Father’s Day Lessons

   I’ve been negligent of my duties in recent weeks to impart tidbits of the freelance travel writing scenario to the cyberworld. Even though no one has been going through withdrawals without my input, I do have a good excuse. 

  I’ve been working my app off. No typos there. No vulgarities intended. App is the word, and if you have a smart phone or an iPhone in particular, you know what I’m talking about. 

  An app, or application, is one of those downloadable features that allows you to do everything from check on the weather in Timbuktu to turn off the lights in your bathroom when you’re sitting in a meeting at work. 

  I’ve just written my first app and if that makes it sound like I’m as smart as Bill Gates, we all know that’s not the case. First of all, my app will be available through Apple and both Bill Gates and I are PC/Windows people. 

  What I”ve been doing is working with a company called Sutro Media who contracts with Apple and iTunes to put together travel guidebooks in the form of an app.  It’s a different medium, different format that stretched my brain in odd directions, but it was fun. 

A sample of one of my app entries.

My app is called Kansas City Uncovered and it’s just a sassy look at fun things to do and trivial little corners of the cowtown Bruce and I have called home for 25 years now. My app is done and approved by editors, but not yet uploaded by Apple.  I suggest they get off their app and get it done! 

   So as soon as it’s live, I’ll let you know and even if you don’t have a smart phone, you can go to iTunes and buy a copy. It’s only $1.99. It has 109 entries and 639 images. How’s that for some nice even numbers! 

  Also this week, I received my author’s copies of a more traditional travel guidebook – Nebraska: Off the Beaten Path, published by Globe Pequot Press.  I guess you could say it’s live – or at least on the bookstore shelves now. 

 So if you’ve got a road trip this summer that may take you through the great American West, or if you just want to line your bookshelves or bird cages with travel titles and my pockets with $$, then order a copy of my Nebraska book. 

  Of course, all if this is timely to share with you on Father’s Day, because my father is one of those guys who worked his app off all of his life.  I owe much of my success as a freelance writer to my dad, a farmer with a great work ethic.   Anyone who is self-employed knows that talent is only half of what makes the house payment. It’s the discipline, the work ethic, the get up and get it done, because there’s no such thing as paid sick days or days of calling in sick when you’re not. Your paycheck is based on the moments you’re out their working your app off. 

  Thanks Daddy for that lesson, teaching me to work my app off.

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