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The TL/DR Edition

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Growing up in the forests, hills & mountains of New Hampshire, he was surrounded by living things - trees and insects and wild animals, and from this developed a deep love for nature. 

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His writing asserted itself early in his life - but until his 20's it remained merely an enjoyable hobby (and a good way to get attention and laughs).

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His teen years were consumed by a sharp education in self-imposed suffering - teaching him much of regret and shame - but also deep compassion and forgiveness.

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When, in his early 20's he finally found solid ground, the writing really took hold, and he knew that this was what he would spend his life doing.

 

So, after reading some advice from James Michener - "The best writers go to Iowa" - he packed up his 1982 blue Volvo wagon, grabbed his harmonica and a Neil Young CD, and headed west.

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He always kept writing, but life offered the wonderful detour of fatherhood - and the less wonderful of fractured relationships and divorce. The lessons here were, again, sharp - pain and trudging. But also of hope and love and the possibility of healing.

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After remarrying & raising his son to adulthood, he exited his career in Corporate America (finally) and, while the Volvo was long gone, he packed his metaphorical station wagon, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa and here the adventure continues...