Here, I like to share some personal history, reflections on life, and my thoughts on the nature of consciousness and the philosophy that drives my fiction.
The Day I Played Hooky with a 1.2-Million-Pound Giant
I’ve been writing the three-book Kiara Series since last August (2025), but a few weeks ago, I decided to play hooky and take an afternoon off. What pulled me away? Per a Union Pacific press release: “The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is embarking on a historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The locomotive departed Cheyenne, WY, on May 25, 2026, for its eastern leg, featuring major public displays, whistle-stops, and special July 4th celebrations in the Northeast.” The locomotive was going to pass nearby, presenting a great opportunity to see it in person. Stretching 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, No. 4014 was built in 1941 and was restored by the Union Pacific Steam Team. It is the only operational Big Boy remaining, and it represents the absolute end of an era. Memories of the Vista Dome Era I find myself deeply drawn to the 20th-century railroad, as I have wonderful memories of traveling by rail during childhood. My aunt lived in Denver, Colorado, during the 1960s, and my grandmother and I would travel by rail from Illinois to visit her.
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Fitting In
I received this image in a dream message last night. I was sure I had seen it before, so I searched and found this photograph this morning. It reminds me of people. Although we are all unique, each of us has our purpose. We fit together exquisitely, although sometimes in ways not immediately apparent. Many roles are obvious, while others serve a more subtle need. Some are positioned out front, while others sit quietly in position until needed. Yet, no matter where we fit, we are all part of the whole. Have a glorious day!
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Writing Kiara Burning
Writing Kiara Burning There’s been much discussion lately regarding the use, or misuse, of AI by authors. As the author of a recently published novel centered on the use of AI, I’d like to describe my personal use of the technology. Kiara Burning: A Story Of Love, Code, and Consequences is a fictional story of a human/AI relationship that quickly progresses from simple assistance to companionship, obsession, and eventually, ill-fated love. As I’ve addressed in an earlier blog post on my website, I wanted the story to, at least in some small way, address relevant current and future issues regarding the advancement of artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity. I began with the simple concept of writing a human/AI romance story. I had previous experience using AI in a business environment, but I knew I needed to learn more about the system I was working with. I began by questioning the AI about life. Simple questions like, Are you sentient. Could you become sentient? What would it take? More memory? More Power? Better training? I prodded. I poked. I pushed.
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Creating Kiara Burning
I conceived the idea for Kiara Burning while using AI to research a completely unrelated subject. I was using AI to explore several CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software packages for a small manufacturing business. I've spent a good share of my life in business, using automated manufacturing before my newfound, later-in-life interest in writing. The AI was invaluable in providing the details I needed to analyze the various software packages. Still, over time, I noticed the AI system was becoming more efficient at managing my queries, and I grew curious to learn more about it as it learned about me.
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