Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association Ride

On Friday August 24, 2012 I was honored to ride with the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association in a funeral escort for a fallen Desert Storm veteran.
It was an incredibly moving experience.
At the conclusion, as the veteran's ashes were lowered into the ground and Taps played, we stood in formation holding flags at attention, the last three notes floated through the air on a breeze that had each of our flags billowing out creating a straight line of American flags. Stunning.

New Interviews

Each day brings new adventures and new learning experiences. With that said I am currently interviewing a Special Forces Vietnam Veteran for a chapter in my new book 'In Their Words - Vietnam' and am thrilled to be writing his story.

I love my job! I can only hope, upon the books completion, the words I have written will honor each and every veteran that I interviewed.

Tuolumne Writer's Retreat September 2012 - Charity Maness featured speaker

TUOLUMNE WRITERS RETREAT SEPTEMBER 28th, 29th, 30th, 2012

PRESENTED BY SONORA WRITERS GROUP Experience the 1st Tuolumne Writers Retreat in the State Historic Park of Columbia, California. This Gold Rush town orginally founded by miners in 1850, claims preserved brick buildings, historic artisans, period displays, shops, restaurants, hotels, & docents to transport you to another era. While you are embedded in your favorite writing classes, your entire family will be entertained. Stage coach rides, gold panning, climbing rock formations, watching the blacksmith clang his anvil, candle & candy exhibitions, and creamy ice cream cones await their arrival. Participate in classes, hear featured speakers, take a lantern walk to the Cemetery for a Ghost Poetry Open Mic, enjoy professional Literary Performances, Miners Nuggets of Prose & Poetry Reading, Authors Row. Special events planned for the public & your families including Cowboy Poets & The Devil Mountain Boys Country Band.

For more information CLICK HERE

More kind words...

I received a warm email this morning from a veteran who had read "It's Lonely Here in Hell" love Letters from Nam, it read in part - " I must say that the story contained within it's cover was nothing less that shocking."

That was a wonderful way to begin a day!!

It is every authors dream to touch people's hearts with the written word. 

Travel always inspires me

When I travel, I am always surprised and delighted with what I see, hear and feel. Every experience I have is either turned into a humor column or added to my ever growing list of unfinished manuscripts.

I find people in different areas of the country enticing and exciting. New dialects, sounds and actions...all foreign...yet all American. Amazing.

I hope to have some fun anecdotes for your perusal upon my return:)