I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve used the words adversity and serendipity in the same sentence. Of course, if all goes as planned, it could happen again. The mind, especially my mind, is a fertile playground for the story-seeds that play there on a nightly basis. So who knows? It could happen. My point, should you choose to accept it, is that realizing my dream of becoming a writer has involved adversity and serendipity (see, it already happened again), as different as those two words are.

Let’s start with the latter, serendipity.

In April of 2002, I received an e-mail from Hollywood actor and writer Wayne Federman. He and a co-author were writing the definitive biography on basketball legend Pistol Pete Maravich, and my name was gleaned from many who were bidding on Maravich items on eBay. It sounded a bit suspicious, but I listened just the same. Maravich is my hero. I couldn’t resist.

Mr. Federman asked me ten questions about Pistol Pete that had stumped him and his co-author, Marshall Terrill. This was their litmus test. I successfully provided insight into four of the questions, more than any other of their guinea pigs had been able to provide. I was officially their new best friend.

Our relationship flourished, primarily due to a chemistry born from the shared love of old-school basketball, and I began writing chapter outlines for the Terrill-Federman team. To my surprise, Wayne and Marshall were not only impressed with my basketball knowledge, they also saw some promise in my writing skills. I was flattered, and a 20-year passion that had lay dormant erupted like Mt. St. Helens. Plots, pronouns, and punctuation marks were found weeks later around my house, dream-remnants that were evidence of what I was meant to do.

Since most people who write for a living don’t drive Jaguars, I understood why I could not be compensated for my efforts. I was OK with that. It was truly a labor of love.

One day, though, Marshall Terrill called me with an offer I couldn’t refuse. He asked me one question that changed my life forever, “Have you ever thought of writing a book – getting published?” The pregnant pause lasted exactly one one-thousandth of a second before I blurted out, “Sure I have! Why? Can you make that happen?” I’m sure Marshall felt like the Wizard of Oz handing out brains to the Scarecrow. It was a grand gesture to reward me with the only type of currency he could provide at the time.

Being an author many times over, Marshall had the contacts necessary to make my dream a reality. He suggested that since vintage basketball books were hot at the time, and because of my expertise in that area, that I choose the player to write about. The plan was to then contact the former athlete’s agent, obtain a contract, and get busy writing. If it were only that easy. I did feel flattered that Marshall trusted my sports instinct and knowledge to allow me to choose our subject.

Being a businessman my entire adult life, I used a basic tenet when deciding on whom to write about: First to market. Choose a person that no one had ever written about, be sure that it would be a compelling story, and pray like hell. That was the extent of my master plan, and how, “Skywalker – The David Thompson Story,” came to be told. It had to work, I figured. David was Michael Jordan’s boyhood hero, after all.

I will save you the odyssey we went through in gaining the Thompson camp’s commitment, but it was six long months of negotiations. Success was finally ours, though, and Marshall and I boarded separate flights bound for a singular destination. We met with David for four days of interviews in Charlotte, NC, in early October of 2002.

David Thompson is one of the most honest, caring, and interesting people I have ever met. I admired him greatly as a player, but love him as a person. America relishes a story of redemption, and David’s tale is one of the most compelling ever told. “Skywalker – The David Thompson Story,” has sold over 12,000 copies nationwide and has given David his reputation, dignity, and integrity back. It turns out that honesty being the best policy really is true. Please pick up a copy from this website and share it with those you love. The story’s uplifting theme is not to be missed.

While “Skywalker” has opened many doors for me, it was adversity that led me to write my first novel, “Exit Ramp.”

For 23 years I had successfully dodged the business version of the grim reaper,
down-sizing. You gain a false sense of security when you’re able to work where you want, for as long as you want, when you’ve earned a reputation as a high-performer in your chosen field of expertise. For me, that happens to be Sales and Sales Management.
That is until the unexpected pays you an unannounced visit.

I lost my job in March of 2005, a sobering experience. I could now add humility to my resume. Though I had begun “Exit Ramp” a few months before, it resembled something more like “Goodnight Moon” than a world-class murder/mystery novel. I was facing a potential black hole of uncertainty. I mustered the courage and discipline to write in the mornings and perform my job search in the afternoons. Three months later I was employed again, and the first draft of “Exit Ramp” was completed.

As most seasoned authors will tell you, it’s the editing process that is the most enjoyable and rewarding. I would have to agree. The story that exists today is different than the one I originally set out to write. Characters have a way of taking a story where they want it, regardless of what the writer thinks. How cool is that? I’ve never had so much fun in my life.

This much I know. Many well-respected colleagues have previewed “Exit Ramp,” and the feedback has been remarkable. Looks like Marshall Terrill has an eye for talent after all. My first novel will be published in March 2008.

At least I don’t have to worry about being down-sized any more.

Enjoy my playground, and thank you for the interest. Let’s hear it for adversity and serendipity, my two new favorite words (hey, that’s three times!).

Take care, and put your seatbelts on. This is only the beginning.


Sincerely,

Sean Stormes
December 2005