Author Archives: Richard Reilly

My 9/11 Story

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I’m getting back to working on Elance.  I got a few big jobs that will keep me busy for a few weeks.  In the meantime, however, I am going to continue working on my memories.  I really enjoy working on my writing via these memories.  I will be pretty busy with work, but I can’t give up on creative writing.

Today’s memory is long overdue.  I’ve never written my memory of September 11th, 2001 on paper before.  This is my first real attempt.  As I wrote, I realized this would be one of my longest memories.  It’s difficult to tell the story without explaining the events side-by-side with how I reacted.  In the end, it turned into a long, but amazing memory.  Please feel free to share your story as well.

Day Nineteen: My 9/11 Story

 

The End of Baseball Season

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My family and I went to the Rockies Game last night.  I wanted to go to one last game before the Peace Corps.  My family was more excited about the fireworks after the game.  In the end, so was I.  We lost the game…15-5.  It was quite a terrible experience.  But the fireworks after the game were amazing as always.  This is one of the worst seasons we’ve had in a while.  Now, with the end of the baseball season upon us, I have to find a team to root for…while I continue to root against the Yankees.

To go with the theme of baseball, I decided to share one of my best memories at Coors Field in Denver.  This is a memory I haven’t shared until yesterday.  It is a memory that I cherish…and I hope you do to.  Enjoy!

Day Eighteen: Batting Practice

 

How to Write Memories

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Getting back into the swing of writing has helped me immensely.  I love these memories more than anything right now.  I am going to make a bit of a change to the Memory Challenge…although you will not notice.  I am starting to talk about private things.  Although I am okay sharing my private memories…I don’t want to share other people’s private memories.  As a result, I am now changing all names.  Unless you know me personally…and pretty well…you should not know who I am talking about.

I spent three and half hours today talking with my favorite teacher for high school.  My mind has erupted with activity from the intelligent conversation.  She also gave me a book to read.  As soon as I’m done reading Mockingjay, this will be my next challenge.  It is Stephen King’s alternative history book about the failed assassination attempt on JFK.  I can’t wait to read it.

Day Seventeen: Losing Your Mother, Again

More Memories to Come

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I have been neglecting my writing a bit too much in the past month.  I am trying to get back in the swing of things now that the final draft of “The Stagner Chronicle” is complete.  Getting back is easy with things like the Memory Challenge.  I am going to try to do one each day like I originally intended.

With 39 days until I leave for the Peace Corps, I can’t help but find myself evaluating my life and decisions.  My time in Fort Collins has been fun, but it is time for me to move on.  I can’t wait to start my service–even if I am scared.  Even my back up plans–for if the Peace Corps doesn’t pan out–have me somewhere other than Colorado.  I just need to find my own life.  I can’t wait for it to start.  39 days is too long…

Day Sixteen: Lightning in the Cemetery

The Final Draft

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And, with the strong of a key, the final draft of “The Stagner Chronicle” is complete.  I’m so glad to be done and get it out for everyone to see.  I am going to order a copy today via Lulu.com to make sure the formatting is alright.  If it comes back clean, I will open the book for public sale and link it.

Four book down, a lifetime to go.

The Peace Corps

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I must apologize for my absence over the past couple weeks.  I am still editing the final draft of The Stagner Chronicle in my free time.  The thing is, my life has taken a rather dramatic turn over the last two weeks.  I am set to leave for Peace Corps service in Northern Africa in 47 days.  I am starting to spend my days preparing myself in every different manner possible.  Teaching more often.  Talking with friends about Arabic customs.  Talking with my parents about what will happen within the family over the next 27 months.  Filling out paperwork.  Following news articles about my country.  As the date approaches, I only expect the thought of service to occupy more and more of my time.

I will make one promise to my readers.  Before I leave, I will make The Stagner Chronicle available for sale via Lulu.com.  I will do my best to keep the price cheap and allow for very cheap digital copies.  The draft that I am working on is very clean.  It is ready to be published.  This is the first time I don’t want to just pocket a manuscript with the hope of future publication.  I want my fans, friends, and family to be able to read it.  I can’t wait to get it out to everybody.

With Love,
Richard

The Everyday Project: Year Six

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The Everyday project is one of my alternative creative outlets to writing.  For the past six years, I have taken a picture of my face on a daily basis.  When put in quick succession, it creates the reality of how quickly life changes while showing the slow progress of aging.  I am 23.5 years old….so this project shows 25.5% of my life.  With each passing year, this project means more and more to me.

It’s strange to watch the whole video.  I can see my high school self.  I can tell you when I became popular.  When I went to London.  When I started college.  When I lost a friendship.  Gained a relationship.  Lost a relationship.  Moved.  Became depressed.  Gained weight.  Lost weight.  It all shows itself in this video.  It’s the best way I know to lay everything on the table and take away the truth of someone’s life.  I will always be in love with this project.

Thus far, I have only been able to convince one person to do this project.  The thing is, he got someone to start the project as well.  No matter your age, this is a project I challenge you to start.  Nothing is more rewarding and challenging.  Seeing yourself age is so hard…but so eye-opening.  If you need a little more convincing, check out some of the other projects around the web here.  If you do decide to start the project, let me know.  I’ll link any Everydayer’s video with glee.

With Love,
Richard

Thank You to My Readers

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I would like to start off today with a great big thank you to all my readers.  Yesterday, I uploaded a very personal piece that I hoped would grab a few eyes.  I had no idea.  Within 15 minutes of posting the writing, it had 200 views.  I don’t know if my writing has gotten better or if I’m just becoming more honest in my writing (or both).  But it doesn’t matter.  Thank you for all your support.

Today I am starting what I hope will be a new routine.  The coffee shop I write at is 2.5 miles from my house.  It is the perfect distance to walk.  Today I made the trek and feel great.  It is the perfect way to get my mind going so I am prepared to write when I arrive.  It is also perfect practice for the Peace Corps–which is less than 150 days away now.  I hope this new routine will improve my writing, help me add some muscle, and shave off the final 30 pounds I need to lose.  Only time will tell.

With Love,
Richard

P.S.–For any of you who missed my piece yesterday, here it is: Struggle & Love

Struggle & Love

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On a whim, I decided I needed to write about something that has been plaguing my mind for the past few days.  I’ve tried to write about it a couple time before.  This time it just came out.  It is one of the more philosophical pieces I have ever written.  It also gets to the basis of what I believe in life and living.  I hope you enjoy.

Struggle & Love

Back to the Grindstone

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I’ve taken an extended break from writing the last couple weeks.  Now, as my world settles down, I am back to work.  I am preparing a new fiction story that I will likely write into a novel…simply because I need a creative outlet.  I hate  it when I finish writing novels.  It’s like being part of a play and then realizing you have nothing to do after closing night.  Luckily, I’m in control of my own writing and I have plenty of ideas that I’d like to transform into words.

I’m also slowly working away on the final draft of The Stagner Chronicle.  I will likely have copies available to general public in October through Lulu.com.  I’ll keep you updated as I make some progress.  I’m about a quarter of a way through my final read and it is still pretty clean.  I can’t wait to get it out to you guys.