David Cox

I have always been described as a person of artistic temperament or was autistic? In either case I completed my first major artistic work at aged six, a mural eight feet in width and eight feet in height. It received mixed reviews by the critics, my father thought I should be richly compensated with a spanking. While in my mother's more critical view, appreciated my concept of scale and also of rage. I continued my artistic endeavors throughout school specializing in faculty caricatures

While I achieved some notoriety in these endeavors it did not give me the attention I was seeking. My parents on several occasions were asked by faculty members to come and discuss how such talent would appear in a child so young. Through no small measure on behalf of my teachers I was taught my letters and became an elementary school writer of some acclaim. They had erred, they had taught this boy a word, a word that should have been kept secret from him. This word should have been granted to him only after graduation in a sealed envelope, the word was satire!

Satire, caricatures with a pen! And they assigned them to me! Oh how my vistas were made wide. My first notable effort was The Witch that Taught School while hailed as a triumph by my classmates it was panned by the critics. I think perhaps this was my first published work, as my parents were provided only a photocopy at the conference. Even though I didn't receive a published credit, I feel sure in teaching textbooks my work is included with the admonition the danger of teaching satire.

I continued on this course throughout middle school and high school. I guess you could say I was a working author having sold completed works and ideas to others seeking attention. However in high school I discovered that writing was solitary and unappreciated. Unless it was sung while playing guitar, I abandoned satire for song.

My career appeared bright, I won honorable (no money) mention in the American Song festival sponsored by Warner Brothers. I continued to pursue my goal playing dives and back porches and even reaching the semifinal (local) round of Star Search. I was the opening act for B.J. Thomas he followed about eight acts later. God told me through a near fatal auto accident that perhaps I should seek a more tangible living, how much of a legacy can you build on free pitchers of beer?

I took a job in the auto parts business and in five years had worked my way up to manager of and Industrial engine distributorship. I wrote newsletters and correspondence to the factory. I gave training seminars and called on customers. When a conflict arose between the owners and the new management at the factory and I was told later that my letter of conciliation prevented our cancellation as a distributor. I admit that this is not a true writing credit but to those around it was as well as myself we earned continued employment and paychecks.

The birth of the internet has allowed my to free my passions, I post on Daily Kos, E the People, Empire Burlesque and Progressive and Independent forms I operated my own blog Montags World News. I became frustrated in blogging it's like trying to be noticed on TV in a football stadium, I have pondered the literary equivalent of the rainbow wig?
I felt constrained trying to make my point in limited space to a partisan crowd, yet still feel the pleasure of shutting them up with their own arguments.

So, there you have it? I am willing to work hard, I have learned the lessons of Madonna and Prince that lack of talent should not be considered a fatal liability. Writing like music has talent levels if I cannot make it in popular music I can go to country music
So as well if I cannot sell successful novels I will lower myself into that pit of hell, television