Blog

Here's the press release for my latest thriller, One Child:

Last Updated on Saturday, 24 July 2010 21:53

Thriller Novel Altering the Way People Read

Thursday July 22, 9:27 am ET

New format threatens existing publishing model as novel reaches out to readers and delivers on a multitude of platforms

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - 07/22/10) - A new media-rich novel that embraces online culture and fictionalizes real events as they happen will be released on July 27th.

Inspiration for One Child

Last Updated on Saturday, 03 July 2010 00:34

When I attended the M.U.C.K. Film Festival last October, and saw this footage from a film by Robert Greenwald, titled Rethink Afghanistan, I was moved to write the story.

Take a minute, watch what inspired me and see what feelings it brings up in you.

Meeting Bruce

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 July 2010 01:31

I met Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa the other night. It was a chance meeting in a restaurant in Calgary, while they were in town to watch their daughter compete at an equestrian event at Spruce Meadows.

He and Patti were sitting at the table next to us, but we didn’t bother looking their way. I’ve met enough famous people over the years to know how much they value their privacy. When they got up to leave, Bruce looked over and we made eye contact. He said hello.

It would have been so easy for him to keep walking, but he didn’t. He and Patti stopped at our table and we shook hands and talked about his music and my writing for a few minutes. I can tell you this – both Bruce and Patti are wonderful people. Very kind and warm-hearted. Success sits well on their shoulders.

But this blog isn’t about meeting Bruce and Patti. It’s about how his music shaped my life and my writing.

The story starts about twelve years ago, when I was working on my first adult thriller novel. I’d written two Young Adult books but was bored with that and wanted to try writing for grownups. I was selling real estate at the time and had to sneak in a couple of hours every day on my desktop computer in my home office. My wife didn’t take all that kindly to my writing. I can’t say I blame her. The time I spent laboring over the keyboard was time away from selling houses. My income suffered a bit and that had an effect on our lives. We still managed to eat and go on a vacation every year, so things weren’t too bad.

Except at the keyboard.

I was suffering from something I think every writer who has attempted a novel goes through. The discovery of just how monumental an undertaking it is to write a book. It’s not easy. It takes time and dedication to return to the keyboard day after day for months on end. I was burning out. There were times when I did not think I’d make it to the end of Three Are Missing, which was my first full-length novel. And there were many times when I was sure the project was going to crash and burn. But it didn’t. And I owe the success of getting through that book almost entirely to Bruce Springsteen.

Whenever I felt overwhelmed and couldn’t see the end of the tunnel, I would plug Bruce’s Greatest Hits CD in my computer. I’d close my eyes and listen to a song or two. It didn’t really matter which ones. I like his music and while I have my favorite tracks, any one will do.

So how did Bruce save me from giving up?

A New York Minute

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 June 2010 23:36

I love New York.

Wouldn’t want to live there, but I love it for its energy, its sophistication, and about a thousand other reasons. But I only love it for short periods at a time. I admire those who call it home. The constant noise, the crowds and the traffic are insane. I guess that’s part of the attraction.

I was in NY for a week at Book Expo America, checking out what is happening in the publishing industry. BEA is a monster of a show, consuming the entire Javits Center, which is a mean feat. All the big boys were there – Harper Collins, Ingram, Random House, Pengui…tons more.

New York Enthrilled at the 2010 BEA

Last Updated on Monday, 07 June 2010 20:53

The Enthrill team arrived home from attending Book Expo America in New York suffering from a strange mixture of clarity and confusion.

BEA merged with the International Digital Publishing Forum this year, with the hope that the digital and print worlds would be coming together nicely. That there would be a new and concise direction on how the two can coexist.

That didn’t happen.

The Joy of Renting a Car

Last Updated on Monday, 22 February 2010 21:48

The joy of renting a car

Is there any other collection of companies out there quite as devious at getting maximum dollar out of unsuspecting consumers?

Think about it. You reserve a car for the ridiculously low rate of $29.95 per day. Whether you reserve over the phone or on the Internet, when you sign off, you are king (or queen) of the world. You have truly taken these guys to task. Ripped them off. Negotiated a deal that will surely cause a dip in their stock, maybe even put them out of business.

The Man-Chair

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2010 21:31

It is the most valuable piece of real estate in the shopping mall.

We long for it.

We covet it.

THE Place for singles to meet

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2010 21:53

Hands down - this is the best place for singles to meet

Forget singles bars. Dump the Laundromat. And don't even think about one of those online dating services. This is the place to meet your mate.

Killing people in Second Cup

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2010 21:53

I can't even guess at how many people I've killed at the Second Cup coffee shop. It's a lot. Quick guess, maybe a hundred.

In my books, or course.

That's where I write. Sitting at the high tables in the back because the little tables have a lip on their base that if you stand on it, your coffee is everywhere. Who would design something like that? It's a coffee shop. Full cups of steaming hot five dollar coffee are the norm. Don't put tables in that tip.