Jay Cantrell: Blog

Hi all

One of the things I hate about growing older is watching the idols of my youth fade.

The literary world lost another icon Tuesday when Tom Clancy died at age 66. In the past few months three authors I've enjoyed and have tried (woefully unsuccessfully) to emulate have died: Elmore Leonard, Vince Flynn and now Clancy.

I paid a small tribute to another favorite, Robert B. Parker, by referencing his death by naming a character in Daze in the Valley after one of his creations but my writing is slow these days so I'll note Tom Clancy's loss here and offer a public thanks for the years of entertainment he's given me.

Rest in peace Tom Clancy (1947-2013).

Jay C.

Hey all

As some of you know I am in the middle of posting a story that revolves around baseball. As some of you also know I am a native of Cleveland who resides near Pittsburgh.

For the first time in my 44 years on the planet my two favorite teams are in the playoffs! Granted, it might only last one game but the Indians and Pirates have put together magical seasons and I have a rooting interest in October. The playoffs have been rare in Cleveland since the great teams of the mid-90s -- and the less said about the Pirates for the previous 21 years the better.

So I will be glued to the TV for the next couple of days and dreaming of a Pirates-Indians World Series (despite the civil war that would cause in my household).

My thanks for all the kind words on Diamond and the well wishes for recovery. I'm sorry I can't reply to everyone but I fear I might lose my typing finger if I tried

Jay C.

Yeah I screwed up the file transfer! Lazeez let me know that the new chapters didn't reach the server. I tried again with a solo file this time.

I'll get it right eventually (maybe).

Jay C.

Hi folks,

Unless I goofed something up (which can't be discounted) five new Diamond chapters should appear with the next set of updates.

I have 15 more formatted and saved where I can access them so we should be OK for a few more weeks.

Thanks again for all your good thoughts.
Jay C.

Hi all,

I appreciate the kind words from the SOL family of readers, editors and writers.

Lazeez has walked me through to the hidden link for mobile posting and I expect to resume Diamond soon (as soon as someone shows me how to copy and paste on my phone).

I am not nearly adept enough at one-finger typing to answer all the mail (but I'm getting better).

So thanks to everyone who took time out of his or her day to wish me a speedy recovery.

Jay C.