Writing a Novel is Like Learning to Ride a Bike

Writing Adrift in the Sound was a longer journey than expected and I’m grateful for the friends who’ve gone the distance—Steve Adler, Nancy Barth, Cynthia Cory, Kari Fisher, Dave Kranz, Ching Lee, Elisa Noble, especially Margaret Rodriguez, who spent many hours helping me sort out the story and characters; and Anthony and Carol Rogers, who provided unwavering spiritual support. Artist and author Sara Sheldon and national affairs/crime reporter Christine Souza read numerous versions of the novel in draft.

Gratitude goes to the teachers and writers who’ve helped hone my creative writing skills, particularly Sands Hall, whose encouragement helped me start and then finish this book. The Community of Writers at Squaw Valley continue to provide ongoing inspiration and invaluable support. At Tomales Bay Writers Workshops, novelist Tayari Jones offered insightful guidance during the early stages of the writing, while Ray and Barbara March of the Modoc Writers Forum added confidence in my Western perspective and the value of stories that spring from the environment.

Thanks to Julia O’Connor, gifted teacher and former Sacramento Poet Laureate, for her help with lyrical prose style. Writer and teacher Adair Lara provided guidance for the novel’s structure at a critical juncture. Frank and Maggie Allen of the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources immersed me in environmental issues and introduced me to Pacific Coast tribal leaders who fed me salmon and took me on an expedition to the sacred rock at the center of the world.

Various libraries, online collections and museums were of research assistance, including the University of Washington online digital collections and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, as well as the Washington State Library, and the Seattle City and Seattle Times archives. Thanks to bluesman Taj Mahal for permission to use lyrics from his 1969 album Giant Step/De Ole Folks At Home, which helped rhythmically inform the writing of this book.

And, thanks to friend, writing partner and fellow author Elizabeth Kern of HillHouse Books, who believed Adrift in the Sound should be shared with readers and pushed me to make it happen. Friend and novelist Thomas T. Thomas served as readers’ advocate and provided superb editing that brought out the best in the story. Smart and talented, Sacramento’s Old Soul Writer’s Group, provided much needed moral support and laser-guided critique and copy proofing.

Finally, thanks to my family—my sons, Mark and Mike and granddaughter, Ada—my brothers Richard, Steven, and Robert, and sister Joyce, as well as my grownup niece and nephew, Krista and Justin. They’ve served as a tireless cheering section on the long road to creating this book.

Thanks to the love and support of all these people—and many more—this story is now humbly offered to you, the reader, to enjoy and make of it what you will.

Buy Adrift in the Sound online from Amazon.com

or order from independent booksellers.