I have fought with the idea of having a blog for a couple of years now. Granted, I could talk horror movies until the cows come home. I'm a bibliophile, worked a number of years for a large chain bookstore, and can talk about pretty much any category of fiction or nonfiction knowledgeably, if only in some cases, peripherally. I'm a music whore, indulge in pop culture observation and conversation, and have in the last decade, become quite an accomplished cook. But what can I say about these interests (obsessions) that hasn't already been said in hundreds of magazines already, not to mention a ba-zillion existing blogs?

Pretty much nothing.

I've read almost as many "how-to" books about the self-publishing industry as I have independently published zombie novels--and that's a fucking lot, as I have long been obsessed with that sub-genre (over 35 years now). I wish I could say the ratio for good-to-bad was 50-50, but it's closer to 20-80--for both. There's usually much emphasis on marketing and very little on quality of writing and workmanship. That doesn't bother me too much, because I've been writing for a long time and have confidence in my skills and what I create. What bothers me is that marketing, necessary evil that it is, takes away from my writing time.

That includes this blog.

So, I've had to make some rules for myself when writing blog entries. Whether they stick or not, we'll see. But the secret to success is adaptability, and I will commit to these rules loosely with that in mind. I see no reason in boring you with details of the constraints I am placing upon myself, but will reveal the most important one:

Keep it short.

I want to deliver maximum quality in minimum quantity. I strive to be the USA Today of the blogging world. In this era of Facebook pokes and Tweet wars, blog entries should not be overly long and boring. God knows, I've got more important things to do.... like get back to my social media.

And so, back to the legitimate answer of the question from the first stanza. What can I offer here that you can get no where else in the world? Me. My voice. It's aged, but served me well. Perhaps it will one day be of benefit to you.

That being said... I finished the McCammon book, The Border, and enjoyed it. I am currently reading Wait for Signs  by Craig Johnson, of the Longmire series. I have never read anything by Johnson previously, nor have I seen the Longmire television show. But I have to say, this book of short stories is great and I may be indulging in more. Recommendations?

I want to tell you about a dead guy I'm obsessed with but I'm out of time. Soon, I promise.

TWS