I have been self-employed as a woodcarver for over thirty years now and while an enjoyable and rewarding occupation, it has been a challenging way to make a living—long hours and low pay. I must confess that at times when money is tight and bills need to be paid, woodcarving becomes much like a regular job and a demanding regular job at that.

I have wanted to write a novel since about the time I started carving, but couldn’t seem to find the time or the ideas until ten years ago. I think that in my case I needed to accumulate experiences to then draw on for writing material. Another notion that came with experience was to preserve writing as a hobby and never allow it to become a demanding occupation. Not that I don’t take this hobby seriously—writing is as important to me now as woodcarving was and is—but I want to keep my writing uninfluenced by external pressures such paying the bills. So, I think I’ll hang on to my day job.

That being said, The Battle of Walnut Hollow is coming along well; I’ve got about six chapters roughed out and the general outline of the story is complete in my head. This novel is based where I now live, in Madison County, North Carolina.