time I listened to Skid Row with their former singer Sebastian Bach.  I didn't think the new guy would hold up to Bach.  Boy, was I wrong!

Even my current work-in-progress is outside of my comfort zone.  It is a middle grade novel and there are times I want to add something but given the potential audience I write it a little differently.  I'm not writing down to the audience--that's a huge no-no in my book, no pun intended.

I am also on the church council of the church I attend.  This is my second year and this year I am on a committee that is allowing me to stretch as a Christian.  At work, I am intentionally doing things that are outside of my comfort zone to stretch my mental muscles.

Find areas that give you pause and go forth with gusto!  If you've never gone grocery shopping, do it.  If you've never flown on an airplane, do it.  If you've always wanted to write a book, what's stopping you?  In the words of Nike . . . just do it!

Handling Negativity / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-March-2023

I read a blog post the other day and came across this saying:

How true this is, for some people to always come up with problems to potential solutions.

I run into this daily at my day job, when there are possible solutions and all the feedback one can give them is negative in nature.

What are your first thoughts when a solution is presented to you?  In what light do you see it?  Do you see the possibilities or all the ways it can fail?

Stupid Questions and Brain Farts / Happenings In The Outhouse 03-March-2023

"Can I ask you a stupid question?"

For me, the stupidest question is the one that's never asked.  I've held this notion for as far back as I can remember.  I've had numerous people come up to me, asking if they could ask a stupid question.  I always respond back in kind, repeating my mantra of what the stupidest question is.

99 times out of 100, the question is actually quite profound and I tell them so.  The look of shock makes me chuckle.

But what about the 1 time?  The 1 time out of 100 when the question is, what one would consider, stupid?  I keep that to myself.  I never tell them that the question could be considered stupid.  It could just be a brain fart--when you know the answer, but can't quite remember.  And just because I may feel it is stupid doesn't mean it is.  Ask it anyway.

Be brave to ask questions.  I maybe don't do it enough myself.  My method of learning is to sit back and let the knowledge soak into me like a water into a sponge.

So go ahead and ask your questions.

Just because you may think they're stupid doesn't mean someone else isn't wondering the same and is afraid to ask.