Mark Mourer

I wrote creative fiction in the first grade. Often, in fact. The only other first grader who wrote more creative fiction than I did that year was Dan Robinson, and I think he graduated from our high school as a valedictorian. I, on the other hand, did not...graduate as valedictorian, that is. So I've spent the years following first grade on the run, motivated to do more than the other Dan Robinsons in my path. Sometimes, the pursuit has ended well. Other efforts were, well...perhaps just ill-conceived. But I've spent a great deal of my career (both theoretical and practical) continuing to creatively spin yarn. Not just with fiction, either. I have also developed oral and written communication skill sets designed to present non-fiction with some creative aplomb. These skins have been earned during a sales career where I've marketed, promoted and sold pharmaceutical and medical nutrition products. Additionally, in over eight years of fund raising work, I conceptualized fictitious notions, ideas and dreams, bringing their realities to life with the financial and administrative support of donors, deans and related bureaucrats. But all I've ever really wanted to do was write. Or compose. Or create. I don't paint too well, and my drawings have been more often compared to doodles. Musically, I can barely muster Chopsticks. So, artistically, I write. I should have followed my goals and dreams after graduating with a journalism degree from TCU, and chased sports writing gigs. I didn't, but I don't think it's too late to find an outlet. Hopefully, you agree. My two daughters are my right and left heart chambers. They bring in my life-sustaining forces, and send me out to chase my life, enriched and nourished with things like joy, motivation, inspiration and humor. Of course, they've yet to reach their teens, so I'll want to revisit this notion as their years progress. I'm married to a gal I began dating in '97. She's done some pretty amazing things for our family, for me, and for herself over the 15 years that I've known her. I'm very proud of her, despite her meticulous organization, balanced checkbook, impeccable fashion sense and cavity-free teeth. Garcia and Hunter once wrote that, every once in a while, you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right. I try and do this every day, and hope that when my life is over, they'll know I lived it. After all, I go to the fair to ride the rides...