My name is David and I just moved from California to Kansas with the goal of making writing my full-time profession. I do have a day (actually night) job as an emergency telephone operator, but it’s for a very small community so I spend most of the night filling my notebook up.

I spent five years as an Arabic Linguist in the Army, joining before 9/11 and serving some during the tumultuous time that followed. I mention this because my experience as a veteran informs my writing, and the foreign language training I received while in the service ultimately led to my completing a degree in Comparative World Literature at Long Beach State.

I have a strong interest in literary translation, having completed my first work in translation last year. I’m currently working in Arabic & Spanish, with working on adding Hebrew to the mix over the next several years.

My own fiction tends towards fantasy & science fiction, I’ve got two novels on the back burner while I work on my short fiction this year. I still dabble with them, but I have this nagging sense that I’m missing something—and I’m hoping that participating in this community will help me get where I need to go.

Some authors that rock my world: Orson Scott Card (it had to be said), Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Robert Jordan, Franz Kafka, Naghib Mahfouz, Timothy Zahn, Kevin Anderson, Haruki Murakami, Janet Evanovich, Jane Austen, Whitman and Rumi. I tried to list only authors that I’m always willing to read, and often read their works more than once.

Well, you know what Twain said about Jane Austen:

Everytime I read 'Pride and Prejudice' I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.

Edit: The smiley is mine...

Looking forward to your specific insights.

Out of sheer curiosity, what brought you to hatrack? I found it through Orson Scott Card's book on world building, which lead me to his website, which lead me here.

So was your attempt at a writing career your primary goal in the cross-country move?

As for the cross country move, the real answer is: I don’t know. I think “wanderlust” played a great part in it, I’ve lived in quite a few states since turning 18 and I enjoy learning new places and establishing new routines. I can say that writing is what is keeping me here. I was less than happy with my living situation when I first got here and the temptation was to move back. Ultimately my decision to stay, and get my own place without the psychotic roommate, was fueled by having the kind of job that let’s you write at work. I couldn’t give it up, even if it means freezing during the winters.

SO! Have you found your way around okay? Hope you've enjoyed the space station through that door over there and the undersea observatory through the door on the other side of this room. The kitchen's in the back with our famous magic fridge and the deck just outside from there. Enjoy the hot tub on the deck and that incredible sunset we're having this evening. You just can't beat all the great things that happen around here. There's something for everyone.