Here's my guest post on Red Tash's blog for any who'd like to read it. This was posted last week but with moving our son to MSU, I've been catching up on my work. http://redtash.com/post/29563942895/writer-wednesday-welcomes-leonard-hilley-on-thursday
Best to you all,
Leonard D. Hilley II
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Leonard D. Hilley II, Author
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Shifting Gears
As many of you know, my son left for his first year of college last Friday, and for my wife and I, this has been an adjustment of separation anxiety on our part. He's having the time of his life and enjoys his classes, instructors, and probably the independence a young man needs. So, to keep my mind occupied, I decided to change things up a bit.
For the past three days I've been moving my office so I can become more productive. The biggest labor involved was disassembling my L-shaped desk in order to move it, which at first was something I dreaded. However, the process of sorting through all my papers inside the desk was like finding a treasure chest buried in the sand. So many ideas that I had jotted down over the years and simply had forgotten about are now filed for quick access. If only I could clone myself so I could work on the vast number of projects I eagerly want to write. At least they are no longer "lost" to me.
I am about 75% finished with Death's Valley at the moment. With all the discoveries I found while cleaning and moving, a new dilemma emerges: What to work on next? Whatever is chosen, I do hope it is something you will enjoy reading.
Best,
Leonard D. Hilley II
For the past three days I've been moving my office so I can become more productive. The biggest labor involved was disassembling my L-shaped desk in order to move it, which at first was something I dreaded. However, the process of sorting through all my papers inside the desk was like finding a treasure chest buried in the sand. So many ideas that I had jotted down over the years and simply had forgotten about are now filed for quick access. If only I could clone myself so I could work on the vast number of projects I eagerly want to write. At least they are no longer "lost" to me.
I am about 75% finished with Death's Valley at the moment. With all the discoveries I found while cleaning and moving, a new dilemma emerges: What to work on next? Whatever is chosen, I do hope it is something you will enjoy reading.
Best,
Leonard D. Hilley II
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Notebooks
A lot of authors keep notebooks with them wherever they go. I do. You never know when a new idea will come. And this past week, the opening to a new thriller novel gripped me, and I had to write it down. If I didn't keep a notebook and pen in our car, I would have lost the words and missed out on a new adventure. New characters.
As school supplies fill several aisles in Walmart, I found some one subject, college ruled notebooks priced at $.17 each. I bought dozens of these to ensure I have one handy at all times. Some authors fear a blank page, but I greet each one wondering what will eventually come to life here? Sometimes, it's an interesting beginning that leads to a dead end, but often, the plot situations take root and propagate into a splendid world with vivid characters.
If you love to write, stock up on some cheap notebooks while the back-to-school sales are going. It's the best time to find the bargains. May your muse gift you will new realms unknown.
Best!
Leonard D. Hilley II
As school supplies fill several aisles in Walmart, I found some one subject, college ruled notebooks priced at $.17 each. I bought dozens of these to ensure I have one handy at all times. Some authors fear a blank page, but I greet each one wondering what will eventually come to life here? Sometimes, it's an interesting beginning that leads to a dead end, but often, the plot situations take root and propagate into a splendid world with vivid characters.
If you love to write, stock up on some cheap notebooks while the back-to-school sales are going. It's the best time to find the bargains. May your muse gift you will new realms unknown.
Best!
Leonard D. Hilley II
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Letting Go is Hard
In two days, my wife and I take our son to MSU for his first year of college. He will be living in a dorm and away from home for the first time. Already, the memories flood my mind. Where did the time go?
I've always known this day was coming but never did I imagine that eighteen years would pass by so quickly. Seems just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. So little and helpless. Then, before we knew it, he was toddling around the living room with his little football wanting me to wrestle and tackle him.
He was an adventurous young boy at the park, often climbing on the monkey bars and jungle gym equipment and making me hold my breath when he'd get higher than what I wanted him to. But he'd safely climb his way back down. Oh, the days for Happy Meals at McDonald's and the Playland tunnels where he never wanted to leave. Once I had to climb through those tight tunnels and get him because he thought if he hid at the top, we wouldn't have to go.
His aptitude to identify and learn words came easily. He read words off flash cards at age three. Then came preschool where he was quick to make friends. Good friends. And when he entered first grade at my Alma Mater, he made new friends. He had good teachers that made learning fun, and he discovered new subjects that have kept his interest all these years.
He learned to swim quickly and like a fish, he loves the water. There were the glory days of Little League Baseball and basketball. Hiking, fishing, and rock climbing. The Giant Corn Maze in Huntsville. Six Flags. Camden Park. King's Island.
We've had many pets--mice, rats, snakes, spiders, chickens, ducks, frogs, turtles, dogs, and cats--over the years. Our mini-zoo. Like his parents he loves science.
I have so many memories and mental photos that I treasure. And now, my little boy is a man. He's grown and matured into a wonderful person that I am so proud of. I am honored that he is my son. And yet, I have to wonder how eighteen years crept past me at such a rapid pace. In some ways, it seems like I blinked and here we are.
Son, study hard and do well. We love you, and we're always here for you.
I've always known this day was coming but never did I imagine that eighteen years would pass by so quickly. Seems just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. So little and helpless. Then, before we knew it, he was toddling around the living room with his little football wanting me to wrestle and tackle him.
He was an adventurous young boy at the park, often climbing on the monkey bars and jungle gym equipment and making me hold my breath when he'd get higher than what I wanted him to. But he'd safely climb his way back down. Oh, the days for Happy Meals at McDonald's and the Playland tunnels where he never wanted to leave. Once I had to climb through those tight tunnels and get him because he thought if he hid at the top, we wouldn't have to go.
His aptitude to identify and learn words came easily. He read words off flash cards at age three. Then came preschool where he was quick to make friends. Good friends. And when he entered first grade at my Alma Mater, he made new friends. He had good teachers that made learning fun, and he discovered new subjects that have kept his interest all these years.
He learned to swim quickly and like a fish, he loves the water. There were the glory days of Little League Baseball and basketball. Hiking, fishing, and rock climbing. The Giant Corn Maze in Huntsville. Six Flags. Camden Park. King's Island.
We've had many pets--mice, rats, snakes, spiders, chickens, ducks, frogs, turtles, dogs, and cats--over the years. Our mini-zoo. Like his parents he loves science.
I have so many memories and mental photos that I treasure. And now, my little boy is a man. He's grown and matured into a wonderful person that I am so proud of. I am honored that he is my son. And yet, I have to wonder how eighteen years crept past me at such a rapid pace. In some ways, it seems like I blinked and here we are.
Son, study hard and do well. We love you, and we're always here for you.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
New Chapters and Steps Forward
After a few years in the making, Ann Linden and I have finished the screenplay for Predators of Darkness: Aftermath. So many readers have commented on Amazon in their reviews that the novel would make a vividly dark movie. And now, we have the screenplay ready, and the next chapter in this work begins.
The hunt is on to find an agent, manager, producer, and/or director who will read the script. Things don't get easier, but having a good story and script is the first step. Of course, Morton has already starting packing and sporting Hollywood shades. He's always ready for new adventures, and he knows how to steal the show.
More details later . . .
The hunt is on to find an agent, manager, producer, and/or director who will read the script. Things don't get easier, but having a good story and script is the first step. Of course, Morton has already starting packing and sporting Hollywood shades. He's always ready for new adventures, and he knows how to steal the show.
More details later . . .
Monday, July 9, 2012
21 Years Ago--RIP Bubba
Yesterday marked twenty-one years since my eight-year-old brother was shot and killed. This happened the day after our mother's birthday while she was working one mile away from the house. He and our twin sisters (age 9) were home alone and walked to my stepfather's house less than a quarter mile away. No one was at home there.
The day before, their father had been teaching them how to shoot a .22 rifle. Alone, they heard a sound outside and grabbed the loaded rifle from behind the pantry door. My stepfather's philosophy was "an unloaded gun is more dangerous than a loaded gun." So he also kept his guns loaded but not locked away.
They took the rifle, went outside, and fired a few rounds. Back inside the house the gun went off and shot Bubba in the center of his stomach. He bled to death within a matter of minutes. He died before my mother arrived and well before paramedics came to the scene.
The medical doctors at the hospital tried to revive him, but the surgeon told us that the bullet had hit his stomach aorta. She said that had the bullet gone one inch to the left or right, he would probably have survived.
Bubba would be 29 years old today if he had survived. I miss him greatly and wonder what he could have accomplished with his life.
If you own guns, please lock them up where children cannot get to them. Never leave a loaded gun where a child has access to them. Guns aren't toys, and if you own them, be a responsible person. If you cannot, you don't deserve to possess them.
The day before, their father had been teaching them how to shoot a .22 rifle. Alone, they heard a sound outside and grabbed the loaded rifle from behind the pantry door. My stepfather's philosophy was "an unloaded gun is more dangerous than a loaded gun." So he also kept his guns loaded but not locked away.
They took the rifle, went outside, and fired a few rounds. Back inside the house the gun went off and shot Bubba in the center of his stomach. He bled to death within a matter of minutes. He died before my mother arrived and well before paramedics came to the scene.
The medical doctors at the hospital tried to revive him, but the surgeon told us that the bullet had hit his stomach aorta. She said that had the bullet gone one inch to the left or right, he would probably have survived.
Bubba would be 29 years old today if he had survived. I miss him greatly and wonder what he could have accomplished with his life.
If you own guns, please lock them up where children cannot get to them. Never leave a loaded gun where a child has access to them. Guns aren't toys, and if you own them, be a responsible person. If you cannot, you don't deserve to possess them.
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