¡Hola, amigos!

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

I've been living under a rock for quite some time now, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Quite the opposite, in fact.

During that time, I felt like some changes needed to be made. I was spending all my time on various message boards, Facebook, etc. - time that could have been better spent with my family, my schoolwork, and other various things. The next few months are shaping up to be extremely busy as well, so I may disappear again, but here's a quick update.

I'm proud to say that I have unofficially graduated from UMKC - a journey 10 years in the making - although I'm technically in the midst of one final class for the next few weeks. I even managed to get invited to and receive an award at the UMKC Department of Foreign Languages Award Luncheon. Since leaving The Kansas City Star to finish my degree, I have earned an A in every class I've taken.

Not to be outdone, Emma graduated from pre-school in May. In 11 days, Emma will turn 5. Three days later, Kellie and I will celebrate our 6th anniversary. In just over a month, Ethan will turn 1. His first birthday will also mark the very last day I will ever attend a class at UMKC.

Earlier this year, I passed a test to become a freelance copyeditor at Medallion Media Group. Which has amounted to nothing so far. I also was brought on by Charles Day (Winner of the Silver Hammer Award at the Stokers last weekend) as a copyeditor at Hidden Thoughts Press/Evil Jester Press. In addition, I'm currently being paid to copy edit a novel for another publisher (who I won't name at this time). I've also been in contact with the Editor-in-Chief of a drag racing magazine and website about working for him. Fingers crossed on that one!

Oh, and a secret project I've been working extremely hard on the past few months, which I can't mention just yet. Soon, though.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

Welcome back Craig! Emma and Ethan are adorable.

Nanci · **Joined:** Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:48 am **Posts:** 4992

Welcome back little brother. We missed you.

CDennisMoore2 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:34 pm **Posts:** 490

Hurry up and announce the secret project!

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

CDennisMoore2 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:34 pm **Posts:** 490

Mean.

Rob Dunbar · **Posted:** Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:09 pm

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

I hope he tells us how to make an upside down exclamation point!

JJHolden · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:25 am **Posts:** 1712

Welcome back, Craig! And well done!

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

CDennisMoore2 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:34 pm **Posts:** 490

SORCERY!!!

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

Dathar · **Posted:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:25 am

glad to hear from you again.

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

I forgot to mention that in the middle of all the insanity, I did get a chance to go see Ted Dekker! It was an awesome night. Space was limited to the number of people who came earlier that morning to get a ticket (which were free), whioch allowed Dekker more time with fans. He spent the first portion of the night standing on a ladder and talking about his work. Then we were lined up by ticket # for photos, autographs, etc.

I bought his newest two releases to have signed, and brought two more books of my own - House and Adam.

When I asked him what it was like to collaborate on House with Frank Peretti, he gave me this strange look, then gave a surprising response. Basically, he said House is his book. But when he first wrote it and turned it in, his publisher said it was too "dark". So they, in turn, had Peretti write the first portion of the book, to "ease" readers into it. Dekker did not seem pleased while telling me this story, and I have noticed theat his newer books have been released by a different publisher. Very interesting.

Then, when signing Adam, he gave me another curious look, and said,

"You like this one?"

"Yeah. Why, you don't?" I responded.

"It's very dark. You won't be seeing any more books quite like this for a while," he said. Then he pointed at the store manager a little ways away, and said, "When you read one of my books, don't read this one."

Anyway, it was very fun night getting to meet and chat with one of my favorite authors.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

Nice picture, and great story. Gonna have to revisit House and see what he's talking about. Never read Adam though, will have to look into that one.

JJHolden · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:25 am **Posts:** 1712

I must admit, if I turned in a book and the publisher then brought in some other guy to mess around with it, I wouldn't be too happy.

However, I don't know the 'darkness' being referred to (but how dark can it be?).

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

CDennisMoore2 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:34 pm **Posts:** 490

That sounds like a book I need to read.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

House was, and still is (though it doesn't rank as high), one of my favorite books.

Dathar · **Posted:** Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:34 am

oh... i saw the movie of that... with Michael Medsen i think... its on netflix.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

¡Hola, amigos!

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