First, Let Me Say

     First, let me say. Chances are you neither want nor care about being on my mailing list. For this I apologize, but I just dumped my entire address book onto the list. If you don't care to receive these mailings there are two options: email me at danw@nc.rr.com and say "take me off" or just delete it unread. Personally, I find the delete key my friend and delete an average of 150-200 emails a day. Most, are trying to sell me something. These get a quick delete. The ones that I love are from my readers who want to comment on one or more of my books. They get my full attention.
     The Dix Hill Diary is moving along. This is a new area for me. Most of my past books were motivated by something I care for. In the case of the Thrill Seeker trilogy, I was totally in love with both David and Lynn Logan. The Dix Hill Diary, on the other hand, brings out emotions I almost fear. The fact that any politician could put thousands of people who need help on the street just so they could say "Look at me ... I reduced the budget" is offensive and immoral.
     I would like to take the book in the direction that it would undo what has been done. But that is unrealistic. I don't believe a book can do that. Then again, Uncle Tom's Cabin did start the Civil War!
Have a Great Day!
Dan
http://www.danweatherington.com/
http://danweatherington.blogspot.com/

Getting There!

It feels good. Yesterday, I finished one of my goals from a week ago, updating my web page. Again, I want to thank friend and brother Jim Earnhardt for suggesting Dreamweaver. It is an excellent program. I am also on chapter two of Sidney Sheldon's Nothing Lasts Forever. It is a fantastic read! My very close friend, Professor Donn Holt, keeps urging me to get into the John Grisham books but I almost fear them. There are so many and reading can become an addiction. Do I really want to become addicted to something with such a large supply?
This morning I will return to writing the Dix Hill Diaries. Dix Hill Diaries is a tentative name for a book about what I consider to be one of the greatest travesties and shames of my lifetime, the closing of Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh, NC. While I was in college, I worked there. I saw miracles done. I saw people helped. Years later, I saw former patients on the streets talking to themselves. They were homeless and helpless. Budget cuts are great in theory, but there are things that are more important than a budget and I can't see how any politician can feel proud for putting thousands of people on the streets for the sake of a budget.
Oh well, enough rambling. I will write the book. Hopefully, it will be done by next spring. If nothing else, it will keep me off the streets and out of the pool room.
Dan   

Can Success Be Measured?

I don't know if coming back to a blog you have abandoned for almost two years can be considered success. Or, if coming back to the blog is one-half of what needs to be done. If it's one-half, then I am one half there. I still need to update my web page which has suffered the same neglect. Actually, I have completed two books since I've paid much attention to the blog and to the web page.
It could be said that I was working on books and not pages or blogs. Yes, it could be said, but that would not be what I should be doing. A writer's lot is to write, read and write. Write his books, read at least a book or two, or more, a month, write his blog, and keep his web page current. This is my plan. This I will be doing. I have a Sydney Sheldon book that needs to be read. I'm really looking forward to it because I love his style and the way he handles his characters.
We'll talk again soon. Meanwhile, I have a web page to update, a book to write and a book to read. And, I'm looking forward to all of it!
Have a great one,
Dan

It's coming, It's coming

   Tomorrow will be my holiday . . . Halloween. Santa is nice and the Easter Bunny is great, but my best memories as a child are when half the neighborhood would dress up and go door to door yelling "Trick or Treat." It was an all-evening affair that begin when we met at Davy Mason's house (Davy is now an about-to-retire OB- GYN physician who I can still hear saying "Ooh, girls, yucky") for a bowl of punch. When dark came about ten of us would begin going from house to house. Ever door was welcoming and every person who answered feigned fear of the goblins and spooks. When our bags were full we would end the adventure by spreading our candy and making trades. It was a great time.
    It has been a while since I added to my poor blog but right now I am in the midst of a book that takes me back to that time I remember so fondly. The Book, Baby Boomer, revolves around that fantastic music of the time, The Beatles, Petula Clark, Pat Boone, Bobby Vinton, The Four Tops, all of them. As I write, I play the music and almost relive those grand days.
    I have neglected my poor blog, but I believe with enough Petula, George, Paul, John and Ringo playing I might be better.

Number 14 Ready to Launch

It was a coincidence. Yesterday, a friend asked me about my next book and last night I was given the proofread. I have a few days of changing, adding, deleting and generally nit-picking to go before before the final work is submitted. My best guess is that by the end of the month number  fourteen will be available in digital form and a couple of days later in print.
I know you're tired of hearing this, but this book, The Thrill Seekers - Derbyshire Castle, has been an exciting write. As with the previous two Thrill Seeker books, I love the characters and I love their exploits. I guess it's because I sincerely believe that with enough money and people who truly care, most of this world's problems can be solved. And no, the Logans don't take on world peace or world hunger, but they do solve people's problems a little bit at a time. This I love. This to me is exciting. And I sincerely hope you feel the same. Do have a great day!
Dan
http://www.danweatherington.com

     My books have been selling okay. Now, what “okay” means is somewhat subjective. For J K Rowlings and her Harry Potter series, a hundred books a day would be barely scrimping by. For some, a hundred books in a lifetime won’t happen. Like I say, it’s all subjective.
     I believe the greatest revaluation I have received as a writer is to write what I enjoy and let the sales take care of themselves.
     Since I mentioned JK Rowlings and Harry Potter, the lady has shown phenomenal success. Her sales are off the charts, but could I have done it? No! The thought is ridiculous. The vast number of the Harry Potter books were purchased by “tweens”, a narrow group from nine years old to twelve with a few on either side, some a little older, some a little younger.
     I couldn’t have done it because I don’t identify with tweens. I long ago forgot what it means to be twelve years old. So, to attempt to write anything that group would enjoy, much less buy, is only trying to fool myself. The same could be said about Amanda Hockings vampire novels which have sold millions to young adults. Though Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot did scare the bejesus out of me and I still can’t sleep beside an open window, vampires just aren’t my thing.
     Some of the lists I subscribe to seem to try to give “tips” to writers. Thank goodness I have come to the realization that people don’t buy books because the grammar is precise. They don’t buy books because they like flowery prose. They buy books because they like the story. And, to write something someone will enjoy, the writer must feel the same. I have had several books that I couldn’t wait to wake up so I could work on another chapter, or paragraph or sentence. Funny thing... they are my best sellers.
Have a great day,
Dan Weatherington
http://www.danweatherington.com

Christmas

Most people make their plans for the coming year on New Years Day with a New Years Resolution. This is both logical and practical. I, on the other hand, make mine on Christmas Day. Why? I guess it's because it's the one season of the year I really love. I love the music. I love people's attitudes. I even like the Christmas shows on television. What better time to make plans?
After some additions and changes, The Priest and The Parson will be on Amazon this week.
Next year, I hope to add three books and a screenplay to my offerings. I have the first chapters of two of the books on the computer now and am excited about what is to come.
This morning I got a Christmas present from my father, a great accomplishment for a man who died forty-seven years ago. I have had my father's shaving brush in my drawer as long as I can remember. Also, as long as I can remember, I either used an electric shaver or shaving cream. For some unknown reason, this morning I pulled my father's shaving brush from the drawer and used it. It was wonderful! The warm lather was so much better than the cold stuff from a can and when I was finished I felt clean... something you don't get from an electric razor.
My father loved Christmas, it was the one day of the year he didn't go into the office. He loved the tree, he loved the music. I guess he loved he same things I do. This was a good Christmas. Thanks Daddy.