A Note About the Author--by the Author

I am Bill Hamm. I am a writer. This picture really captures a lot of who I am as a person.

Like many writers, I have pursued a variety of different occupations to "pay the bills" but that doesn't change the fact that in my heart of hearts, I am, always have been, and presummably always will be a writer. Besides, my extensive experience in a variety of fields gives me the grasp of life and things that I believe is necessary for any writer to be effective in capturing the essence of his themes. Please note--I don't have anything against young writers. Quite the contrary, I think many people simply have a gift for seeing and feeling things so clearly that they can write very meaningfully even at a very young age. But to clarify--I don't count myself as being a young author. I've been around the block (or at least down the street) enough to know what life is about--at least for me--and I count myself lucky for the experiences I've had. On the other hand, I'm also not too old. In fact, I expect to have a long and fruitful career in writing from here on out.

Why haven't you seen my work around? There might be two reasons. This blog represnts my entré into public writing. Most of my work has hitherto been private work, and is therefore very little known, little published, and little publicized. Secondly, Bill Hamm is my pen name. My friends will know my real name, but as I get 'out there' I think I'm going to stick with the pen name.

I have three reasons for the pen name. The first is probably very similar to the reason I believe most folks take on a pen name. They want to keep a bit of a buffer between their private and public lives. I'm no different. In the event that I grow to be known for my public work, I'd prefer to maintain my ability to privately conduct the business of my life under my original given name without the obstacle of fame or notoriety. Secondly, if I totally bomb at making a career out of writing, we're going to say it was Bill Hamm's defeat--not my own. So, yeah. . . pride is the second reason.

The final is the most motivating reason for my pen nam. The reason is that when I assume the identity of Bill Hamm, I AM a writer. I have a cousin who went through a serious rehabilitation program wherein he met with a clinical psychologist once a week. Throughout the program my cousin built quite a strong relationship with his psychologist. Some years after graduating from the program and living a sober and meaning-filled life, my cousin invited his psychologist friend to his wedding. At the wedding, my cousin called his psychologist by the name by which he had known him, and thanked him profusely for all the progress he had helped him make. The psychologist graciously accepted the thanks, but then told my cousin that his real name was different from what he goes by as a psychologist. As a conversation about why the 'front' ensued, the psychologist first pointed out a need to protect himself from some of the folks in the rehab program that would occasionally seek to inflict harm on those attempting to help. More interestingly, thoush, this psychologist indicated that when he went by his pen name, (as it were) he was able to slip into "psychology mode" and be more focussed and effective in his work. He also expressed an appreciationg for the opportunity to leave his work and associated worries with the man who's pen name he had assumed, and go home to his family and be himself without having to carry the burdens of his work into his private life.

My motivation for a pen name is similar. As Bill Hamm, all the ventures, business, relationships, etc. that I have pursued or am currently pursuing in my life are simply experiences that help contribute to my writing. They are the flavor that makes my writing good, but they aren't the meat of my life's work; the writing is. Of course, "my, me, mine, etc." in this sense refers to my life as Bill Hamm. Similar to the clinical psychologist I mentioned, I too, get to put on the Bill Hamm hat, and take it off as the various needs of my life create different demands on my time. The "real" me has other priorities. Bill Hamm has only his writing.

As for the writing, itself, is concerned, I'm currently in the middle of about 6 different projects. I'm going to give a brief description of each, so that I can remember the works that I hope to quickly wrap up.

First, there's "What's Next: 10 tips to becoming a make it happen man". This is a book about what it takes to be proactive, and make things happen--both for yourself, and for the people/companies with whom you may be working. I include several examples, illustrations, and ideas from a variety of sources to make a concise tool book for the serious individual who wants to change his life for the better (where better = productive, meaningful, and accomplished).

Second, I have the first part of my autobiography in the works: William Tyrone Hamm--the first 30 years. While it covers the first part of my life (30 years worth, at least), it really focusses more on the why behind the what that is William T. Hamm. I'm really a phylisophical guy, and it's been a neat opportunity for me to try to simply and directly articulate what I believe and why I have chosen those beliefs as my paradigm for life.

Third, I have started a book on Sales Principles. It's presently titled something like: Bill Hamm's Favorite Sales Principles, but I imagine that title will be changed by my publisher (whenever I find a publisher . . . [more on that later]). Since I have a lot of experience in sales, and I feel I have a powerful grasp on what it takes to be really good at sales, I thought I'd try my hand at succinctly articulating some of the principles necessary to be really good at sales.

Fourth, I have written a complete outline for what I think will be my first novel--although it's not the first novel I ever started. I don't have a title for this one, but it's about a revolutionary war between the United States of America and a new start-up country that is seceeding from USA for much the same reasons that the USA established their own nation seperate and distinct from the Brittish Empire. It details the 'what if'' scenarious and circumstances that could lead enough men and women to believe in a new American ideal--even to the point that they would feel it necesary to begin a new nation.

I recognize the need to be a little careful on this one. I don't want to ever have anyone believe for a second that I don't love my country--this country, as it is. I love the United States of America. In fact, I've looked at several positions that would involve working directly for the Federal Governement at various points in my life. I blelieve it's out of love for my country that I'm motivated to complete this novel. Through it, I hope to echo the virtues and values upon which our nation was founded, and that have made our nation strong--thus articulating a warning voice to those who would seek to continue the errosion or replacement of these values.

Fifth, I began my first novel quite some time ago. It's called the Broker. Along the lines of a good Tom Clancy or John Grisham novel, this one focusses on a man who works his way from a lowly sales rep. at a small manufacturing company into a powerful international trade position where finds himself involved in bigger riskier transactions (both personal and business related) than he ever imagined possible. Through the book I hope to touch on the theme of 'pursuing what you really want'.

Finally, I have a regular journal that documents the general happenings of my life, and some of my related feelings. I don't anticipate this one will ever be public--unless my surviving relatives publish it after my death for their own use.

So there you have it. These are the immediate works I hope to complete. I hope they will be a starting point for me. I think the next step (in addition to my actually completing these projects) is going to be for me to find some support for my work. I'm going to need a good editor, a publisher, a publicist, maybe an agent. Actually, I don't even know all that I need. On one hand, I'm kind of planning on the Kevin Costner's Field of Dreams approach of "If you build it they will come." In other words, I'm going to focus on the writing for now, and deal with the marketing once I have something I feel I can really take to market.

That's not to say I'm not worried about the details of getting my books 'out there'. I'm very worried about it. In fact, in a lot of ways, I think that's the real art of making a career out of writing (unfortunately far more so than the actual writing). But I'm going to take care of the career aspects of the field once I have some material I feel confident that I would publish if I were the publisher. And who knows--with my entrepreneurial drive, and my general skill in business anyway. Becoming a publisher might be the next career right after writer/author.

For now, welcome to the world of William T. Hamm. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to add whatever comments you feel appropriate.