Since starting to write “No Ordinary
Life” in early 2006, my interest in all types of writing has increased. Remembering some of the intense moments
for the non-fiction book about my diabetic complications was, at times, emotionally draining. It helped to write fiction
humor to balance things out.
My favorite author is Carl Hiaasen, who writes
raucous stories set in his native Florida. My writing
style is similar to his and my stories take place in Northwest Arkansas, a place I have lived on and off my entire life.
In my opinion, this is the most exciting time to live in
Northwest Arkansas. An economic boom which started in the late 1980s has drawn new residents from all over the nation and abroad,
making the area more diverse than it has ever been.
The Wal-Mart corporate headquarters, along with those of
Tyson and J.B. Hunt have fueled much of the growth. The excellent quality of life hasn’t hurt, either.
I
see many parallels to Florida when I lived there in the Eighties. The same benefits and problems of a boom town are here.
It is fascinating to see how the various, living characters interact here. Having moved away and back several times,
I can understand how many of them feel.
Decades from now, when Northwest Arkansas has become whatever
it is turning into, there will be an interest in this time in history. The writers and artists of today have the opportunity
to define this place. I hope to leave a fun, light-hearted fictional account of what it was like here as the place transformed
itself into a significant metropolitan area.
The kind of humor I write has been called quirky, snarky,
and often irreverent. Like most writers, I’ve always been drawn to the more eccentric, offbeat, unique people.
Working such a wide variety of jobs over the years has given me a wealth of experiences to draw upon.
Fans of my non-fiction work may not necessarily like my fiction. That is fine. Who says I can’t
be inspirational and funny too?
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