What's Wrong With This Picture?

I spent four hours in a crowded car dealership waiting for a repair to be completed. Fortunately, I had my laptop and was working on my most recent novel, The Things We Missed. When I took a break, I noticed something.

No one was reading.

At least, no one was reading a book, a magazine, or a newspaper. Everyone was on a phone.

The next day I flew back to Pennsylvania, where most of my novels take place. The waiting area at the gate was packed, and again, I couldn’t find anyone reading a book. No one.

Yes, I realize people can read on Kindles, iPads, and smartphones. But from what I could see, almost everyone was scrolling, texting, or watching videos.

Which makes me wonder about what I’m doing.

I write young adult novels for an audience that doesn’t seem to read much —especially teenage boys, who don't seem to read anything.

But I love storytelling, so I keep writing.

Recently, I turned to Substack where I can publish my novels the old-fashioned way: as serials. Maybe I can kindle that part of us that loved stories when we were younger. - Here's chapter one. Give it a try.