I originally set out to write a science fiction novel.  Having been an instant Sci-fi fan from the first time I read a Robert Heinlein novel in my youth I was captivated by science fiction.  Jules Verne also inspired my imagination.

However, somehow, “Freedom’s Call” turned out to be a political thriller (recommended by my publisher).

I literally sat in my woodshed on a bar stool and wrote a few chapters at a time as I built a balsa wood birdhouse to auction at our family reunion.  It was very intricate and I had to do something while I let the glue dry.  As the birdhouse progressed, I realized that the ideas for the book were coming from the many conversations I had with my father, brother and closest friends around the campfires on our yearly fishing trips.  Ideas also came from discussions with my barber, Gary, about the state of affairs in our great country.

It took on a life of its own as I let my imagination go.

As an avid sportsman and nature lover, it was easy to imagine the locations in which the story is set and as I was having thoughts of retirement, from my broadcasting career, the condition of our Social Security System was becoming of interest to me.

I never expected to publish this work.  It was merely an exercise in thought construction and a great way to pass the time while letting the glue dry on the birdhouse.  As each tiny row of balsa wood shingles dried, I would write for a couple of hours and then put down another row.  The next evening I would repeat the process.

It all came easy for me and I found I looked forward to it each evening.  Once the birdhouse was finished the book was completed. 

I set it aside for 8 years until I was inspired by my dear friend Jude Davis to contact a publisher. Since I also had a book of poetry and a children’s book that I had done nothing with, I submitted them all at once to the publisher.  They liked “Freedom’s Call.”  They thought it was timely and wanted to proceed with publishing.

“There you go” as Dennis Weaver (McCloud) used to say.

The glue is dry.