Walldren's World

In 2004, I wrote my first and only novel to date. It was something that I did more or less to prove that I could do it. The plot idea occurred to me as a sophomore in high school and I even had most of the story germinate by the time I sat down to type it out. Many sleepless nights later, I emerged with a draft that was somewhere close to 60,000 words, which I then trimmed down to 'round about 50,000. Human Resources  is not a great novel. At best, it is an amusing piece of near-satire written by a much younger (read: less mature and experienced) version of myself. In some ways, I think the fact that I wrote it makes me reluctant to pick up the pen (or word processing software) again because I'd like the next thing that I write that others might read to be more clever, more articulate and reflective of the way I've come to see the world. The statistics of the first couple of months my novel has been available for free online tell me a few things: I should write t...

Several months ago I began the practical application of my Master's degree in Liberal Studies through the creation of a Tumblr blog entitled, The Daily-ism . The blog seeks to provide an ism word a day with a definition gleaned from Google without commentary. To date, I have posted 86 entries and garnered 17 followers. What has been most interesting to me is seeing how people respond. The most popular posts so far have been: egalitarianism (20 notes) prescriptivism (7 notes) I've identified enough words for almost an entire year's worth of content if I post five times per week. One thing I like about the functionality of Tumblr is the ability to schedule posts out in advance. This means that I can essentially plan out a month's worth of content in an hour of spare time.  Not that I have a ton of spare time, but I've discovered that micro-blogging is much easier to accomplish while working full-time and being a father of three. A great resource for catal...

It’s been a fun experience getting to learn the Wattpad platform and community over the past few months. Having observed some great talent serialize their works through online distribution, I am glad to have tried it out. That said, it’s been close to 10 years since I completed work on my debut novel and less than 9 since I self-published it in 2005. 10 years later and I still haven’t recouped the initial cost of publication. But I didn’t write Human Resources for the money. Like graduating college, I ultimately did it to prove a point to myself that I could be persistent enough to see it through. Since writing that book 10 years ago, I’ve had 10 years of experience reading new and interesting books. I have discovered authors that the person I was wouldn’t have read back then and have learned a great deal more about what great writing can look and sound like. And, I still have a ways to go. Maybe that’s why I hesitate to write anything new. There are also new challenges I...

Human Resources reaches its exciting conclusion in this week’s update. It’s been an interesting journey together, releasing the novel in weekly installments since March 31. My thanks to each of you who’ve taken the time to check it out. As the days and weeks approach, I’ll be sure to update this blog with more information on the next project I’ll be working on.

I hope everyone had a great long weekend. The next six chapters are up today! The Human Resources story continues for free over at Wattpad. We are racing to the finish. Tune in next week for the final six chapters on: June 2, 2014

The plot thickens like a custardy pudding full of intrigue, betrayals, and yes, even murder. The next six chapters are up! The Human Resources story continues for free over at Wattpad. We are racing to the finish. Tune in next week for more on: May 27, 2014

The next six chapters are up! Catch up with Joe Noone, Simon Lawrence and the gang as the Human Resources story continues for free over at Wattpad. The story continues next week with six new chapters on: May 19, 2014

It's that time again: the next six free chapters of Human Resources are up for your reading pleasure at Wattpad. Tune in next week for the next official update with six more chapters on: May 12, 2014

The next six free chapters of Human Resources are up for your reading pleasure at Wattpad. Tune in next week for the next official update with six more chapters on: May 5, 2014

It's that time again: the next six free chapters of Human Resources are up for your reading pleasure at Wattpad. Tune in next week for the next official update with six more chapters on: April 28, 2014

Why do I write? I have come back to this question many times and at different points in my life. As a young child I wrote because I enjoyed stories and, for whatever reason, not everything that was read or told to me was satisfactory. I also wrote because my Dad was a great storyteller and would tell me how much he loved writing. That nugget would later guide the purpose behind my writing for many years. As a teen I wrote because I needed an outlet. My Dad was constantly sick, having suffered a series of heart attacks and eventually going on peritoneal dialysis to deal with his declining body. I lost him when he was 64 and I was 18. Poetry and short fiction became a means of expressing my sadness, anger, despair and increasing cynicism. As a young adult I wrote to express the aforementioned feelings combined with an increasing sense of loneliness and lack of direction.  After I graduated college with my BA in Business, I sat down to write my debut novel, Human Resourc...

As Elvis Costello famously sang, welcome to the working week! I'd like to invite you all tocome and read the next six chapters of my debut novel, Human Resources , for free over at Wattpad.  Tune in next week for the next official update with six more chapters on: April 21, 2014

With the work week officially underway, why not unwind with the next six free chapters from my debut novel, Human Resources ? Stay tuned for the next official update with six more chapters on: April 14, 2014

Is anyone happy that it's Monday? Odds are you are not, but even if you are we could all use some more laughter in our lives. That's why I am pleased to announce that the next six chapters of Human Resources is now available for free to read on Wattpad!   The next official update with new chapters will be: April 07, 2014 Have a great week!

Over the next 11 weeks I will be releasing my novel, Human Resources , on Wattpad. I wrote Human Resources in between graduating with my BA, enrolling in graduate school and getting my first post-college job. It's meant to be a funny, absurdly cynical look at the future world of business and evolving technology and draws from my influences of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and George Orwell. Set your reminders and check back for fresh content on or around the schedule below! March 31, 2014 April 07, 2014 April 14, 2014 April 21, 2014 April 28, 2014 May 05, 2014 May 12, 2014 May 19, 2014 May 26, 2014 June 02, 2014 Happy reading and let me know what you think!

Every month my wife and I try to give each other one afternoon off. It's meant to be pure discretionary time, spent on doing whatever you want to do: take yourself to lunch, go to a movie, relax at the library, etc..The only rule is really is that each of us should get out of the house. More often than not we spend at least a portion of the time doing at least one chore. Yesterday was my day off and I kicked it off by going to the car wash. Look at that grime fly. When all was said and done, I spent the afternoon at the library planning out my week and reviewing some goals I have for 2014. This morning on my way to work I filled my gas tank. When I went to enter this week's numbers, I realized that today marks the completion of the first full year that I have been tracking mileage. Take a look at what a year it's been: 2006 Hyundai Sonata Mileage driving to/from Atlanta from Buford, GA Prior to moving to Atlanta, I used to walk to the train and walk to work...