David Dabling's Blog

Hi everyone,

I owe a small (or maybe not-so-small) apology to those of you kind enough to follow along here: it’s been a couple of months since I posted anything new. My wife and closest friends would probably say it’s been decades since I said anything genuinely new—which… might not be entirely unfair.

Something thoughtful and rather uncommon landed in my inbox recently. A book club is planning to spotlight Ghosts in the Wings and they wrote to ask whether it would be okay for members to leave reviews or reach out to me directly with feedback.

The short answer is: yes — absolutely yes.

Reviews are incredibly valuable for any author, especially one without a huge built-in audience. Five-star reviews obviously feel wonderful. Four-star reviews are still great. Three-star reviews? Totally fine — I don’t expect the book to be everyone’s cup of tea. One- or two-star reviews can sting (I’m human), and if the criticism is sharp I’d honestly prefer it arrive privately via email rather than publicly — but either way, I’d rather hear your real thoughts than silence.

You can find an email contact form right on the landing page:
https://daviddabling.online

So, to be very clear:
• Reviews are warmly welcomed (on Amazon, Goodreads, your own blog, wherever you post them)
• Emails and direct messages are equally welcome — and I do my best to answer every one

I’ll always hope a reader loved the book, of course. But the truth is that the simple act of someone taking time to write anything — glowing, thoughtful, critical, or somewhere in between — is already meaningful. Honest feedback helps me grow as a writer far more than another five star without comment ever could.

There’s something quietly magical that happens when a story leaves the writer’s head and finds a reader. Characters who once only existed in my imagination — Liana, Dylan, and the rest — get to live again inside someone else’s heart and mind. When a reader writes back about them, even briefly, it closes a kind of circle. It’s a little like hearing how the world is treating the children you love. Their lives become a bit more real, a bit more complete.

So, thank you — truly — to everyone who has ever left a review, sent an email, or just quietly passed the book along to a friend. You turn what is usually a very solitary process (imagination → keyboard → publish → wait) into something shared and alive.

Announcement corner
If you read this in time my first two books are available for a free eBook give away on Amazon the 4th and 5th of February. Sorry but after the fifth they will be regular price.

Wishing you the love of story.
David

Time has a way of getting away from you. I have not added any blog posts for a while. The truth is I don’t really feel as though I have that many interesting things to say. Then I get an email asking about where story ideas come from, or how I develop stories. So, if this is a repeat of anything I have said please forgive me.

Story ideas will be another blog. I thought that how I develop stories might be something worthwhile. I tell bedtime stories to myself. I need to start a story before I do. Maybe being a chapter or two in and having an idea where the next chapter is going. Then as I lay in bed trying to sleep at night, I start the chapter in my head. Usually not dialog or details just the flow of the chapter and maybe a specific line or two. Then the next morning, after morning routine I sit down at the computer. I then start to write the chapter. The words flow well since I know what is happening. It may not be exactly what I put myself to bed with, but it is close. Sometimes I only get a thousand or so words before life gets in the way. But assuming I finish a chapter I consider the big picture of what comes next before bedtime. Then I repeat the process as I fall asleep.

There is a problem, however. When I have finished the book’s first draft, I can’t edit myself to sleep at night. When I do not have a new story to work on. When I am rewriting or editing, I have insomnia. If asked why I write that is easy to answer. I want a good night’s sleep.

Here is my landing page address. https://daviddabling.online
Here is my Goodreads page in case you enjoy reading reviews. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

I feel very fortunate to have a few followers on this platform. Would I like thousands more? Of course, if they are not bots. As I write a new posting, I worry I might upset someone and lose a follower. I am concerned not because I am so greedy for followers. I just don’t enjoy upsetting people.

I agree with Elwood Dowd in the play and movie Harvey. He says, 'In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.'

I often forget myself and try to be smart. If I do, I ask my followers to remember my intent is to be pleasant.

What does this have to do with writing? Like many writers, I am not very outgoing. I am not speaking for all writers here, but I suspect what I am saying would suit many of my fellow authors.

I am not afraid of public speaking. If a class instructor doesn’t show up and I am asked to step up and teach, I’ll do it. If a business meeting must start but the featured speaker isn’t ready, I will accept the invitation to distract the auditorium to fill the time. In the army, I could take command when called on to do so.

All that being said, if it is not my role to take over, or I am not asked, I am more than happy to sit quietly alone. Not antisocial, just willing to let others take the lead in sociability. My default is not to be a complete introvert. I will interact with people outside my head if someone starts a conversation. However, without an official role calling for me to be outgoing, I won’t ever be the life of the party either.

The truth, of course, I am not sitting quietly alone. Behind my shy but pleasant façade, a cast of characters is busy responding to a situation. Inside my head, action, dialog, and world building are happening. I am enjoying the party, watching others and storing mannerisms that may someday be part of a story. If I leave the party early, it is not because I didn’t enjoy the event. I leave to get something onto my computer.

If you read this between October 2, 2025, and October 6, 2025, I invite you to get a free copy of my eBook Ghosts in the Wings. Here is a link: https://shorturl.at/JyNtK . Of course, if you want to buy the paperback that is available there as well.

This blog is about persistence. Persistence is a positive character trait, unless it isn’t. I am writing this as an author. A first draft is seldom good enough, even if it is more fun to write. To make a manuscript worth reading takes persistence. It must be rewritten, checked, submitted to alpha readers to get feedback, rewritten, and listened to while following in the text. Then it must go to beta readers, and rewritten. After which the story must go to editors and be rewritten. Persistence is needed.

When the manuscript is ready it goes out to agents to query. Once again persistence is essential. One agent is seldom enough. Despite rejection you keep trying. Each no from an agent is a step closer to a yes. A yes may come someday if you persist. What a writer must not be is persistent with a specific agent after the book is rejected.

Many agents are rude enough not to answer a submission with a rejection. They are so busy they don’t have time to send a preformatted rejection to the writer who has spent thousands of hours on the story, The best agents are professional enough to send a rejection. The writer must be wise enough not to persist with that agent on the current work. Persistently trying other agents yes. But the agents are busy and not inviting arguments with their decision. The writer must accept no and not persist with that agent.

Frustrating for the writer is while they understand no is no on their book, looking in the other direction, they are deluged with contacts from marketers of one kind and another. Sadly, most of these author vendors know the same lesson. They do not accept no is no. Thus, an author who is polite enough to answer must waste writing time every day being persistent in telling them no, again.

I love writing and hope in a few more years I will finally be an overnight success. I’ll just persist in writing and accept every day will start after I tell more marketers I am not adding to my team. I hope you have fun in your day today.

It seems a shame to me that since Amazon owns Good Reads the reviews I get on one platform or the other cannot be cross posted. I am humbled by some of the excellent reviews my books have received on Good Reads. I have fewer reviews on Amazon but there are some I would like to share excerpts from here. The FAQ area on Good Reads say that I can do that in my blogs, so here goes.

GHOSTS IN THE WINGS
What a surprise, and what a treat as well, to come across this sweet, compelling, slightly weird and most delightful story of a sort of misfit and ragtag band of both living and dead people, each with their own unique histories, talents, backgrounds, and desires and vision of the future. They all come together to make a fledgling apartment community work, and rehab and make great again a grand old theater stage that has come to life.
These are precious characters. None more so than the ghost that is an atheist and does not believe in the supernatural. An aging actress that does not want to be known by her professional name and would just as well forget her past. Needless to say, her past is not forgotten, and her future is about to become considerably brighter. . . . Larry L. Caplin (Lee Capp) There is more on Amazon—thanks Larry.

GHOSTS OF THE DRIVE
Well, it seems that Mr. Dabling has done it again. To be a bit more precise, he has done it even better this time than his first effort, GHOSTS IN THE WINGS. Both are quite lovely. Both are capable of bringing a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. I especially loved the ghost deer chapter. There is little being written these days to compare. The GHOSTS OF THE DRIVE is a novel of individual chapters, each the story of an encounter with a ghost or ghosts with a serious problem. The inability to move away from the earth, and on to a waiting Heaven.. . . Thanks again Larry, I am glad you enjoyed both books

ROCKY AND TIGER
Recommended for family reading time!
Visiting twins could cause chaos for an older couple not used to having young people around. How would they keep kids in control? Hmmm, what could the children get away with? Lots, probably.
Well, the Grandma and Grandpa in this story are clever although it isn’t apparent to the reader (at first) or to the children. Grandpa tells part of a story after Grandma somehow gains the attention and help from the children during the day. A fun story is interwoven throughout.
Delightful read and great ideas for any grandparents who are having grandchildren visit.-- Carolyn Wilhelm

This is one of my favorite children's chapter books because of its insight into how people think and behave. While a pleasant, exciting story of a dog's growing pains in a family, it contains gems like this passage:
"Grandpa," said Anne. "Tell us a story."
"I only know one story," said Grandpa. "That story is sixty-six years long and so boring I slept through a third of it myself. Besides, you can't put off bedtime for sixty-six years."
"Tell us only a little bit of the story, Grandpa," Anne said.
"Yes," said Abigail seeing that this attempt to stay up might work. "Tell us a part of the story you stayed awake for."
A key to comedy is making visible what's been in front of us all the time, and recognizing it so that we share that perception. With just a few words and actions between characters, this book does that. -- Larry Baum

BRIDGING GAPS
I really enjoyed this book. Such a great love story!
--Mari

I know this has been self-indulgent, but I want Good Reads readers to know about these books. I am prejudiced but I love these stories and hope to share them with more readers.

In my previous blog, I discussed crafting the first draft of a novel. But the journey doesn’t end there—great novels aren’t written; they’re rewritten.

Rewriting is where your story transforms. Scenes that sparked joy during creation might not serve the narrative. As a writer, you may cherish these gems, but if they don’t captivate the reader, they must go. Slash.

Other parts of the story might seem crystal-clear in your mind but leave readers confused without your perspective. This is where you add depth, clarify details, and let the story evolve.

Sometimes, a new character emerges to tie the narrative together. But what happens when you fall in love with this character? Do they steal the spotlight and reshape the story? Do you spin them off into a separate tale? Or do you let them play their role and fade into the background?

These tough choices test your vision and discipline. Up to this point, the process is deeply rewarding. You’ve polished your manuscript to near-perfection.

Now, it’s time to invite fresh eyes—editors, beta readers, or critique partners—to uncover flaws you might have missed.

If you enjoyed this glimpse into the novelist’s journey, consider subscribing to my newsletter at https://daviddablingonline.online.

You’ll receive a free copy of my short story Infernal Piping, part of the series featuring Liana and Dylan Garrett and the ghosts they encounter.

Plus, don’t miss your chance to grab a free eBook of Ghosts of the Drive, Book Two in the Liana and Dylan stories, available on Amazon through September 8, 2025: Get your copy here.

It’s been a while since I last updated my blog. Sharing stories comes naturally, but articulating my thoughts on storytelling itself? That’s a tougher beast.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the peculiar life of an author—a journey that’s equal parts exhilarating and exhausting.

When you write, you retreat to a quiet space where entire worlds unfold in your mind. Even in a contemporary setting, every detail filters through your unique lens. Characters who don’t exist become vivid, breathing people. Improbable events feel as real as your morning energy drink. It’s a strange alchemy, turning imagination into reality.

But the creative process isn’t always a joyride. Sometimes, it’s a slog. You wrestle with scenes that refuse to cooperate, forcing you to abandon cherished ideas. Words and phrases you adore might not fit, and you must let them go. Yet, when the story finally clicks—when you’ve crafted a living, breathing reality—it’s pure magic. Well, almost.

Up to this point it has been rewarding. Then it is time to rewrite.

If this glimpse into my writing life resonated with you, consider subscribing to my newsletter at https:\\daviddablingonline.online.

You’ll get a free copy of my short story Infernal Piping, part of the series featuring Liana and Dylan Garrett and the ghosts they encounter. Join me for more stories and musings on the craft!

 

Submitted my new children’s book to agents this morning. Salespeople are taught that each no is a step closer to yes. That may be true, but no matter how they love their product they really are not selling their own. It may only be five pages and 1393 words long, but it came from inside and was massaged for months. Far too often a writer does not get a no, they get ignored. Imagine finally coxing your beloved child up onto the stage for their little part only to have the audience not even acknowledge they are there. It is much easier to accept a tepid reception.

It is very uncommon, but does happen that an agent replies only to be insulting. That of course is worse. Bad enough to have your child ignored without someone making the point of saying there are stupid and by the way you are ugly. It happens to us all that we have a dreadful day, then receive bad service and we snap at someone. That is wrong but human. But can you imagine going out of your way to be unkind? There is never an excuse for that.

So it is I find myself treasuring to my heart an agent or publisher that will reject with a kind suggestion or two that rejection is sweet and more than anyone deserves. Even a rejection with a courteous but formula answer, is a kindness. These are people that make a community, even when you never actually meet. They may not have liked your child’s performance, but they gave it a fair audience and polite applause.

I had an agent once tell me they were not rejecting just nudging me away for now. They simply did not have room in their schedule. Now that was kind. That agent is someone who appreciates how much effort went into a story before submission. I didn’t sell the story, but I have kept trying.

So here is the question for myself, have I made or destroyed someone else’s day? When I run into someone they have not been working on their day for months with edits and rewrites, but it is their day. They own the day they are having. I can smile more, and frown less, perhaps brighten their day.

 

When I was a child I had a bad case of David payattention! and a case of The class is in here not out the window.I made it through school alright for the most part because I would beinterested in the concept even if not in the details. I could extrapolateenough to pass tests and the teachers did not always hound me to actually turnin the work.

I was an adult before attention deficient disorder became a thing.Just before retirement age I was diagnosed with the condition. Happily I wasable to find ways jobs that I could fake it enough to seem like I was payingattention to the job. Sometimes I found something in the job I could hyperfocuson thus being highly productive. Soldiering and teaching in elementary schoolworked pretty well for me since no two moments tended to be the same. Thechallenge of dealing with people, yes children count as people, and the focuschanged all day long.

I bring this all up as a fiction writer since I am avoidingworking on something I do not enjoy. I love telling stories either ones thatcome to life in my mind, or memories of my own life. The story however I can’tstand doing is my biography. Spoiler alert, that is one dull story. The storyof when I was attacked by a two-mile-long glowing serpent at four in themorning, or when I discovered I could not climb cliffs after I was halfway up,those stories can be fun. The story of my life, however, is not so much fun.

The truth is by definition I paid a deficit of attention tomuch of my life. I think it would be nice to just copy most of the lyrics fromthe Beatles’ Nowhere Man or California Dreaming by the Mamas andPapas or something. Those songs would not be enough since there is far more pathosin them than in my life. Simon and Garfunkel’s 59th Street BridgeSong needs to be mixed in. I’ve enjoyed most of my life but don’t see whyanyone would be interested in it.

Well enough time wasted. The task is here in the biographyDavid, stop just telling stories. It is time to act like a responsible adultand get to work. The key may be in pretending I am an interesting character totell a story about. That’s it! I will go back to work and invent a fictionalbiography. Thanks for listening.

 

When I was a child I had a bad case of David pay attention! and a case of The class is in here not out the window.I made it through school alright for the most part because I would be interested in the concept even if not in the details. I could extrapolate enough to pass tests and the teachers did not always hound me to actually turn in the work.

I was an adult before attention deficient disorder became a thing. Just before retirement age I was diagnosed with the condition. Happily I was able to find ways jobs that I could fake it enough to seem like I was paying attention to the job. Sometimes I found something in the job I could hyperfocus on thus being highly productive. Soldiering and teaching in elementary school worked pretty well for me since no two moments tended to be the same. The challenge of dealing with people, yes children count as people, and the focus changed all day long.

I bring this all up as a fiction writer since I am avoiding working on something I do not enjoy. I love telling stories either ones that come to life in my mind, or memories of my own life. The story however I can’t stand doing is my biography. Spoiler alert, that is one dull story. The story of when I was attacked by a two-mile-long glowing serpent at four in the morning, or when I discovered I could not climb cliffs after I was halfway up, those stories can be fun. The story of my life, however, is not so much fun.

The truth is by definition I paid a deficit of attention to much of my life. I think it would be nice to just copy most of the lyrics from the Beatles’ Nowhere Man or California Dreaming by the Mamas and Papas or something. Those songs would not be enough since there is far more pathos in them than in my life. Simon and Garfunkel’s 59th Street Bridge Song needs to be mixed in. I’ve enjoyed most of my life but don’t see why anyone would be interested in it.

Well enough time wasted. The task is here in the biography David, stop just telling stories. It is time to act like a responsible adult and get to work. The key may be in pretending I am an interesting character to tell a story about. That’s it! I will go back to work and invent a fictional biography. Thanks for listening.