An alternate history book starting in the summer before his freshman year it follows him through high school and beyond.
Coming of age stories don’t have to be all teenage angst, they can be fun-filled adventures. With humor, we follow a young man’s coming of age in the late 1950s. Starting in the summer before his freshman year it follows him through high school and beyond. He finds wealth as an inventor and fame in Hollywood as he searches for a girlfriend. Wealth and fame prove far easier than girls.
The second book, ‘School Days’ shows Rick in the first semester of the ninth grade. Using the lessons learned on the road Rick makes a serious start on being an excellent student.
He still has to navigate the pitfalls of the Homecoming Dance, Sadie Hawkin’s day, and other dangers encountered with the fair sex. His thoughts of being a football star go but he finds out that chasing a little white ball around a field can be fun and that being a hero is not all it is cracked up to be.
This tongue in cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.
Chapter 1 (partial)
Monday, the weather was still good. I was able to get in another run. There wouldn’t be many more. I took one of my favorite routes, up Campbell Hill, then a farm road next to the airbase. Then turned onto a road through a small woodlot to complete the loop and home. It was a little longer than my normal five miles, but I liked running out in the country.
I had a cup of coffee during breakfast even though I was awake. It wasn’t as nasty-tasting; I was getting used to it. I talked Dad into giving me a ride to school. I had made an error in bringing the trophy home rather than letting Coach take it with him. After giving me a hard time, Dad relented.
On the way to school, I wondered what they would do with the latest trophy. The current cases looked full to me, and I could tell the trophy was too tall to fit in any of these cases. The question was quickly answered.
Dad dropped me off at the main entrance as usual. When I walked in the door, the first thing that caught my eye was an additional trophy case. It was built to hold taller trophies.
A janitor was just finishing cleaning the glass. I asked Mr. Brown where they got a new case on such short notice. He told me they had it all along, just not set out. When they bought the other cases, this came with them. They didn’t have enough trophies to fill it, so they left it in storage to avoid damaging those dang high school kids. Mr. Brown was one of those that thought his job would be great if it weren’t for all those kids.
He had the key, so he opened it and placed the trophy front and center. All the time, other students were going by saying, “Go, Bellefontaine.”
I had learned to tune it out.
Mr. Brown told me, “Mr. Gordon needs to see you in the office immediately.”
Mr. Gordon saw me immediately.
“Congratulations on the win, Rick. You have caused more commotion at this school than we have had in years. I always want the city and county councils to pay attention to us and maybe provide some necessary maintenance funds. Now they all want to be here and speak at the presentation.”
“What presentation?”
“Your trophy, of course,” he spoke as though I were a little slow. “My trophy was presented yesterday at the end of the tournament; Jack Nicklaus did the presentation.”
“Not that one, the Logan County athlete of the year.”
“I didn’t know they had one.”
“This is the first. Somebody thought of it last night,” Mr. Gordon told me.
“Do I have to accept it?” I inquired.
Cast in Time Book 6 Available in June 2024!
More details coming soon.
Earl E. (Ed) Nelson
I have always wanted to be an author. I had my first rejection slip in about 1965. Wish I had saved it. For many years the only writing I did was technical as pesky things like three children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren came along.
My technical writing was in the field of quality in several different journals. I worked in the field of quality for over fifty years, starting as a line inspector and ending up as a Vice-President of Quality and elected a Fellow of the American Society for Quality.
Then a wonderful thing happened. I lost my job and was out of work for almost eight months. To keep from going crazy I wrote. I posted my stories on an online site, and lo and behold people read them and said nice things. Fast forward about eight years and I am retired and writing for the fun of it.
A lot of what is in my stories is based on my life experiences, gasp! Give or take a lie or two that is. The one fortunate thing in my career is that I got to travel worldwide and have been to most of the locations I write about.
In my younger days, I tried hot air ballooning, sky diving, white water rafting, spelunking, and target shooting. I have collected stamps, drove in road rallies, lowly rated by the US Chess federation. I built a Kentucky long rifle and a dueling pistol. I am a licensed HAM radio operator. My hobby is having hobbies.
My true passion is reading. Trapped in a hotel room I would read the telephone book. The TV would not be turned on. I have averaged 200 books a year for the last sixty years. I knew those long flights were good for something.
BTW I was born in the middle of an air raid in England during World War II, the house next door was destroyed and our windows were blown out. That is probably the most interesting thing I have been involved with. Mum never forgave me. Happily married for 56 years I hope my wife doesn’t catch on to what a goof I am.
Amazon Reviews
What readers are saying about this book
Great stuff I love how he sneaks in the references to the books an music that bring back memories of that time for me! Wish my days in High School could have been more like Ricks! Get it, read it, you won't be sorry!!
Thomas A. Lamparty
Amazon Review
ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMING-OF-AGE BOOK SERIES!!! While Book 1 covered from late May 1958 when Richard (Rick, Ricky) Jackson's summer adventures began to October 1958 through the start of his ninth grade and his playing in the Ohio State Boys State Golf Championship, this Book 2 covers from October 1958 to very early January 1959. This book covers a wide range of Rick's experiences during that time...
Jerry Edwards
Amazon Review
Great Book I should have revised the first but was well into the second book. I am 5 years younger than main character. I grew up in California not Ohio but I understand all of the references. It is very enjoyable. In my mind, novels are meant to entertain and enjoy. Mr Nelson does this very. I highly recommend this book.
Bill Cooper
Amazon Review
Really good read Only gotta minute. I'm rushing on to the next book in the series. Good for YA and adults who like an interesting tale without detailed violence or sex. This isn't a true to life story but an engaging work of fiction. The main character is interesting and the story entertaining. So go for it, give it a whirl.
Terry T
Amazon Review
A simple old fashioned adventure story I have enjoyed this author for a number of years. I like the style and the subject matter, it takes an old man back to simpler times when novels were fun to read and had no social agenda. This series, and, I hope he publishes more, will live on my Kindle and will be well read on my travels.
L. K. Booth
Amazon Review
Available on Amazon
You can purchase this book and all of Ed Nelsons book series on Amazon.
Books
Other Books by Ed Nelson
- All
- Richard Jackson Saga
- Cast in Time
- Other
F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions for Ed Nelson
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What inspired you to become a writer, and what drives you to continue writing today?
I had a contracted project finished and had time before the next one started. I had been thinking about a story for several years so decided to give it a try. It worked. I'm retired now so it is a nice hobby and the extra income is nice.
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Can you tell us about your writing process? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone?
I started out as a pantser, writing by the seat of my pants, no plot, no ending just writing. That works on a single novel but not a series. So now I try to plot, only gross outlines. When I get hung up on where to go next the pantser takes over.
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Your latest book, Cast in Time, has been receiving excellent reviews. What was the most challenging part of writing it, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?
Plotting! Don't have telephones before you have electricity under control. Well maybe two tin cans and a string.
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How do you approach character development? Are your characters based on real people, fictional archetypes, or entirely original creations?
I'm the hero of course. Eveyone else is an archetype. As a hero I'm also a archetype. That makes me a pretty shallow person! Maybe I'm not a hero after all.
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What do you believe is the most critical element of a compelling story, and how do you ensure you deliver it in your writing?
Involving the reader deeper and deeper into the story until the most outrageous acts are believable.
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Writing can be a solitary endeavor. How do you handle writer's block or self-doubt, and what advice would you give to aspiring writers facing similar challenges?
Walk away until the guilt piles up and start writing again.
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Many of your readers admire your distinct writing style. How did you develop your voice, and how important do you think it is for writers to find their unique voice?
My voice is exactly that. When I type out the words I'm speaking them in my head as though I was telling the story our loud around a campfire. It is how I speak.
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Beyond the pages of your books, what other forms of storytelling inspire you? Are there any particular authors, films, or artistic mediums that have influenced your writing?
I'm a voracious reader so many books have influenced me. I can't point to any specific one, but I know that I have picked up elements of storytelling.