Posts filed under ‘Walt Trizna’
UPDATED BIO
My consistent readers,
I recently wrote a detailed bio for one of my publishers.
I thought I would share it with you.
Walt
WALT TRIZNA
BIO
I now live in West Chester, Pennsylvania, but I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey – a tough town. My mother was an avid reader and I picked up the habit. Sitting on the back porch with book in hand was better than venturing into the city and being beat-up. I learned this the hard way.
I obtained my bachelors degree in biochemistry from Oklahoma State University in 1969, and five days later reported for pilot training in Alabama. I always wanted to learn to fly, and did, but I hit a brick wall when it came to jets and washed out. At one point my instructor said, “Trizna, your landings scare me.” If he only knew how much they scared me. I then went to something where the landings weren’t important, just the accuracy. After a great deal of training, I became the crew commander of a Titan II ICBM. While stationed in Wichita, I earned a masters degree in biology from Wichita State University.
After my four-year military career was completed, I went into research. Renal physiology was the area in which I worked. I was employed by three medical schools and at the last, UCLA School of Medicine; I met my wife, Joni. With grants drying up, I found a job in industry and would work for a company for 22 years that would eventually become GlaxoSmithKline.
After a layoff at the age of 61, I decided to become a full-time writer. I had written science fiction and horror while still working, and now I could concentrate on my passion. When writing science fiction, I enjoy adding a healthy dose of science fact to give the story a hint of believability.
Joni and I have two daughters. Annie works at an independent book store and Lynn is a farmer. We love them both and encourage them to explore life wherever it may lead.
STINK BUGS
I pose a question to those who share the invasion of stink bugs.
I was camping with my wife, Joni, a few days ago and was bombarded by the pests.
One landed in by beard, I swatted it, and carried its smell.
This set me thinking about Albert Schweitzer. He had a deep reverence for life; would step around an ant.
My question is, would Albert Schweitzer step on a stink bug?
9/11 POEM
My consistent readers,
I first published this poem on my blog last year on 9/11.
I wanted to revisit the memory burned in my mind that fateful day ten years ago.
JUMPERS
They were like birds flying,
Leaping from flaming windows,
No wings to purchase air,
No hope of flying home.
They were like birds flying,
Tumbling in twos, alone,
Flashing by in a smoke-filled sky
While crowds watched in horror.
They were like birds flying
Flights, imprinting the nation’s memory.
They were like birds flying,
Carrying us into a world of fear.
UPDATE SPELLBOUND 2011
I’ll have a short story, The Mansion of Nightmares, coming out soon in the anthology, Spellbound 2011, published by Melange Books.
I SURVIVED HURRICANE IRENE
My saturated readers,
Once again we weathered (every pun intended) another natural disaster.
I was to accompany my wife, Joni, to visit our daughter, Lynn, on the farm outside of Pittsburgh where she is completing an internship and next year will be field manager.
I elected to remain home and await the visitor predicted to arrive Saturday, Irene.
I used every D battery in the house to power flashlights and a radio.
Our sunroom had enough candles around to hold a séance. Luckily, I did not need to light them, for being a writer of horror the ‘other side’ may have decided to pay me a visit.
The rain began Saturday afternoon and continued into the next day resulting in almost six inches. Sunday the wind began to howl. We did not lose power, and due to emergency gutter cleaning before Joni left, had no unwanted water in the house.
Our pup, Millie, was a wreck during the storm. I was glad I stayed behind to keep her company.
There are still areas close by that are flooded and lacking power; we survived unscathed.
I have been checking my supply of insect killer for I am sure the locusts are next to arrive.
Walt
I SURVIVED THE EAST COAST EARTHQUAKE
My shaky readers,
I’m sure you populate most of the world, and beyond, but locally I thought I’d inform you that here in West Chester, PA we just felt an earthquake.
Having lived in California for seven years, I knew what they felt like, but did not expect one here. In fact, I was waiting to hear the sound of sirens responding to some explosion.
But those who know me also know I’m a weather junkie. I happened to be tuned to the weather channel when our house began to shake. Also, I was looking out our front window at the birdfeeder which was swaying to and fro. The shaking began about 1:54PM and lasted about ten seconds.
What I found extremely interesting is that soon after the shaking ceased I received a phone call from a friend that had read my novel, New Moon Rising, which involves a great deal of geological activity. Could there be a sequel?
I also want to report that my study experienced earthquake damage, well, sort of. My study is stacked with books. A flea fart could bring down a pile of literature. I found a stack of books half tipped over. I’ll wait until my wife comes home and then restack the ten or so books. I will not contact our insurance company.
Waiting for aftershocks,
Walt
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