Thanks for the kind words, both of you, and actually, I am making money on this. In the last 12 years, I've gotten 21 articles published in 7 magazines, and they average about $500 apiece. It's not exactly what you would call a living, more like a hobby, but the paychecks are validation, editors pay me for stuff because they make money publishing it. Somebody must be reading it. It's strictly a market transaction and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've written for science magazines, trade journals, humour mags, boating and nature rags, and a great deal of stuff for the Web, although that doesn't count because I don't get paid for it. This item has already been submitted to a regional nature magazine, and I have a boat review in the pipeline as well, both will probably appear on the newstands early next year.

I've been working with a very talented artist, Fritz Seegars, on some of these pieces, and he's been providing me some beautiful illustrations. The ones he's developed for this article are drop-dead gorgeous. We exchange material and collaborate over the net, I've never met the gentleman in person! My journalistic features I illustrate myself, with my trusty 20 year old Pentax.

However, I've found the leap to full time magazine work, or to novel writing, very difficult. I'm still waiting for the metaphysical kick in the butt I'll need to get me started down that road.