Fall into Books

I can't believe it's been since July that I last posted here! I guess, I might have been busy. LOL

The truth of the matter is that I have. I've been doing a lot of freelance writing and editing as well as working toward opening a bookstore in Aberdeen, Wash. And then there was a week of vacation, too.

Anyway, here's the update:

The bookstore, Harbor BOOKS & Gifts, will open Saturday, Sept. 16. The grand opening open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and there are lots of reasons (books) to come on out if you can. You can find out more at the website.

Like I said, I've been writing, just not on a book. I do have one in process (a good portion of the writing done) and another in planning. I plan to finish the first (the fourth Bayou Boys Adventure book, Alien Ambush) by the end of October and have it available by Thanksgiving (as it takes place over that holiday).

Our writing center, Harbor House, has an exciting array of fall offerings, too. You can see that at the website as well.

HOT, HOT, HOT! News to Bake Your Brain

Boy, is it HOT! Bet you haven't heard that before. LOL

Well, the weather is going to cool down a bit this week. Out here in Aberdeen we'll see a twenty degree dip from the 80's. But we're not here to talk about the weather.

Things are heating up on the home front. We continue to work on the renovation of Harbor House (still quite enough to keep us busy) as well as active promotion. We were in the newspaper this week and last week we were on the radio. There are a few other media things lined up and we're about a month out to open.

We continue to find good deals on some of the furnishings we need. Now we just need 30+ folding chairs, LOL (and a few other things).

In other news:

My lovely wife is getting a book together for publication. And I have a new idea (a book of my poems and Ruth's photos). However, most of my writing (other than ad copy and press releases) has been set aside while we get Harbor House off the ground.

I'm working on a play (39 Steps) at the Driftwood Players Theatre; building sets and working on a lighting effect. That's in my free time. LOL

That be it for now.

If you'd like to know how the IndieGoGo goes you can click here.

The Story of How I Came to Writing and Why My Wife and I are Starting the Harbor House Writing Center

Scoops Ice Cream and Espresso in Aberdeen, Wash. 2016, really.

Harbor House really is the result of our own journeys as writers. For me it went something like this:

As far back as I can remember I’ve been a storyteller. In grade school I would put on shows that I wrote, or make films I scripted to amuse friends and family. People seemed to like my work and that gave me a great sense of satisfaction.

In time I discovered that I was a decent storyteller, but not a very good master of written English. I lacked grammar and spelling skills and so I received a lot of red ink and little encourage from my teachers in those days. Unfortunately, red ink often earns a lower grade, not to mention parental ire. I felt like a failure and my interests shifted to music and theater.

It wasn’t until I went to university in my thirties that my passion for writing was recognized and encouraged. It was there that I began to actually care about parsing a sentence and communicating well. I graduated from WSU in 1999 with a humanities BA and a Professional Writing Certificate. Then, while pursuing a career in multimedia, I wrote my first book and self-published it in 2005. That felt really good and the book opened many doors for me. Suddenly, I was speaking at conferences across the nation! I wasn’t a failure at writing after all.

One of the things that I learned in college, besides the mechanics of writing, was that it wasn’t those mechanics that made you a valuable writer—it was the ability to engage an audience. Sure, form was important, but no one is ever recognized for having good form. You get recognized for crafting compelling, moving and memorable stories.

Well, after awhile my multimedia career fizzled out and, in 2007, I decided to return to school where I studied more about writing. In 2009, I earned a second BA and then tried to find time to write. There were false starts, episodes of self-doubt and a string of rejections as I labored over three disparate projects, trying to find my niche and voice. I used the time to hone my craft by working in journalism and commercial writing (as well as other odd jobs that my heart was never in).

What I really wanted to do was write my own stuff!

Besides, having Asperger’s—a form of high-performance autism—I was taxed greatly by the social environments that were part of what was expected in the work world. At the end of the day I was mentally spent and found it hard to tackle my own projects.

Finally, in 2012, I set everything aside to boldly pursue writing full-time. I self-published my second book while trying to attract a publisher to other works. The rejections and self-doubt continued, but I didn’t let them tear me down. I found encouragers and supporters—other writers and authors—to cheer me on. And I cheered them on, too!

Four years and ten more books later...

I’ve learned a few things and I am more passionate about writing than ever. And now I want to share the journey and the joy, the encouragement and the experience, the insight and the inspiration with other writers struggling to hone their own skills and find their own voice.

A year ago my wife, who has her Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing, approached me with the idea that we could open a writing center. The idea stuck. How we ended up in Aberdeen, Washington to do that? Well, that's another story.

PUMPED: The Newest Harbor House Writing Center News and More!

Hello Friends. Thanks for joining me again. I'm pretty pumped today!

I got a new book in the mail that I've wanted for a long time. Well, I wanted it before it was available. It's newly published and we don't have a bookstore where I live, so I had to order it online. I've read excerpts and just had to have it. It's Hearing God in Conversation by Samuel C. Williamson.

Plus another book just came out I hafta get, it's The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by Christy Award winner James L. Rubart--my favorite author. So, I'm pumped about getting that soon.

Plus, last night my wife and I got the Harbor House website online and it is lookin' gooood. Be sure and check that out. We've been working on that, but we're also working on the physical building. My son and I just finished building a window seat into the bay window and the next step is covering it. Anyway, I am transferring most of the news about that to that blog,

And then there's the fact that...

I got the IndieGoGo campaign for the Harbor House up and running this morning AND we got our first backer contribution! Which means you can go-go there right now and get all the news about this exciting project.

Here's the video (but please, do go to the site and make a pledge--there's lots of cool swag):


Okay, nuff said. Now I'm going to go work on another refinishing project. Sigh. LOL

The HARBOR HOUSE Writing Center Website is Live; IndieGoGo Campaign to Begin Soon

The Harbor House website is now live at: http://harborhousewriters.blogspot.com/ AND we've set the Grand Opening Gala for Sept. 24. Here's the info:

Changes and updates are happening daily. Watch the new website for information.

Your First Look at the Interior of Harbor House

I thought it about time to share our progress on the HARBOR HOUSE. 

As we move toward our anticipated [now] (save this date) September 24 Grand Opening we still have quite a bit to accomplish. And yet, we have also done quite a bit. Up until now a lot of the work has been, primarily, behind the scenes (planning, projecting, research, and promo-tional preparation), but we are working on the physical site as well.

The Library

Here (following) are a few shots of the nearly finished library. There are still a couple final touches to complete (like the wall art and more resources), but you'll get a very good idea for the "feel" of the setting from these photographs. (The next best thing to trying it out for yourself.)

We eventually plan to build a floor to ceiling bookcase on the wall to the left of the French door (first photo) as our collection merits.

Note the comfy-looking wing back chairs, the ceiling fan and natural light. The overhead fixture can also provide lots of bright (LED) light for reading.

We'll also be adding some end tables and a coffee table to complete the furnishings.

The Conference Room

Now, (following) I am going to show you a shot of the primary meeting space which is far from done.

Please bear in mind that there is plenty of work (from paint touch-ups and cleaning to wall art and furnishings) to be done in this space. We'd like to replace the carpet, but that project is lower on our priority list and may not be done right away. Note the period wainscotting and chair rail.

Now note the smaller bay window on the left; we'll be building a relaxing window seat (for curling up with books) into that space. The wall on the left will house several study spaces, and the other bay window at the far end will be a cozy nook (much like the library). Along the right hand wall (out of frame) there will be a beverage and snack bar. Additionally, the room will be able to seat 30-36 persons in a classroom setting.

One other space (besides the restroom), the foyer, also needs work and I'm saving the before picture to show with the after photograph (when it is taken) for a later post.

How YOU Can Help

We'll be beginning an IndieGoGo crowdsourcing campaign in about a week or so to fund further renovation, revitalization and other capitol needs. At that time we'll be asking for your help. As a thank you for your support we'll be offering deep discounts on our services and products as well as some very cool swag.

In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about our services and plans please read this post from an earlier date. And be sure to stay informed and in touch by following this blog.

Here Are Current Detailed Plans for the Writing Center

“Charting a Course Toward Better Writing.” Program Directors: Ruth Ann Zschomler, MFA has worked in journalism and as a magazine writer. Her work has been published on OregonLive.com, in The Oregonian, The Columbian, The Pitkin Review, Canyon Voices, RAIN Magazine, Charisma magazine and several other publications. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard University. Gregory E. Zschomler is the author and/or publisher of more than a dozen books and has written for newspapers and magazines including The Columbian and The Cannon Beach Gazette. He’s an award-winning playwright with a Professional Writing Certificate and a BA in Digital Technologies and Culture from Washington State University. He’s on Facebook and Twitter and blogs at: gregoryezschomler.blogspot.com Location: 510 West First Street, Aberdeen, WA 98520 HarborHouseWriters@yahoo.com HARBOR HOUSE will exist to support authors and writing students at every level of devel-opment by offering workshops, guidance, writer’s services, encouragement, a writing resource library, and space for writers to work and network free from the distractions of home, the office or the coffee shop. Our “homey” and relaxed site, seated less than half an hour from some of Washington’s most picturesque beaches (including several locations from the Twilight movie series) and the grand Olympic National Forest, will inspire and delight. “A homey kind of place for writers, dreamers and other oddities.” Harbor House Offerings: Weekend Writing Work-shops up to twice monthly*  Casual Drop-in Writing and Editing Assistance (Mon./ Fri. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)  Drop-in Writing Time** (Mon./Fri. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)  Teen Tuesdays: Free help with writing assignments and essays (2 – 4 p.m.).  Book Club (Monday eve)  Local Writers Group (Thursday evening)  Arts & Craft Classes (occasional Tuesday evenings)  Quarterly Readings  Other Services such as professional editing, book design, book trailer creation, coaching and publishing services are also available for a fee.  *How-to, Author Meet & Greets, Indie Publishing Panels, Craft Courses, etc. May require additional registration fees.  **Includes use of High-speed WiFi, Printing (priced per page), Free Coffee and Tea, Workstations, Basic Consultation, use of the Writer’s Resource Library and more.  Drop-in Use and Membership Rates: By-the-Day Fee: $5  10X Punch Card: $40  Monthly Anytime Pass: $50  (includes our exclusive member e-newsletter)  Yearly Anytime Membership Pass: $499  (includes one free workshop each year and our exclusive member e-newsletter)  Day Use Amenities: High-speed WiFi Internet  Ink Jet Printing/ Copies (priced/page) and FAX  The FREE Coffee Drinks and Tea are always on!  Comfy Work Spaces Both Quiet and Social Areas  Basic Consultation  Use of the Writer’s Resource Library  Handy Snacks and Beverages (for sale)  Local Author Bookstore  Charging Stations and more   Local Information: Accommodations: Travel Lodge, and the Aberdeen Guest House Inn and Suites are just blocks away. Restaurants: Scoops Drive-in Ice Cream & Espresso, Denny’s, Duffy's and Pizza Hut Sports Bar are nearby. Plus Teriyaki, Italian, Chinese, Mexican and more. To Do: The D&R Theater (concerts), Shopping, Fishing Charters, Hiking, Parks, Beaches, Aberdeen Museum of History, Swimming and Boating on Lake Aberdeen, and Battle Cruises on the Tall Ships—Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain—in Grays Harbor. Projected Grand Opening: September 24, 2016 (fingers crossed)