Not Another Author’s Blog!

Oh no! It’s another author’s blog!

I bet he’s going to pontificate ad nauseum  about his ‘craft’ and why everything he does is high art…yeah, as if it’s Shakespeare or Hemingway or something. I bet he’s even going to try to plug his novel at every turn, and try to get us to “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter and all that.

So typical.

Gaaah! Why did this have to happen? It’s the end of the world as we know it, and Lenny Bruce is not afraid! Dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria.

 Noooooooooooooooooo!

Yep, pretty much…

Yeah, that’s my reaction to a lot of author blogs as well. I’ve read quite a few of them in my time. Some are informative, while others are preachy. Some seem little more than an outlet for the author in question’s ego—sort of a platform to say ‘here’s why I’m so cool. Bask in my wisdom!’

Well, as it happens I am an author and this is my blog. I will try to learn from my experiences and make this particular blog worth the reading.  A few things right off…

What This Blog IS:

If you’re visiting me here, you probably have some passing interest in my work. This is my way to try and connect with you, the reader, outside of a short story, novella or novel. Each post will explore some topic that is of interest to me, and (I hope) to you as well.

Yes, I will talk about my writing process at times. I will also recommend that you read my novels and connect with me on social media. You are welcome to listen to my suggestions, or not. There’s no pressure here. This isn’t a dealership for used cars; it’s a platform where I can share my stories/ideas/thoughts with you.

Could I go the hard sales route, as so many often do? Sure, if I saw my readers and fans as nothing more than a market for a product, I’m sure my eyes would spin with dollar signs like in the cartoons.

If you read one of my stories, you are sharing something highly personal from me to you. Each of my stories holds a special place in my heart. They mean something to me, or I would have never bothered to write them in the first place. That you might read something of mine—and perhaps come back for more—makes you far more to me than just a series of wallets waiting to be exploited.

But I digress…

What This Blog IS NOT:

This blog is not a soapbox for my political or religious views. I may offer social commentary at times, but not because I’m trying to sell you on any particular ideology. Likely it’s because it relates to something I’m writing. What can I say?  I like to explore anthropological themes in my stories, and you can’t do that without kicking over a few rocks and seeing what lives underneath them. (Figuratively speaking, of course.)

I should also point out that these posts are not for my own aggrandizement. I’m not fishing for compliments here or hoping you’ll stroke my ego. I would appreciate it if we could keep things positive, but if you have something to say, say it. If you honestly disagree with something I’ve said or written, then I welcome any verbal riposte you have to offer. Just be sure to bring you’re “A” game when you do.

One last thing, I’m a big proponent of Socrates and his idea that ‘the only real knowledge is in knowing that you know nothing.’ I don’t claim to be the absolute authority on anything, and I have little patience for people who do. I believe that there’s always room for improvement no matter how good you are (or think you are) at something. I approach writing and life from that perspective.

So, that’s what I’m offering here at the Sector M blog.

Do we have an accord?

We do?

Well then, drink up, me hearties…yo ho!

Yarr…n’ stuff.