One of the regular questions I have seen answered is a combination of when did you decide you wanted to be a writer and what qualified you to be a writer? For me, those two events happened at the same time. After mastering the entire ABC song and being able to line up all those blocks, I knew I wanted to rearrange the letters into a more useful form. And since I knew all the letters, I realized I was infinitely more qualified to do it than the kid next to me who still couldn't grasp the intricacies of turning the M block into a W. From there it turned into a craft when my overdeveloped imagination took over. I am pretty sure that is what my mother called my explanations of how I got so dirty or who broke her favorite vase.
English quickly became one of my favorite subjects in school. All the other subjects like math and science had correct answers and dealt in absolutes. But English, ah, English had such flexibility and scope. As long as you could keep the bull (uh literary criticism and insight) flowing, you got good marks. I even got a good mark on a disturbingly sexist piece I wrote arguing the merits of female beauty according to Hugh Hefner and Bob Guccione. Sorry about that Mrs. Ferguson.
My love of the written word continued when I attended the University of Western Ontario. I chose to pursue an eclectic education. I felt it was in the tradition of the Renaissance Man that I saw myself as rather than the scattered, undisciplined student lacking direction that my guidance counselor proclaimed me. Following that broad education with a major in English Literature, I found myself uniquely unemployable in any worthwhile position that required even the most rudimentary knowledge. I went into sales. Saved yet again by my overdeveloped imagination.
During that illustrious time, I was working hard on my first novel. I still think it is a great story and has the honor of occupying one of the earlier spots in those large boxes of questionable manuscripts and thick files of rejection slips. However, it was an incredible feeling of accomplishment when I finally finished the novel quickly dashed by the reality of that file of rejection slips.
Time passed and my love of computers and ability with numbers allowed me the incredible experience of working for a wonderful charity that raised money for the local Children's Hospital here in London. During much of that time, I was continuing to practice my overdeveloped imagination - the outlet focused more on flyers, newsletters, fundraising letters and, of course, accounting. Writing had become something lost in the hustle and bustle of life.
Let that be a warning to anyone under the age of 103. If you are pursing a career as a writer, an actor, an artist or as the guy that tests the consistency of oatmeal for General Mills, never lose sight of your dreams or let them get lost. Dreams and our true loves are what make life worth living.
That is what my wife, Yvette, reminded me. Well, at the time, she wasn't my wife yet. Anyway, Yvette asked me one simple question that totally changed my life, "What do you love to do?" Without a moment's thought, my answer was, "Write."
Then she asked me "When was the last time you wrote?" and that was when I realized I needed to change my life if I was ever going to be truly happy.
OK, so it was two questions but, as my father always told me, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
It took some time because life still intrudes but I am now directing my overdeveloped imagination where it belongs and am writing every day. And what does that mean for you, the reader?
The first novel in my new Witches of Aquarius series will be available in 2012. The working title is, WindCrusher. For those that want to see more of Mann and Dani, the sequel, Too Many Graves, will also be out in 2012.
As for my current home life. I am married to Yvette and, when we aren't visiting our island paradise, we make our home in London, Ontario Canada. We have five children in what is currently referred to as a blended family. That is what you say if you are politically correct and your family tree looks more like a bramble bush. When our youngest came out an uncle, we decided it was time to quit. The number of grandchildren currently rests at three.
So, Yvette and I enjoy a 'quiet' life running several businesses together, going out dancing whenever a good band is at the Wortley and enjoying our children - and I'm writing every day.
Life doesn't get much better than sitting in front of the laptop (preferably on our deck by the pool), creating people and worlds nobody has seen before.
Connect with me online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dagraystone
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Website: http://www.dagraystone.com
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
PART ONE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 - GREECE
Chapter 3 - ISRAEL
Two Graves (A Kesle City Homicide Novel) Page 32