I'm Baaack

Kay and I are back home after a mini-vacation in Florida. We traded the 100 degree heat of Texas for the 95 degree temperature and 50% humidity of Sanibel Island, but it was a nice change. We had the opportunity to visit with long-time friends and see some interesting things. Sanibel is the #2 shelling location in the world. (Number one is in Brazil, in case anyone is interested). The beach there wasn't like most beaches I've seen. There was sand, but most of it was the consistency of a gravel driveway because of all the shells.

We toured a nature preserve, and I learned a few things. I had no idea that there were three types of mangrove trees, named according to the color that leaches out of their leaves contributing to the hues of the water in the mangrove swamps. Nor had I ever realized that flamingos aren't naturally pink! They're white, and the pink color comes from the shrimp they eat. Remind me to slow down on my shrimp intake, since pink isn't a good color for me.

Anyway, leaving home always makes me appreciate what I have here. It's good to be back. It's nice to sleep in our own bed, drink our own coffee, read our own paper, watch our favorite TV programs, and in general slip into our life like putting on a comfortable pair of old shoes.

I promise to get back to more substantive blogging next week. Today, I need to transition a bit more. Have a great weekend.

Be A Man

Recently, there was an internet post that listed fourteen things a man should be able to do. These included drive a stick shift, fix a toilet, change the oil in a car, handle a roadside emergency, and build a fire. Okay, I'll agree that most adults, regardless of whether or not they possess a "Y" chromosome, should probably be able to handle these.

Other necessary abilities listed were hook up an entertainment center (not me, I'd strangle myself on all those cables), dress for the occasion (my ability to do this is a subtle source of disagreement between my wife and me), swim the breaststroke (yes, I can, but only under duress; that's why there are life preservers), and cook the perfect steak (nice to know but not a deal-breaker in my eyes).

After a bit of thought, I began to think about the ideals I'd set for someone entering manhood. I don't think I ever communicated these to my sons in so many words, but I hope I modeled them, just as my father did for me. The important things include loving your family and being there for them (even if it means changing your plans), letting your word be your bond (an old-fashioned idea, apparently, but still a good one), keeping your cool in a stressful situation (okay, we've all failed here, but we still need to try), and above all, letting your actions--not just your words--reflect and model your faith in God. There are others, but this seems like a pretty good start.

While you think about these, I guess I'll take a whack at "navigating a map and using a GPS," one area of the man-test where I need a little remedial work.

CODE BLUE Is Available For Pre-Order

Although my novel of medical suspense, Code Blue, won't be released until April, 2010, the publisher, Abingdon Press, has arranged for it to be available for pre-order through Cokesbury Books for a special pre-order price of $8.39, representing a 40% discount off the regular cover price. To take advantage of this offer, go to this site and click on the pre-order button. That way you can be among the first to read the story of Dr. Cathy Sewell, who comes back to her small hometown seeking peace and healing, only to encounter conflict and danger. Her colleagues resent her. A prescription she wrote may signal the end of her practice. She's faced with a decision her heart can't make. And eventually she finds that someone in town wants her gone...as in dead.

The second novel in the Prescription For Trouble series is complete, and negotiations are underway for its publication. The working title is Medical Error. In it, Dr. Anna McIntyre's world is collapsing around her. Her patient died because of an identity mix-up. She's about to lose her license because of a flurry of narcotics prescriptions. She thought things couldn't get any worse, but that was before she opened the envelope.

I'm already at work on the third novel in the series. Hope you'll stay tuned for further developments.

Of Birthdays and Social Networks

Yesterday I celebrated another birthday. I was % years old. Oops, fingers must have slipped. Try again. I was &# years old. Oh, well. Doesn't matter. What matters is that I received a massive number of "happy birthday" greetings via Twitter and Facebook. Since I turned my attention to writing, I've managed to become friends with--or at least become acquainted with--a large number of my fellow writers, as well as some editors and agents. It was nice to receive their well-wishes, along with those of family and other friends. So now, in addition to cards and phone calls, there are electronic birthday wishes. Ain't progress grand?

But this brings me to a recurring theme in my discourses: social networks. As you may know, I have a Twitter account. I'm also on Facebook (although you'll have to search for me and ask to become a "friend" before you can see my posts). I allowed myself to be dragged into these activities by those who said, "As a writer, you have to enhance your public presence." I guess that, short of being involved in a financial scandal or being a sports figure suspended for steroid use, engaging in social networking is as good a way to get publicity as any. But I've found it to be a mixed blessing.

As I said, it was nice to get those birthday greetings, most of them via Facebook. But, along with my usual messages, I get countless invitations to join this group or that, attend this get-together or the other, become a friend of somebody. It seems that the list is endless. Not only that, I often get "friend" requests from people whom I don't really know. I handle these on a case-by-case basis, and often find that these are writers and that we share a large number of mutual friends. And I must admit, it's been a nice way to enlarge my circle of writing acquaintances.

Sadlly, I've been getting notifications lately that I'm being followed on Twitter by some people and entities that I can do without. Some of these are frankly pornographic, and I block them immediately. Then there are the commercial accounts, obviously following people whom they hope will follow them in return and avail themselves of the services they offer. And finally there are the "retweet specialists" aiming to get their own information out. A classic example is the Texas Rangers baseball club. I love the Rangers. Kay and I watch most of the games on TV. I frequently tweet about a Ranger win or loss. But when I do, I see that the Rangers have retweeted my message. Interesting that they do this, even when my message is critical of the club's play. Guess bad publicity is better than none at all.

Which brings me full circle to my original thought. Is the name-recognition that comes from being on a social network helpful in a commercial sense? Or are these just the modern, electronic versions of the old party line or talking over the back fence? Well, I don't have an answer--maybe you do--but for now I guess I'll keep on tweeting and posting on Facebook. Maybe I'll see you there.

NOTE ABOUT THE EMAIL LIST:
For those of you who've signed up by leaving your email address in the column on the right, one newsletter has recently gone out. If you didn't receive it, check your spam folder. If it's not there either, email me at Dr R L Mabry at yahoo dot com (put it in the right format--I list it this way to fool web crawlers) and I'll check on it. That newsletter had some great early information about Code Blue. There will be more newsletters--maybe once a quarter. If you haven't signed up, why not do so? It's painless, and I promise never to share your address.

The New Website Is Up

Thanks to the efforts of my talented and very patient wife, Kay, my website has been completely revised. You can check out the new version here. I'd encourage you to click on each of the tabs. We've tried to give you a bit of information about where I am on the road to writing and on my life's journey in general. I'd especially call your attention to the bio, where you may be surprised to learn a few unusual things about me.

As you'll see from the website, my novel, Code Blue, is scheduled for release in April 2010. I know that sounds like it's a long time off, but since I'm working furiously on some things that have to be completed before the release, it doesn't seem long at all to me. I've already been asked about the ability to pre-order copies. Fair enough. At this time, copies of Code Blue can be ordered, at a significant discount, at this website. If you'd like to learn more about Code Blue, click below to view a video trailer.

Even though I'm occupied with my "medical suspense with heart," I also still spend a good bit of time in the ministry that followed the publication of The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse. I'll be signing copies of that book at the "Texas Authors Tea" being held at the Frisco Public Library on the afternoon of August 2. If you're in the area, drop by. More details as the time approaches.