1. Scott Ickes

    Scott Ickes New Member

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    Hello. I'm new here!

    Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Scott Ickes, Jan 15, 2025 at 3:55 AM.

    Hello everyone,

    I'm new to writing. I just finished my first novel. Before I tell you about that, I'd like to share a few things about myself and how I got into writing.

    I retired in 2021 after nearly 40 years as a mechanical engineer visiting customers all around the Pacific North West, USA. I also worked with customers in Mexico, Canada, Egypt, Singapore and Indonesia. I used to spend about 135 nights a year in hotels. I had a lot of time for reading (100 novel read per year or more). I'm avid reader, especially science fiction, space opera, first contact, time travel, etc.

    On September 3, 2023, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. When I first retired, I spent my time on hobbies, such as playing in my woodturning shop or painting photo-realistic landscapes in my studio. With the Leukemia diagnosis, I was not permitted to do anything in my wood shop or any painting.

    The chemotherapy causes problems, such as a compromised immune system and platelet issues with the blood. Simple things like a simple cold, fungal infection, flu virus, etc. could kill me. I couldn't go to restaurants, grocery stores or be in public places. Many wood dusts are toxic, so no wood turning. The solvents in my oil paints could cause problems too, so no more painting. I was basically in a Covid type lockdown. Only going out to visit my Oncologist.

    Fortunately, the chemotherapy was successful in getting me into remission. To try to cure me, on April 24, 2024 I had a bone marrow transplant, which so far as been a spectacular success. I'm doing extremely well and my outlook is fantastic!

    Now, about how I got into writing. I was bored. I love reading, as you learned earlier in this introduction, but a person can only read so much, before it loses its' shine. My choices for a long time were reading, eating, sleeping and watching TV. My wife noticed how bored I was getting and said, "You know, you've always said that you thought you could write a book. Why don't you try it? I took her advice and started writing in February 2024. Yesterday I finished my first book. I've been self editing furiously through the entire process. I'm hoping to self publish on kdp by January 31, 2025. I have one Beta Reader so far. He just started on it today.

    The book is part a series. The title is Lemuria - Book One, Expansion Series. It's nearly 75,000 words.

    Book Two is going to be Elysians and book three will be Antillians.

    I imagine there are rules here, that will prohibit me from seeking Beta Readers until I reach a certain level of participation in the forum.

    Thank You

    Scott Ickes
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2025 at 4:06 AM
  2. Daniil

    Daniil Member

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    Currently Reading::
    The Wandering Earth by Cixin Liu.
    Hi Scott Ickes, welcome to the forum.
     
  3. Scott Ickes

    Scott Ickes New Member

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    Thank you!
     
  4. Selluwud

    Selluwud Active Member

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    Great story, nothing like a life changing event to inspire your new passion. Good news on your remission, I work with a fellow who had the bone marrow transplant procedure for Leukemia and he has done splendidly. A moderator will have to comment on your book submission plans and the process.
     

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