Okay. I just found this forum. I've been in the political trenches

[bigtree]

I really didn't know this was here. I've been with DU for a year now, 5700+ post later I finally realize there is a book forum. Man, I am so obsessed with politics.

I'm a hobby political writer who got started, before I would even think about getting a computer, by submitting letters to the Washington Post and a few other newspapers. From 1989 to 2000 I found myself under the wing of the late Meg Greenfield who would pluck my manuscripts from the thousands submitted every six months throughout the decade. I learned to write through her corrections and by agonizing over the rejects. God bless her soul.

I came to DU in the summer of 2003 while caring for my ailing father. Bush was taking us to war and I resolved to follow through on my promise to get a computer, start a website and help kick his tail. I started a website called returningsoldiers.us. I'm an aging hippie and I made up mind that I would not let us become divided from the soldiers, which would divide our anti-war cause from most Americans. I knew the temptation for me would be to completely wrap myself in my ultra-liberal flag and peace out. So I got myself grounded early on with the plights of our soldiers.

I quit my 20 year job as Dad declined and began writing my first full book. Up and down the stairs to Dad's room, I discovered the bones of what would be my first departure from the dry, wonkish political text from an odd daydream about a tribe/village who had hunted the deer in their land to near extinction. The elderly leader would eventually find the remainder of the herd and secretly nurse and nurture them back to full strength with the hope that his tribe would be able to continue with their hunting. He would become attached to the herd and reluctant to reveal their existence . . .

So I wrote this book : Walik and the Last Deer It took 5 months of research (and many late night fires) to complete. It was a jolting departure from the political stuff and extremely satisfying.

But I was a DU'er now and I quickly collected enough political stuff that I evolved into an article one night and turned into a political book: Power of Mischief This book took precedence over everything else and I sunk the last of my money into it. Walik was shelved, the political book failed to sell, and I went back to working a regular job.

So, here I am. Today I must have awakened from the poison political apple I took a bite of back in early 2004. I love Walik and the Last Deer. I think it was spiritually inspired by the old ones, and I carry their stories and concerns with me everyday. I hope one day to get out of debt and put the book out there. Until then I hope folks can find some interest from the excerpt on my site. Glad to meet all here! I look foward to reading all of the works presented from all of our DU writers. :hi:

[sunnystarr]

1. Welcome back :)

and make sure you never give up your dream! Whatever you do to survive never give up your writing.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Welcome the writing forum is but a week old

Most of the forums in current form are not that new

Anyhow since you told us what you write, I will tell you what I write

I am a science fiction writer in the midst of developing a Role Playing Game with my brother in law. I have used much of what is going on right now as background, not only as part of the "history" of the world (incluiding attacks on our Democracy) but also as major characters in the world

Yes, yes bush is in there, I swear, though at least unlike the origiinal his not serving in a front line unit, is accepted as a member of the elite (and no his last name is NOT Bush either)

We have other major things based on the modern world, including of course the Carlyle group

My hope is that the kids will read this, play with it, have some fun, read the fluff and then slowly start connecting dots. I also realize that kids are not dumb... so they may be able to connect dots

Yes Senator Byrd is there as well, reading many of his speeches has inspired the speeches of one Senator who warned the people of what was coming, as Byrd did... a future Senator...

So it goes, for the conflict is here, and I will use any tools to wake people up

;-)

[patdem]

3. 'Walik and the Last Deer' is a WONDERFUL book...that is the one

that should be on Amazon!!!! The interest in Native Americans is greater now than ever before...we are to Native Americans now what we have become to the Brits...the non enemy...and rethinking relationships. I think you need to have that book published and sold on Amazon!!!

[flying_monkeys]

4. Have you tried to just get Walik out there?

It sounds like something that should get a nibble from somewhere.... But if it sits on your bookshelf then no one else is reading it, right?

Send it out. And again. And again....