By normal standards I began fairly recently. Serious writing started a few years ago with a blog shortly after I found a family photo album dating back to the 1940’s. Most of those family members are gone now but I was surprised at how vivid my recollections were of the photos I discovered. I always felt I owned a photographic memory which presented itself when I was actively involved in the art world. My painting process involved visualizing what the end result should look like; which didn’t involve much in the way of experimentation. I was able to re-create the image from my minds eye.
What was a surprise to me was how I was able to create a story out of my memory of the pictures I discovered. I found I could re-create and tell the story of the image or better; I learned how to show the story. I even remembered the smells I encountered as a youth. I am learning what writing creative non-fiction is all about. I am still on the journey.

While putting finishing touches on my first book “Surviving the Cuckoo’s Nest,” I recalled an early life event from my childhood. I lost a boyhood friend that had apparently shot himself with a handgun. It again brought tears to my eyes, which reminded me how tragic an event that was and remains even today after more than six decades have passed. Today, the statistics of children killing children with found handguns have gone through the roof. I’m hoping “Wake Up Now Nation” will help shine a light on and hopefully a solution found to cure the problem.

There are and have been many. Beginning with Ernest K Gann’s writing about aviation. His book “Fate is the Hunter” was responsible for my pursuing a career in aviation. He once said “God bless the man who knows when he’s said enough and isn’t tempted to say more.” He also wrote “The High and the Mighty” which became a famous movie starring John Wayne. The author Jim Harrison is another favorite. I have read most of his works and would love to read them again. We seem to have an affinity for living in the same places. I was born and grew up in Michigan as was he; I live in Montana as does he. “Legends of the Fall” has to be one of my favorites of his work. Jim is prolific when it comes to the grit of life.

It can be found at www.ronniehartblog.com You will find a lot of material there directly relative to my life story and the people that had a great influence on it.

I do it myself.