It can seem as quick as a blink, but the passage of time remains all too real. In May of 2017, my wife and I had the opportunity to travel to Paris. We vacationed and explored and relished in the mystique a world destination like the City of Lights can afford. It was magnificent to eat baguettes and dine on words we couldn’t pronounce while staring at the Seine. We were able to explore priceless art exhibits and wake up to espressos. It was many blissful moments rolled into one trip. Yet, I still can’t help recalling the first magazines mentioning while we were there that Paris had won its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. In the same news sections, L.A. was listed as the 2028 Olympic site. I remember looking from the article to my wife and saying, “That’s amazing, but it’s so far away!”

We were nine years into our marriage and celebrating what we’d later term our Babymoon as we honeymooned all over and discussed plans for a new addition not yet conceived. Then (because I have severe problems with commitment), I booked another ‘Babymoon’ for that Winter in Hawaii as well. My rationale, we couldn’t have travel and babies at the same time. Apparently, I had never explored the mechanics of family growth that fully in my grade-school health class. But, we walked the grounds and traversed the Metro as much as our stomachs could handle that stint in France. Then, we imagined what our lives might be like if we just stayed rather than return to our Tennessee zip code. It was an awestruck moment to be on, what us country bumpkins considered, a ‘global’ stage and perceive what an Olympic event would look like seven years later.

Well, one child, a relocation to the Holy City, and a pandemic later, the Olympic stage in Paris is now set and will begin in three short days. I am not sure what to make of the worldwide events [chaos] that circulate on news outlets 24/7, but I am proud of how swiftly (and still slowly) time marches along for those of us breathing air. Our daughter is almost a first-grader, and we have now become home-owners again. I finished a doctorate last fall, and I still feel weird in being addressed as anything other than “Hey, weirdo.” Maybe it summarizes itself when people say the world never stops turning. Regardless, I am blessed with the mileage and memories thus far. Whether we win one gold or no gold, I feel the ‘living’ is what makes it all worthwhile.

The 3 recipients of Southern Kentucky and Oceans Far Away hail from Texas, Florida, and Ontario! I am eager for you to receive your copies soon. Hope you love this book and connect with its message. Let me know if other readers would like a signed copy sent out. I can work with you on shipping and delivery information. Also, my book remains available at Wipf and Stock, Amazon, and other online retailers.

Writing is never an easy endeavor. It is usually pushed to a more “convenient time.” Yet, the most interesting consideration within this framework is that there is never a time where everything slows down to a complete stop. Admittedly, I have placed many excuses in this space over the past many months. There have been assignments, bills, and must-dos taking precedence. I have started to write something and deleted it.

At the outset of this pandemic, I wrote a rough first draft of a new novel and never revisited it. (It was too tender, too close to my heart to explore further.) While my aim is to give it priority in the future, I admit this also needs a due date. Like anything in life, it requires focus, preparation, and attention.

Have you felt this way about things in your “remote” existence? Are there things that keep getting pushed to the back burner?

If so, I recommend putting it back in your line of sight. It is not going away. If anything, seeing it will help you grapple with what is going on in your life today. If you face reality, it will become apparent what needs to be done next. Often, it is as simple as tackling it and discovering some new chapter. When we do this, we realize there is more and more and more. It can become a new leaf we all so desperately need.

Looking for a ‘beach read’? How about several? Right now all of my books are on discount as e-books! You can take them to the water’s edge, sink your toes into the sand, and read until that next sunscreen application. Get all 7 of them for around $25 bucks. They’re on Amazon and other retailers. As always, I’m happy to sign paper copies. Just send me a message on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for reading!

-Brian

The middle grade basketball story I’ve been working on is underway, and I wanted to share this first image. It’s a story written in verse and will feature illustrations throughout. I’m using a new illustrator this time around, and I’d love your thoughts on this ‘first look.’ We’re still a long way from the finish line, but it’s a story I’ve wanted to tell for quite some time. Hope you like it. Feel free to comment below!

BY TRACY K. SMITH

When some people talk about money
They speak as if it were a mysterious lover
Who went out to buy milk and never
Came back, and it makes me nostalgic
For the years I lived on coffee and bread,
Hungry all the time, walking to work on payday
Like a woman journeying for water
From a village without a well, then living
One or two nights like everyone else
On roast chicken and red wine.

Poem copyright ©2011 by Tracy K. Smith from her most recent book of poems, Life on Mars, Graywolf Press, 2011. Poem reprinted by permission of Tracy K. Smith and the publisher.

The striving to make this space familiar is paramount

until one day we recognize that the toxins around us

are temporary

The home we have created was purchased

through hours and hours of work

and online shopping

The house is rocked by wind we didn’t

create

Our family and friends move away

The chance to look beyond our mailbox is

a gift

Let us call it what it is –

a divine encounter

to traipse beyond the lawn

and see down the street

and across the other lawns

and in-ground pools

to the sky

and beyond

On January 2nd, my newest work [and first children’s book] will be released with Black Rose Writing! It’s titled The Scary, Gray Shark. This book is a culmination of being a first-time parent, seeing our family change and grow, and moving to Charleston, SC in 2019. It’s protagonist, a bull shark called Zella, is given my daughter’s namesake, and it covers topics such as bullying and isolation in the ocean. The artwork is done by Katerina Dotneboya of Finland. [Earlier press release for the book here and here.] I’m more than willing to sign copies sent to me and will ship back. Also, when the first box arrives from the publisher, I will gladly sign copies and mail them direct. Just let me know your reading needs and address!

The pre-order discount is still being accepted (PREORDER2019) at Black Rose’s website until January 1st. Get copies of this book for your family and friends and share the gift of ‘story time’ with others.

Also, stay tuned for reading events to be shared soon [both locally in Charleston and outside of South Carolina]. I do readings and am happy to talk about writing topics with your English classroom/group/church/business.

God bless in the new year!

-Brian

Advance praise for The Scary, Gray Shark, from Ocean Ramsey, saying:

“Such beautiful artwork on each and every page. I love sharks – and it’s wonderful to see Zella make friends…find respect instead of fear in our ocean ecosystems. It is wonderful to see people speaking up for sharks.”

Her bio:

Ocean Ramsey operates One Ocean Diving, LLC in Hawaii, a company which facilitates dives with marine life. She gained international media attention for free diving with sharks, including great white sharks, to bring attention to shark conservation. Ramsey is based in Hawaii, and has dived with 32 species of sharks around the world as of 2013.