I have good news.
I have turned all of the little stories I like to write into a book. The manuscript is about 60,000 words in length, which is not the standard length for a novel, but this isn't really a novel. I've got it edited and formatted to the best of my ability. The next step is to head out to Office Max and get 10 copies of it printed up to distribute to trusted people for feedback and constructive criticism.
I have dedicated the book to one of my English professors and to a guy who used to post under the handle oneighty here at DU. Oneighty passed away a few years back, but we used to talk a great deal about writing when he was at DU. I think he was DU's original story-teller and he was one of my influences. The English professor encouraged me to write at a time when I thought I was no good at it. That was about 11 years ago when I was a student of his. I was 31 at the time and had written a short story for one of his classes about a truck driver. He knew I was older than most of his students and he asked me about my time as a trucker. He told me that some people would be "enthralled" by stories relating the reality of trucking and what happens out on the road sometimes. I didn't know what to say to him at the time, but he planted a seed that was watered and nourished by oneighty and here I have the result. It took me a long time, but I work for a living and without that work there would be no Stories from the Road. The writing and the trucking fed each other.
I looked up the English professor and he is still teaching at the same school. I'm going to send him a copy of the manuscript.
One of the best things that my folks taught me is that you'll never know what you are able to do unless you put in the effort. You can try really hard to make something happen and still lose, but you will probably never make anything happen if you don't try. So I'm going to get to work like a workin' man do. 
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Glad to hear you are working to get them published. I think you are a very talented story-teller.
A book of short stories has a lot of appeal, imo.
Looking forward to seeing it in print--and reading it!
I'm really proud of you. You've had so much on your plate for a long time, and now? Well, I hope your effort is about to pay off!
I think your English professor will be thrilled to get his copy.
I'm in awe 
good luck and good work! 
Creativity manifests itself in many forms. A single song can propel you to the highest state of being as a human as well can a 100,000 word novel. The genius is in the creation. I think we all possess the ability to set each other free. You just have to be open to the possibilities. 
They're interesting and touching and compelling. Thanks for sharing them, and good luck.
Sometimes you just don't know who's watching you. I appreciate the sweetness.
to think we have another writer in the DU Family 
