Lately my body is punishing me for eating and drinking things I like, especially caffeine (aka writer's oxygen). This morning I'm taking a chance on a cup of decaf coffee--which is to coffee what phone sex is to sex--with a splash of lactose-free milk. Fingers crossed. #amwriting #booksky #author

Jan Daub completed the Iron Butt Association's Ultimate Coast-to-Coast ride on a Honda Gold Wing sidecar--at age 80. Remember that if you ever think you're too old for a new challenge. Here's my story about him on Common Tread. #motosky #motorcycle www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

Never--and I mean NEVER--underestimate the power of rust, corrosion, and years of neglect to hold things together. It took my biggest hammer, some deftly applied leverage, and a lot of very original profanity to get this bastard off. Good riddance to it. #motosky #motorcycle

Sometimes washing a bike doesn't make it look better, it just highlights its flaws. Also, I cranked the engine until the battery almost died before I recalled it has a manual choke. The ride down the sloped driveway with a 100% non-working front brake was, uh, interesting... #motosky #motorcycle

In today's episode of Used-Bike Surprises: If you grew up riding bikes with electronic speedos you never had to check if the speedo drive gear's tabs were aligned with the slots in the hub before you tightened the axle. Whoever took the wheel off my KLR last time didn't either. #motosky #motorcycle

Bought a used stock KLR650 muffler on eBay today to replace whatever this is. "But dude, loud pipes save lives!" No, they don't. They piss off your neighbors and ruin your hearing and make people hate motorcycles. Take that biker-bro hey-look-at-me bullshit somewhere else. #motosky #motorcycles

Put new fork seals in the KLR today. Amount/level/weight of fork oil varies with who you ask, and which page of the factory manual you consult. I picked the most often quoted figures. Can't matter that much. It's a 21yo dual-sport, not a MotoGP bike. #motosky #motorcycle

Short stint in the garage today. Removed the KLR forks, pumped out the watery oil, set them to drain overnight. New seals and oil due tomorrow. Might treat myself to new fork boots, too. Old ones are smeared with oil inside and will continue to drip. Need more shop rags, too. #motosky #motorcycle

Regretting not washing the KLR before starting work on it. Both fork seals are leaking, not just one as I thought. Previous owner had a casual attitude toward torque--way too tight here, way too loose there. I guess it averages out across the bike. #motosky #motorcycle

Began the KLR project today. The foam air filter was held together by oily dirt and crumbled to sticky dust when I took it out. Added new one to the growing shopping list. Next up, fork seals. #motorcycle #motosky

Look what followed me home. A 2004 KLR650, with 45,000 miles, old, rock-hard tires, blown fork seals, and a chain like a strand of dirty rope. It runs, although it's TOO EFFING LOUD. There will doubtless be some expensive surprises once the bodywork comes off for a closer look. #motosky #motorcycle

I left Sophie at home today while I went off to buy a new/used motorcycle. She knew something was up when I put on street clothes at 9 a.m. She tried--and failed--to get me to to stay home by lying on my leg. It didn't work, but I appreciate the sentiment. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

I'm writing the book I'd like to read. It's possible no one else will like it. It's possible it doesn't fit neatly into the genre I've chosen. It's possible I'm wasting my time. Stop writing it? Impossible. #amwriting #booksky #author

I've reached reality saturation. No brain cells left to deal with anything. Sophie and I are going to the coast to get our nature walk on. Y'all stay safe and sane. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

I just drove by the local high school where the flag is at half mast for a guy who said school shootings are the price of freedom and my brain is fucking fried.

I think of my first draft as "tree mode" and the second draft as "forest mode." First I plant all of the individual trees I want to grow in my story, then I step back to see how well they work together to make up a healthy and lively forest, and cut and replant as needed. #amwriting #author #booksky

Help fund my next motorcycle purchase, and actually get something in return, not just a lame "thank you" email. $15 in paperback. (Also useful as a sidestand foot on soft ground.) #motosky #motorcycle #memoirs www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317

TFW the orthopedic surgeon says your shoulder X-rays are "extraordinary" but not in a good way. For sale, with extras... #motosky #motorcycle

Racking up the miles on my '03 Honda CR-V. Like a racer in the lead on the last lap, I now fear every new or unusual little noise signals my engine's imminent demise. #hopeitlasts #pleasekeeprunning

"It's National Dog Day? What's that? Are there presents?" No. "A cake?" Sorry. "I'll settle for a walk." We can do that. "Great. And while we're walking we can talk about the cake thing..." #dogsofbluesky #nationaldogday #goldenretriever

My life for the past month.

Just crossed the 50K-word threshold on the seventh (or is it the eighth?) complete rewrite of the WFIP (work forever in progress). An arbitrary number, to be sure, but it's the best work I've done in years and I'm elated to have written this much, this well. #amwriting #author #booksky

I now have a good idea what caused my neck and shoulder to flame out recently. It wasn't primarily my motorcycle but the bike's sporty seating position makes it more likely to happen again. It's time to start looking at alternatives like middleweight standards or big scooters. #motosky #motorcycle

Here's an idea: When you post a pic of your book's cover, credit the designer/artist who created it so (1) we know you're not using AI, and (2) we know who to contact when we're ready to commission our own covers. #booksky #author

I realized I'm writing much better stuff for two side characters than for my lead. It's like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are upstaging Hamlet. #amwriting #booksky #author #WIP

Sitting here grinding out the WIP when I should be pitching ideas for paying work. I feel like one of those ink-stained wretches writing obsessively in a freezing garret in 19th century Paris, hoping not to die of tuberculosis before finishing their career-defining magnum opus. #amwriting #booksky

I'm so jealous of Sophie's ability to switch off and shift into chill mode. I've been unchill for so long I've forgotten how to do it. I tried to follow her example but she jumped up and brought me a ball to throw. Alert! Activate crazy-dog mode! This is not a drill! #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

I wrote about five examples of motorcycle history going on the auction block this weekend for Common Tread. I had a chance to ride an X75 years ago. The sound it made was glorious. IMO it's still the best-looking factory custom ever made. #motosky #motorcycle www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

I spoke to a second-generation Harley-Davidson dealer to find out why so many H-D dealerships have gone out of business in recent years. Read the story at Common Tread. #motosky #motorcycle #harleydavidson #hd www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

"Does this angle make my butt look big?" Why, yes, it does. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

I'm not feeling 100% these days so Sophie checks in now and then to make sure I can still perform essential tasks like playing with and feeding a dog. Her concern is appreciated. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

Woke up with a stabbing pain in my neck and shoulder with no explanation for what caused it or why it's there. Constantly bailing water out of the slowly sinking ship that is my aging body is exhausting.

I feel for all of you suffering in the heat...but not enough to stay home on a sunny, breezy day that nearly had me wishing I'd brought another layer along. #motosky #motorcycle

Some people have apps that tell them when it's time to take a break from work. I have this. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever #amwriting

The rare celestial alignment of summer evening sun and golden retriever. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

Today is the 25th anniversary of my Iron Butt Association SaddleSore1000 ride. Here are my top tips for doing this qualifying ride yourself. Spoiler: It's nowhere near as hard as it sounds. #motosky #motorcycle www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

Twenty-five years ago today I earned membership in the Iron Butt Association by riding just over 1000 miles in under 24 hours. It was either a heroically pointless thing to do, or pointlessly heroic. I still haven't decided. Great bunch of people, though, so I'm glad I did it. #motosky #motorcycle

"The insight into the moto-mag business that Jerry presents is realistic and surprisingly on-target, and he created a rollicking good tale." —American Rider
magazine #motosky #books #mystery #motorcycle www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCR9KMBS

TFW you've been doing something the same way forever but the website you just clicked on says you'll die if you do it that way just once. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

"I've always enjoyed Jerry Smith's writing but his somewhat nomadic career has not always made him easy to track down. This collection of his writings...was just what I needed...A terrific read from start to finish." (5-star review) #motosky #books www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317

Very breezy ride today. Strong crosswinds made riding in a straight line almost impossible. Completed a 60-mile loop in just under 74 miles. #motosky #motorcycle

Here's a link to find all of the top stories I've written for Common Tread. #motosky #motorcycle www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

My motorcycle touring days are over, but I still dream about a week on the road, living out of a duffel bag and throwing darts at a map to pick my next destination. My old 650 V-Strom was ideal for that. So was my Gold Wing. Both would be either too tall or too heavy now. #motosky

Another 1500 words of mostly dialog today after yesterday's 2500. These imaginary people won't shut up. Mind you, they're welcome to keep chattering if they keep moving the story along as quickly as they're doing. It saves me writing a lot of exposition. #booksky #amwriting #writingcommunity #author

I spent five hours today writing 2500 words of dialog. Splitting your brain into two characters who don't like each other, who see the same events in totally different and yet plausible ways, and who are each trying to convince the other character they're wrong, is exhausting. #booksky #amwriting

Writing this story for Common Tread was a sobering experience for me. Sure, my knees and back hurt after a ride, but at least I can walk away from the bike on two legs. Read about how these riders got back on bikes after life-changing crashes. #motosky #motorcycle www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

Proper summer has finally arrived on the Oregon coast. How do I know? I had to stop and take off my jacket to remember where all the vents are. #motosky #motorcycle

"Missed Shifts is a peek inside the life of someone who has, as Joseph Campbell urged us to do, followed his bliss. Actually, it seems like he has followed two blisses – motorcycles and writing – and has combined them here for a truly satisfying read." #motosky #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317

Today on my blog: "Where Do You Get Your Ideas?" A personal take on how ideas appear in my brain and leak out onto the screen. Maybe your method differs. Hey, whatever works, right? #booksky #amwriting #author #writingcommunity jerrysmithauthor.com/blog/f/where...

Turning your hobby into your job doesn't always work out. It did for me. Read "Rolling Stops" and find out how I ended up in a career I never aimed for, full of fast bikes, quirky characters, and the highs and lows of the writing life. Just $2.99. #motosky #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H