I was born and raised Massachusetts, first in Weymouth and then in Yarmouth, a town on Cape Cod.  I went to Marlboro College (please no cigarette jokes) in Vermont, and then spent five years working, first teaching at-risk kids in the Boston Public Schools and then counseling patients at a psychiatric hospital.  I live in Iowa Ctiy now, where I recently graduated from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. I'm trying to write a novel now, which this present gig isn’t helping.  I was married recently. . . .like, a week ago.  I have a shy dog.

--Dave Fleming

Thank you, David.   Let me help you out with your novel.   There’s this private eye, see, and he was working a big case up in Boston, but it kind of blew up in his face, and now he is hiding out in the psychiatric hospital in Iowa.   His wife is at risk and his dog smokes Marl. . ..no, no, wait a minute.   His wife is very shy and smokes Marlboros and his dog, Weymouth, is at risk from vermin.   Got a make it something sexier than vermin. OK, I got it.  His dog is at risk from this writer who lives above their workshop and teaches school in Yarmouth.   Just trying to help. . .what do you think, is it working for you?

OK, well. . .jeez, if that’s your attitude, you can do it yourself.   I was just trying to help. . .welcome to the site.   I’m sure the audience will enjoy your stuff, and we’ll look forward to the novel when you get it done.