Far From Ordinary: Predicaments, Misadventures, and Illuminations is my quirky collection of essays, poems, and short stories about unpredictable adventures and misadventures. Readers of my work will recognize my passion for juxtaposing well-researched, fascinating facts and eccentric tales about awkward experiences that went seriously sideways.
Adventures provide the fuel for a fulfilling life while misadventures are life's tax for playing full out. To embrace one, we must wrestle the other. Like relishing breathtaking landscapes while on a 9,400-mile solo motorcycle trip around the country and then driving at 70 mph into a screaming, horny, miles-long swarm of fat cicadas on a Chicago highway.
That really happened! Imagine cicada DNA on every surface and in all orifices.
Far From Ordinary is a unique book and I’m super proud of it. If you walk into a bookshop, you’ll find essay collections, poetry chapbooks, and short story collections in separate sections of the store. I know this and have blissfully ignored conventions to offer what I believe is a refreshing and entertaining reading experience.
I know what you're thinking, dear readers. Ignoring dumb rules is par for my bratty course.
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Here are a few examples of my short works.
Nonfiction Essays
I seek to live and envision a more adventurous, and therefore more misadventurous, life in large and small ways. To be deliberate about challenging myself, going to the edge, and getting out of my comfort zone. And then to share these encounters with abandon. It’s truth, with a wee bit of…embellishment.
"Early Bird Special"
This essay is about frog legs and the smarmy boss I encountered when I worked as a hostess at an all-you-can-eat joint in Cape Coral, FL. The Mid-Level Management Literary Magazine published this piece here.This essay is also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary.
"I Need a Bell"
This essay is the mostly true story about my quest to acquire a protective bell for my motorcycle. Published by the Defenestration Literary Magazine here. This piece is also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary.
"Attention Shoppers"
This essay/writing craft piece/farce-but-not-farce is the mostly true story of a book signing disaster. The legendary editor Alan Rinzler published this piece on his website here.This piece is also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary.
"The Kiwi Bird Walks Like a Man"
True story of an evening in the woods in New Zealand where we attempted to see an endangered Kiwi in its natural habitat. Published by inTravel Mag and can be read on their website here. This essay is also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary.
Short Stories
I love creating complex characters who think and live large. I give some of them superpowers to remember, relish, and learn from past misadventures. It’s fiction, grounded in a wee bit of truth.
"Marks Holiday Letter"
Humorous fictional story of how Daggar Marks described his and his wife’s year including their new business selling robot dog stud services. Published by Nat 1 LLC, File Not Found anthology available at Amazon.com here. This piece is also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary.
"Career Advice for the Dying"
Earned honorable mention in the Tulip Tree Review humor contest – purchase here. This is an oddball satirical piece about career coaching services for those diagnosed with a terminal illness that I hope makes readers think, wait – is this really a thing? This story is also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary.
"Welcome to the Neighborhood"
2,200 words. Won 2nd place prize for humor from the Southwest Writers Association and was included in the Woven Pathways anthology. Also included in my collection, Far From Ordinary. A woman learns her new neighborhood is crawling with killers as she gets drunk scrolling Facebook. Very funny piece!
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