Jerry Smith, writer, motorcyclist, Sophie's dad.

I once bought a zipper repair kit from Aerostich, probably thinking, "I might need it someday." That was about 20 years ago. It sat on a shelf in the garage unopened until today when I fixed a broken Darien pants zipper. That must set some kind of record for foresight. #motosky #motorcycle

I'm going to write a book about writing. The first part will list the writing tips of famous authors. The second part will cross-reference the tips to show how many times two or more authors disagree about the same tip. I figure 800 pages ought to cover them all. #amwriting #author #writing

Compared to the tubeless dual-compound Dunlops on my Ninja, the KLR's tubed 70/30 Shinkos feel like riding on balloon animals. But they soak up the bumps like the Dunlops never could. I had a fine run today on a rough road I've avoided for a long time. No pain, all gain. #motosky #motorcycle

Adjust your moderation settings (click the gear-shaped icon, bottom left, then click moderation) and thereafter make liberal use of the "block account" function (click the three horizontal dots at the bottom right of a post). Worked for me.

I found a lot of this sort of thing on the KLR650 I just refurbished. I feel like I bought it from the luckiest rider in the world because he survived riding it in that condition long enough to sell it.

I confirmed my earlier sighting of a bright glowing ball in the sky. It put out welcome light but not nearly enough heat. Still, the roads were clean and dry, and the KLR acquitted itself admirably for a 22-year-old former POS. I eagerly await summer nonetheless. #motosky #motorcycle

There's a bright glowing thing in the sky this morning the likes of which hasn't been seen around here for weeks. I might have to get on a motorcycle later and go investigate this strange phenomenon. #motosky #motorcycle #cabinfever

My motobiography has a 100% 5-star rating, which is several stars more than the actual life it's based on deserves (I should know, I was there). It won't take you as long to read it as it took me to live it and it'll cost you a lot less, only $2.99. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H #motosky #motorcycle

You might be surprised by how heavy they are.

I went to town today to run some errands. The rain came down in buckets. I saw only two motorcycles on the road, both KLR650s. This happened a month ago in the same conditions. Both times I was in my car, not on my KLR. I feel like I'm letting the team down. #motosky #motorcycle

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight Twitter: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

This popped up in my YouTube recs this morning. Yet more reasons to leave.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ZG...

Sophie is having a crisis of faith. I am in many ways godlike to her--I can make food and water appear out of nowhere, tell what she wants just by the look on her face, transport us to the beach and back--but I can't make the rain stop. "Stupid human. You suck." #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

The day you sold it, right?

I'm rewatching this riveting series of Shakespeare plays on DVD. Here's the real game of thrones, straight out of
England's history by way of its greatest dramatist, starring (among others) Irons, Cumberbatch, Hiddleston, and Dench. Dragons? We don't need no stinkin' dragons! We got Richard III!

I just spent an hour and 40 minutes writing and polishing seven paragraphs that took me 2 minutes and 1 second to read out loud. Still want to be a writer? #amwriting

I'm waiting out the crappy riding weather by racking up miles on my exercise bike while watching motorcycle-travel videos on YT. It's not the same but damn, my legs are getting strong. If I drop my motorcycle this summer it'll be a breeze to pick it up. #motosky #motorcycle

'Rekjordjagd auf Zwei Rädern' | The Vintagent An amazing exhibit of badass record-breakers in Neckarsulm

Had to know more so did some research.
thevintagent.com/2019/03/03/r...

We pulled out the double-barreled shotgun of anti-itch meds and hit the bullseye. Next challenge, find out what caused the itch. Plants? Food? Something in the house? Meanwhile, it's surprising how well you sleep when the dog on the bed isn't up all night scratching. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

He left Mercedes for Ferrari. THAT was "crazy."

The music can kiss my ass but I'd try a serving of that casserole.

Listen to the other part.

My latest novel is out to an agent for consideration. While I wait for an answer, now's a good time to buy one of my other books, Missed Shifts, for just $10. And if that doesn't make any sense, hey, that's advertising! ("Logic? What's that?") #motosky #motorcycle

www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317

Per Unsplash's submission guidelines, updated four months ago: "We do not accept content generated by AI, or where AI was involved in it's [sic] creation."

Anti-itch meds sorted, Sophie is catching up on her sleep. A vet visit tomorrow about the rash on her belly could tell us more about the cause. She's expensive lately but she's worth it. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

"Ethically sourced images" deserves to be enshrined in writer-speak. No artificial ingredients in cover art!

I give her Apoquel for the itchiness. Works great, but it's pricey. My vet doesn't think food is the issue but next time I need some I'll try something different anyway.

If you think it's a slog the readers will, too. Skip ahead and begin with some action to grab their interest, then backfill the setup as needed. (see "in medias res")

Sophie's been itching like crazy since we ran out of her meds. My vet approved the refill but Chewy is "reviewing" the order. Meanwhile her days consist of bouts of frantic chewing and scratching interrupted by long exhausted naps. Poor kid. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever

Several of the agents I've queried said, "This is a very subjective business." IOW don't take it personally. It's not you, it's them. Your audience is out there. Keep looking.

Been off doing other stuff for weeks and can't get my head back into the WIP. Sophie's not helping. Good thing my livelihood doesn't hinge on getting it done quickly.