George Nicholson

Sometimes, maybe most of the time, life consists of doing what's right in front of us--putting one foot in front of the other, putting out fires, finishing whatever has a deadline smacking us in the face.

I think it's important to step back from that and feel the bigger picture, see the sweeping landscape of our lives and where we are, where we're going, what we want to leave behind when we're gone. That drives us to choose the right paths, the ones we really truly want, for those footsteps that fall one after the other on our daily grind to deadlines, meetings, classes, grades, and hopefully, for me at least, loving my kids and grandson with all my heart, and finally, producing some writing that matters in the world.

My buddy Kirstin Cronn-Mills sent me this article, which I would have missed had she not sent it (Thanks, DivaE). It reminds me of the sweeping contours of a life. George Nicholson is my agent. Although I've certainly had my frustrations with him, most of my frustrations stem more from how slowly I produce a book-length manuscript worthy of publication. He has stuck with me since he first read Jake Riley: Irreparably Damaged and believed in me. Anyway, this accolade is well-deserved, for the career of this literary giant whom I admire so very much. ALAN Award goes to George Nicholson.