At various times in my life, I wanted to pursue different careers. I was a kid that pinned a towel on as a cape and would “fly” off of our retaining wall like Superman. In elementary school, I wanted to be an astronaut courtesy of the US/Russian space race. I wanted to do a comic book, but my artistic skills are pretty limited. I wanted to go to the military academy at West Point, but couldn’t secure a senatorial nomination.
Just prior to college I wanted to be a writer but I saw what writer’s made and decided to go into the school of business. Good call in the 1980’s. Later, when I took up writing as a hobby, I thought it would be awesome to be a bestseller. Finally, I wanted my kids to be successful all on their own. I added a few along the way, constantly challenging myself.
It took a while, but I realized that in a weird way, I hit all of those life goals.
I have written true crime books, some of which are on cold cases. While I don’t wear a cape, I do expose murderers and provide focus on unsolved crimes. I have pissed off killers. I think that allows me to check off the crime fighter box on my bucket list.
While I didn’t serve in the military, I did get to write about it. My military history books have won awards and accolades. It’s not the same, but honoring those in service helps me feel that I am contributing in my own way. I didn’t get to attend West Point, but I have been to the US Naval Academy twice to lecture on my military history books. It was an honor to do so and it filled that little gap in my life. I’m counting this as a hitting of my life’s goals.
Last week, I was part of the launch of Land&Sea Paradise. I actually got to write in a comic book! I have to admit, it is a weird feeling to be a part of something this cool. The eight year old me buried in this creaky body is jumping for joy at hitting this life goal. As soon as this became a reality, I wanted to do more.
While I didn’t get to fly in space, I wrote about it in several different series. In my books and stories, I have seen countless new worlds. I’ll take that for the win.
My daughter and I wrote our first book together, The Murder of Maggie Hume. It was on the NY Times Crimes and Punishment Bestseller list. Almost every book I’ve written in the last few years has been on an Amazon bestseller list, if not topped it for a while.
On top of all of this, I just finished the first pass of a book with Mike Baron, the writer that defined The Punisher as a character. The chance to work with such a brilliant writer on an incredible project is a real tweet.
My kids, they knock it out of the park every day. Alex does the hair for a large number of celebrities and is living the life he wanted out in LA. My daughter is a registered nurse and the director of infectious diseases for a facility here in Virginia. She’s given birth to two wonderful grandchildren. My kids went out and became the best in their respective fields. Neither of them ask for money or want to move back in with mom and dad.
I have had a few stretch goals along the way. I was a guest speaker at the US National Archives, the US Navy Museum, and the Smithsonian about books I had written. I’ve been on TV being interviewed by the likes of Bill O’Reilly and many others. I have contributed to a number of magazines. I was and integral team member on the launch of a new sci fi military franchise (Land&Sea) and branched out to writing political thrillers (Blue Dawn).
If all of this wasn’t enough, I have a smoking hot brilliant and vibrant wife. She could do better, but I couldn’t. So what is next? Check back with me later this summer!