Creekbank Blog

3 am, 40 miles, 4 trucks, 2 cups of coffee I left home this morning at 3:00 am, on my way to the Houston airport, then Denver for a writing conference. On my forty mile drive from Dry Creek to DeQuincy, I only meet four vehicles—all trucks. The road is quiet. The woods are dark. It’s peaceful. Out my car …

                              After the Conference Ends: “What to do when the circus leaves town.” “Turn out the lights, the party’s over. They say all things must come to an end.” -Willie Nelson I’ve read many excellent articles about preparing for, and attending, writing conferences. However, I’m not …

Working Title: The Power of the Note Sub title: Living gratefully/Living compassionately  By Curt Iles    Recently when meeting a former student of mine from my earlier years as a high school teacher, he pulled out his billfold and showed me a dog-eared letter I had written him years ago. The fact that he had kept this short hand-written note …

It’s all about influence. I’m very privileged to write and speak full time. This is a fine royalty check I got last week for $1.04. It’s never been about the money. Of course, it allows me to make a living and hopefully a difference. To me, it’s about influence. Recently, my friend Gary Hahler wrote of success, “Success is the …

A horse by any other name… I’m gathering names for a plow horse in my new novel, A Spent Bullet. See nominations below and read the passage that relates to this horse. (Curt) My grandfather had two horses: Dallas and Sam. (Dallas is Joe Moore’s horse in The Wayfaring Stranger and he makes an appearance in A Good Place. My …

“Some people go to their graves with their songs in them; let this not be said of me.” Mr. Tiger’s Song I met Mr. Tiger today at the Southeast La. War Veterans Home in Reserve. We had a great time telling stories to the veterans. Best of all was hearing their stories. Nearly all are WWII and Korean vets and …

Folklore from Africa and Louisiana   One of the best parts of our Liberian trip was being with students at Ricks School.     I worked with them on using symbolism in writing. Majoe drew this picture and explained it. Here is what I learned: The Kola tree (from which the cola nut comes that is used in our sodas) …

A Good Place is coming soon. Listed below are the covers on our upcoming novel, A Good Place. November 15 is the projected release date. Click on the covers for a closer look. Look over the covers. If you have any suggestions on wording for the back cover, we still are making minor changes. Give us your feedback. Writing for …

My grandson Jack Iles explores a hollow log. When I told him there might be a coon or possom in the log, he had to go inspect it. This was taken during a day hike he and I took last week on the Wild Azalea Trail. “Don’t you know that the laughing hole ain’t there just for the kids and …

More thoughts on Work: “Work is not a four-letter word. “L.T.W.B.T.Y.F.I”* *Leave this world better than you found it.” Our work results in a world that is better than when we found it. Whether it’s a weed-filled garden, the open mind of a child, or a Bible shared with a grieving friend, it’s our work and calling. From my friend …

Earlier this year I blogged a story about how the bookmobile affected my life as a boy in rural Louisiana. My friend Alda Clark, who writes for our local papers, penned her story. Here it is for your enjoyment. Recently I was reading Brother Curt Iles’ Blog when I came across a story about the Bookmobile Beauregard Parish had back …

2 Stories on Ted Kennedy I’ve never been a Ted Kennedy fan. Most of his politics are 180 degrees to the left of my beliefs. However, two stories I read many years ago built a grudging respect for him. One is humorous. The other is poignant. Once during a visit to a coal mine, Ted Kennedy was approached by a …

The Best Part of Writing and Living: Relationships Shown above is my nephew Adam Terry. He’s showing off a copy of “God’s Timing” a poem I wrote. (See end of blog for reprint of poem)     Adam is congressional aide for Rep. U.S Congressman Rodney Alexander.   He and and his wife Jenny live in the Washington D.C. area …

From the cover of my lost (and found) journal: PASSION: Dream it. Dare it. Define it. Do it. Get into it!     I once was lost, but now I’m found. The adventures of journal #47.     Pictured is Books a Million associate Anna with my journal. Bonehead Iles left it at the Lake Charles store last week. Anna …