Today we’d like to introduce you to Curt Locklear.
Hi Curt, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been writing stories since elementary school. In high school, I wrote them in pencil. In adulthood, I became an English and History teacher and, ultimately, a school administrator. I loved being with the kids, the parents, and the staff. My first full novel is “gathering dust” in my computer. One day, I’ll go back and finish it. After I retired from school administration, I began writing more. I won several short story awards, and I began writing my first published novel. In a short time, I found the novel would end up being three books. – The Asunder Trilogy. I learned a lot over the two years it took me to research the history of the Civil War era and finish the first book. In another two years, I had the second and third books completed. The second one, “Splintered,” won an international novel contest. All the books received 5-star ratings, and the third novel in the series, “Reconciled,” was called “a masterpiece.”
I have published two more novels where Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit are reluctant detectives in murder mysteries. The ghosts give them no choice. “Scrooge and Cratchit, Detectives;” and “The Dark Malevolence.”
I travel across Texas and much of the South giving talks and presentations.
I play guitar and banjo in the presentations. My banjo picking is featured in the hit PBS TV series, “The Daytripper.”
My motto is to “Always spread goodwill.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a generally smooth road. I receive lots of praise from countless persons, and I am continually called upon to give talks to small groups and to large ones. Community groups, historical, and educational. My books require considerable research so that I ensure that they are as accurate as possible. But since I love to do research, it’s not a problem for me.
I also have become a writing coach and editor for a number of authors. Some published. Some on their way. That is very satisfying to me. Their success is my greatest reward.
I have so much support from friends and family that I feel that God is truly blessing me.
My biggest issue is that I have so many ideas for books but not enough time to write them. I think that’s a good problem to have.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known for my writing career, my education career, and my musical acumen. I have composed the Alma Mater school songs with complete orchestration of instruments for four schools. They are played every year at all the sports events. I’ve had my Christmas carols compositions performed by college and high school choirs. I’ve led church choirs and played guitar for Christmas caroling in my schools every year that I was an administrator. The kids would pour into the halls and join in the carols with me and a few staff members.
For my music, I am most proud of the Mass in Latin I composed. It has full orchestration and voice. I hope to have it performed one day.
For my writing, I am pleased with all the published books and short stories. They are so well received everywhere. I may not be famous, but I have left a legacy that may last for centuries.
In my education career, I accomplished a great deal. I instituted six major improvement efforts at my school that were later adopted by the entire school district – a large district north of Austin. Most importantly, I was able to spend time with the students, teachers, and parents for so many years. They gave me great joy always.
Anyone can contact me to give presentations for a group, historical or otherwise. curt@curtlocklearauthor.com
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Being a principal, I had to take risks to enhance the teachers’ skills in utilizing best practices. I was constantly trying new approaches and encouraging the teachers to think out of the box. I thrived on the risks. For example, my school was one of the only elementary schools in Texas to install a low ropes course to help students and teachers develop teamwork skills and self-confidence. I had to take risks with discipline efforts and finding ways to support the students in their learning efforts.
Of course, stepping out and writing novels is always a risk. I hoped they would be well-received, and they were. I had to apply my best knowledge about the skill of writing and listen to volumes of feedback to make sure they became successful. It turns out they have been.
My readers keep asking me when my next book is coming out.
Anyone can purchase signed books from my website www.curtlocklearauthor.com
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locklear.curt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curt.locklear.7
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/locklear_curt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCni5UcJ4L7G5jILX7BASKNQ
