Writings
Academic Essays
“The Writing Code” in OJELA 56.2, 2017
Written during an NWP-KSU ISI in 2016 (and thereafter revised), the paper examines a highly effective coding system I began using with students. Anyone can learn to write!
“Something Worth Doing: Learning From Failure” in OJELA 52.2, 2012
This was the hardest experience I have had as a teacher - I will never stop wondering if I could have said something differently, done something differently, or somehow changed the outcome… but in the end, we have to accept the things we can not change.
“Rehearsal Methods for Student-Centered Writing” in OJELA 51:2, 2011
I credit this to the Ohio Writing Project. I learned how to teach writers; my M.A.T. paper details Phase I of the writing process, a natural pattern that presents itself in all successful writing according to the testimony of students and accomplished writers.
Poetry
“Gol’ Corral” (parody of “Old Town Road” by Montero Lamar Hill, Lil Nas X) in The Satirist, October 11, 2019
Lil Nas X had such a catchy toon, I thought it would be nice to enjoy it buffet style.
“The Secret Shores of Linwood” in Cathexis Northwest Press, April 1, 2019
A celebration of Lake Erie shores, a “Carpe Diem!” poem for family.
“If I Had It to Do Over” published in Pif Magazine, January 2019
Reflection upon parenting a child with special needs during a plethora of close calls at Niagara Falls.
“Leaves and Roots” published in Pif Magazine, January 2019
I learned that the lines on the underside of leaves are shaped by currents of air, much like fingerprints take their shape from the ripples and vibrations of amniotic fluid.
“What Only Parents Say” published on The Short Humor Site (UK) on December 11, 2018
first published on Winning Writers website on July 27, 2018
Honorable Mention for the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest 2018 - A collection of the crazy things that my wife and I found ourselves saying to our children. At no time in my teenage and young adult years did I ever expect these phrases to come out of my mouth... but raising kids comes with many surprises.
“The Lawyer and the Reverend” in OJELA 58.1, Summer/Fall 2018
A two-voiced poem featuring the persona of a fictional lawyer, Atticus Finch, Esq., and a non-fictional preacher/civil rights leader, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., examining the roles, intentions, and effects of racism and heroism.
“Lessons in Pranking” in OJELA 58.1, Summer/Fall 2018
A narrative poem commenting on unforeseen consequences of bullying. It began while I was teaching my 8th graders in 2013 - it started as an example of a 20-word-tweet to a topic for a classroom activity. Each student tweeted, then developed his/her own writing. The students asked me to do the same. Over time, the tweet grew into this poem.
“Work In-Progress” in The Submittable Blog* on April 23, 2018
A sonnet intended for “The Submittable-Centric Poetry Contest” to explore the experience - the highs and lows - of the submission and publication process; language is specifically about the Submittable program/website.
*The piece was removed from the website by my request because of issues with the unapproved visual format (word art) that severely detracted from the writing.
“Coloring Cloud 9” in The Wayne Literary Review, anticipated Spring 2018
Inspired by my time with Neubert Painting Company in Lakewood, Ohio - this piece examines the world of an exterior contract painter on a refinish crew. It started its literary life as a sonnet, but the idea could not be restrained by that poetic structure.
“Patrimony” in Pif Magazine, February 1, 2018
A tribute to my father; this piece traces those formative moments with my father in my life - it was in writing this that I realized my inheritance.
“The Land” in Literary Orphans Issue 32: Dickens, December 20, 2017
An ode to Cleveland - sometimes poems are written, and sometimes they just happen. The piece happened to me - if you've ever had a line that came out of nowhere... a verse that wouldn't leave you. That's what happened with this poem.
“The Uninvited One” in Brushfire Literature and Arts Journal 70:1, December 2017
An examination of a moment of assault.
“FYI Professor” in Up the River, Issue 5, December 2017
A college student’s note to the instructor regarding his distracting attire.
“Politics 101” in Crack the Spine issue 218, June 21, 2017
A criticism of the politics of standardized testing in an analogy.
“Parallax” on Ghostwoods Books website, May 23, 2017
21st century, 1st world logic: perspective often shapes our reality.
“Testing Values” in OJELA 56.2, 2017
A true analysis of the effects of standardized testing on students.
“Parking in Front of the Westbury” in Up the River, Issue 4, April 1, 2016
The Albany Poets probably thought I was writing about the swanky New York hotel, but this poem is based on the not-so-swanky North Olmsted high rise apartment building after my shift working at Penn Station. So help me, it happened. These people exist.
“Sugar Maple” in Literary Orphans, Issue 21:Truffaut, October 2015
My daughter suffered from encephalitis meningitis, and we nearly lost her. This was the first night, the moment of crisis.
“sisterwho” in The Mill, a publication of Baldwin Wallace University, 2001
Rhetorical, impossible questions that surround the loss of a loved one.
Fictional Narrative
“Watering and Roof Tops” in MidAmerican Fiction and Photography, May 13, 2016
This chapter from This and That is based upon the childhood mischief of my father, my children, my wife, and myself.
Creative Nonfiction
“Swing!” Reprinted in Issue 66 of The Legendary Literary Magazine, May 10, 2016
Originally published in Ohio Teachers Write 2013
In this flash nonfiction, I show how I met my wife... and she still agreed to marry me.
“Spiders” Reprinted in Issue 66 of The Legendary Literary Magazine, May 10, 2016
Originally published in Ohio Teachers Write 2013
I detail a car accident that took place when I was a kid.
“Three Principles Every Effective Coach Must Follow” in How to Succeed in College 2014
A character sketch/rant: The encapsulated voice of a coach from Southern Ohio, mixed with several other coaches, some of whom share my own personal views.
“Bare Feet on Hot Asphalt: A Microcosm” in Ohio Teachers Write 2014
A response to a prompt about Chaucer that my high school teacher never read. I did a public reading in his class, and he asked me who wrote it.
“When There Are No Doors, He Opens Windows” in Teachers of Vision 58:2, 2012
This anecdote illustrates a lesson in faith during a time of intense frustration.