Learn about the Loomis Gang Recap

Learn. . .
Well, I had a great time at the Utica Monday Nite fundraiser talking about the Loomis Gang. The Waterville Historical Society was there with all their cool stuff to show off relating to the Loomis Gang. I had to remind people that my book is FICTION and not a true account of the Loomis Gang. There's two excellent non-fiction books that can give you the entire real story: Frontier Justice by Dr. Torrey and The Loomis Gang by George Walter. My book is meant to whet the appetite for the gang. Remember, not every movie or book that has historical characters in it is factual. Do you think every Jesse James movie is historically accurate? Of course not. I'm just reminding you that my book is inspired by and uses the gang as a backdrop. It's meant to be a fun little adventure book - and that's all! There have been two other fiction novels written about the Loomis Gang: Nine Mile Swamp and Rogue's Kingdom. I was surprised that many people knew about the Loomis Gang and I admired Joe Falk and Bob Harding discussing the facts of the gang with the hundreds who turned out.

A Million Little Pieces - the aftermath

A Million Little Fallouts
I watched James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces on Oprah admitting he made some things up and embellished stories in his autobiography. When Oprah was confronting him, he looked like a little fawn cornered by a leopard! It's a blessing to have Oprah pick your book. It's a dream all author's have for she has the power to make you an instant millionaire. Do I think my book would ever be picked? No way! I'm a realist and I know my book is a fun little regional title. It's not meant to be thought provoking or world changing. The big thing about this whole fiasco with James Frey is that publishers will be more careful with autobiographies. People are wondering if James Frey can ever survive this onslaught. I give the man credit for going on Oprah's show and being brave while being booed. Oprah made an amazing admission that she was wrong- that she was duped. Well I'm still reading this book and I think it's fantastic. I was in Barnes and Noble today and I saw people buying it. We'll have to see what happens with all of this.

Daisy Daring the sequel
Well, I'm still working on the sequel to Daisy Daring and I think it's a worthy follow up. It has things going wrong and some more history of the Mohawk Valley in it.

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck
A little plug for the food of the Mohawk Valley. I travel for my work and have never found such a diverse pallet pleasing epicurean delights as we have right here. Symeon's and their Greek food, Piggy Pat's and their Bar-B-Que, Delmonico's and their fantastic steaks, and Chesterfields greens are just the beginning of many, many great places to eat right in central New York. Let's not leave out Chicken Riggies, a dish not found anywhere else! So come to the Mohawk Valley and eat great food at a great price!!!!

Women and Wealth
I met Dr. Pat Laino, author of the book Women and Wealth and she was very, very nice and was kind enough to give me a copy of her book. I love what she says on the back cover, "She acts 20, looks 40 and that's all you need to know." I'm looking forward to reading this book. Her and I had a little chat about the writing life. It's always fun to talk with a fellow author. The enthusiasm rubs off!

Poe

POE
Well I just finished an outstanding biography Poe by James M. Hutchisson. Edgar Allen Poe was the first true writing master in the history of the United States. He's also the symbol for the Mystery Writer's of America which I'll soon be a member of. Poe was a fascinating man to read about. He was a brutal literary critic, a talented writer and a man who died at 40 years old, leaving many stories never to be told. I'd have to say The Fall of the House of Usher was my favorite Poe story. The only author that I can think of that's a Poe of today is Stephen King. I love many author's but SK is still the master of the goosebump.

Writing Advice
Since my book came out, I've been getting e-mail from fellow writer's looking for advice and I'm pleased and honored to give anyone advice. Heaven knows, I still need a lot myself. I think writer's enjoy helping and working with fellow scribes. I love to write but I also love to read a well done piece of literature.

The 40 Year Old Virgin
I watched this movie with my wife and laughed until it hurt. The sad part is I found myself wanting some of those toys he had on the shelves in his apartment. I remember my little brother having the Steve Austin doll with the bionic eye - a very cool toy! The part with the chest waxing made me wet myself!

A Million Little Pieces
I started reading this autobiography by James Frey. I could care less about the current controversy surrounding some of the facts. It's easy to be an outsider and pick apart someone's hard work. Oprah picked this as her book club selection and I'm eager to see what all the talk is about. My sister loved this so I'm looking forward to reading it.

Daisy Daring Sequel
Well I'm almost done with the sequel to Daisy Daring and I'm pleased at how it's coming out. I do have to get my first readers Evie and Linda to look it over and let me know how it came out. I don't want to give anything away other than to say it's a wild and fun ride with Daisy getting into murder and mischief.

Wind of the Mohawk Valley

Wind
Well I was driving with my family today and a huge wind gust blew over a large pine tree that missed my minivan by mere inches. I was very lucky for if it hit my car, it would've been severely damaged and my family or I could've been injured. God was certainly watching me today. The Mohawk Valley is very beautiful but the swing in weather can be mind boggling. I was throwing a baseball with my daughter and son this morning and now snow is falling.

Matt Moran
I was interviewed by Matt Moran, a reporter for the Life and Times of the Mohawk Valley. It was a great interview and the article was fantastic. I consider it an honor anytime anybody wants to talk to me about my writing or my book. I could chat all day on the subject. Authors have to remember that marketing is a big part of book sales. I have a fiduciary duty to North Country Books to get out there and sell books. I do enjoy that part of being a published author.

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck
Well, here's another installment of Mohawk Valley Pot Luck. I want to mention the college I graduated from: Utica College. What a fantastic place and a crown educational jewel in the Mohawk Valley. They have a great academic track record with outstanding programs and now their sports program is taking off. The UC football team had it's first winning record and the hockey team attracts huge crowds. The Mohawk Valley also has Herkimer County Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Munson Art Institute and Utica School of Commerce - all excellent places to further your education.

Dream, Dare, Do
Well I got up in front of hundreds of kids and told them my story of poverty, overcoming challenges to get a college degree and becoming a published author. Gina Esposito, principal at Kernan School in Utica was kind enough to ask me to speak. It was a thrill to talk with the kids. It makes me remember when I was young and full of dreams.

Are you a character?

Are you in my book?
Funny, I've had friends and family read my mystery novel, Daisy Daring and they're asking me if they're one of the characters? No. All the players are made up and the entire story is fiction. It's funny how you can read something and identify with a character so of course friends and family would think they're the inspiration. I've written other unpublished novels and if I used my friends and family as the basis for a character, I would've run out a long time ago. I did tell my father to be careful what you say for I might use a word or phrase in my next novel. I said this only kiddingly!

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck
I'd like to talk a little bit about Matt's Brewery in Utica, NY. They're a family owned small brewery that's made Utica Club for over fifty years. They also make the fantastic Saranac line of beers in many different flavors and styles from Adirondack Amber to Black Forest - I love them all. There's not too many breweries like Matt's left in the United States. If you're ever in Utica, NY you have to stop by, take the tour and sample the crisp-cold, freshly-brewed beer.

Cops
I don't know why but I'm addicted to this television show. Cops deserve all they're paid and more to deal with the underbelly of our society. I wonder why all the men are always shirtless? My wife and I are always talking about the criminals running around with no top on. And people tell the most horrible lies to get out of the crime, even when busted cold.

Book on Tape
Well I finished listening to my book on tape and It's weird. I wrote Daisy Daring over five years ago and some stuff I don't remember writing and hearing it from someone's mouth is even more bizarre. I did love it but found myself having to listen to it by myself.

Serenity
I write in the cramped corner of my dining room on a computer that's over ten years old. I have a dog barking behind me, children running around playing and a wife that talks to me even when I ask her to please wait until I'm done writing. The only way I have to beat this is to write at 5 in the morning while all are asleep. If I didn't do this, I'd still be on my first draft. I envy writers who have the serenity of a private office where no distractions can keep them from their writing.

Learn About the Loomis Gang

Learn About the Loomis Gang
On Monday, January 30th from 6p.m. to 9p.m. I'll be at the Hotel Utica in Utica, NY delivering a lesson titled, "Learn About the Loomis Gang." I'll also have Joe Falk from the Waterville Historical Society with me. Joe will have some relics from the Loomis Gang and we'll be talking to all the attendees of the Utica Monday Nite fundraiser. I'm looking forward to this, it should be a lot of fun.

Dare, Dream, Do
Gina Esposito, principal at Kernan Elementary School in Utica, NY has asked me to speak at an event she's having titled, "Dare, Dream, Do." This event will have 5th and 6th grade students in attendance and will have many speakers talking about overcoming adversity. It's important to be a role model and I take this seriously and have been thinking of what to say in my 10 minutes of time. I think I'll relay to the kids that reading and writing are free. I grew up in a large, poor family and didn't have all the gadgets and toys that kids of today have but I always had books and the newspaper. Kids need to know that nothing can stop them from achieving their goals. This event will be a great time.

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck
I've decided that since I'm calling myself the "mystery writer of the Mohawk Valley," that I must give people some facts, places and other random factoids about this region. I'm going to put something on here every week and call it "Mohawk Valley Pot Luck." The first thing I'd like to mention is the Boilermaker Road Race. This 15K race that takes place in Utica, NY every July is one of the largest in the United States with over 10,000 runners including world-elite long distance athletes. The race has thousands of spectators lining the streets including a massive block party at the end of the race at the Matt Brewery. Saranac and Utica Club are brewed right there and thousands rock to the music and enjoy the festive atmosphere. If you're a runner or love a great time - the Boilermaker Road Race is the event for you.

The Smart Girl's Guide to Sports
I want to let you know about this great book by Liz Hartman Musiker. I'm a dude (at least the last time I looked) and I found this book informative, fun and a great read. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
I watched this silent movie that came out in 1919 and it was one weird piece of entertainment. I read that this movie showed the cultural elite that movies could be an important conduit for the arts and even ushered in the expressionism explosion in the art world. The story is about Dr. Caligari and his traveling show where he has a somnambulist by the name of Cesar who does his master's bidding and kills townspeople. This was made in Germany and they make strange stuff.

Saw
I watched this movie last night and it was a neat premise but the man who played the doctor suffered from the worst case of over-acting since the scene in Network where the man sticks his head out the window and shouts, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not taking it anymore!"

Graphic Novel
My friend Craig Rippon is looking at the possibility of the two of us collaborating on a graphic novel. The best works in this genre have a talented writer matched with a kick-ass illustrator. Craig worked for DC comics. Many fantastic movies have been made from graphic novels including: Ghost World, The Road to Perdition and From Hell.

Book on Tape
I work for the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Utica and they were kind enough to get by novel, Daisy Daring and the Quest for the Loomis Gang Gold, read onto tape. This is so people who are blind can listen to my book. I borrowed the tapes and I have to admit it sounds freaky to hear someone read your stuff aloud.

Editing Needed?
Once in a while I have writers ask me for advice or names of people they can use to hone their skills. I have a tight-knit group of readers including my cousin Evelyn, my friend Linda and a few others. The input of these people is important and necessary. I do have a professional that I use by the name of Blair Kenney. She's linked on my website and she has the background with a Harvard and Oxford education as well as a lifetime of editing experience. I've relied on Blair for much of my writing and she's been a mentor as well as a friend. It's important to have friends in this business.

The Life and Times of the Mohawk Valley

Life and Times of the Mohawk Valley
The local newspaper, The Life and Times of the Mohawk Valley was kind enough to place a large photo of my book cover along with the news of my book signing at Barnes and Noble. I enjoy reading my weekly copy and was thrilled to see this in their fine publication.

Old Writings
My good friend and editor, Blair Kenney e-mailed me yesterday and asked if I'd take a look at an old manuscript that I had written years ago. This Mafia novel I consider my best work yet I was rejected in mass quantities by agents, editors and publishers. I still believe in this work so I'm going to polish it as soon as I finish the sequel to Daisy Daring. It's much darker in tone than Daisy and doesn't fit a conventional mold in regards to type and genre of book. Blair is an editor that I've used many times and I have a link to her in my website. All my writings are like children, sometimes good, sometimes bad but I love them all - scars and all.

The Chronicles of Narnia
I took my kids to see this movie and it was spectacular. I loved the theme behind the movie of sacrifice, honor and justice. These are great lessons that lack in so many children shows of today. I'm tired of seeing the smart, smarmy child that knows more than the parent. I don't remember being very witty when I was a child. Bottom line is I loved this and the kids loved it. I give it the Dennis thumb up.

Church
Well I was a bad dad and took my kids to mass yesterday. I try not to laugh when my son says, "Why do we have to go every week?" and "We just went last week." I told my son, "I suffer and you suffer," which brought the wrath of my Irish-Catholic wife. Seriously, I believe, regardless of your religion, it's important to teach basic values and morals to our children. I'm not preaching I'm just saying that the basics of life need to be taught. There- no more religious ramblings.