Brian
I’ve always been drawn to stories—both written and visual. From essays in junior high to novels later in life, I’ve found that writing helps me explore the world, make sense of its challenges, and share a vision of hope. Alongside my writing, I’ve also developed a love for photography and the beauty of the natural world. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to encourage people to care for one another and for the Earth we call home.
Early Spark
My love for writing began in junior high when my English teacher asked us to write a one-page essay each week. I remember looking forward to it and enjoying the process. In high school, I wrote a kind of “manifesto” about the typical teenager’s complaints—it was well received by my classmates, and while the paper itself is long gone, the memory of using words to connect with people has stayed with me. After high school, I dabbled in journalism, writing for a couple of local papers. One of my favorite projects was an article on the history of my hometown, Groton, Massachusetts, which was published in The Public Spirit. That experience planted the seeds for both my writing and my photography.
What Drives Me
At every stage of my journey, writing has been my way of connecting—with myself, with others, and with the world around me. Whether through a children’s story, a novel, or a photograph of a sunset, I want my work to encourage people to slow down, reflect, and care more deeply. Stories, I believe, can spark change—and perhaps even heal.
Rather than being overwhelmed by the challenges of our time, I write to remind us that together, we can build a better world.
Education & Growth
In 2004, I went back to school and earned a Paralegal Certificate at community college. One of the classes, Legal Research and Writing, challenged me to produce a fifteen-page legal brief. To my surprise, I did very well on it, and the experience reminded me that I had both the discipline and the joy of writing within me.
Books & Creative Projects
Not long after my wife Brenda and I moved to Londonderry in 2013, I felt inspired to try writing stories for children. That eventually became my children’s picture book, Bob Hikes Mt. Monadnock, which Brenda beautifully illustrated with thirty-two freehand drawings. Although the book is currently out of print, we hope to find a new publisher and bring it back into the world. Around that same time, I also tried blogging about current events and politics, but I quickly realized my heart was more in storytelling than commentary.
Photography & Stewardship
As part of that Groton article, I took photographs of local landmarks. That project sparked a love of photography—especially nature photography. I still remember discovering Prospect Hill in Harvard, Massachusetts, where I could capture unforgettable sunsets. Over time, my lens became a way to connect more deeply with the natural world. I often say “our natural world” because I believe we are stewards of the Earth, responsible for both its care and its future.
Writing Saratoga
That’s when I turned to fiction. I wanted to write about themes like bullying, freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and racism—but I wasn’t sure where to start. Then one day, I simply sat down and began typing. To my amazement, ideas, conversations, and even bits of humor flowed onto the page as if guided by something greater than myself. I believe God had a hand in the process.
The result was Saratoga, the story of a curious and adventurous teenage girl growing into adulthood in the fictional town of Lafayette, New Hampshire. While the book weaves in many of the issues I care deeply about, its greater message is one of hope: that we can work together for the good of humanity and for Mother Earth. Brenda once again lent her artistry, creating the cover and dust jacket illustrations. After researching publishers and not finding a fit, I decided to self-publish through IngramSpark and Amazon’s KDP.
