The Wise Ass Takes A Holiday

As I have mentioned yesterday, my writing has drawn a lot of old friends into my life. It also has introduced me to a whole new crew of friends.

One of those new friends is Renee Clarke, a hand therapist, wife and mother of College triplets plus 1 from North Dakota.

Renee first entered my orbit when I saw wonderful reviews she had posted on Amazon for the first three books. Then I noticed that she was part of a writer/readers group that I also belonged to on Twitter/X, before my X account was shanghaied by the Russians.

Anyway, before I said do svidaniya to my X account, Renee demonstrated that she was a deep thinking and very funny reader, who displayed a real joie de vivre, by her posts concerning her constant travels and passion for supporting her children’s college level athletics – Go Vikings!

Anyway, when FJM was in the creative cocoon, Renee joined my inner circle of readers, and offered – along with the other team members – her unique insights as a reader and fan of the characters and storyline of the existing trilogy. Her energy is infectious.

She was the perfect addition to the high caliber crew that keeps me on the straight and narrow.

When I was looking for a basis for the choice of a new central human lead that I could use as a strong female counterpoint to the character General Pete “Buck” Sheridan (the one I mentioned yesterday), Renee was the obvious choice. She graciously agreed.

Of course, whenever art imitates life, it never does it justice, but I’m thrilled with the result. Dr. Renee Clarke, a military astrophysicist with the Space Force, is awesome.

Anyway, friendship with Renee is the gift that keeps on giving.

Yesterday, I received the following email from this literary gypsy:

“[S]o I’m in the Bahamas for an international conference for work so I brought along TWA since I had an extra copy to see if I could get it in a bookstore or a library over here.
I found a library, but they were closed for some sort of “viewing” and not able to take donations today🙄😔 I told the lady I wouldn’t be able to come back.  She was very sweet and said I could donate it to her organization. 

* * * *
To make a long story short, I made a friend, LOL, and your book will go to the high school and college kids in an organization she founded. It’s a legit organization.
Her name is Sharon Mckenzie and she started an organization for troubled youth in Nassau called Dynamic Youth in Action. 

I looked up her Facebook and the Facebook for Dynamic Youth right as I was talking to her. It’s a youth organization, where they take “at risk” kids and teach them the performing arts ( theater, dance, singing) as well as how to read, sometimes teach job skills, and a bunch of other things. 
Who knows, maybe one of those kids will read TWA and grow up to be somebody big in the performing arts and he/she will make your movie!!  Stranger things have happened!!”

Now, of course, I’m thrilled whenever any of my books goes international. But I’m over the moon to know that The Wise Ass will be read by at risk kids who are interested in creative pursuits. The idea that my book may inspire others kids the way Tolkien, Lewis and Rowling inspired me is a dream come true.

Thank you Renee.

And thank you Sharon McKenzie – we’re claiming you for the Celts. Keep up the excellent work.

https://www.facebook.com/people/DYA-Our-Voice-Matters/100087228147335/

One more example how my books have expanded my universe and brought this late-to-the- game-writer great satisfaction. Every day is a blessing.

But now I have to return to the real world.

Luckily it is hump day.

So, you fine, five readers get your skates on and attack the hill.

Wave to Friday at the apex, it’s right there in front of you.

I’m going to go give the kitties a cuddle. Then do rounds.

And while we are at it, let us take a page from Renee’s and Sharon’s books, and make today a great one.