I don't name my motorcycles but if I did this would be the Cockroach. It survived a 60-mile shakedown run today to see if everything I fixed/replaced/improved worked 100%. It did. The Cockroach...I mean the KLR is now the flagship of my two-bike (for now) fleet. #motosky #motorcycle

I'm really starting to hate agents who say, "If you don't hear back from me it's a pass." That's like a doctor saying, "If you don't hear back from me it's terminal." No wonder self-publishing is flourishing. #amwriting #booksky

This is the discard shelf at my library where you can take home books removed from circulation. I'm not surprised nobody wanted to read the one on the bottom. #booksky

From now through the holidays, Missed Shifts is $10 in paperback, $5 off the regular price. A great gift for that riding friend who's going stir crazy because there are two feet of snow outside and their bike's on the charger. #motosky #motorcycle #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317

As Sophie rightly pointed out, it was too cold to ride a motorcycle today, but just right to go to the coast, eat fish and chips (me), get pets from strangers (her), and go for a stroll on the boardwalk (both of us). #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

"So you're thinking about riding your motorcycle today, huh? Well, come outside with me for a minute and see how cold it is, then tell me if you wouldn't rather stay home and play with a dog." (Narrator): Sophie was right. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

This is my spirit animal

Dammit, people, for the last time: You will not "try and be there on time." You will "try TO be there on time." #amwriting #editing

I used to ride in all weather. Now if it's not at least 60F I'll stay home. Tomorrow is supposed to hit 59. I might have to bend my rule since I haven't yet put a full tank through the KLR. Now, where did I put that heated vest last year...? #motosky #motorcycle

Things get hairy out on the road when you ride a motorcycle. Here I and some of my Common Tread buds tell about close calls, near misses, and brown-pants moments we've had. #motosky #motorcycle www.revzilla.com/common-tread...

The country is being run by someone who, although an actual human, cannot pass the Turing test.

As a new KLR650 owner I'm obliged to uphold the group's reputation as cheap SOBs. Behold the $10 top box. Holds as much as some $300 boxes, and comes in bright yellow to stand out in traffic. It's been sitting on a shelf in the garage for years, waiting for its moment. #motosky #motorcycle

Recalling old rides while the rain pours down outside. These are from Gerlachfest, an annual invite-only IBA gathering in Gerlach, Nevada. Unofficial Gfest motto: "Motorcycles, alcohol, and guns. What could possibly go wrong?" #motosky #motorcycle

One of my better summers, long ago. #motosky

#motosky #motorcycle

I began my riding career on a Kawasaki dualsport ('70 F3 Bushwacker) and may well end it on one ('04 KLR650). Read about everything that happened in between--riding, racing, writing, crashing (ouch)--in Rolling Stops, for $2.99. #motosky #motorcycle #autobiography www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H

The KLR's drive train is finally sorted. I got a chain with a clip-type master, the first I've had in many years. KLR gurus assure me it'll be fine. It's not like the bike's sheer horsepower is going to fling the clip off. I may safety-wire it anyway (old racer's trick). #motosky #motorcycle

After a 60-mile round trip to Harbor Freight and a fruitless conversation with store employees who didn't know any more about it than I did, an $80 tool I'll probably never use again whipped off the stubborn countershaft sprocket nut in about 3/5 of a second. I swear I heard it laugh at me. #motosky

Waiting on just two parts to get the KLR back on the road. Would already be riding if the local Kawasaki dealer wasn't TOTALLY EFFING USELESS. Three new KLR650s in the showroom, zero parts for any year KLR in the parts department. No wonder they lose sales to the internet. #motosky #motorcycle

Sophie is a dog of simple tastes. She doesn't need a big toy order from Chewy to be happy. Give her an old bedsheet and she's in pupper paradise. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

The Pantser's Dilemma: I've written a sublime first chapter--tight, atmospheric, starkly efficient in its introduction of characters, their motivations, and the setting, with hints of an intriguing backstory. Now if only I had the slightest idea what happens next.... #amwriting #booksky #author

Completing Kill Fee leaves a hole in my day previously devoted to writing. My dog is happy to get more of my attention, and my motorcycle moves quickly now toward roadworthiness. But dammit, I miss inventing people and complicating their lives. I NEED AN IDEA! #booksky #motorcycle #dogsofbluesky

Woke at 2:30 this morning realizing there was a small timeline error in my book. Took two lines to fix it just now. Part of this that never fails to amaze me: My mind was awake and figuring this out while the rest of me was asleep. Damn, brain, you freaky. #booksky #author

An excerpt from Kill Fee, coming as soon as I get my act together. #booksky #mystery

OK, I'm calling it. My new mystery, "Kill Fee," is done. The MC is Jack Hansen, a writer and divorced dad who takes a ghostwriting job to get more time with his 15yo daughter. The client is murdered partway through the job, and...well, I won't spoil it for you. More info to come. #booksky #mystery

I began my riding career on a Kawasaki dualsport ('70 F3 Bushwacker) and may well end it on one ('04 KLR650). Read about everything that happened in between--riding, racing, writing, crashing (ouch)--in Rolling Stops, for $2.99. #motosky #motorcycle #autobiography www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H

Hard: Writing a novel. Harder: Finding and correcting every last typo and error in the final draft. Hardest: Resisting the urge to rewrite large chunks of the final draft as you edit. #booksky #amwriting #author

There you are, living quietly under your false name and identity, when your college crush shows up and outs you. Now you're in the crosshairs of her psycho ex-boyfriend, the FBI, and a meth gang. Do you face the music or hit the road again? Find out for $2.99. #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYBM6HTM

Lesson learned on the last book, now being relearned on the current one: On the final read-through, change the font and the line spacing from what you used to write it. The goofs you missed before (and there will be some) practically jump off the screen at you. #booksky #author #amwriting #WIP

Final version of manuscript formatted and ready to dazzle the first agent I send it to. One last read-through to ferret out the inevitable typos that slip through no matter how careful I am, and the soul-destroying process of finding representation begins anew. #booksky #author #amwriting

Sophie interprets her new bed privileges very liberally. She hops up, curls into a furry ball, and slowly flattens and spreads like a stain until I'm clinging to the edge. I told her she can have half of the bed, but not the half in the middle. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

That's a wrap. Done. Finito. Just typed THE END to close out a tight, fast-paced, 78K mystery. I might not have another novel in me, and if I don't at least I'll hang up my book-writing hat knowing my last was my best. I started telling this story five years ago, and in that time... #booksky #author

They're back! Out of print for 10 years, "Deadman's Throttle" and "Hotshoe" are now available again as ebooks. Like mysteries? Like motorcycles? Either or both, the Jason Street mysteries will get your motor running. More info at jerrysmithauthor.com. #Motosky #Booksky

Whoof. I wrote 3800 words today in about five hours, the Big Finish of a story I've been writing off and on for about five years through seven or eight complete rewrites. I'm drained. Don't ever let anyone tell you writing isn't physical work. It just uses different muscles. #booksky #WIP #author

The KLR fix-up is on hold while the discretionary budget catches its breath. In the meantime I'm wrapping up work on the novel. The final few chapters are practically writing themselves. I wish working on the bike were this easy. #motosky #booksky

Sophie once again fails to accept that in order for me to throw the ball she must first let go of it. #goldenretriever #dogsofbluesky

Hoo boy. This covid shot is hitting me like all the rest did. It's only 6:15pm and I'm ready to crawl into bed. It's exhausting when your body is playing war games against dead viruses. But it beats slugging it out with live ones. G'night...

I was reminded covid is still out there by a friend who caught it recently. Got my shot today. Given the current govt's attitude toward medicine and science in general, it's best to be proactive. No one in charge is going to do anything to help us if it all goes upside down. We're on our own.

"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

Checked the valves today. All within spec. (Who's relieved? [points thumbs at self] This guy!) Will check the doohickey next, then it's back to the chassis--chain and sprockets, rear tire--and after that it's on the road. Might actually get a ride in before 2026 rolls around. #motosky #motorcycle

Cracked open the KLR's engine today. The cam lobes are smooth and shiny; with luck the bearings and caps will be, too. Will check clearances later. Right now I need a break and a couple of Tylenol. Feels like I was never as young as I used to be. #motosky #motorcycle

New brake pads join the new fork seals and tire at the front of the KLR. Looks good until you remember the KLR's front brake is deemed by many to be an awful POS. Upgrades (fresh fluid, braided brake steel hose) will come later. Next up: deep engine stuff (valves, doohickey). #motosky #motorcycle

Exercised today, played with Sophie, worked on the bike and the novel. Earned a movie night. Time for a rematch with Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet". Fought it to a draw last time. This time might try it with the subtitles off, see if I can make it to the soliloquy before throwing in the towel.

The sound of silence. Well, not exactly silence, but a lot quieter than the D-Day racket from the old SuperTrapp. I'll still wear earplugs when I ride--always have, always will--but no one will wince as I putt past them. There are noisier lawnmowers on my block. #motosky #motorcycle

I submitted the last chunk of a big job today. Now for some palate cleansers--a movie, baseball playoff highlights, and the latest episode of NOVA. Tomorrow it's back to ruthlessly and unapologetically messing with the lives of imaginary people. Dance, monkeys! #booksky #amwriting #author #WIP

Recently I realized I started my riding career on a Kawasaki dual-purpose bike (1970 175cc F3 Bushwacker) and may well end it on another Kawasaki DP. Back-up plan: When I get too old and creaky for two wheels I'll put a sidecar on the KLR and buy Sophie some Doggles. #motosky #motorcycle

"Is that...a piece of food? A crumb?" That's dog hair. Yours, if I'm not mistaken. "Are you sure? It might be food." Taste it, then. Go ahead. "Can you just hand it to me?" I'm not your butler. "But I'd have to get off the warm, soft couch..." I'll get the vacuum. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

I put my WIP aside a few weeks ago to do some paying work. That work wraps up soon and I'll be getting back to the novel. If I can remember what it's about. And who's in it. And what they're supposed to do. And why. #amwriting #booksky #author

Let’s talk about AI art. theoatmeal.com/comics/ai_art

"I want you to throw the ball but I don't want to give you the ball." This is what's known as a paradogs. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever