Hey everyone. I’m in Missoula working on THE PULLER script and braving winter, haha. I have some cool writing news coming I’m very excited about, too. Also a NEW short story collection is coming soon. Winter is time to write, and get new work out there to you all. I appreciate your patience and having my back over these last few years!
Also, you can now follow my official Facebook page HERE.
Well folks, it’s been an interesting time since last March, hasn’t it? With Halloween approaching (my favorite holiday) I wanted to delve into a writing update, social media update, and a thank you to a few people.
First, I’m sitting on a couple film deal announcements based
on my stories. And I’m very proud of who is making these films. Over the last
two years I’ve slowed my roll and shifted to screenplays and development. BUT…I’m
now working on a new novel based on a short story called “Lost Planes, Lost
River”. I’m exciting to be getting back to writing an epic, along with
finishing THE PULLER screenplay.
People sometimes say to me “you’re lucky you’re a writer,
Covid messed my job up”. But Covid also
messed my job up. I was down in LA March 20th, and had really cool
meetings set up with various figures in the entertainment industry (along with
a talent agency) and the city was shut down two days later and all my meetings
turned to zooms, and ultimately I ended up leaving LA for Montana even though
the plan was to move to LA. I still remember my agent Lane walking up the
street in the Hollywood Hills with his suitcase, trying to catch his flight.
That’s the last time I saw him in person.
And to the “thank you” section. I want to thank the front
line workers of Missoula for putting their asses on the line to keep this place
running. People like my friend Caitlin,
a barista at my favorite coffee shop. Or Denton, the pharmacist. Or my
doctor, Dr. Acharya. Or the cleaning crew and front desk staff at my hotel,
like William and Julie.
These are the people keeping this city alive during this
crappy pandemic. And I CANNOT do what I do without them.
Finally, I should mention that Facebook recently invited me
to their fan subscription program. You can sign up @michaelhodgesauthor for all kinds of unique content, from writing
news to photography to everyday life content.
I’m extremely proud of this photo of my cat Wrigley and I. We were up at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, fall of 2019. Wrigley later died on December, 27th from an intestinal tumor. He was fine one day, then a week later, gone.
Wrigley was there at my feet for all my writing, all my novels, all my crazy schemes and ideas. He was everything to me.
Well old friend, it’s been eight months since you died on my lap.
Honestly, I haven’t been able to sit still since. I’ve been all over the country, unable to stay within four walls for long, or a single place. The longest stay was in Chicago and Denver, a month at most.
I’ve dove into my career, dated, hiked, explored, visited numerous great national parks and even caught a beer buzz with a rock star.
But nothing has worked. Nothing has dulled the pain of losing the critter I rescued thirteen years ago, back when he was a sick kitten at the Chicago pound.
The other day I came out of my gym. A silver Subaru Crosstrek was parked next to my car, and it even had a Thule rooftop carrier. I paused for a moment as the sense of loss hit me yet again.
You were an original, old friend.
I’ll keep moving, keeping going until it feels right to settle down. But I don’t see it happening anytime soon.
Hey everyone I said I’d be posting here more often and I meant it. 🙂
I was very fortunate to spend the last few days in Glacier National Park and the Flathead Lake area. I met with friends, filmed grizzlies, and went swimming!
I’m lucky to be in Montana. I’m also working hard on several writing projects. In the meantime, check out how AMAZING this water is on Flathead Lake. And yes, I jumped in.
So, there’s a lot going on. Novels, film, photography, social. I’m working hard on several really cool projects.
My official Facebook now has a fan subscription option, which has been amazing. I’ve featured a new Yellowstone photo series, “Land of the Log Walkers” and it’s been neat to see how the fan subscription works.
I recently licensed one of my moose images to a paddle company. Check out the final product. Proud of this one, and love how the antlers come off the paddle.
This is Hamilton, a rescue dog of a friend in Colorado. And the car is my new subaru Forester adventure car, which I’m excited about. 32mpg highway, AWD, 8.7 inches of clearance.
This is an image of comet NEOWISE over Grand Teton National Park from a week ago. Truly one of the most unique moments of my life. The comet won’t return for another 7,000 years. This was such a moving scene for me to witness. Worth the effort.
Last week in Yellowstone I had a beach to myself. Think Wrigley would approve of the new adventure car?
I had a cool date recently at the oldest hotel in Denver, the Oxford. Super vintage.
Brynne.
And finally, I shaved my beard. It’s hot and it’s summer so off it goes. Taken in Grand Teton.
Love you all. Hope you and yours are safe and healthy.