Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

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The new edition of our first book, Stories from the Creekbank, features five new stories.  This is one of my favorites.   “Curt, disregard that first message.” Any school principal knows that phone calls from about 3:30 PM to suppertime are never good. They are usually from angry parents who have just heard their child’s (one-sided) story of discipline, trouble, …

This is the weekly Tribe Creek Storyletter.  It’s just an opportunity to tell you what’s going on in our writing world, and hopefully encourage and inspire you.   I try to live by a series of words.  Right now, gratitude is filling my heart. I am so thankful for the gifts in my life. I’m extremely grateful for my returning …

I’ve done book signings for nearly twenty years. I’ve never had a bad one, but have had every size crowd from none (unless you count a stray dog that sniffed at my foot) to dozens standing in line for an autograph. This Saturday, March 25, I’ll be at the Steamer Trunk Vintage Store in downtown Jennings.  Nova and her staff have …

Nary a Car  . . .   Nary a Car: the parking lot at Roy O. Martin’s Oakdale OSB Mill.   Today, I’m writing about living in the Pickup Truck Culture of western* Louisiana. Where I come from, every man has a truck. I live in town (Alexandria) and may only haul my dog and an occasional rich pine fence post, …

It’s St. Patrick’s Day. The perfect day to read the story of how Joseph Moore left Ireland in 1849 and ended up in the Louisiana Pineywoods.   The Wayfaring Stranger is free today on Kindle! As a way of saying thanks to all of our faithful readers, we’re offering our novel,  The Wayfaring Stranger,  free today on Kindle.   You …

Growing up in a Small Community: The Rich Life of Mrs. Eva Cole “Oh, those small communities . . . “ -John Mellencamp   I grew up in Dry Creek, Louisiana. It would be an exaggeration to call it a town. It would be pretentious to call it a village. Reeves is a village. Dry Creek is a community. I like …

Friday, March 10, 2017 Thoughts on a Big Word It’s a word that keeps popping up in my heart. I hope I never forget the importance of it. It’s integrity. A large part of integrity is being honest.  Telling the truth.  Being a man (or woman) of your word. This Thomas Jefferson quote sums up the slippery slope of lying: …

Friday was my last burn day on my longleaf pine acreage. Here are images from what looks like a disaster but is essential to the growth of my trees. Scroll down to read the classic story below, “Burned Yet Blessed.” It is such a fitting story of where I presently am in my life.         Click here …

Friday, March 3 We’re keeping it simple at the Creekbank Tribe today. I hope you enjoy the quotes and have a great weekend. Please scroll down to help us select a new cover for Stories from the Creekbank. This year, I’ve fallen deeper in love with the woods. Trees are such a special part of my region of Louisiana.  I …

When we ordered copies of  A Spent Bullet in 2010, we selected several hundred hardback copies. This would allow options for libraries and discerning readers who wanted a more durable copy. I was deeply pleased with the format and look of the hardcover copies, until I looked at the spine.  The publisher at mispelled bullet, adding an extra t to …

Quick background:  This chapter, near the end of A Spent Bullet, begins with the soldier, Harry Miller, and the schoolteacher, Elizabeth Reed, stranded on the ferris wheel at the Beauregard Parish Fair. It ends with a marriage proposal and a wise lesson from Elizabeth’s father farmer. Enjoy! A reminder: Today, Feb. 28, is the final day to get a hardback …

Chapter 2 Bad News CLOSE VOTE EXTENDS SERVICE TERM FOR THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS (Washington) By a vote of 203-202 yesterday, Congress removed restrictions pertaining to federalized National Guard units. This close vote means National Guard soldiers will have their terms extended and may be moved to locations outside the United States. Private Harry Miller had never hated a place like …

We’ve had fun in February sharing stories from our novel, A Spent Bullet.   As America observes the 75th anniversary of what we know as World War II, it is important to remember the men and women who rose to the great challenge. I also believe it’s imperative to remember the integral part Louisiana played in getting our nation and …