I'm sort of a jack of all trades. I'm a musician, an artist, a songwriter, a photographer, and of course, I love to write poetry, short stories and work on my novels when the muse descends. The problem is, I do each of these things equally well. It's a problem because over the years I've divided my time between them, and mastered none of them. I'm probably the most multi-talented person you'll ever know, and also the most ineffective and frustrated. lol The photos that represent my projects are just a tiny example of my work.
     I've studied several languages, including German, Spanish, Russian,  French, Chinese, and the Shawnee trader's tongue, but I'm only fluent in English. I'm an overly nice, soft hearted person that has a difficult time offering advice or critique. I'm giving it here instead of individually by the post. If you've read this, I won't have to say it again.
     Ego aside, I'm a pretty good writer. Sometimes after a long hiatus, I read back over what I've written in the past and wonder if I can do it that well again. It takes a bit of practice, but I usually can.
     Like most high school kids, I took the SATs, but my ADD prevented me from doing well. I only scored a 950 total on both English and Math. Ten years later, I retook the test. I suppose over the years, I've learned to compensate for my lack of focus and concentration. I scored a 700 on the Enlish half alone (I still suck at advanced math). My sister, who instructed the SAT prep course at Laney High School(of which Michael Jordan is their most famous alumni), administered the test. She also has ADD, and she tells me she was extremely frustrated by it. She apparently also has managed to work beyond her limitations. She received her PhD in English this past February at the age of 39. I maintain hope that it can happen for me as well. Not the PhD mind you, but some form of success in writing. I'm too old to start another 10 years of school. ;}
     Another obstacle that we have faced, us Renn children, is depression to varying degrees. As you know, depression prevents the sufferer from doing even things he or she loves to do. Mine has been left untreated for years, and I have trouble finishing projects because of it. My sister's Doctor (she has only recently begun taking meds for her depression) said he was amazed that she had the determination to complete her Ph.D. considering the depth of the depression in our family. My combination of ADHD and depression makes it very difficult to concentrate on writing or anything else for every long. So please encourage me to finish things.
     Besides traffic (I've drove nearly two million miles in my life during my 19 years as a truck driver. I retired from it last June), one thing that bugs the crap out of me is poor grammar. I'm not perfect, but I really, really try to get it right. (If you haven't already, read The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It's a very short book, and it will help.) In my opinion, people who don't proofread and revise their poetry, songs, and stories are wasting their time. To put it bluntly, it makes them appear that writing is just a hobby for them. Maybe I'm just anal, and I know I'm a perfectionist, but I'm mature and professional enough to know that 'publiskers and agints laff at porrly writeen, halffasted riting efferts'. It looks amateur, and proves that you aren't serious about your work. If you're serious, please take time to proofread and correct your work before submission. You'll save me the effort of telling you it sucks. I'm kind of like Simon Cowell that way, poor writing rarely gets a second chance. I'm 47 years old, I don't have time to waste if you're not serious about your craft. If you're dyslexic or have serious problems with grammar, that's ok, you may still have great ideas, just don't slap the hand that's trying to help you. If myself or someone with good grammar offers to help, accept it as a gift. It's not meant to harm or insult you. We're just trying to help you succeed. Besides, you have to have thick skin in this business. That's enough for now. If you agree with me about the pursuit of perfection, we'll get along great, and I can be a really good friend to you. If you aren't serious, it'll be obvious. I may not say anything. You just probably won't see me again except on the New York Time's Bestseller's List. ;? )

Take care, keep the faith, and keep on writing.

Michael