I'm a procrastinator who writes books with such total focus that the rest of my life goes on hold. It's like being a double procrastinator. So now that Taking Midway's first draft is with the publisher and I am paddling back to shore, there are a few odds and ends that need attending.
For instance, if you wrote to me requesting a signed bookplate and, a) feel forgotten; or, b) are slightly miffed that I didn't come through, please know I'm on it. I didn't forget. I've just been a little underwater. And I apologize.
The same for the books I owe Chad Windham, Mickey Miela, and Sean Zeitler. Thanks for your patience, my good friends.
There are three bikes in my garage that need my attention. Same for my golf clubs. My garden is a lunar landscape. And don't get me started on my office. The space was spotless and neat back when I began work on Midway. Now it is mountains of papers, pens, books, trinkets, and relay batons (don't ask). I honestly don't know how it got that way, because I didn't notice until now.
I've got a book coming out on Tuesday. Confronting the Presidents is the last volume of the fourteen books I've co-authored since 2011. It's solid and insightful and I am grateful for the chance to write first-person essays about Trump and Biden as my contribution to the last couple chapters. My co-author also wrote his own opinions on the two. We both had a lot to say, much of which will surprise the reader. A great way to end the book.
Heading to Hawaii this Wednesday. The team races at the Iolani Invitational on Saturday and I'll be doing secondary research for Taking Midway at Pearl Harbor on Thursday and Friday. There's a moment early in book research when everything is new and unknown. Then comes the PhD-level investigation that comprises the writing, which means that the last time I visited Pearl Harbor I had only a vague awareness of what I was looking at. Way different this time around.
A random aside: toward the end of the book I surprised myself with the awareness that I could name — off the top of my head, and for no reason whatsoever — America's first eight CV's (aircraft carriers) by number and in order of commissioning. CV-1 was the USS Langley, for those paying attention at home. Later converted to a seaplane tender. Sunk off Java in 1942. What will I do with this arcane knowledge when I move on to my next book? I have no idea. But it sure helps when I'm watching Jeopardy.
Finally, I need to take a moment and introduce you all to my assistant, Nikki (no last name — think Madonna or Cher). I've mentioned her in passing before, but this strong, dynamic genius deserves more. My first text to blow up my phone every Sunday is from Nikki. Just one word: "BLOG!" Every single post on my author page is Nikki. I have no idea how to do all that tech stuff. I just do words. We should all be so lucky as to have a Nikki in our lives. I am truly blessed. Thanks for everything, Nikki.
Aloha.