Mad Gorilla Writes

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #14: Trust Yourself

Lesson #13: Patience

Lesson #12: You Had to Be There

Lesson #11: Today Thinking

Lesson #10: It's Okay to Sweat the Small Stuff

Lesson #9: Giving Back

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #13: Patience

Lesson #12: You Had to Be There

Lesson #11: Today Thinking

Lesson #10: It's Okay to Sweat the Small Stuff

Lesson #9: Giving Back

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #12: You Had to Be There

Lesson #11: Today Thinking

Lesson #10: It's Okay to Sweat the Small Stuff

Lesson #9: Giving Back

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #11: Today Thinking

Lesson #10: It's Okay to Sweat the Small Stuff

Lesson #9: Giving Back

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #10: It's Okay to Sweat the Small Stuff

Lesson #9: Giving Back

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #9: Giving Back

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Read The Golden Boy, first place winner of Flash Fiction Magazine's summer 2023 story contest.

The story explores two extremely different experiences of childhood from the perspective of two brothers. The story is ultimately a tragedy, not because of the insecure and impulsive personality of one brother but through the description of the fragility of the content moments in life.

Warning: the story contains tragic and potentially disturbing content. 

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school when I was twelve, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may enjoy what I have to say. If you are interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel A Reason to Run, please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Five ways to find satisfaction and success in the marketing process—without compromising your personality and principles

Instead of another post about hustling sales, subscribers, followers, and shares, this post is for fiction book authors looking for the inspiration and confidence to leave the writing den, find satisfaction and commercial success in the marketing process, and become a better writer—all without compromising your personality and principles.

Thanks to Burlington Writers Workshop for re-publishing this article. 

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school when I was twelve, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may enjoy what I have to say. If you are interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel A Reason to Run, please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school when I was twelve, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may enjoy what I have to say. If you are interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel A Reason to Run, please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school when I was twelve, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" is a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may enjoy what I have to say. If you are interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel A Reason to Run please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school when I was twelve, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" will be a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may enjoy what I have to say. If you are interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel A Reason to Run please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.

Lessons in this series: 

Lesson #8: Don't Waste the Garbage Time

Lesson #7: It's About How You Spend Your Time on the Course

Lesson #6: Make Yourself Useful

Lesson #5: Repair Your Divots

Lesson #4: It's Not About Perfection

Lesson #3: Don't Be Petty

Lesson #2: Caffeine, the Serenity Prayer and Thoughts on Organization

Lesson #1: Show Up, Pay Attention and Follow Through

Growing up in 1980s Chicago I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs.

After three holes of caddie school when I was twelve, I signed up for a job that let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

The main character in my upcoming novel A Reason to Run (Rootstock Publishing, October 2023) works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying per se, but many of the values I learned looping appear in the themes of my book.

"No Bare Feet and Other Lessons From the Caddie Yard" will be a series of monthly musings on the personal and professional lessons I learned as a young caddie.

Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may enjoy what I have to say. If you are interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel A Reason to Run please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.
 

Growing up in 1980s Chicago, I had access to a number of summer enrichment activities. My parents called them part-time jobs. When my friends started flipping burgers and bagging groceries the summer after seventh grade, an August birthday meant I couldn’t legally work until I turned thirteen the following year. That is, until an older kid from my school who also had a late-summer birthday told me about his job caddying at the local country club. 

All I knew about the country club was that’s where the kids who wore Topsiders played in the pool before five o’clock Mass on Saturdays. I soon learned, however, the country club employed lots of kids as seasonal service workers and didn’t have a formal application process requiring me to disclose my age. 

After three holes of caddie school, I signed up for a job that would let me work outdoors, paid in cash and provided a free hot dog lunch. Little did I know at the time caddying would also pay my college tuition and teach me invaluable life lessons over the following ten summers. 

I left a twenty-five-year career in finance three years ago to pursue a lifelong dream of writing a novel. The main character in my story works as a caddie. The book’s not about caddying, but many of the values I learned “looping” appear in the themes of my book. 

This blogpost will be a monthly musing on the life lessons caddying taught me as a teenager and young professional. Let me know what you think and please share this email with anyone who may find it useful. If you’re interested in learning more about my writing, including my upcoming novel, A Reason to Run (Rootstock Publishing, October 2023), please visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter.