Ten years ago today, I was standing in a pizza place in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan grabbing a bite to eat before French class. I overheard on the radio that planes had flown into the WTC towers. French class was cancelled and I went home to 1518 Golden Street to watch the events unfold with my college roommates, one of whom had friends and/or family in New York City.
Month: September 2011
First Tee
Chris teed off from the blue tees on the first hole of the TCGCC. He plucked his tee from the soft turf, stepped down the grass that his two iron brushed up, and then slid his club back into his PING carry bag. His shot was still in the air while he completed this tasks, but it had felt solid and left on the right trajectory and line. His Titleist ProV1x would be in the fairway and he would have a good shot to the green. Just as he was about to shoulder his bag, he heard a crack behind and to his right. It sounded as if a full grown hardwood tree had been snapped in an instant.
Writing Tips
Never open a book with the weather.
Avoid prologues.
Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue.
Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said.”
Keep your exclamation points under control!
Never use the words “suddenly” or “all hell broke loose.”
Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
Same for places and things.
Leave out the parts readers tend to skip.
Source unknown.
I’m 30 Years Old Today
From my first memories as a small child through high school graduation, life was about exploring the unknown – opening doors to new adventures. I was taught that I could be anything – do anything – discover.
Then it felt like I was closing doors. I picked a college – eliminated the rest. Majored in economics. Specialized in law. Took the bar exam for one state. All the while I’m thinking, ‘is this what I’ll be? is this my dream? what have I discovered?’
And I’m beginning to settle into what I’ll be – husband, attorney and amateur golfer. I’m living my dream, set in beautiful Traverse City fully stocked with friends and family. And although I haven’t discovered everything in my first 30 years, I’ve discovered enough about myself, other people and other places to know that, as I sit here in my office with one door closed and one open, I’m in a good place.
Happy Birthday to me! Here’s to 30 more!