Calling all children’s authors…

We have lots of fun: is it children’s authors or childrens authors or childrens’ author? Well, children’s means one and we definitely want more than one child reading our books. What’s your call?    

Read More »

Six words in my Life Plan

Hunger, Commitment and more. Wednesday, January 25, 2012.                       On Wednesday’s I’m trying to write about my Life Plan.  I’ve discovered that I need this written plan to keep me focused and on task. I hope you enjoy and are challenged by my thoughts on this. I’d love to hear …

Read More »

Why do we exist? Thoughts on Life Statements

“To bring glory to God…” “We exist to bring glory to God by making disciples who treasure Christ &carry His name to the ends of the earth.” This is our church (Dry Creek Baptist) Life Statement. A life statement is simply a declaration of what you’re about… where you stand… why you exist. It says,  “I’ve driven a stake in …

Read More »

Life Planning: The 10 Pins Plan

Readers:  If you’d like to receive emails when new blog posts appear, please click on the orange RSS feed below.  This will allow posts to be sent to Google Reader.                 I follow about ten blogs and Google Reader allows me to easily read and keep up. My daily goal is adding ten …

Read More »

Having a Life Verse

Your Life Verse Yesterday I shared my Life Statement: “I seek to be a man God can use and be respected by my wife DeDe, our sons and their families.”     A second foundational stone in my life plan is my Life Verse.  This is the Bible verse that most closely resonates with my heart. For the last two …

Read More »

Having a 2012 Life Statement

  We’re blogging this week about having a Life Plan for 2012. A Life Plan is simply a short written document expressing what matters most in your life.  It serves for a compass on the journey of each day. My life plan is 12 pages long and covers the ten areas of my life I deem as priorities. Later in …

Read More »

Life Planning 2012

Monday Jan. 16 This week I’ll be blogging about having a Life Plan. I’m a firm believer that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  I also believe that when we write down our dreams, they become achievable goals. Emmit Smith said,  “If it’s in your head, it’s only a dream, but when you write it down, it …

Read More »

Melted Ice Cream … The August Heat in Louisiana

This is chapter 5 from my latest novel,  A Spent Bullet.  I’ll be adding author notes throughout the week. Curt Iles Chapter 5   Melted Ice Cream   WEATHER ADVISORY CAMP POLK, LOUISIANA 13 AUGUST 1941 EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR BLUE ARMY AREAS. ALL PERSONNEL SHOULD MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF SALT TABLETS AND WATER.   …

Read More »

“A Broken Record” Chap. 4 from A Spent Bullet

Author’s Notes:  This is one of my favorite chapters in A Spent Bullet.  It reveals the tension in the Reed family between a father who has personally experienced battle and an idealistic young son who yearns for war. You cannot understand the weeks leading up to Pearl Harbor without being aware of the national struggle taking place then between the …

Read More »

Words to a young writer

Samuel Marshall asked for advice on becoming a writer.  Here are the three main tips I shared: 1. Keep a journal and write in it often. 2. Read, read, read.      Good writers are always avid readers! 3. Find a writing group or club in your area or online.

Read More »

A Christmas gift to you: “Medic”

I wrote the following story for a Christmas compilation a few years ago.  It’s still one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it.  Merry Christmas,   Curt MEDIC! By Curt Iles   “Medic. Medic.” Nazi sniper Unerfeldewebel Franz Schmidt didn’t know any English, but in the case of the nearby wounded American soldier, he didn’t need to. The man’s anguished …

Read More »

Chapter 3: A Spent Bullet

Wed. December 7, 2011 Scroll down to read Chapter Three of A Spent Bullet.  It takes place on August 13, 1941. Part of the tension and hook of A Spent Bullet is that it’s set in the months/weeks leading up to Pearl Harbor. Harry, Elizabeth, Jimmy Earl, Peg, Sarge and the others don’t know what we readers know:  War in …

Read More »

Wed. Nov. Nov. 30: He’p Me!

I’ve been thinking about the famous “He’p Me” speech by former La. governor, John McKeithen. “I wasn’t born to material wealth, nor do I have claim to an aristocratic name. But if I am elected governor, it will prove that any mother’s son can aspire to the highest political office of this state. I’ve come this far because you the …

Read More »

Shooting Wax Bullets: Chapter 2

Today we continue tidbits and excerpts about our new novel,  A Spent Bullet. This blog is the “director’s cut.”  It features insights, photos, and links from the writing of  A Spent Bullet.  Enjoy! I’ll be updating it through Thanksgiving Day. If you haven’t signed up for our newsletter, visit the Creekbank home page and click on the newsletter button.   …

Read More »