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WHAT'S NEW

September 2007 / July 2006 / June 2006 / May 2006 / April 2006 / March 2006

Sunday, September 22, 2007

Wow, it's been a long time! I don't know how many stories I've had accepted since I updated this section of my website, nor do I know how many I've accepted for Mouth Full of Bullets, but it's been an eventful and rewarding year and two months.

Instead of trying to recount everything that's happened, I'll just touch on the highlights. First, I expanded Mouth Full of Bullets to include a print edition. The print edition will feature original stories and poems, while the online edition will continue to feature reprints, reviews, columns, announcements, and interviews. For more information, visit MFOB.

On September 1st, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Bayou Writers' Group about Flash Fiction. It was there that I unveiled the print edition of Mouth Full of Bullets for the very first time. It was also there that I had my very first MFOB contest. It started out simple enough. I showed the group the cover of the Autumn 2007 Issue and asked that they write one sentence based on that cover. After they were done, I asked that they switch pages with the person next to them, and write a flash fiction story based on their neighbor's first sentence. My wife and I will judge these stories and the top three will be published in December.

As always, it was a pleasure being with the BWG. They are always so hospitable and make us feel like part of the family. We had lunch with them after the meeting and we got to do some catching up. Sadly, Winona Cross wasn't there. :-( Maybe I'll get to see her at the Annual Bayou Writers' Group Conference, which will be November 10, 2007 in Lake Charles, LA. Their scheduled speakers are Terry Burns (Literary Agent, Hartline Agency), Anna Darclon (Senior Editor, The Vintage Rose Line, The Wild Rose Press), Ron Franscell (Managing Editor, Beaumont Enterprise), and Brenda Osbey (Louisiana's Poet Laureate). For more information on the conference, visit the Bayou Writers' Group Website.

In addition to reconnecting with my good friends from the Lake Charles area, my wife and I had a relaxing weekend to ourselves. We spent time in downtown Lake Charles, where she fell in love with the sights. Okay, I admit, so did I. I just HAD to have my picture taken with the canon in front of the courthouse. I wanted to fire it, but I couldn't figure out how to operate it.

We also spent some time in Texas, where Cathy attended school as a kid. She was surprised to learn that the guy who was principal when she attended grade school was still there in 1997.

Disclaimer: Cathy, if you see this picture, I have no idea how it got on my website. Probably a virus or something.

Signed,

Your Loving Husband

In July, we took our usual vacation, where Brandon attended Space Camp and we visited Gatlinburg. We left a day early and spent it at Ruby Falls. We all had a good time and I purchased a frosted mug that now serves as my alcohol consumption mug.

We dropped Brandon off at Space Camp the next day. He wanted to know what was taking us so long...to leave. Well, we had a hard time prying Gracie off the bars.

Gracie finally got a final hug from her big brother and we left our young man to enjoy his third year of fighter pilot/astronaut training.

There was a bad accident on the Interstate and we got into Pigeon Forge four hours later than anticipated. I spent the next day with my two Honey Bears, first at Dolly Wood...

...and then horseback riding.

Notice my right shoulder. Unbeknownst to me, an event would happen that night that would change my shoulder forever. These were the last pictures taken of my right shoulder as my mom had given it to me at birth. What happened next was...

Yep. I got another one. As with the boxing and sniping tattoos, this one represented another of my passions: drumming. Oh, and I did get Cathy's initials carved into it. If she keeps me for another year, I might get her full name put on the next one. Anywho, this awesome tattoo is courtesy of David English, Jr., who works for his dad over at Mountain Revelations in Gatlinburg, TN. If you're ever in the mood for a tattoo, drop by 386 Parkway, or call them at (865)604-9913. If you're not in the mood for a tattoo, just walk into their shop -- you'll get in the mood quick. Ask for David, Jr. He's cool and he does amazing work.

Here's the finished product:

I was surprised to find out how many people did NOT know what this was. That's when it dawned on me that this was the part of the drums that folks never see. In addition to being cool as hell, it also brought me good luck. I beat Cathy and Gracie at put-put golf...not a usual occurrence.

We spent time in the Smoky Mountains...

...Cade's Cove...

...whitewater rafting...

...Black Bear Jamboree...

...more Dolly Wood and Splash Country (Gracie and me getting splashed)...

...and shopping in Gatlinburg.

Finally, it was time to get Brandon from Space Camp. We all missed him and wondered how many feet he had grown since we'd last seen him.

Although Brandon had a great time at Space Camp, he was ready to hit the beach -- but, of course, we all were!

Well, folks, that's it for the July vacation photos. We went to Disney World in November, and I'll probably post some of those photos another day, but for now I'm off to get some things done for Mouth Full of Bullets. As I've already mentioned, I've expanded MFOB to include a print edition. In addition to everything else I have going on, it's keeping me pretty busy -- especially since I've been receiving magazine orders on a daily basis. To those of you who have shown your support for MFOB by purchasing copies or subscriptions, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Take it easy one and all!