Archives for April 2021

Reno County: Searching for Alice

April 28, 2021 by Jim Potter 6 Comments

· Searching for Alice, Finding Elizabeth: Alice Elizabeth Thomas Hartford * It’s Tuesday, February 12, 1935, at 108 E. 14th Street, Hutchinson, Kansas. Alice Elizabeth Thomas Hartford, 80, is on her death bed. * “Ethel, Ethel,” Elizabeth cried out, “stay with us, we love you.” Elizabeth was talking to her eldest daughter who was dying of typhoid malaria on a Saturday night, September 8, 1894, when Ethel Winter was 15 years old. “You’re our pride and joy, Ethel,” … [Read more...] about Reno County: Searching for Alice

Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874

April 21, 2021 by Jim Potter 2 Comments

(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Reno County Picnic: Grasshoppers · It’s August 3, 1899, at the Old Settlers’ of Reno County picnic in Riverside Park, Hutchinson, Kansas. Loretta McMillan Collins, 51, eating watermelon; Sarah Jane Riddle McMurry, 45, drinking blackberry cider; and Julia Clementine Latimer Whiteside, 31, eating fresh cherry pie; are sitting in the shade. They’re all wearing fancy hats and talking about the good ole’ … [Read more...] about Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874

Reno County: Civil War Stories

April 14, 2021 by Jim Potter 11 Comments

(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Old Settlers' of Reno County Picnic: Civil War Stories · The three men had often heard each others’ stories, but they were good listeners, and good friends. Charles Collins, Jon McMurry, and Houston Whiteside, all recalled the good old days, even when they were bad. * It’s Thursday, August 3, 1899, at Riverside Park in Hutchinson, Kansas. With the picnic dinner nearly over, early-day settlers are … [Read more...] about Reno County: Civil War Stories

Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson

April 7, 2021 by Jim Potter 4 Comments

(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Randy Henderson (b. 1954) Sheriff 2002-2019 · It’s Election night, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson’s house. Smiling, new-jail supporters can’t believe the overwhelming success of the ½ cent sales tax vote. Unofficially, the bond issue is passing by an incredible 77.4%. The result is no miracle; instead, it’s the outcome from many conscientious … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson

Jim Potter, retired deputy sheriff, is enjoying the change of pace which allows him more time for writing (that is, when he and his wife, Alex, aren’t line dancing in Hutchinson, KS).

He has just published his third book, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish after his first novel, Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, became a personal and literary success. Now he’s busy getting the word out, looking for an expanded audience of readers.

Jim really enjoys creating his fictional characters and getting to know them well enough so that they can interact. Once the dialogue begins, the author likes to say, he can sit back and transcribe their conversations!

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Technology
March 23, 2023
I remember in my youth, hitchhiking from Illinois to Central America. The unknown didn’t scare me. It was an adventure. I only knew a little Spanish (Por favor, dónde es la baño?), but I dived into a foreign culture. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Author Talk
March 16, 2023
I started with a question. “When you were a child, were you ever asked," ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Reevaluating Schedule
March 9, 2023
Hello Gina, It's time for me to admit to you that I need a change of schedule on publishing "Kudzus' Guide to Law Enforcement." I apologize for asking you to fit my book into your busy work schedule and then delaying sending you a final draft so you can begin blocking, etc. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Avoidance
March 2, 2023
Like an alcoholic, I rationalized. I had plenty of time to complete my edit because Gina had barely begun developing the illustrations, most notably K-9 Kudzu, my German shepherd narrator. If Gina needed more time to work on illustrations, then I had extra time to play, I mean explore, my “creative thinking.” […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Be Prepared
February 23, 2023
Some authors aren’t sure what to do prior to their final draft. Like I’ve said before, there’s an unlimited number of constructive things to work on as you prepare for your book release date. Use your time wisely. Remember, publishing doesn’t stand alone. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Being in the Moment
February 16, 2023
There’s a saying that when you ask a question, be sure to listen for the answer. Signs are everywhere. Outside, Bohringer introduced the 4-year-old Belgian Malinois to me. It was a quick, friendly greeting as Tanto pushed his long snout into my open hand, no doubt checking my scent. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Editing is Listening
February 9, 2023
There’s editing while writing a personal draft copy of your book and there’s editing after you’ve shared your early literary work with others. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Draft Status
February 2, 2023
This is my update, a progress report, the nuts and bolts of the draft copy of my children’s book. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title
January 26, 2023
Your book is copyrighted, your title is not. Did you know that upon writing your book, it’s copyrighted, but its title is never protected? Other authors can use it again and again. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Multitasking
January 19, 2023
We live in the country. We have a pond—sometimes with water—but my life as an author isn’t even close to Henry David Thoreau’s at Walden Pond. I’m not on a writer’s retreat with minimal interruptions; I’m on the internet and have a phone. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking
January 12, 2023
If you’re questioning why I’m writing about networking, not publishing, then you need to understand that networking is vital to publishing. If you want to play baseball full-time, you don’t go to the park and wait for random people to show up. You join a team. And you take other actions to prepare for the games, like studying the sport and getting into excellent condition. […]
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction
January 5, 2023
Six months to go and every day is busy. Editing. Meeting with illustrators. Getting a range of printing price estimates even though I'm unsure of the book's size. Looking for grants or other financial support since it's an educational book. […]
Charles Collins: First Reno County Sheriff
September 30, 2022
My years as a patrol officer writing reports made me a much better writer. It taught me to pay attention, to observe and listen, and how best to interview people. Our reports had a definite deadline. We couldn't go home until the paperwork was complete. […]
Author Jim Potter interviewed by Author Bill Bush
September 6, 2022
My years as a patrol officer writing reports made me a much better writer. It taught me to pay attention, to observe and listen, and how best to interview people. Our reports had a definite deadline. We couldn't go home until the paperwork was complete. […]
Indie Book Publishing – Q & A
July 7, 2022
“Hi Jim, I was wondering if I could chat with you over the phone sometime in the next few days. I have some questions about publishing. I'm working on getting an ISBN, copyright, etc., but I'm not sure how to go about it.” […]
Book Marketing “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish”
June 23, 2022
Published authors will tell you that writing their book was the beginning, not the end of the journey. That's certainly true for me. […]
Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II – Part 4 (Conclusion)
May 17, 2022
"It so happened that we had a wine cellar in our building, and I proceeded to relax with wine, and I went to bed feeling pretty tipsy. Shortly after I went to bed, the Krauts started bombing all the buildings along the river, including ours." […]
Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II – Part 3
May 8, 2022
"It was about noon on March 22nd (1945) and we still hadn't reached the west bank of the Rhine when the word came to us that General Patton was ordering the Fifth Division to cross the Rhine that night. It was like electricity going through the troops, however, they were confident and certainly ready."--Lt. Harold L. Potter […]
Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II – Part 2
May 3, 2022
As the Ambulance Platoon leader, I had to constantly set up shuttle systems whereby when one ambulance left for the Clearing Station, another would move up and take his place down the line, etc. The number of vehicles in the shuttle on any given day would depend upon the severity of the fighting and potential for causalities. This was because one of the principal rules in parking the vehicles was to make certain that they were spread out so that one shell could not hit more than one vehicle. […]
Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II – Part 1
April 29, 2022
Many of you will remember the hit song, "Goodbye Dear, I'll be Back in a Year." In my case, that became five years. […]
Book Release: “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish”
April 22, 2022
Deputy Tom Jennings, a patrol officer for the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, is a caring cop. He doesn’t understand the Old Order Amish and they don’t understand him. After being assigned to investigate the theft of soil from a county ditch, Jennings meets Mrs. Rosannah Borntrager Yoder. Rebecca, and Adam (her husband) help Jennings begin to learn how the Amish and the English are different, and alike. […]
Congratulations to Author Shoshanna Aaliyah
March 31, 2022
Congratulations, Shoshanna, on the recent release of your children’s book, Tobias’ Travels. You’re a first-class storyteller. We’ve never met face-to-face, but I’m the current president of District 6 of the Kansas Authors Club. Congratulations for being a published author. It’s a BIG deal! So many people talk about wanting to write a book, but so few accomplish it. Most people don’t understand; it’s work. […]
Gravedigger’s Daughter: Vignettes from a Small Kansas Town
March 19, 2022
Gravedigger’s Daughter: Vignettes from a Small Kansas Town is Cheryl Unruh’s latest masterpiece, a memoir written in prose poetry that transported me to my childhood. I can smell the Folger's coffee that gave Mom an extra spark. I too, grew up with bottle caps, firecrackers, collecting stamps, and reading wanted posters at the P. O. This memoir, dedicated to Cheryl’s father, Elgie Unruh of Pawnee Rock, is perfect. That means every word is precise. […]
31 Days (Nights)
February 28, 2022
Can you tell a book by its cover? This is a question that author Reginald D. Jarrell addresses in his just published book, 31 Days (Nights): Memoir of Living Black in America (Blue Cedar Press, 2022). […]
I Care Too Much to Watch
February 26, 2022
My friend told me he was going to end the call and watch the news. “Ukraine is being invaded,” he said. […]
Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market
February 17, 2022
I’ve just completed reading the best book ever about understanding slavery. Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market (1999) isn’t a new book, but it’s a classic. The author, Walter Johnson, brilliantly examines the slave market in New Orleans, the largest in North America during the nineteenth-century. […]
The Antebellum “Persac Map” of 1858
February 14, 2022
Can you love history? Am I exaggerating when I say, I do? I especially enjoy learning about history and seeing how events connect with one another. […]
In Search of “Grandfather” Collins: Kilkenny to New Orleans
January 25, 2022
Charles C. Collins, also known as “Charlie,” (1845-1906) was of Irish ancestry, his grandfather having immigrated from Ireland to Louisiana before the War of 1812 […]
You Don’t Need to Know Everything Before You Start Writing
January 1, 2022
I’ve been researching and researching, and I still have unanswered questions. I’d like to learn more about Charles C. Collins and his ancestors before I write his story, but I can’t wait forever. I’ve been down so many research rabbit holes that I’ve become comfortable living underground. I don’t think it’s covid related. Now, I must surface and write. […]
Never Waste Dreams Book Review
November 3, 2021
Author Gloria Zachgo reminds me of a professional juggler who flawlessly keeps a half-dozen balls rotating in a perfect arc. The performance appears effortless. […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff
October 13, 2021
One day a newly elected sheriff, a bachelor, asked the retiring sheriff if he could give him any advice on running the jail. The veteran sheriff replied, "Yes, get married as soon as possible." […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
October 6, 2021
Books don’t just happen. While growing up, I heard stories that triggered my imagination. Stories are seeds to an author. When planted and nourished, they can become a bountiful harvest. In my case, there are several reasons why I wanted to research and write about the sheriffs of Reno County, Kansas. […]
Reno County: She Killed Her Husband
September 29, 2021
It’s late Thursday afternoon, October 11, 1951, at the Reno County Jail on the fifth floor of the courthouse. Vera Gambee Frazey, 45, jail matron and cook, hears the metallic sound of heavy jail keys, followed by the forceful clang of a door being shut, and the keys locking the gate. […]
Reno County: Girls in Jail
September 22, 2021
It’s Monday afternoon, August 1, 1949, at The Fox theater in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mrs. Sheriff, Ruth Graves Dixon, 54; and her sister, Charline Graves Allison, 60; are talking prior to the start of the picture show, The Barkleys of Broadway, staring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. […]
Matty Mathias
September 15, 2021
It’s noon, Thursday, July 5, 1945, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Harry Smith, 58, owner of Smith’s Flower Shop, 2606 North Monroe, is wearing a freshly cut red rose in his suitcoat buttonhole. […]
My Dad, the Sheriff
September 8, 2021
It’s Sunday afternoon, January 10, 1943, at the home of Juanita Mae Chambers Ankerholz and Guy Leo Ankerholz, 829 East 6th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Their daughter, Dona “DeNean,” 10, is writing a school report that’s due the next day. […]
That’s Him
September 1, 2021
It’s Sunday night, August 7, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Charline and George Allison home, 309 West 16th Avenue. George, 55; Charline, 54; and their daughter, Georgiann, 14, are playing cards. […]
It Was All a Terrible Mistake
August 25, 2021
It’s Thursday night, June 19, 1934, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dorothy Swafford Simon Cunningham, 25, wife of Reno County Sheriff Ed Cunningham, age, 37, has just returned to town after running off with a saxophone player. Having been apprehended days earlier in Columbus, Ohio, Dorothy is welcomed by her father, Tom Swafford, 45. […]
Hello Girls
August 18, 2021
It’s Wednesday, March 16, 1927. Cora Brown’s thirty-third birthday isn’t until Thursday, but she’s expecting her sister, Occie, and brother-in-law, to arrive any minute to help her celebrate. Occie’s promised to bring a freshly baked cake; Cora and Fay, her husband, will provide tea. […]
Reno County: What Happened to Morality?
August 11, 2021
It’s Friday, June 6, 1924, outside the Reno County courthouse in Hutchinson, Kansas. Reno County Sheriff Jesse Langford, 45, and his wife, May Burkhalter Langford, 42, are walking to their sheriff’s residence next door, east of the courthouse. […]
Reno County: Good-bye, Rosa Carney
August 4, 2021
Good-bye, Rosa Carney • It’s Wednesday morning, June 1, 1921, at the Reno County sheriff’s residence attached to the jail, 15 Avenue, East, […]
Reno County: Looking Backward to Go Forward
July 28, 2021
Looking Backward to Go Forward • It’s Wednesday, October 29, 1930, at Sprout Ranch, 12 miles south of Mullinville, Kansas. Carolyn “Carrie” Norman […]
Reno County: The Corps and the Cannons
July 21, 2021
The Corps and the Cannons • It’s Saturday, October 10, 1942, at Ethel and Tom McGinn’s house, 726 E. 6th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Twin sisters, […]
Reno County: Death Ditch
July 14, 2021
Death Ditch • It’s Thursday, July 22, 1920, at the home of Harriet “Hattie” Moore Jennings, 220 Sherman East Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Living with […]
Reno County: Who Wants a Baby?
July 7, 2021
“Who Wants a Baby?” • It’s Friday night August 8, 1913, at Riverside Park’s airdome outdoor theater in Hutchinson Kansas. Alta June […]
Reno County: Saloons in Hutchinson
June 30, 2021
Saloons in Hutchinson • It’s Monday, May 27, 1907, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Florence Tharp Duckworth is visiting her husband, Sheriff George “Came” […]
Reno County: Vice President Theodore Roosevelt
June 23, 2021
Vice President Theodore Roosevelt • It’s noon Wednesday, August 14, 1901 in Hutchinson, Kansas, as the Santa Fe train pulls away from the crowded […]
Reno County: Diamond Dicks
June 16, 2021
“Diamond” Dicks • It’s Tuesday, November 14, 1899, at the Reno County sheriff’s residence attached to the jail, in Hutchinson, Kansas. […]
Reno County: 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
June 9, 2021
1893 Chicago World’s Fair • It’s Thursday, September 21, 1893, at the Bon Ton Bakery, 15 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia “Maria” […]
Reno County: 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run
June 2, 2021
1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run • * It’s Saturday night, September 16, 1893, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Reno County sheriff’s residence, 15 […]
Reno County: “She Jumped from the Train”
May 26, 2021
“She Jumped from the Train” • It’s Wednesday, April 3, 1889, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Daniel Miller, Reno County sheriff, 45, returns home […]
Reno County: The Yellow Wallpaper
May 19, 2021
The Yellow Wallpaper • It’s Monday, June 21, 1897, at 102 East Sherman Street, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Latimer Whiteside, 29, is visiting […]
Reno County: The Worst Week Ever for Florence Evaline Field Jordan
May 12, 2021
The Worst Week Ever for Florence Evaline Field Jordan • It’s Sunday night, May 13, 1900, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Roy E. Jordan’s body is […]
Reno County: When Two Deaths Make a Marriage
May 5, 2021
· When Two Deaths Make a Marriage * It’s Wednesday evening, January 2, 1901, at the home of Mrs. Mary E. Ingram Wilson, 114 9th Avenue East, […]
Reno County: Searching for Alice
April 28, 2021
· Searching for Alice, Finding Elizabeth: Alice Elizabeth Thomas Hartford * It’s Tuesday, February 12, 1935, at 108 E. 14th Street, […]
Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874
April 21, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Reno County Picnic: Grasshoppers · It’s August 3, 1899, at the Old […]
Reno County: Civil War Stories
April 14, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Old Settlers’ of Reno County Picnic: Civil War Stories · The […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson
April 7, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Randy Henderson (b. 1954) Sheriff 2002-2019 · It’s Election […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Larry Leslie
March 31, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Larry Leslie (b. 1943) Sheriff 1993-2002 · It’s Friday morning, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Jim Fountain
March 24, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · James H. “Jim” Fountain (1928-2017) Sheriff 1972-1993 · […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Heidebrecht
March 17, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Charles Heidebrecht (b. 1927) Sheriff 1963-1972 · Reverend Richard […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Calvin Sheppard
March 10, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Calvin Sheppard (1925-) Sheriff 1959-1963 · Click to see photo of […]
Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions
March 6, 2021
· Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions · Book Designer and Coach For years Gina Laiso, book designer and coach, has been helping people self-publish […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Roy Sheppard
March 3, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Roy Sheppard (1897-1977) Sheriff 1956-1959 · It must be Monday, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Al Severson
February 24, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Al Severson (1921-1983) Sheriff 1955-1956 · It’s Tuesday morning, May 15, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Victor H. Frazey
February 17, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Victor H. Frazey (1900-1971) Sheriff 1951-1955 · It’s Christmas Day, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter Dixon
February 10, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Walter Leslie Dixon (1894-1965) Sheriff 1947-1951 · It’s Saturday, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Steve Stapleton
February 3, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Othar Wilson “Steve” Stapleton (1888-1963) Sheriff […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Guy Ankerholz
January 27, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Guy Ankerholz (1904-1991) Sheriff 1939-1943 · It’s Monday, January […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: George Allison
January 20, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · George T. Allison (1883-1951) Sheriff 1935-1939 · It’s 1:30 Sunday […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Ed Cunningham
January 13, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Ed Cunningham (1896-1971) Sheriff 1931-1935 · It’s Wednesday, July […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Fay Brown
January 6, 2021
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Fay Brown (1891-1968) Sheriff 1927-1931 · It’s Monday, August 3, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Jesse Langford
December 30, 2020
· Jesse Langford (1879-1935) Sheriff 1923-1927 · It’s Wednesday, June 24, 1931, on the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway in route to Chicago, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: William “Bill” Clark
December 23, 2020
· William “Bill” Clark (1864-1934) Sheriff 1921-1923 · * It’s Monday, October 24, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Houston Whiteside, 81, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter “Scott” Sprout
December 16, 2020
· Walter “Scott” Sprout (1875-1941) Sheriff 1916-1921 · It’s Saturday, October 22, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia, 59, and Houston […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
December 9, 2020
· Tom McGinn (1883-1956) Sheriff, December 31, 1916 – January 4, 1917 · It’s late Friday afternoon, October 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom Jennings
December 2, 2020
· Tom Jennings (1860-1916) Sheriff 1915-1916 · It’s Friday, October 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside and her husband, Houston, are […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Konrad C. Beck
November 25, 2020
· Konrad C. “Koon” Beck (1876-1947) Sheriff 1911-1915 · It’s Thursday, October 20, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia and Houston […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: George M. Duckworth
November 18, 2020
· George M. Duckworth (1867-1954) Sheriff 1907-1911 · It’s Tuesday, October 18, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Hutchinson Chief of Police George “Came” […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Hooper
November 11, 2020
· John W. Hooper (1855-1936) Sheriff 1903-1907 · * It’s Monday, October 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Reno County Sheriff Fay Brown is parked in […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: William E. Long
November 4, 2020
· William E. “Bill” Long (1862-1940) Sheriff 1898-1903* · William Elbert Long and Sarah Cassandra “Cassie” Baker (1871-1913), […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: John Q. Patten
October 28, 2020
· John Quincy Patten (1855-1922) Sheriff 1894-1898 · * It’s Friday, October 14, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside, 59, enters Carey Cold […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Jones
October 21, 2020
· John Wesley Jones (1856-1926) Sheriff 1890-1894 · * It’s October 13, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside, 59, meets her husband, Houston, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Daniel E. Miller
October 14, 2020
· Dan E. Miller (1839-1916) Sheriff 1888-1890 · It’s Wednesday, October 12, 1927. Houston Whiteside, 81, and Julia, 59, his wife, are at the corner […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: John LaFayette “Fay” Smith
October 7, 2020
· John LaFayette “Fay” Smith (1852-1926) Sheriff 1884-1888 · Julia Whiteside, 59, is at Smith’s Flower Shop, 414 North Main Street, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Allen P. Jordan
September 30, 2020
· Allen P. Jordan (1843-1888) Sheriff 1880-1882 · Julia and Houston Whiteside are recovering from a house full of family and guests at 504 East […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: John M. Hedrick
September 23, 2020
· John M. “Captain” Hedrick (1840-1938) Sheriff 1876-1880 and 1882-1884 · It’s Sunday, October 10, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. At 504 […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Henry Hartford
September 16, 2020
· Henry Hartford (1837-1919) Sheriff 1874-1876 Houston Whiteside, 81, sips his coffee and looks out the front window of the mayor’s Oxford Café, […]
Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Collins
September 9, 2020
· Charles Collins (1845-1906) Sheriff 1872-1874 · It’s Friday, October 7, 1927. Houston Whiteside, retired attorney-at-law, resident of […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Yankees and The Long Count
September 2, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Yankees and The Long Count· It’s Saturday, October 1, 1927, in the Stamey Hotel’s coffee shop at 5th and […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes
August 26, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes· Final Episode It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor
August 19, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor· It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Johnson & […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Can’t Sleep
August 12, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Can’t Sleep· It’s Thursday, August 22, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the day after Harvey E. Albrecht […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”
August 5, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”· It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies
July 29, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies· It’s September 21, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. A man has killed himself by […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: I Killed Him
July 22, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “I Killed Him”· On September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, while attempting to serve divorce […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock
July 15, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock· It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. A civil process server is […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Albright Airfield
July 8, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Albright Airfield· It’s Saturday, September 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Sheriff Fay Brown and his wife, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “When I First Met Harvey”
July 1, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “When I First Met Harvey”· It’s Tuesday, September 13, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora May Phares […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Supportive Shelter
June 24, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Supportive Shelter· It’s Sunday night, September 11, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella Albrecht has been […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows
June 17, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows· It’s Sunday evening, September 11, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Pearl […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic
June 10, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic· It’s Thursday, September 8, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora Brown, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pearl and Delbert
June 3, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pearl and Delbert· It’s September 7, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Downtown’s Fall Festival Frolic begins with a […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Line-of-Duty Deaths
May 27, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Line-of-Duty Deaths· It’s September 1, 1927. Reno County Sheriff Fay Brown is driving to Wichita to attend a […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon
May 20, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon· (Conclusion – Part 2 of 2) It’s Sunday night, August 21, 1927 in […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon
May 13, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon· (Part 1 of 2) It’s Sunday night, August 21, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora and […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Rin-Tin-Tin the Police Dog
May 6, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Rin-Tin-Tin the Police Dog· It’s Friday night, August 19, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Fay and Cora Brown are […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Martin E. Jolliffe and Oil Hill
April 29, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Martin E. Jolliffe and Oil Hill· It’s Wednesday, August 10, 1927. Reno County Sheriff’s Deputy Martin E. […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Kansas City Monarchs Baseball
April 22, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Kansas City Monarchs Baseball· It’s Friday, July 29, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. The day is heating up. […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bad Boy of Arlington
April 15, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bad Boy of Arlington· * It was July 19, 1927. Truman Reynolds, 18, had rubbed Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Ralph Galpin
April 8, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Ralph Galpin · On the morning of July 14, 1927, Ralph Galpin, 13, was attempting to escape an abusive […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Influenza Epidemic in 1918
April 1, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Influenza Epidemic in 1918 Fay Forrest Brown and his wife, Cora May Phares Brown, are asleep in their […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: July 4th Celebration
March 25, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: July 4th Celebration Hutchinson, Kansas, planned a big July 4th celebration in 1927. It started with a parade. […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Sisters Night Out
March 18, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Sisters Night Out It’s the evening of June 18, 1927. Cora Phares Brown, 33, and her sister, Occie Phares […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr
March 11, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr. It’s May 20, 1927. Fay and Cora Brown, married, are talking about aviator […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “We Lost Our Home”
March 4, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “We Lost Our Home” At 11 o’clock, the evening of May 7, 1927, many citizens of Hutchinson, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial
February 25, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial The Citizens State Bank of Arlington, Reno County, KS, was robbed January 2, 1927, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Chicken House to the Big House
February 19, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Chicken House to the Big House It’s Sunday, April 10, 1927. There’s little doubt that being a Reno County […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bank Bandit
February 12, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bank Bandit Bob Collins was a wanted man. Thug, ex-convict, and bank bandit, he was no choir boy. Even his […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Hello Girls”
February 5, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Hello Girls” It’s Wednesday, March 16, 1927. Cora Brown’s thirty-third birthday isn’t until […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Mule Men
January 29, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Mule Men It’s Friday, March 4, 1927, at the Reno County Sheriff’s Office in the temporary courthouse. Fay Brown […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pedestrians Beware
January 22, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pedestrians Beware It’s Saturday, February 12, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. * Sheriff Fay Brown pulled into the […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: More Than a Bad Check Artist
January 15, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: More than a Bad Check Artist · It’s Tuesday, January 25, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora Brown, 32, matron and […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cops in the Clubhouse
January 8, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cops in the Clubhouse · I’m Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge, and I’m pinned to the sheriff’s vest. […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Jailer Jess Blanpied
January 1, 2020
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Jailer Jess Blanpied · It’s Monday, January 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Sheriff Fay. F. Brown’s Badge is […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Carey’s Condemned Courthouse
December 25, 2019
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Carey’s Condemned Courthouse · If you’re one of those people who believe that badges don’t have feelings, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Oath of Office
December 18, 2019
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Oath of Office · Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January 1927, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cora and Occie
December 11, 2019
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cora and Occie · Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January 1927, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Blinded by Corn Whiskey
December 4, 2019
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Blinded by Corn Whiskey · Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Hearing Voices
November 27, 2019
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Hearing Voices · “Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January 1927, […]
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Preface
November 20, 2019
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge, Preface · “Pardon me if my […]
Conclusions of a Cop
November 13, 2019
(To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.) Recently, I was visiting with a friend who is a retired cop. I’ll call him Tom […]
Purchased Postcards
November 6, 2019
· Purchased Postcards: My Favorites · Recently I had the pleasure of purchasing postcards. What a treat! Today, I’m going to share with you my top […]
A Day I Shall Never Forget
October 30, 2019
· “A Day I Shall Never Forget: Citizens Bank Hold Up” · There are people in the world who crave to have their fifteen minutes of fame. […]
Suspicious Person
October 23, 2019
· Suspicious Person: Billy Brassfield · Writing Prompt by Sean McArdle Sean McArdle, Kansas Authors Club member from Winchester, England, recently […]
Lucky’s Sculpture Story
October 16, 2019
· Lucky’s Sculpture Story: Lucky, the Daydreamer · “Oh, Alex, she’s beautiful!” squealed Jenna as she approached from the hallway. “Does she […]
Smile Across the Nile
October 9, 2019
· Smile Across the Nile: Bellygrammed by Alexandria · Surprise birthday parties have been planned and carried out for centuries. The most recognized […]
Stories Are Everywhere
October 2, 2019
· Stories Are Everywhere: My Blogging Topics · MY PURPOSE in BLOGGING In 2017, when I sent my final draft of my novel, Taking Back the Bullet, to my […]
Another View of James A. Woodson
September 25, 2019
· James A. Woodson: A Newspaper View · James A. Woodson (1893-1971) achieved a lot of during his twenty-two year career as an officer on the […]
James Andrew Woodson
September 18, 2019
· James Andrew Woodson: A Family View · When I asked Leland Woodson, 84 years of age, for an interview about his father, James A. Woodson […]
Kirch Split
September 11, 2019
· Kirch Split William C. Kirch, Photographer · Part 2 – Conclusion During the 1920’s, women’s first names were still mostly missing from […]
Kirch Couple
September 4, 2019
· William C. & Mae Besore Kirch · Adam (1843-1907) and Margaretha Mayer (1851-1914) Kirch, who had farmed in their home country of Bavaria, […]
Creative Non-Fiction
August 28, 2019
· Western Kansas Photo Club · I’m a postcard collector and historian who loves reading, research, and writing. As a result, I’ve been curious about […]
Richard Wickliffe
August 21, 2019
· Captain Richard Wickliffe Giving, Not Taking · People who know Richard Wickliffe remark about how he’s always calm. I’ve never seen him upset. So, […]
Powerful Poetry
August 14, 2019
· Powerful Poetry: Annika Smith · After speaking with Annika Smith, senior at Buhler High School, it’s clear that teachers really do help change the […]
Is this man Elmer Swanson?
August 7, 2019
· Is this man Elmer Swanson? Photo Postcard from the Past · Is this man Elmer Swanson? Morgan Williams, collector and expert on exaggeration […]
The Joy of the Hunt
July 31, 2019
· The Joy of the Hunt: Wade Photographer When Morgan Williams, known far and wide for his amazing collection of exaggeration postcards, sent me a […]
Bottle Collector
July 24, 2019
· Bottle Collector: Mike McJunkin It was a joke. After seeing a lot of fascinating bottles in Mike McJunkin’s extensive collection, I asked him, […]
John O. Siemsen
July 17, 2019
· John O. Siemsen Framed by F. D. Conard in Garden City, Kansas · Last month I had my socks knocked off by a surprise email sent to my website as a […]
International Writing Contest Results
July 10, 2019
· International Writing Contest Results Essays · The results of Sandhenge Publication’s first International […]
Save-A-Date July 27
July 9, 2019
· Save-A-Date July 27: Young Writers · On Saturday, July 27, 2019, young writers from the Reno County community will be highlighted in a panel format […]
The Doll Lady
July 2, 2019
· The Doll Lady: Cyndy Enders Landon · I’ve never owned or collected dolls, but as a child I did enjoy playing with toy soldiers. My, the memories I […]
Our House Guest
June 25, 2019
Our House Guest: Alexa She’s extremely intelligent, very polite, and has a calming voice. Could we even ask for more? Alex, my wife, started […]
Robert E. Enders, Part 2
June 18, 2019
Robert E. Enders and the USS Bountiful In the first part of this true story, titled Robert E. Enders: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, […]
Robert E. Enders
June 11, 2019
Robert E. Enders: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Last week, I was a guest speaker at a club meeting talking about my reward postcard […]
Catalpa Hometree
June 4, 2019
· Reverence · On Saturday we celebrated our catalpa trees and all catalpa trees. We celebrated sacredness of nature and our environment. We invited […]
Dad’s Bataan War Story
May 28, 2019
· Lt. Robert Lee Morris · Jim Ganyon, U. S. veteran, is the son of a World War II Bataan Death March survivor. Recently I had the honor of attending […]
One is the Loneliest Number
May 20, 2019
· Heroes of Hutch · I’m a writer and I’m used to spending a lot of my time alone, writing. I can’t imagine a group of writers collaborating, but I […]
Wichita Street Fair & Carnival
May 14, 2019
· 1899 Pin-Back Buttons · A couple of weeks ago, I received two electronic images of exaggeration postcards and one of a collector pin-back button. […]
Journey to Journalist
May 7, 2019
· Veronica Coons · Veronica Coons, journalist at the Great Bend Tribune is a talented writer who has recently joined the Kansas Authors Club. That’s […]
Our Fighting Fathers
April 30, 2019
· World War II Patriots · It’s not Veterans Day and it’s not Father’s Day, but let me introduce you to some Fighting Fathers, American Patriots. I’ve […]
The Story You Tell Makes a Difference
April 23, 2019
· Rural America · Recently I attended a community meeting organized by Heal Reno County http://www.healrenocounty.org where a rural sociologist, Ben […]
Book Club
April 16, 2019
· Reading Rendezvous · It was good for me to get back to the monthly Reading Rendezvous Book Club at Metropolitan Coffee in Hutchinson, Kansas. If […]
Lyrical Literature
April 9, 2019
· Diane Wahto · Diane Wahto’s combination of lyrical and descriptive power in her poetry makes music in my mind. The Sad Joy of Leaving is an […]
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
April 2, 2019
· The St. Louis Browns and Eddie Gaedel · Herb Potter, my uncle who died last year, used to tell me about a major league baseball (MLB) game he […]
Do the Right Thing
March 26, 2019
· You Can Make a Difference · It’s safe to say that white nationalist members and sympathizers prefer the racist 1915 film, “The Birth of a Nation” […]
Memories in Motion
March 20, 2019
· Lessons Learned Make the Memoir · If you write anything, you’re likely to connect with and use your memories. On a daily basis we are reminded of […]
EXAGGERATION Postcards
March 13, 2019
· Tall Tales from the Great Plains · #1 Are you old enough to remember road trip vacations down Route 66? How about the restroom breaks at service […]
Writing Memoir Workshop
January 19, 2019
The Honking Tree If you live or have lived west of Wichita, Kansas, then you might recognize this tree that grows on the south side of K96, a couple […]
Memories Make Memoirs
November 14, 2018
· Susan Painter · The older you get—hopefully—the more memories you’ll have to write about. Recently, I’ve run into a number of former […]
Meeting Authors
November 7, 2018
· H.B. Berlow · A few weeks ago sixteen artists gathered at the Wichita Library to recite their poetry accompanied by music. In short time I […]
Talking Tombstones
October 31, 2018
· Henry Hartford in Two Worlds · If you’ve heard of Talking Tombstones then you probably know that real people, now deceased, have their stories […]
My Weekend
October 24, 2018
· Postcards, Poetry, and Food · This past weekend in Wichita, Kansas, was all about postcards, poetry, and eating. When you hear the word […]
Historical Research and Writing
October 17, 2018
· “King of Hypnotists and Mind Readers” · Do you enjoy historical research? I love it! As I’ve mentioned before, I collect […]
Writing a Novel
October 10, 2018
· Immediately Engage the Reader · Discovery of a person’s body is a great way to begin a mystery or crime novel. This single event requires readers […]
Crazy Writing Ideas
October 3, 2018
· Listen to the Muse · I wake up. It’s 3:30 a.m. I’ve been dreaming. I have an idea for writing a story or novel. It’s titled, The Vice […]
Research Subject
September 26, 2018
· Mo Yoder · When I first learned that Mo Yoder, Buhler, Kansas, had been a research subject involved in testing by the military during the Vietnam […]
Characters from the Zodiac
September 19, 2018
· “What’s your sign?” · “What’s my sign?” “Yeah, what’s your astrological sign?” “Oh, […]
One-Room Schoolhouses
September 12, 2018
· Sargent School · What image do you conjure up when you think of a one-room schoolhouse? Do you remember reading a novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder? […]
What Motivated Kaitlin?
September 5, 2018
· Stories Change Lives · I had to learn the answer to the question. What motivated Kaitlin to go to Scotland? It’s normal for people to dream and to […]
Writer, Author, Publisher
August 29, 2018
· Bill Bush · Bill Bush “lives in Halstead, Kansas with his two teenage children, who are the inspiration behind many of his stories.” Sydney and […]
Major League Baseball
August 22, 2018
· Chicago White Sox · I learned to be a Chicago White Sox fan from my dad. He loved sports, and once we moved near Chicago, the major league teams […]
Writers Write
August 15, 2018
· Elsa’s World · I interviewed a young writer friend of mine today. Her name is Elsa. She’s fifteen. We’re from the same tribe; we love […]
Fear of Failing
August 8, 2018
· Do You Make Time for Your Writing? · In an earlier blog, I asked you: “What’s Your Writing Routine?” […]
Characters and Setting
August 1, 2018
· The Beginning of the Story is Called Exposition · When you start reading a book, you want to know so many things all at once. The primary […]
Fantasy Writer
July 25, 2018
· Author William “Mark” Simmons · Since the Kansas Authors Club, District 6, is preparing for its next meeting, Saturday, July 28th, I […]
Country Living
July 18, 2018
You Know You Live in the Country (Reno County, KS) when . . . Living in the country isn’t for everybody. If dirt roads and lack of sidewalks bother […]
Early Reno County (KS) Settler
July 11, 2018
· James Chamellis Potter (1865-1955) · My great-grandfather, James Chamellis Potter, participated in the Cherokee Outlet land run, was a […]
Tax Warrants
July 4, 2018
· You Are NOT Under Arrest · A long-time friend who recently moved out of Reno County contacted me by email. She told me that during the hectic […]
Cottonwood County
June 27, 2018
· Unintended Consequences · Previously, in Episode 1 (https://jimpotterauthor.com/cottonwood-county-kansas/), Tom Jennings was perusing a Facebook […]
Cottonwood County, Kansas
June 20, 2018
Let Them Eat Cake Tom Jennings was all riled up. Against his doctor’s advice, he continued to watch the news, search for news, and read the […]
Writing Routine
June 6, 2018
· What’s Your Writing Routine? · Do you have a routine in your writing? Do you have a specific time and place when you’re at your […]
Orville “Matty” Mathias
May 30, 2018
Ballplayer, Tank Commander, and Lawman David Orville Mathias, known as “Matty”, came to Hutchinson, Kansas, in March 1934 to play […]
Blaming the Victim
May 23, 2018
Slavery by Another Name Blaming the victim is pretty common. Relentlessly, we judge people. A homeless person is accused of choosing an unpredictable […]
Suicide Joe and Buffalo
May 16, 2018
· Suicide is a Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem · I met Joe back in 1973 in prison. No, we weren’t cell mates serving time. We were […]
Trauma Writing
May 9, 2018
Writing Your Trauma Without Too Much Drama In promoting Ronda Miller’s trauma writing workshop in Hutchinson, the main attraction of the Kansas […]
Do You Believe in the Death Penalty?
May 2, 2018
· Just Mercy · Until recently, despite uncertainties and inequalities in the criminal justice system, I’ve been in favor of the death penalty. But […]
He Got Away with Murder
April 25, 2018
Too Bold to Hold My “wanted for murder” postcard didn’t give the date of the criminal offense, but it did offer that Joe Mosley had been paroled from […]
George
April 18, 2018
· The Relic of Vecinaria · I heard that George, fifteen years old, was writing a novel. Being a writer—an author—I was quickly curious. Karen, his […]
Writing Experience
April 11, 2018
· When Did You Start Writing? · Think back for a moment at your desire to write or to be published. Do you recall the first book that moved you? […]
Color-Blind Racism
April 4, 2018
Did you hit a triple or were you born on third base? Many whites or Caucasians believe that racism in the United States is nearly dead, a thing of […]
Violence Prevention Model
March 28, 2018
· Alive and Free · If your doctor informed you that your chance of having a heart attack was extremely high, you’d probably ask what you could do […]
Tribal Identity
March 21, 2018
· Left or Right? · I grew up in a white, suburban neighborhood of Chicago. People in my community, Skokie, were predominately of the Jewish faith. […]
Writing Dialogue
March 14, 2018
· Know Your Characters · “So, you said you wanted to be a better writer.” “Yeah, I do.” “Well, I’ll give you […]
Bond Agent
March 7, 2018
· “It’s a Whole ‘Nother Story” · Kathleen Carter, Hutchinson, Kansas, has been a bail bonding agent for fifteen years. […]
Icebreakers
February 28, 2018
· Writing Prompts · Today I have some “icebreakers” to share with you. You might find them valuable and fun as a tool in […]
Law Enforcement 101
February 21, 2018
· General Law Enforcement Terms · Having worked in law enforcement for over three decades, I tend to take some things for granted when it comes to […]
Black and White TV without Color
February 14, 2018
· US Marshal Bass Reeves · I grew up watching black and white TV. Actually, it was more like white TV in the sense that people of color rarely […]
Disrupted Childhood
February 7, 2018
· Bridge Out · Recently I posted a blog about a family who had been evicted from their home. I wondered about the short and long term consequences […]
The War Trunk
January 31, 2018
· A Postcard · As a child I played soldier. With friends in my neighborhood we had gun battles with toy guns. We repeatedly killed and died. I also […]
Sculptures and Their Stories
January 24, 2018
· Bouncy’s Tall Tale by J. Alex Potter · On today’s blog J. Alex Potter, my wife, shares her creativity about creativity! You will see […]
Losing Your Home
January 17, 2018
· Missing Memories · I’ve been involved in many evictions, but I can only imagine what it must be like for someone to lose their home. I’ve been […]
The Stolen Refrigerator
January 10, 2018
· “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” · AUTHOR’S NOTE: I do not give out legal advice; I share memories and tell […]
Character Development
January 3, 2018
· Narcissism · What if you developed a fictional character who was narcissistic? If you decide to “give” one of your fictional […]
Voir Dire
December 27, 2017
· Jury Duty Excuses · I used to think that being on a jury would be a neat experience. But once I was hired as a deputy sheriff, I knew there was […]
Drug Test
December 20, 2017
· Have You Ever Been Drug Tested? · I remember my first drug test in a bathroom when I was required to pee in a container. Even though I’d […]
Stir Up Sunday
December 13, 2017
· Creole Christmas Cake · In late November my friend in Winchester, England, told me about Stir Up Sunday. “It’s sort of a Christian festival or at […]
Finding A Story
December 6, 2017
· Digging Deeper · A friend and her siblings were making arrangements for their mother’s funeral. Mother had insisted in her dying days that […]
Kansas Authors Club
November 29, 2017
· Author Ann Christine Fell · On Saturday I attended a district meeting of the Kansas Authors Club (KAC) in Hutchinson, Kansas. All writers and […]
“I Want to Write a Book”
November 22, 2017
· Ideas Are a Dime a Dozen · I’ve been meeting a lot of people lately who recognize that I’m a writer and author. Sometimes they congratulate me […]
Veterans Day
November 15, 2017
· Remembrance · Veterans Day was celebrated a few days ago. This year the remembrance hit me harder than expected. It started early on Saturday […]
Michael Jackson or Me, You Decide
November 8, 2017
· A Book Reading at Hutchinson Public Library · Tomorrow night I have my first official book reading/signing for my debut novel, Taking Back the […]
Book Reviews
November 1, 2017
· Recommended Reading · If you want to stimulate your imagination and relax, then read. If you want to write, then read. But if you want to […]
The Big Lie
October 25, 2017
· Rolla Preceded Roswell · A good portion of the population has heard of Roswell, New Mexico; not for its desert beauty, but for the decision of […]
Stretching the Truth
October 18, 2017
· Tall Tales · My Grandpa Clarence used to talk about the fertile farmland in western Kansas before the drought, grasshoppers, jack rabbits, and […]
Back Story
October 11, 2017
· Going Backward in Order to Go Forward · “422 to 409.” “409, go ahead.” “If you want to stop by, you can take some […]
Mix Things Up
October 4, 2017
· Braiding · Braiding means weaving information into the story, especially characters, like a hairdresser weaving strands of hair into one strong […]
Getting to Know Your Characters
September 27, 2017
· Who Are These People and What Are They Doing In My Head? · I’m having so much fun thinking about the fictional characters coming alive […]
More Seeds to Sow
September 20, 2017
· Fourteen Therapeutic Pet Ducks, 24 Bearded Dragons, and a Masked Batman Caper · “You can’t make this stuff up!” I tell other […]
Seeds to Sow
September 13, 2017
· Questions to Ask · Recently, in a Hutchinson News article, there was a story about a long-time bar being forced to close due to dwindling […]
Seeds to a Story
September 6, 2017
· Listen, Read, Write, Repeat · If you’re a writer, or want to be a writer, do you save story-starters? Do you file newspaper clippings, […]
Cultural Exposure
August 30, 2017
· Albinism and Africa · I’ve never been to Tanzania, but I’ve researched the country, especially the PWA community. The acronym stands […]
Creative Writing
August 23, 2017
· Fake News · Today the media talks about the alarming impact of “fake news.” No doubt that in our instant, mass communication world, […]
Best Character Descriptions
August 16, 2017
· WANTED FOR MURDER · I’ve been collecting “Reward” postcards since I was first hired by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office […]
Using Metaphors
August 9, 2017
· Metaphorically Speaking · “Our marriage is like an iris that no longer blooms,” she said. “It doesn’t laugh. It […]
A Writing Environment
August 2, 2017
· Peer Support · Despite all the people and animals residing in our home–gerbil, snakes, cats, turtles, birds, rabbits, horses, bull, […]
A Writer’s Rabbit Hole
July 26, 2017
· Down the Rabbit Hole · I’ve traveled down many rabbit holes before completing a first draft of a book. The trip down the black hole always […]
Research in Writing
July 19, 2017
· Read and Travel · If you write fiction, have you created a place for your characters to hang out? Writing is a combination of reading, travel, […]
My Darkest Chapter
July 12, 2017
· Death and Dying ·
[caption id="attachment_1120" align="alignleft" width="112"] "Pluto" sculpture by J. Alex Potter Photo by Yukari Danshita[/caption] Whether it's non-fiction,memoir or fiction, for me, writing about death is the ultimate mood swing. Having a dark chapter (or two) gives the reader a taste of the highs and lows of life. Without the lows, the highs aren't as high. In Cop in the Classroom, I recall a couple of on-duty deaths that just tore me up inside. I expose the reader to my pain while attempting to answer a student's serious question. Here is the introduction to one death . . . […]
Writing A Memoir
July 5, 2017
· Getting Started · First, I decided to write about my career in law enforcement. In the beginning of my process, I thought about making it a […]
Expand On Your Experiences
June 28, 2017
· Dead End Road · Yesterday morning we received a phone call from a country neighbor. “Have you been down to your mailbox yet?” she […]
Character Driven Literary Fiction
June 21, 2017
· Tom Jennings is a HUGE Character! · Here’s a brief blog on writing. This one’s about creating fictional characters. I use character […]
Welcome!
June 14, 2017
· Welcome to my blog! · I’m writing from south-central Kansas. For those of you more familiar with our geography, my wife and I live outside […]