Blog Post #1: An Introduction
I am an author, not just of articles about psychology, but an author of fiction and specifically science fiction. Reaching Home at First Light is a combination of two stories Reaching Home and First Light being the conclusion of the story that began in Reaching Home. I have written several books; five of them being novels. I find my background as clinical psychologist very relevant to my writing. The book is for anyone who enjoys reading fiction specifically science fiction. It is very relevant today to the struggles that we are facing in trying to preserve our democracy and heal the divisions in our country. My writing style, I hope you will find, is similar to that of Kurt Vonnegut. Although much of it is science fiction, it is tied to the present and the issues we face each day in this country. My job as a clinical psychologist has been to help people feel, think and act in ways that move their life forward. I have pushed emotional buttons over the years with my words, and I believe I continue to do so in my writing.
Over the years I have served in leadership positions within a number of organizations including psychological associations. I had the good fortune to work with one of the founding fathers of professional psychology, Nicholas Cummings, PhD and with Pat DeLeon, PhD who like Nick, is a past president of the American Psychological Association and who served as Sen. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s Chief of Staff for most of his career in the Senate. I've also had the opportunity to work with other senators including Angus King. I met Angus long before he became a senator. Our lobbyist, Mary Herman, talked me into doing a public television fundraiser with Angus when I was president of the Association. During my tenure with the American Psychological Association, I was involved in presenting Sen. George Mitchell with an APA award for his support of mental health legislation and psychology. All four of these men are great storytellers.
When I visited Nick in Nevada a couple of years before his death and toured his office, I ask him about a German Colonel's cap which he had on display. Nick told me that it was from D Day when as a young paratrooper he and his fellow paratroopers were dropped far behind enemy lines. Night was falling and they needed to find their unit. It just happened that a German colonel in a Jeep by himself was driving through the forest they had been dropped into. They stopped the Col. and for his freedom he provided directions back to their front lines and surrendered his cap.
Reaching Home at First Light is autobiographical fiction. As a psychologist, I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly, and I am not referring to physical appearance. Reading the novel will hopefully be enjoyable but in the process increase your understanding of yourself and of other people and inspire you to join with others in healing the divisions in this country.