The Dog Who Fishes - and What He Teaches Me About Dedication

You know how some people get up at dawn to go fishing? They sit there in their boats, patiently waiting, casting, reeling, hoping for a big catch. Well, let me tell you about the real fisherman in our family. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t own a tackle box, and his fishing license would never hold up under scrutiny.

I’m talking about our dog.

Yes, you read that right. One of our dogs is a fisherman, though “fisherman” is maybe too generous a word. “Lake stander and occasional snapper” might be more accurate. But for the sake of his dignity, we call it fishing. And believe me, he takes it very, very seriously.

Happens every time when we’re at the cabin (or the cottage, for those of us Canucks who know that’s the proper word). It’s early morning, the kind of crisp fall day where the mist is still rolling off the water, and most sane beings are wrapped in blankets with hot coffee in hand. But not him. Nope. Six o’clock sharp, he’s up, tail wagging, trotting down to the water like it’s his nine-to-five job.

And there he goes. Belly deep in the lake. Standing there like some stoic fisherman of the north, eyes locked on the ripples, waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Every so often, he snaps at the water. Sometimes he gets lucky. Once, I swear he actually caught a minnow or two, but that’s about the extent of his record. Still, in his mind, he’s basically the king of the lake. And who am I to argue? I mean, the sheer dedication is impressive.

Because here’s the thing. This isn’t just a summer hobby. Oh no. He does it in the fall too. When the wind is cutting across the lake, when the water is so cold I wouldn’t dip a toe in it even for a dare, there he is. Belly deep. Fishing.

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s ridiculous. Why does he do it if he doesn’t catch much?” But my friend, that’s where the wisdom lies.

This dog doesn’t care if he catches one fish or one hundred. He shows up every single morning because that’s what he does. That’s what he loves. That’s his thing. And honestly? I admire the heck out of it.

We could all use a little of that kind of dedication. Whether it’s writing books, chasing dreams, or just showing up for ourselves, sometimes it’s less about the results and more about the commitment. The steady, daily “I’m here, let’s do this” kind of energy.

So next time I’m grumbling about getting up early to write, or questioning whether I can finish a project, I think about my dog, standing belly deep in freezing lake water, snapping at minnows like his life depends on it. That’s commitment. That’s focus. That’s passion.

And who knows? Maybe that’s what it takes to write a book too. Show up. Do the work. Even if you only “catch” a minnow some days.

Besides, if he can fish in the icy lake at dawn, the least I can do is pour another cup of coffee and get back to the keyboard.

The Absolute Madness of Naming Characters

Let’s talk about one of the most ridiculous struggles of writing a book. No, I’m not talking about the part where you stare at the blinking cursor like it personally insulted your ancestors. I’m talking about naming characters. It should be easy, right? Just slap a name on them and move on? Oh, my sweet summer child. If only. See, naming a character is like naming your kid—except worse, because nobody is going to complain if your kid and their cousin both end up being named Liam. But if your main villain is named Liam and you accidentally give the quirky coffee shop owner in book three the same name? Cue the existential crisis. Let’s walk through the madness. The Overthinking Spiral of Doom You start writing, and there’s that moment: your brand-new character walks onto the page, full of potential. All they need is a name. A simple name. Something strong, something fitting, something— Oh no. Nothing sounds right. This one is too complicated. That one is too simple. ...

DIY Audiobook. A bit of equipment, good advice and lots of patience

I want to create an Audiobook - should I? Ever since the release of book one in the "Cannabis Preacher" series of thrillers, that question has been on my mind. The "Cannabis Preacher" books were quite long. To produce an audiobook from each of the four, including voice actors and audio production with a turn key service, I was looking at around $15,000 per book. Financially, that was a non-starter for me at the time. That amount represented a LOT of books and audiobooks to sell to recover the investment, and I shelved my plan again. With the popularity of the "Magical Papillon" cozy mystery series, I found myself coming back to the growing popularity of audiobooks. I knew that audiobooks could reach a wider audience and catered to busy readers who prefer listening while multitasking. The idea of bringing my characters to life through narration excited me, as it offered a new dimension to my storytelling. The cozy mysteries were only 60-65,000...

Stories Are Everywhere: The Writer’s Endless Inspiration

As a writer, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How do you come up with your stories?” It’s a question that often makes me smile because the answer is as simple as it is profound: stories are everywhere. Inspiration doesn’t always strike in grand, dramatic moments. More often than not, it emerges quietly, weaving its way into the fabric of everyday life. Conversations with friends, the sights and sounds of a bustling city, or even the stillness of a room can spark the seed of an idea. Writers aren’t just storytellers; we’re observers, collecting fragments of life and spinning them into tales. Let me share a recent example of how a simple evening turned into the genesis of a new story idea. Over two perfectly crafted negronis, I was discussing the schedule for an upcoming event with a friend. Their house, a treasure trove of artwork, surrounded us. Every piece of art seemed to hum with a story of its own. Midway through the second drink, I remarked, “One day, someb...

Thinkingdog Publishing

Search This Blog