tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88963541521545346192024-03-13T16:06:27.343-07:00my introthemattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-88796689996372029862022-01-03T18:16:00.001-08:002022-01-03T18:16:33.587-08:00Writing <p> I have completed a story and am trying to think of new ones. I have vague ideas. I recently sold a copy of my latest ebook, A Trio of Dark Tales!, on Smashwords. Let me know if you would like to hear more about that. The person who purchased it said she was intrigued by my trilogy style of publishing and that the sample caught her attention. </p><p>I publish that way because novellas fit my style better and I combine them to fit the novel length for Smashwords.</p><p><br /></p>themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-61423381355242910042021-04-15T15:13:00.001-07:002021-04-15T15:13:11.409-07:00Time off<p> The pandemic has been both good and bad. I got laid off because of it and haven’t been able to do many of the things I enjoy doing during the quarantine situation and lay-off. That has been very frustrating. It has also made everyone very paranoid. I also was unable to attend some concerts I won tickets to.</p><p>However, the time off has enabled me to do some other things. It has enabled me to get some good writing in. I have also caught up on my DVD collection and lots of movies from Netflix, especially on streaming. I have watched lots of shows on Netflix like Community, The Crew, House of Cards, The I-Land, Space Force, Firefly Lane, Bates Motel, Dexter, Daredevil, Ozark, Schitt’s Creek, Cobra Kai, Orange is the New Black, Designated Survivor, In the Dark, The Umbrella Academy, Dark Matter, Nightflyers, The Order, Outer Banks, The Hockey Girls, The Society, The Messengers, Frequency, The Mist, and other various episodes. I have also watched various YouTube videos.</p><p>I have also enjoyed listening to my favorite radio segments and other cities’ radio stations on iheartradio. However, I will be very pleased when the current situation is lifted. I have done my part in getting the vaccine and following the 3 w’s. (Watch your distance, wash your hands, wear a mask.) We will see what the post Covid world looks like! Hopefully not too different.</p>themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-88915657199612904082021-01-16T20:54:00.003-08:002021-01-16T20:54:21.457-08:00🥸<p> I thought I would post a quick post. These past several months have been tough with the pandemic and all, but I have been making do with my writing, Netflix, YouTube, and iheartradio. I am trying to find a way to complete my latest story-I will keep you updated.</p><p><br /></p><p>My position at work got eliminated by the pandemic, and I am in search of another job. Wish me luck! I have been using a job agency, webinars, and indeed.com to help.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have also started getting my Covid shots.</p><p><br /></p>themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-69899898760121626272019-11-14T17:37:00.001-08:002019-11-14T17:37:14.191-08:00year to dateI am having a decent year to date. The only strange thing-I won two meet & greets, and both got screwed up. I was able to resolve one but have yet to resolve the other. Let me know if you have any suggestions. I have also seen lots of movies, gotten clean bills of health on my checkups at MD Anderson, and gotten more responsibilities at work. I got my 20 year service award at UTD too. I have worked on my stories and seen good public events.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-72324811556973808162019-09-01T14:42:00.001-07:002019-09-01T14:42:48.530-07:00writingI am trying to find a way to finish my new story. I will keep you posted.<br />
In the meantime, follow my progress at facebook.com/mattkratzauthor and my other facebook pages about my ebooks. Those will keep you posted too.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-85266268273534188752019-09-01T14:41:00.001-07:002019-09-01T14:41:41.190-07:00healthIt seems like my health scare from last year appears to be over. I underwent chemotherapy treatments about this time last year for a germ based tumor in my chest, and the treatments seem to have worked.<br />
I have to go back to MD Anderson every few months for checkups, and the scans and tests appear to be normal. I feel very grateful. The people there did a great job.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-5557343240624002452019-06-23T14:53:00.001-07:002019-06-23T14:53:52.896-07:00writingMy new story is coming along well-it is about a high school football coach getting strange phone calls. You can also follow my progress at facebook.com/mattkratzauthor or purchase my works at Smashwords.<br />
I am also trying to think of new stories. I might have some ideas in mind.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-45735115762302812412019-06-23T14:49:00.001-07:002019-06-23T14:49:54.077-07:00zooWe went to the Dallas Zoo last night for the Safari Nights concert and to see the animals we had adopted. It was fun. The concert was good, and the animals were terrific. We saw an okapi, tiger, tuatara, cheetahs, lionesses, otters, and other great animals.<br />
If anyone ever gets the chance to do the Safari nights concert or the Dallas Zoo in general, I recommend it!themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-5531136040700430682019-01-14T15:55:00.000-08:002019-01-14T15:55:47.102-08:00updateI'm trying to think of a new for my new manuscript. After that, I will need to contact my cover artist and post it on Smashwords.<br />
I have had my eyes on concerts and other events. Work is going well.<br />
Let me know if you have any suggestions of what to do. Thanks.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-603692787310079822018-12-29T17:36:00.000-08:002018-12-29T17:36:13.014-08:00UpdateI have just gone through a tough ordeal. I had a lapse while swimming at the UTD pool and was diagnosed with a germ-based tumor in my chest. We opted for in-patient treatment and were referred to MD Anderson in Houston. I had to undergo four 5-day chemo treatments with two week breaks in between. I will admit-it was rough. Frustration and cabin fever was what I had to deal with the most. They got rid of most of it, and I have to go back later to see if it is all gone.<br />
Other than that, things are ok. I am still writing (almost done with a story), working, watching movies, and doing the UTD Pep Band. We saw Shania Twain in concert and a lacrosse game (my first!) this year. I also cut my thumb pretty badly in an accident at work.<br />
There is a lady I have been interacting with on campus that I might want to get to know better. Let me know if you have any suggestions.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-17554353220193282162018-02-25T19:07:00.000-08:002018-02-25T19:07:26.058-08:00more writingI posted my latest manuscript on Smashwords. It's called "A Trio that will Take You Back" and contains some good stories. One involves mysterious texts and was inspired by something that happened to me, the second continues the Squirrelman saga and brings back someone's previously unseen ex, and the third I love:it involves a lady who gets a chance to live out her childhood fantasies, and it helps out her so-called real life. Wouldn't you love for that to happen to you?<br />
I am also working on a new story.<br />
Let me know if you ever check out my stories on Smashwords.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-8212474577871633402017-10-27T19:12:00.000-07:002017-10-27T19:12:36.018-07:00writingYou can learn a lot about me from my writing. I base a lot of my stories on myself, my personal interests, and my experiences. My characters are based a lot on myself-pretty much shy loners. You write about what you know about. Since I grew up in an academic environment (my father is a professor and a dean at a university, and my mother worked at the same place), I set a lot of my stories at similar places. I make a lot of my characters writers too. If you are interested, read my stories at smashwords.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-2768395514703592622017-09-16T18:11:00.000-07:002017-09-16T18:11:16.454-07:00more updatesWell, the school year at UTD has gotten off to a good start. I got a situation I hoped to clear up...cleared up! I hope to get some other "personal" situations fixed too. I also got a great haircut, and work is going ok. I have also been working on my recent stories. If you ever get a chance, go to Smashwords and check out my completed stories. I also post updates on Twitter (www.twitter.com/themattk) and a special Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mattkratzauthor) about my writing. I am still volunteering for Make A Wish, playing in the UTD Pep Band, and watching movies.<br />
Our house in Port Aransas got damaged by Hurricane Harvey. My parents are looking into what can be done about it.<br />
I will keep you apprised on other stuff!themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-59382419062796277632017-08-19T12:26:00.000-07:002018-02-25T19:07:47.483-08:00more year updatesI am still working, watching movies, and writing. I won tickets to an upcoming concert and need to clear something with a local university-I hope to take a class there. More tragic news from the workplace-an employee retired a few months ago and killed himself a few weeks later. He will be missed.<br />
I am trying to take on a more active role at work. I have also posted more photos and posts to my Facebook page. I am also still commenting on IMDb.<br />
<br />themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-69597135864371716562017-04-05T15:13:00.002-07:002017-04-05T15:13:45.442-07:00yearI have had a bit of an odd year so far, with it starting off with my supervisor being killed in a motorcycle accident and then learning that one of my former college roommates has been serving a rather lengthy prison sentence. I have also had some extensive dental work done. It hasn't been all that, however. I like my new manager, who started at the print shop a few weeks ago, and I have read some good books, seen some good movies, and done some good writing. I also finally found a picture memory card I had been looking for. I will keep you updated on more stuff.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-71202347770750990582017-03-06T18:54:00.000-08:002017-03-06T18:54:30.951-08:00situationsI have been trying to fix some situations, including one at UT Dallas, where I work, and tracking a person down, both have which have proven to be difficult. Though I have talked with what seemed to be the right people on the first one and one person seems sympathetic, I might need to talk to someone else. With two other situations, one at UTD and one at the public library, talking with someone fixed it, and there were no other problems, so I am hoping this will work with the other situation. I think I might know the right person.<br />
With tracking the other person down, it literally has proven to be impossible. She left absolutely no trace of her existence, and I have never been able to find her. I might resort to hiring a private detective one day!<br />
I also might try and fix the situations of being successful with my writing and being more attentive at my job.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-80383109095268727302017-02-22T15:18:00.001-08:002017-02-22T15:18:22.297-08:00this yearI am having a decent year this year. Unfortunately, it got of to a bit of a tragic start as my supervisor was killed in a motorcycle accident. I attended a nice memorial service for him at a local church-most of everyone from work was there.<br />
I have seen a lot of movies at the theater and from Netflix. Let me know if you need a recommendation. I have read some good books and done some good writing. I have been working on my latest stories.<br />
<br />themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-26086644337201369572017-02-22T15:15:00.002-08:002017-02-22T15:15:21.093-08:00writingI am still writing. I am working on a story about a mystical conch shell and a Rear Window-type story about a bowling alley. I also started a story about a cartoonist. Let me know if you'd like to learn more.<br />
My stories on Smashwords are reasonably priced. Check them out if you'd like. Also let me know if you'd like to learn more about my stories. I like to base them on personal experience.<br />
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<br />themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-58837829905562271742017-01-02T16:27:00.002-08:002017-01-02T16:27:59.415-08:00new yearMy new year has gotten off to a decent start. (knock on wood) I managed to get thru December without having something bad happening, so there's hope! We attended the Pegasus theater performance at the Eisemann Center on New Year's Eve, which we always enjoy. I am still working, watching movies, writing, and taking receipt surveys, which I am enjoying, and I posted more comments on IMDb and started reading some books. I still might continue with the UTD Pep Band this semester and will definitely continue with Make A Wish. I still would like to iron out my "issues." I am posting about my writing on my writing Facebook page.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-77211569791028506472016-12-19T18:06:00.002-08:002016-12-19T18:06:21.151-08:00things/upcoming yearI am looking forward to the upcoming year. i am also aiming to fix some of my situations soon.<br />
They say things always come in threes. Bad things always seem to happen in threes. The past two Decembers, something bad has happened, which is why I have been holding my breath this month. I got reported at the UTD library which led to my not being allowed there starting that month there in 2014, and this month last year I had an accident where I bumped up on a street median, which led to some "car anguish" over the course of the next few months. Nothing bad has happened this month though. However, over the past few weeks, I have had two problems worked out with discussions worked out with another person. Good things happen in threes, too, so maybe a third "discussion" can happen too.<br />
Over the next few weeks, extending into the new year, I aim to fix some situations, work on my writing, and try to get to some of the things on my bucket list. You never know what might happen!themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-82545687344815168452016-11-28T18:22:00.002-08:002016-11-28T18:22:34.616-08:00happy holidays!I hope everyone has a happy holiday season! Any plans?<br />
We usually check out the decorations on the Midwestern State campus in Wichita Falls (where I went to college) and do some other stuff. I love this time of year.<br />
I sent out cards and have done just about all my shopping.<br />
If anyone reads this, drop a line and say happy holidays. I wish you one too.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-59139453977485301472016-11-28T18:20:00.003-08:002016-11-28T18:20:40.402-08:00more about writingSince my last post, I post the Squirrelman/Dear Abby/bucket list trilogy up on Smashwords. Feel free to check it out! I am also still working on the other story. I also started up on another one. I am very excited about both!<br />
You can learn a lot about me from my writing. I base a lot of my stories on myself, stuff around me, and stuff I did and made up when I was a kid. I made up Squirrelman was I was a kid, and some of my characters in my stories (one in Squirrelman) are based in some of my "imaginary situations" from those times-a little more grown up now, of course. One thing I had was imaginary sports teams and leagues. Some of them can help you learn about those!<br />
Another thing I do is make my characters writers, since I am so familiar with that. Stephen King does the same thing. It's a good thing to do-you write about what you know about!<br />
I will keep you up to date.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-33956816738343852672016-11-16T15:23:00.002-08:002016-11-16T15:23:58.051-08:00new stories, etc.<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9ggu9" data-offset-key="fgauo-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span data-offset-key="fgauo-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I posted my latest manuscript, 3 Mighty Bonds, on Smashwords the other day. It’s a trilogy with one story about a guy who gets help from a mysterious stranger to do the things on his bucket list;a lady who tries to escape an unhappy marriage and turns to writing as one means;and one that combines characters from some of my other stories.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6amm0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">If you know me and my stories, you know that I am hoping that Squirrelman was my first story and what I hope will be my “signature story/character.” That last story combines him as well as other characters from some of my other stories-I did that intentionally. The middle story was inspired by something I once read in a letter in Dear Abby. The first one blends in a little bit of Make a Wish, which I’ve been involved in lately.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d5mig-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I am also working on a new story-just started. It is inspired a little bit by Rear Window-the Hitchcock classic. It is set a little bit in a bowling alley. I will need to research bowling terms for it!</span></div>
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themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-59965906802487759112016-10-07T15:08:00.000-07:002016-10-07T15:08:26.559-07:00my style of writingI've talked before about basing my stories and writing on myself and personal experiences. That helps-I guess you could call me a "method writer."<br />
I make some of my characters reclusive and having difficulty dealing with social situations-same as me! I have been searching forever for someone from high school and have always wondered what would happen if she came back into my life if maybe at the wrong time. I finally decided that would make a great story. I started it off with the actual conversations I had with the girl and proceeded from there.<br />
Some of my stories contain characters named after people I have known or met online. I also blended in imaginary situations I had when I was a kid and "characters" from those scenarios.I even managed to blend in some of my (tamer) "female fantasies" into my stories. Not too worry-they're not offensive. I also blend in my personal interests (i.e. making my characters aspiring writers, having them country music and sports fans) into the stories.<br />
I try my best to be observant so that I can see what can make a great story. If my stories were ever turned into movies, I can imagine certain actors and actresses portraying the characters.<br />
<br />themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896354152154534619.post-41265800476892222242016-10-06T18:19:00.001-07:002016-10-06T18:19:48.114-07:00concertI saw another Carrie Underwood concert at the AAC a few weeks ago, and she was AMAZING!!!! she did most of my favorite songs like Undo it, Heartbeat, Dirty Laundry, Jesus Take the Wheel, and Wasted. She was all over the stage and came down on a group of wings and performed on a circular stage. I won the tickets too! Anyone who likes country music should see this lady in concert. She gives a fabulous show. My only disappointments:I didn't win a backstage pass, and she didn't perform my favorite song by her, "So Small." Other than that, I loved the concert! She has certainly come a long way since American Idol.themattkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00143266284723612560noreply@blogger.com0