Tag: Alabama

University of Alabama, writers group visits a success

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The last two days have flown by, and they have been awesome.

I spent much of Tuesday and Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., speaking to a couple reporting classes at the College of Communication & Information Sciences, as well as at the Tuscaloosa Public Library to the Tuscaloosa Christian Writers Group.

I appreciate Dr. George Daniels, the assistant dean of the college, inviting me to Tuscaloosa for the opportunity. 

On Tuesday, I spoke with the JN-315 Advanced Reporting class, taught by Scott Parrott. The students were attentive and asked great questions about researching, reporting and book writing.

Later Tuesday night, I spoke to the Tuscaloosa Christian Writers Group about the three books I’ve written, and the books to hopefully come in the future.

On Wednesday, I spoke with the JN-311 Reporting class, taught by Kenon Brown. These students, much like the ones in the JN-315 class, paid close attention and took notes while I spoke about reporting strategies and writing books. 

I also toured the state-of-the-art Digital Media Center, located inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. It is an amazing place, where students gain significant real-world experience. It is very impressive.

My two-day trip wrapped up Wednesday with a studio interview with Dr. Daniels at the Faculty Resource Center inside Gordon Palmer Hall. Dr. Daniels interviewed me about my life as a journalist, editor and author. The interview will soon be available on the college’s website and on iTunes by searching “Journalism On The Go.” 

What a fun two-day trip it was. I can’t wait for the next one.

I’ll end this blog post the same way I ended the studio interview: Roll Tide.

Introducing Deep Green

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Hello,

Welcome to my website, and my first blog post. 

Deep Green is my second book, and my first time writing fiction. I have always been drawn to the true stories, the ones that affected real people. For most of my twenties, I told those stories in newspapers.

I’m no longer a reporter, but the itch to write is one I have to scratch almost daily. It calms me down. Now that my knees can’t bear the intensity of playing basketball on pavement, I sit in a comfortable chair and write. At least I can see the basketball hoop outside.

This book is about Ray, a teenager who does not earn a spot on his junior high school basketball team. He is confused on what direction he should take. He has always played sports, but he is now at a crossroads. He takes up skateboarding, and with it come his downfalls. He lets a stereotype control his life. He stops hanging out with longtime friends. He begins socializing with a rough crowd. He shoplifts, and just when he thinks he has become invincible, he is arrested. A church basketball team intervenes at a crucial moment in Ray’s life. Will it be enough for Ray to get his life back on the right path?

I decided to write this because I thought it was a story worth telling. I think it is good for teenagers to read, a book that can humble them and teach them important values. I hope it does. I also believe it is a good book for any avid reader who enjoys a feel-good story. 

I dedicated this book to Kevin O’Kelley, who was my basketball coach for a short period of time. He is the inspiration behind this book.

The book is available for $15 on Amazon.com and $8.99 on Kindle. I hope you take the short time to read this book. I would really appreciate it.

-Gary