Ian Philpot

Fatherhood in the 21st Century: Dreams and Nightmares

Something happened when my daughter was born. Something so subtle, that I didn’t realize it until today (over two years later). Something so intense that it excites and frightens me at the same time. It’s one thing, but it has two affects. This one thing...

Garbage and ‘The Idea Machine’

I have never met a person who found satisfaction in removing garbage from the bin in the kitchen, taking it into the garage (or outside), and putting it into a garbage can. As a matter of fact, a lot of people put off taking out their garbage. If we’re honest,...

“You’ve Taken to Fatherhood”

I was at a tux fitting last weekend for my best friend. I’m his best man. Afterward, we went to a restaurant with his father, his fianceé, her father, and another groomsman. I’m in the middle of my cheddar ale soup and one of them says to me,...

NaNoWriMo 2014 — 2 Days and a Cover

I’m now two days into writing my NaNoWriMo novel, The Signateur, and I’m over 5,000 words already. (That’s one day ahead for anyone counting.) Better yet, I’m learning more about my characters and my story as I write them. It’s always so...

Why I’m Writing a Novel

It occurred to me that I’ve written a lot about what I’m writing but very little about why I’m writing. So, on the eve of National Novel Writing Month, let me share why I’m attempting to write a novel this November. Very few people know that...