One thing to keep in mind is that I took English 101 in 1978 or 1979. And I didn't do all that well, earned a 'C'. When I took English 102 or 201, whatever they called it, I earned an 'A' with hardly any effort. That speaks less to my ability than to the lax standards back then. Beyond that, though, when I transferred from a community college to a university and decided I'd rather study something I cared about as opposed to something that would get me a job, I began to focus on my writing, earning a journalism degree before going to graduate school in English. So, that means about 30 years of spending a lot of my time on writing and improving my writing and studying how to better my writing, and teach writing. I'm no genius, that's for sure. What I am is evidence that if you want to learn to do something, you can reach a pretty high level. I figure, when it comes to fiction, that I'm in the top 10 percent based on how Writer's Digest describes things. I get complimentary rejection letters when I submit fiction, rejection letters that ask to see my work in the future.

I publish semi-regularly when it comes to newsy stuff, mostly with OutThereMonthly because I like the editor/publisher, he likes me and what I do, and it keeps me honest as a teacher and writer. Academic writing like Kelly's daughter did/does doesn't appeal as much to me, though I do it on rare occasions, but even then it's more in a journalistic vein. I won't say that anyone can be anything they want through hard work, though very much is achievable if one is willing to make the effort and persevere. So, if you are willing to keep plugging away, keep learning, and not mind, too much, being rejected, you could probably go as far or further than I have as a writer. A class like this is little more than the first step in a journey of a thousand miles of writing. But it's all doable if it's what you want to do. Bradley

but the only place I could get beyond the introductory paragraph wants a credit card for a free trial. It seems nicely written, the review that is, but not a book I'd read. But I don't think many of my students are going to be reading the book I reviewed either, unless they are already into bicycle racing. Do you know of a free site where the whole review is available? Bradley

I publish a few of these a year. I like writing for the publication, even though it pays peanuts. Besides, I don't think I can be much of a writing teacher if I don't write for public consumption, while having to face rejection and feedback from editors that I expect you all to face from me. Bradley