Charles Bechtel

Born: Spring Lake, North Carolina, April, 1953, fourth day, five minutes past midnight (late for my parents’ anniversary, which set a standard.)

Educated: A long while ago. Undergraduate: English; Master: English. All the rest through travel and listening.

Marriage: to Manuela, the finest woman on Earth, by accounts of many others more than myself. I had married once before, but for practice.

She brought along with her two wonderful women, Elizabeth (Baby Beth) and Manuela (Meme), who each in turn delivered into my life young ladies of inestimable value: Sky (b. 2003) Lucy (b. 2007) and Mia (b. 2008.) Though I give to each huge chunks of my heart, doing so has increased that heart’s size.

Work History: Let’s say I worked, enjoying no occupation more than writing.

What I do for fun: Everything that's fun. If it is not fun, I quickly stop. (see Work, above) I will sail anywhere, any time, on whatever, with whomever.

Writing Philosophy: Make sense by appealing to the senses. Also, write often, write much, write anything, publish little, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.