Author: Schaaf

Just a little story to peak your interest. If you like it let me know.

Running late, not my style, makes me anxious. I end up driving too fast and ignoring rules I shouldn’t. The sun had just set and left an afterglow of the day. A glint of white caught my eye at the edge of the pavement. Had the look of a body as I drove by… that slowed me down. A glance at the green time keeper on the dash and “I will not make it, anyway.”

I hit the brakes for a U-turn. As I drive past again, it’s definitely a body. I pulled over, flipped it in reverse and the backup light bounced off her white and some other color blouse. As I got out, she stood up and walked toward me, trying to extend her arm. It did not look straight to me.

“Are you all right? Did you get hit by a car?”

“No, my husband shoved me out of his truck.” She ran out of breath as she talked.

“Where is he?”

She pointed towards a trailer park half a mile down the road. I drove off with her in the truck. 

“Stay in the truck.”

I reached under my seat, grabbed the revenge she deserved, and headed toward the door. A hard lean and the door popped open. The drunk slob was lying on the couch. The twelve gauge he was reaching for never made it to his hand before the hammer fell on her justice and my ears began ringing.

She cried in the truck while I sat on his porch, smoking one of his cigars that he would never enjoy, waiting for the ambulance. No need for cops ‘cause I am one. Satisfaction, worthwhile, even though late.

The tenth of November was the release date for my debut novel, Copper Winds. Cannot believe how excited I am. And then yesterday I receive my copy of the book and even more excitement. The big surprise was the drive to work on the next book. Here’s the cover:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMLWQSNS

Feel free to order an e-book or paperback from Amazon and leave a review. A nice one would be appreciated.

The last two year, maybe two and a half, may finally bear fruit. The book is nearly finished, while there are still hairs on my head. The book cover is in design… impatiently waiting a first look. Once that happens it will become a lot more real. Bought the ISBN numbers, but still need to pick categories and keywords before I upload to KDP, that’s Kindle Direct Publishing. Seems to be the best place to start my self-publishing journey.

And it’s been quite a journey. The things I have learned along the way have enriched my life, broadened my knowledge and have given me a great personal purpose. As I sit here in my favorite coffee shop:

The location of most of the hours at my keyboard, I’m about to leave for my monthly meeting of the Palm Springs Writers Guild, another source of knowledge and encouragement. It is a wonderful community of like-minded people. The book wouldn’t exist without encouragers, including coffee shop acquaintances who simply ask “how’s the book coming?” Amazing how four words can keep you going.

Grateful to those who discover this website and read my words. There’s more to report as it gets closer to a “real” book. ‘till then!

Learning to write is like climbing a mountain. Each lesson learned is a new ledge on that mountain and gives you a new view. That would seem to be a good thing, and it is. However, you now know your previous writing is not up to your new ledge. This has led me to review… excuse me… edit what I’ve already written. This has turned into an ongoing endeavor.

An architect friend of mine once told me he keeps a closet full of rolled up designs he hasn’t finished. He just knows he could improve the design. I have heard writers talk of this as well. Next lesson… how do you know when it is done?

I’m the new kid on the block in writing. My opinions carry little weight unless being listened to by those who are in the beginning stages of writing. My one piece of advice is to keep at it. Persistence pays off.

Somebody said it’s never too late. I think I may be the testament to this statement, presumptuous on my part. Two years ago I began to write a story. The story turned into an obsession. It moved and shifted as it grew. Writing was interspersed with small educational sessions as my writing skills were sorely lacking and remain so today, improved but still lacking. A little over a year after the start there was a draft of a crime thriller that put joy in my heart for simply putting that many words on a page.

A young prostitute’s death on Main street in Copper leads to multiple crimes and jurisdictional challenges for Chief Peter Lawler. The Copper’s new chief must find the culprit responsible for the hit-and-run death of the young girl, Ella. The investigation leads to a nearby Apache Reservation in eastern Arizona that requires the involvement of FBI Special Agent Charlie Gatto. Ella had teamed up with Agent Gatto as her CI to weed out rampant child abuse. With the loss of Ella, her efforts must be reset. Lawler and Gatto join forces to uncover corruption on the Rez beyond their expectations. The clues lead them on a daisy chain of murders, betrayals, money laundering, bribery, drugs, and crimes against persons. They are handicapped by jurisdictional and manpower issues, as well as Lawler’s personal demons. Can they possibly solve the hit-and-run mystery and the crimes that follow while their own lives are threatened in the process?