Autobiography

When I read fiction or poetry, I’m really not interested in knowing any more than I have to about the author or poet. I believe that once a work of literature is completed, it no longer belongs to its author; it belongs to its reader. I purposely avoid biographies, and although I can discuss with you the style and works of most of the authors I have read, I can tell you very little about their personal lives. I prefer that nothing get in the way of my reading. Still, I understand that not all readers take that approach. In fact, I think it's true that most readers really do like to know at least a little about the person to whom they have entrusted their time and their minds. So, although it's not my nature to talk much about myself—and please forgive my awkwardness in doing so—what follows is what I think you might like to know about me.

I grew up in a large family of modest means in mostly rural or semi-rural environments. I’m the second child and first son of eleven children. I used to think my youth and childhood were nothing unusual, but as I write, I discover an inexhaustible cache of experience. I have spent most of my professional life teaching language, culture, and literature to university students; and designing and constructing residential gardens and other exterior spaces. My academic degrees in Spanish literature and landscape architecture—a seemingly unlikely combination that has worked well for me—are from Utah State University, The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Utah. My scholarly research explores the dialogical and cultural nature of Spanish poetry, and the history of vernacular landscapes. My first published book is a study of the landscape poetry of Antonio Machado.

I enjoy my professional life, but in the fall of 2000, I decided that reading, analyzing, writing about, and teaching what others had written were no longer enough; and landscape design and construction—and the hard physical work the later requires—no longer fully satisfied my need to see the tangible results of my creative nature—the fruits of my labors. I had always fancied myself a good writer and had always wanted to write creatively; so when circumstances and an increased desire and confidence finally combined to allow me to seriously venture an attempt, I quickly discovered my penchant for writing poetry. The Doll in McCallaway's Store was my first attempt at writing a novel, and the process taught me much about writing fiction. I now divide my writing time between the two genres. My second novel is The Willow Switch and my third, Because He Makes Her Cry. These first three novels form a loose trilogy, but they need not be read in order. My fourth novel, The Pigpen, is also available through my website, and my fifth, To Err is Human... will be available in October or November 2010. I still have to "work" for a living, and life in general limits the time I can dedicate to writing, but I can't imagine ever stopping.

I love to write, but I find my greatest joy and satisfaction in my family. My wife Nancy, son Mark, and daughters Valerie, Sandy, Ruth, Susan, and Katie; my sons-in-law Richie, Jared, Clark, Kyle, and Dylan; my daughter-in-law Andrea; and my grandchildren Stacia, Nathan, Tayia, Karalee, Lucas, William, and Weston are my greatest treasures. My life with them and my grateful service to my church and community are my highest priorities. Although much of my time away from work and writing is spent and enjoyed with family and friends, I also find both spiritual and physical renewal in solitude, in larger though less frequent doses--much less frequent than I would like--while backpacking into remote sandstone slot canyons or isolated alpine meadows, or, in almost daily allocations, while running or hiking nearby canyon or mountain trails. I also find satisfaction in gardening, fly-fishing, reading, and listening to good music.

So there you have it, a brief sketch of the author whom I hope you will judge worthy of your time. If you are one who likes drawing conclusions about the author from his or her works, I am confident that my novels and poetry will tell you all you want to know. But I sincerely hope they will tell you much more about yourself. After all, I still hold to my conviction that once you have read them, they are no longer mine, but yours.