Going out of print
3/2/09 -- Sad news. Two of my books are going out of print: the hardcover edition of AIRMAIL TO THE MOON, and the hardcover edition of I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS. Fortunately, "Airmail" will still be available in paperback, but "Famous" will be gone-g...
I received the lost email
2/27/09 -- I received the lost email today (see post below) containing editorial comments on STORM MOUNTAIN. The print-out is over three pages long, single spaced, and that's just for big picture stuff, not line editing (specifics on word choice, ...
I just found out that an
2/26/09 -- I just found out that an email was sent to me quite a while ago containing editorial comments on STORM MOUNTAIN. Only problem is, I never received it. The message was probably labeled as spam and junked, or just lost in cyber space. Of ...
With my first draft...
2/23/09 -- With my first draft of ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO done, I'm now going over it to see what fits and what doesn't, what needs moving, rearranging, or cutting. Lots of work to do, but that's what I expected. Anybody out there...
For me, getting ready to
2/19/09 -- For me, getting ready to write is more than just stepping into my office and turning on my computer. I need to focus my attention, and imagination, on the story, step inside that world and live and breath it with the characters. In the ...
Waiting for my flight
2/17/09 -- Waiting for my flight the other day in Ft. Worth, TX, I saw these birds inside the concourse. They must have been waiting for their flight, too. Birds indoors at the airport = irony. Good day of writing. Really nice to get back into ATT...
Whew! Software issues have
2/16/09 -- Whew! Software issues have kept me from adding to my blog for two weeks, but now, obviously, I'm back. Back from Ft. Worth, Texas, too, and two weeks of school visits there. Great kids, and educators, all around a wonderful experience. ...
I'm sitting in the Portland
2/1/09 -- I'm sitting in the Portland International Airport (PDX) waiting for my flight to Texas. Around me people talk on cell phones, or with each other, or watch the parade of travelers on the concourse headed for their gates. Each with a desti...
Great day of skiing.
1/31/09 -- Great day of skiing. That's my daughter, Amy, on the right, waving from the chairlift. Her boyfriend, Alex, is on the left. Later, I went over a jump, caught a ski tip and did a nifty cartwheel, landing on my head and shoulder. Ouch! On...
Whew! Spent the entire day
1/30/09 -- Whew! Spent the entire day rushing around getting lots of errands done before I take off for two weeks of speaking in schools in Ft. Worth, Texas. I reap the rewards of this frantic day tomorrow, though, when I get to go skiing with my ...
A notion I've been
1/29/09 -- A notion I've been considering: A dream or goal without a plan is nothing more than a fantasy. So, for example, if I dream of climbing the Grand Teton in Wyoming (which I do), but have no plan as to how to make it happen, then it simply...
A great reading chair.
1/28/09 -- A great reading chair. Makes me look like a little kid, huh? Appropriate, since I write for them. Actually, it's a user-friendly sculpture at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where my daughter, Amy, goes to school. Guess what she's m...
After reviewing my first
1/27/09 -- After reviewing my first novel, I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS (See 1/19/09 entry and link below), Michael Jung of Suite 101.com asked is he could interview me for a seperate article. I said it sounded like fun, and we set up a time -- today. N...
As you may have noticed
1/25/09 -- As you may have noticed, my web site is undergoing a revamp. I'm spending time today going over each page and looking for changes needed. If you have suggestions, feel free to send them my way at tom@tombirdseye.com.
I received word this week
1/19/09 -- I received word this week that my first novel, I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS, which has been in print for over 22 years, has just gotten a new review! Suite 101.com is an online magazine that, according to contributing writer Michael Jung, is ...
Since New Years,
1/8/09 -- Since New Years I've asked a number of people if they've made any resolutions for 2009. The vast majority say no, then make a joke about not being able to keep the resolution anyway, so why bother. I understand this mentality, but don't ...
The weather continues
12/23/08 -- The weather continues to throw curve balls here in Oregon. Portland has been hit by what's being called a One Hundred Year Storm. Amy, my youngest daughter, is safely home from college. Kelsey, and her boyfriend, Tyler, are bumping alo...
More snow in the Willamette
12/20/08 -- More snow in the Willamette Valley. I find it hard to stay on task with a view like this outside my office window. Rain is in the forecast for later in the day, though, so I'd better take a break and get out there and enjoy it while it...
Short entry today, as it's
12/16/08 -- Short entry today, as it's late and I've worked long and hard on ATTACK: TAKE TWO. In a few minutes I'm headed out with some friends to go to the indoor rock climbing gym at Oregon State University to get some exercise. True, an indoor...
Knowing me to be an avid rock
12/12/08 -- Knowing me to be an avid rock climber, my oldest daughter, Kelsey, sent me the following:The bridge shown below is on the Old Donner Pass Highway. It has some spectacular views of the Sierras and Donner Lake. A bear was walking across ...