Singles vs. Doubles

My tennis racket was sold at our last garage sale (and I mean, our LAST garage sale!)

My racket was hard to part with because it was an admission that my knees could no longer tolerate the lateral pounding on the hard surface. But back in the day, I loved playing, mostly doubles. It was a social activity as well as great exercise. Writing, or rather the process of writing, is rarely social and as long as my brain functions to a certain capacity and the muscles in my fingers don’t disappoint, I can continue writing.

The opportunity to write with someone else on particular projects has been available to me on numerous occasions. Unlike my pleasure and affinity for a partner on the tennis court, a “partner” in writing was something I avoided. It requires the ability to anticipate thoughts and moods and direction. Plus, if I’m not in love with the subject matter, every minute would be a painful reminder that I’d really rather be doing something else.

It is with great pride and pleasure that I recently received a copy of “My First Fed”, a book I wrote with Karen McCormick. As a long time, resident of Port Angeles and former CEO of First Federal, I had met Karen years ago when she enrolled in my creative writing course at Peninsula College.

Why did I accept the challenge of writing the history of this local institution? I honestly can’t remember specifics, but I followed my instinct (followed my gut) and said “yes” to an endeavor that would span more than two years, hours at the computer, and countless sessions in Karen’s dining room pouring over myriad details and wordings in our effort to create not only an accurate history of First Federal, but, also, an enjoyable non-fiction read.

I am proud of the book I now hold in my hand, “My First Fed.” I am also proud that Karen and I remain friends, although I’m pretty sure this will be my last collaboration.  Even though I’ll be a “single” author on future projects, I was happy to be a doubles player, one last time.

Game. Set. Match.