Confused?

When people visit my website or check out my Facebook page they tend to get confused.

Most people know me from my outdoor recreation books and writings for RootsRated  and other outdoor magazines and sites. They pigeon hole me into that genre. Don’t get me wrong. I love writing about my favorite outdoor sports, it’s number one on my list, but my writing goes beyond that. My writing is, as I like to say, all over the place.

 I love to write about history and have had several articles published on historic topics. Of course there is the book that I co-authored, Baseball in Mobile, and I am currently researching and writing Everyone’s Gone to the Moon about July 1969.

Oh, and I love a good mystery. I have been delving into that world, having written a rough draft of a new mystery novel and setting about tidying it up for the publishing world.

Then there’s my absolute favorite genre - humor. I love writing humorous short stories to make people – and myself – laugh. Several have made it into magazines.

So what happens is that when people start exploring my website and social media offerings they see my outdoor recreation books, my short story podcasts, my historical mini-documentaries, and they get confused. What exactly does he write? He’s all over the place?

I’ll confess, I have been told that being a multi-genre writer is a turn-off. I have been told, “You can’t write that. You write about hiking.” For the record, I was told that it wasn’t that they didn’t like my other musings, they just wanted to see more outdoor rec books.

It’s not unusual for authors and writers to be multi-genre. J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, A.A. Milne, all are multi-genre authors. My feeling is that if you’re comfortable writing it, write it, even if it’s out of what people think your mainstream writing should be.

I think the problem is my marketing. It’s one thing to write multi-genre material, it’s another to make people understand. I haven’t found the right combination yet, but I’m working on it. (And if any of my writer friends out there have any suggestions, I’m all ears!)

So, when you see an article that I have written about installing hot water heaters, listening to Third World countries on shortwave radio, or the hilarity of asking a girl out on a first date in high school, don’t be confused. It’s the other side of me coming through.

Back in the Saddle Again

Hello again, everyone. Yes, it’s been another long drought for the old blog but I’m back. The manuscript I’m currently working on, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama” has really been a challenge not because of the hikes but for every external issue, but even though the deadline is breathing down my neck, I’m starting to find time to get to the other projects that have been percolating.

Be on the lookout for several new audio and video podcasts that are currently in production and will be released soon and a new look to the old website, www.joecuhaj.com.

One project I am really looking forward to getting back to is my murder mystery, “Dead Air”. Yes, I am a multi-genre writer and have been told many times I shouldn’t do that. I just don’t see why a writer has to be tied down to one genre. But I’ll leave that for another blog entry.

“Dead Air” takes place in the war years of the 1940s in a mid-size Gulf Coast city that’s known for its ship building. The story revolves around a radio station, W.M.A.L., and its staff as they are flung into a murder mystery when their star performer, Samantha Starr, is killed right there in the production studio.

The station’s Foley or sound effects man, Art Foley (and he will be the first to tell you his name is just a coincidence), becomes an amateur sleuth to prove that Samantha’s husband and W.M.A.L. performer Ralph Bandera, who is being accused of the murder, is innocent.

Well, I finished the book about five years ago and submitted it to a couple of publishers. They were all receptive to the story and plot line but said it was just lacking something, mostly in the descriptions of the town and the times. It wasn’t deep enough. Oh, and the end was weak. That’s a problem.

Shortly after, I went to make changes and the file was corrupted. I go to my backup on a separate hard drive and the hard drive died – DIED! My complete manuscript…POOF! It would cost a couple thousand dollars to get the data off the drive. That wasn’t happening. My attitude has been that it is a chance to reboot and make the second effort better, not by starting from scratch, I have the outline and notes, but filling in those blanks and improving the weaknesses.

So now I’m having a blast going through archives to bring the times and town to life. I think the characters themselves were fleshed out enough, just need that little extra.

I’ll keep you posted on its progress. In the meantime, you can read the opening chapters of the original rough draft of the manuscript (the one thing that survived) here.

Have a great week, and until next time….Cheers!

Best Dog Hikes Alabama Update

I've got to tell you, while I am really pleased with the new book, "Best Dog Hikes Alabama", and how it's shaping up, I've had the most difficult time getting it together.

With only 3 months left  until the deadline for turning the manuscript in to Falcon Guides I still have 20 hikes to go to wrap it up. I thought I would have been done by now (I'm the "teacher's pet" when it comes to deadlines, always getting the manuscript done WELL in advance of the deadline) but this one has been one challenge after the other.

First, like many of you, I flu, crashed, and burned the last couple of weeks. First time in decades I had the flu, so that has put a crimp in things

Secondly, my hiking pard Archer T. Dog had issues. TPLO surgery, as a matter of fact, to correct his cranial cruciate ligament (knees and such). We were hiking at Blakeley Historic Park on the Alabama Gulf Coast in October. We knew it would have to be corrected sooner or later. Turned out to be sooner. 

So off to Birmingham we went for surgery. The staff and surgeons at Veterinary Surgery of Birmingham did a great job and were very attentive. But, Archer has been down since mid-November and so have I taking care of him.

Well, the good news is he is off rehab now and we're getting ready to test out his bionic leg. Hopefully we're both well enough to get this train back on the track. The bad news is that when the book is over, he'll be going back in to have his OTHER back leg operated on! I'm sure he'll do just fine and will be his bouncy self again before long.

So, off we go! Back at it! With luck we'll be visiting the Wehle Nature Center and their open weekend this Saturday. We'll let you know how it goes. 

Cheers!!

Winter Hiking with Your Dog

I love winter hiking. Give me a day of hiking with a brisk winter wind and a cloudless, deep blue sky any day. Or better yet, a trail covered with a blanket of snow. And better still, share the hike with your best friend – your dog.

With the latest arctic blast making its way through the country and, yes, we are feeling it along the Gulf Coast as well with wind chills hitting 5 degrees tonight, and since I am currently in the middle of writing my latest book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama”, I thought it only appropriate to share with you four essential tips for keeping your dog safe and happy while winter hiking:

1. Get Into Gear:

·        Jacket: If your dog has minimal fur and gets cold easily this is a must. Of course if they’ve never worn one before, try it on and have them wear it at home before heading out on the trail.

·        Booties: If you’re hiking in snow or over icy, frozen ground, booties will keep Fido’s paws from getting clogged.

·        Fluorescent or Bright, Easy-to-See Leash: Good to have in snowy conditions so if you’re hiking with your pup on a leash and you drop it you can more easily find them. A flashing collar is also useful when hiking in snow.

2. Ya Gotta Eat (and Drink)

·        Food: Your dog will be burning more calories so you will need to feed them more when hiking in cold weather. Also bring some snacks to keep their energy up. You might even try an energy trail mix.

·        Water: Just like you they need to stay hydrated and cold weather means they need more water. 

3. Choose a Dog-Friendly Trail

While many trails say they are dog friendly in the winter with extremely cold temperatures, snow, and ice that could change. Make sure your dog can hike the distance you plan to hike and the difficulty rating you plan to hike.

Consider hiking a trail that has easy access points along the route such as forest service roads or easy turn-arounds that you can use to bug out quickly in case of emergency or if your pet is struggling.

4. Try before You Fly

Before heading out on a winter hike you should take your dog out on a few short wintery treks to make sure they can even handle the weather. Just because they love to romp in the back yard when the wind chill is 10 degrees doesn’t mean they can make a hike for an extended period of time in the same weather.

5. Be Sure to Take Frequent Breaks

Stop often and check on how your pet friend is doing. If you’re hiking in deeper snow check that it isn’t clinging to their belly and clean it off. Also clean their paws if it’s packing between their pads and toes. 

You can find more winter weather hiking tips for you and your dog at Kurgo Products.

July, 1969

Hello, again, everyone. Welcome to the New Year! I hope all of you had a fantastic holiday.

It’s back to putting the old pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard, for me. Still have a lot of projects floating out there and I’ll be updating you on those here on the blog in the next few weeks including an update on the “Best Dog Hikes Alabama” manuscript which is coming along nicely. I’m quite happy with it so far.

One project that I am finally getting to put some time into is the manuscript for “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon”. As I’ve mentioned before, this will be the story not only of the preparations, launch, landing, and return of Apollo 11, our first manned lunar landing, but also a look at the world in July 1969. It will focus on other space news that occurred during the month, like the story of the Soviet space program literally going up in smoke, world news and events like the fight for Civil Rights and equality, and the pop culture that shaped a generation.

It will also highlight what life was like in 1969 with stories from everyday people about their struggles and what the moon landing meant to them. I am just starting to collect those stories and could use your help.

I am looking for interesting, compelling stories about life in July 1969. Maybe you or someone you know has such a story to tell - maybe you worked at one of the NASA facilities (we're talking the everyday people: cafeteria workers, tour guides, public relations). Maybe you met with Apollo astronauts during that time or were at the launch. Maybe you were part of the history outside of the space program fighting for Civil Rights, women's equality, returning home from Vietnam, or protesting the war. Or maybe you were having a unique life experience during July 1969. 

If so, drop me a line on my website’s contact page. Just jot a brief note down about your story and if it fits I will be in contact.

So, the journey begins. I think this will be a fascinating one. I’ll keep you updated.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Here's Wishing You...

The countdown is on, only a few days left until Christmas. Is the excitement building in your house? How’s that holiday baking coming along? Better hurry!

It’s going to be a laid back holiday at the Cuhaj household this year. Oh, we have plans on having Christmas dinner with my daughter, her husband, and the grand kids but otherwise it’s going to be quiet. Old Archer T. Dog is still recovering from his TPLO knee surgery so we need to keep everything calm. I was thinking about decorating his kennel for the holiday with lights and all. The thing is so large that it takes up half the living room so we couldn’t put up a tree. I reconsidered. Although I could get one of those Star Shower Winter Wonderland Projectors and have an image of Santa dancing around the kennel! Too much, huh? J

There are big plans in the works here for 2018. I have lot more presentations and book signings firming up; the manuscript for the new book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama”, will be completed; another new book, “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon”, should be wrapped up by years end; and of course, there are a lot of podcasts and videos planned for release.

I’m also working on finalizing plans for some events to aid animal shelters around the state to coincide with the release of “Best Dog Hikes” and will also be asking for your help with that new book about the first lunar landing (details in the next Blog entry).

This will be my last entry of 2017. We’ll pick it up again in January with more short stories, ramblings, outdoor recreation news, and more.

Before I take a break, though, a quick thought. It has been a crazy year. I know way too many people who have distanced themselves from their friends and, sadly, their own family because of political and racial differences. I hope that each one of you can feel the spirit of the season and learn to love and respect each other. THAT is what made this country. It’s called the “Melting Pot” for a reason, you know.

For me, personally, I wanted to thank all of you for your support over the years. I am truly humbled by the love you send my way not only by buying my books, reading my ramblings, and following my podcasts and videos, but also through the kind words you always send my way. Thank you!

So with that, I want to wish you and yours a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!