I'm Gonna Live!

After two EKGs, an ultrasound, a stress test, and bloodwork, it has been determined by a bona fide cardiologist that my irregular heart beat is nothing to worry about and that I am perfectly healthy.

"Your bloodwork came back absolutely perfect. It is exactly what you want to see in a man your age. I couldn't be more pleased with the results," the good doctor said.

"Great," my wife sighed. "Now I have to hear about how perfect you are for the next year or so."

She's just jealous because I eat like a human garbage disposal, rarely exercise, and manage to keep my cholesterol levels perfect.

"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful- and healthy."

At Last

I started to write a novel way back in 2005. I muddled through the first four chapters until I realized that the awkward work of fiction could never be completed. I began a second novel in 2008 that had great potential, but suffered the same problem as the first: it was forced, contrived, and not very good.

Today, I just completed authoring my first book. I gave up on the idea of a fictional version of my life's story because in my case, the truth is way more entertaining than fiction. My non-fiction collection of humorous and sometimes poignant essays combine to form a memoir of sorts, although I am hesitant to use that term to describe the book. Rather, I compare it to a music album. Each song is strong enough to stand on its own, but when played in order on a full-length record, they combine to create a cohesive volume of work. Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album is a good example of what I mean. Any particular song on that album is a hit. But when you play the entire record from start to finish, you discover a masterpiece.

My book may not be a masterpiece, but it is the culmination of a lifetime of mistakes, adventures, highs, and lows that when written about in this form, combine to become my greatest creative achievement. My life's story is tragic and triumphant. It is disturbing at times and inspiring at others. The reader will want to slap me one minute and hug me the next. My hope is that it will entertain and enlighten whomever is brave or bored enough to read it.

So keep an eye open and watch for "Naked Snow Angels" to come to a bookstore near you; hopefully in the not-so-distant future. And thank you for all of the encouragement you have given me throughout this process and throughout my life.

Almost There

I just finished writing my 21st chapter. 219 pages and 70,000+ words. I think I've got another three chapters to go and then I will be done with the first draft of "Naked Snow Angels." I have edited as I've added new chapters, so I don't think the revision process will be too lengthy. Hopefully, I will have a finished manuscript ready to submit to publishers within a few weeks.

My family is rooting for me. The boys have been feeling a little neglected lately and Bethany no doubt feels that the house chores are being neglected, too. So the sooner I get this book done and things get back to normal, the better.

Stay tuned...

The End is Near

I just finished writing the 19th chapter of my book. I know I shouldn't get hung-up on page counts, but I am at 189 so far with at least four or five more chapters to go. So I'm feeling pretty good about my progress. Word count: 61,500+.

Let's get the buzz going on the internet right now. Hopefully, by the time I submit my manuscript, publishers will be fighting each other for the chance to buy "Naked Snow Angels" by Travis A. Naughton. (Free autographs to all my friends when you buy your copy!)

Silly Me

I'm new to the field of "legitimate" writing. My third attempt to pen a full-length book is progressing nicely, but I was beginning to become concerned about the relatively small amount of completed pages I had produced compared to my total word count. This morning I re-read the chapter on submitting a manuscript in my copy of "Getting Your Book Published For Dummies." Turns out, I should have been double spacing my type-written pages all along.

I am happy to report that I have written 19 chapters, 54,000+ words, and 167 standard format pages. Now we're gettin' somewhere!