Another Two Great Reviews

I got a couple of bad reviews, you can't please everyone, but I got two great ones too. I'll post the two great ones and learn from the others. 

A "rollercoaster ride" is a great review in my book. Plus, this reviewer says that the characters have emotional depth. That's awesome in my book. 

ProQuest

It took a while, but finally, my dissertation has become public!

What does that mean? 

Reviews Keep Coming

Whenever I need a bit of a lift, I go and check some of the reviews for my novels. Always give me a bit of a pick me up, unless there are negatives. Thank goodness those are few and far between. 

So, if Norm wants to say Vapor Trail (HERE) "unputdownable"  and that it "keeps you on the edge of your seat". . . who am I to argue with him? He seems very intelligent!

Another Publication

 A few weeks ago, I attended my graduation to complete my Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University. I know that it is supposed to be meaningful and impactful, and I appreciate all of the support from my friends, families, and colleagues, but the truth is, it wasn't for me that I sat there and then walked across the stage. It was for them. 

Personally, if you want to reward me for my hard work, you should give me a week off. Why? I don't know. I'm just not wired to be the direct center of attention. Walking across that stage, makes me a direct center of attention. Indirect? I'm fine with. Direct? Pass. 

What does this have to do with writing novels or publication? Let me tell you.

Graduation or Publication

A few weeks ago, I attended my graduation to complete my Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University. I know that it is supposed to be meaningful and impactful, and I appreciate all of the support from my friends, families, and colleagues, but the truth is, it wasn't for me that I sat there and then walked across the stage. It was for them. 

Personally, if you want to reward me for my hard work, you should give me a week off. Why? I don't know. I'm just not wired to be the direct center of attention. Walking across that stage, makes me a direct center of attention. Indirect? I'm fine with. Direct? Pass. 

What does this have to do with writing novels or publication? Let me tell you.

Facilitating and Quirks

I'm in the middle of facilitating several classes. I'm one of the lead facilitators and I'm involved with judging and training others. It's one of the more challenging aspects of my position, and it's about to get a lot harder. 

Why?

Not Sure . . .

 This is a funky one. Usually writing posts go here, while development, learning, and other posts go to the other blog. So, I'm not sure where to post this. Maybe I'll post it in both blogs just so I have it properly cataloged. 

Those of you who follow this blog assiduously will know that I find time every now and then to go hit the Starbucks to write. Starbucks, as you may well know, has a special place in my heart. Why? Several reasons, namely, and mostly because I was up in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1990's when it was just taking off. You know before their coffee started tasting like warmed-over tar. 

Not Sure Where to Post This . . .

 This is a funky one. Usually development and learning posts go here, while writing and publishing posts go to the other blog. So, I'm not sure where to post this. Maybe I'll post it in both blogs just so I have it properly cataloged. 

Those of you who follow this blog assiduously will know that I find time every now and then to go hit the Starbucks to write. Starbucks, as you may well know, has a special place in my heart. Why? Several reasons, namely, and mostly because I was up in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1990's when it was just taking off. You know before their coffee started tasting like warmed-over tar. 

Detox and Attention Span

I read with great interest this article in the WSJ entitled "How I got my Attention Span Back" (see HERE). Why? Well, I suppose it's for several reasons. 

The first reason is that I feel like I jump from one thing to another too quickly. The article even references this. 

Research in Learning Technology

Last week I had another publishing win (see HERE). This time it came via a peer-reviewed journal. Last year, I submitted an article to a peer-reviewed journal out of the UK, Research in Learning Technology. 

In January or so, I got a letter that told me they had accepted it for publication. There has never been a moment where I felt more fulfilled in what I've been doing than in that moment. 

Another Publication

One of my goals that I've been very open about is that I want to publish more. The reason I focus on so many studies (see the last couple of posts) is that I want to develop those into published articles, specifically articles published by peer-reviewed journals. 

The other day, a UK peer-reviewed journal, Research in Learning Technology, published one of my articles (see HERE).

Research Studies

One unintended consequence… Which I didn't say in a negative way but in a positive way… Of my getting my PhD has been the number of research studies that I am now reading. I'm part I think this is because I now see the world in terms of research. I think that my mind has been trained PhD process to see the world in terms of research. Thankfully, I have a boss and an organization. I don't mind that I do this research. The truth is I now have research teams that are all working together to try to produce research within our industrial learning community.

This is as good a place as any to list them out for posterity. 

Essential Reading

I've said it many times before, and I can't imagine that I'll ever stop saying this, but what motivates me more than anything else in my writing are reviews from readers. 

This one hit home. It's been a while since I got many reviews on Vapor Trail and the one prior to this was good but strangely only rated three stars. 

Heutagogcial Metacognition

I never thought it would happen, but today I wrote a script where I used the term heutagogical metacognition. 

What is heutagogical metacognition? Basically it's self-directed learning with reflective practice. I would never ever use the term heutagogical metacognition, but I needed an obscure crazy term for a script. I was writing for Tommy.

Research in Learning Technology Article

I published another article. This is a big deal if only because it is the first "peer-reviewed" journal article that I've ever published. Before getting my PhD I never had heard of peer-reviewed journals. Throughout my PhD journey, however, I have read thousands of peer-reviewed journal articles. Now I have one of my own. 

This is based on my work for my dissertation. I took a subset of that information and drafted this article for Research in Learning Technology. 

Secondary Characters

I just read a really interesting article in this month’s Writer’s Digest about the importance of developing secondary characters. Was it anything new? Not really. Is it good to hear it and have some reinforcement of my writing and my own character development? You bet.

Who are the secondary characters in Sunset Perfect? I have several actually. (As an aside, all of these are subject to change). 

Trying Again

I know it's been awhile since I posted . . . but I guess I needed a break after my dissertation. So, I took a break, . . . I re-organized a bit,  . . . and now I'm trying again. 

I think it's interesting that the day I decide to come back is basically a day of seeing "Don't" foreign policy fail. That was the last post I made. I think I said it was a stupid way of dealing with foreign policy. Didn't work with Russia. Doesn't seem to have worked with Iran!

I'm a LEADER Writer

As this is called, Publish or Perish, and not, "Publish only Novels or Perish," I think I can safely go ahead and update this space with information regarding my most recent publishing success HERE. 

This one comes by way of the VPPPA LEADER magazine. 

Don't Foreign Policy

 Most of my political thoughts, go to this blog. Some of them are about self-authorship. Some of them are. I don't know if this one is about self-authorship, but it is definitely a political post.

I just heard a compilation of the Biden ministration's message to Iran regarding the October 7 attacks on Israel. And primarily the keyword is Don't. 

No Value

I'm in a funky place, and I think most of it is around my job. I don't know if I'm valued as much as I think I should be. 

Last week, Russell promoted Cami to Senior Vice President. Why? I don't know. I can only think that he thinks she's doing a good job. I don't think she's doing a good job. In fact, I think she's doing a poor job. I think she is indecisive, she is confused, and I don't think she is someone you can trust. Obviously, Russell thinks differently. 

Self Authored Media

I was thinking about self authorship in terms of reporters and the news media. I heard a quote from Sebastian Unger's about what makes a reporter. He is a war correspondent and the author of a Perfect Storm. The quote, which I can’t find a direct quote of, was something to the effect of “a reporter someone who is willing to have his opinions and worldview destroyed by the facts.”

It basically means that facts outweigh opinion. 

Tweaking the Plot and Story

I am about 30,000 words into my draft of Sunset Perfect. I'm really thinking this draft has a very good chance of being the final version that I take all the way to publication. I changed up the model by which I am introducing the story. Instead of the hero being involved in the first partner, he comes into the storyline with the second murder. I also like the fact that he is an outsider to the professional football team, which means he has heard about professional football with the reader.

I also like the fact that he is an outsider to the professional football team, which means he has heard about professional football with the reader.

Lack of Involvement

I was thinking this morning about Russell and why I'm dissatisfied at work and with him as a boss. Sure there's the fact that he just promoted someone who I think is incompetent… And I also don't think he appreciates the work that my department does… But there's also a personal side to it. I think I'm gonna focus on that in this post.

One of the things that irks me a bit is his lack of involvement in aspects of my job. The PhD I got because he encouraged me to do it. Did I get a lot out of it? Yes. Am I glad I did it? Yes very clear. Did it help my personal development in my career prospects? Yes very much.  But ostensibly I did it because he asked me to. 

Shopping the Market

I read an article today in The Wall Street, Journal about the job market. Right now I'm testing the job market. I want to see if my PhD should be earning me more money then Russell is paying me. If I get an offer that is significantly more than what I am currently getting, I may consider it. 

I love the stability of my job, but I think I can do better in terms of pay. The problem is, according to this article, it is a horrible time for white-collar professionals to look for a job. Two or three years ago it was a terrific job market for white-collar professionals. Now, the landscape has changed significantly. One of the stats that resonated with me is that two or three years ago there were more job openings than applicants on LinkedIn. Now there are two applicants for every job opening on LinkedIn. I am one of these.

More Self Authorship at Work

I'm in the midst of a bit of a challenge at work. My last challenge was one that dealt with my transition from PhD candidate to PhD graduate (or will graduate in May, 2024). It's funny to have so much purpose pulled away so suddenly. I think I'm beginning to understand my purpose again, so I'm wading through that. 

But,  . . . and this is in terms of self-authorship . . . this new challenge is internal to my organization. So, Cami, who is not extremely well-liked by the organization, . . .well she just got promoted over every other person on the executive leadership team. So we are all VP's, and Cami was as well. Now, Cami is a senior VP. 

Touching and Relatable is Good

I know there are many who get fed up with these, but the truth is, they’re one of the reasons that I love to keep writing and producing novels. They motivate me like few other things. It’s like a spike of adrenaline to an otherwise staid and steady job. 

This first one, where the reviewer says that my writing is “touching and relatable”, is short, quick, and yet still quite inspiring. 

A Duller Discount

Anyone who wants to purchase my novels, feel free to contact me HERE or to purchase them full price . . . you can go to Amazon, HERE.

For those of you new to this experience, I have four novels, all thrillers for sure . . . well, maybe not thrillers, but definitely not dullers!