WRITING

A NEW STORY

At the speed of light, a deer flashed into my headlights. Instinct yanked the steering wheel, slammed the brakes. The car slid off a cliff, falling, rolling, spinning into a wooded canyon. Terror choked me in that weightless ride. Trees cracked. Metal shrieked. Boulders bashed. A branch pierced the shattered windshield, grazing my head. I landed upside down, crushed against my splintered side window. I hung suspended by the seatbelt, dripping blood from my forehead. I struggled with the latch and crashed to the ceiling.

The engine whined, sputtered, and stopped. Then came smothering silence. Crawling through the battered windshield, shredded glass tore at my leg. Headlights cast trees above as slinking ghosts. Beyond, all was void. Clutching dirt and scrub, I pulled myself up the steep hill. Brush and trees crowded me, tripping, reaching, clawing, stabbing. My heartbeat pulsed in my ears. My lungs ached, my breath short, shallow.

Finally I reached the top, bleeding, sweat soaked, dirt streaked. Shaking, I stood on the hot road. The real pain started then. A jolt. Electric pain radiated up my leg. I’d been in shock, suddenly worn off.

Black hills rose over me. The only sound, my heavy breathing. I didn’t know where I was. I couldn’t remember where I was going. I was lost. Broken. Terrified. Darkness felt surreal, like a nightmare. Stars shrank into space. Hills seemed to rise. Huge boulders loomed above, threatening.

I turned, to look behind me. A warm aura crowned a hill. The glow of city lights.

(CLICK TO READ THE REST)

BOOKS

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GEORGIA - A Novella

Georgia waited tables in Rick’s diner for 30 years. One morning a stranger came in for breakfast, an accountant in town for an audit. He returned for breakfast every day. Asked her out for dinner. They closed a restaurant. The following night, they closed another Comfortable, compatible, they came together. Shared a magic night. Without saying goodbye, he left a note. A confession? A memento? Or a dream for their future together?

Georgia is the story of a middle-aged love affair, starting with a chance encounter, blossoming into unexpected bliss, and detouring into complications. It explores the hopes, joys, suspicions, regrets, and heartaches of two people who never expected to find love again, and how this relationship changes their lives. Touching and real, with welcome touches of humor.

READER REVIEWS

“I love it. You captured so many feelings and the ending was magical.”

“You captured that mix of tenderness and impermanence so honestly. It’s rare to find writing that makes simple moments feel that alive.”

“Very well written, touching and beautiful.”

“The best compliment I can give, I couldn’t put it down.”

WEEKEND AWAY - A Novel

Ana is the perfect woman, wife and mother, feeling less than perfect. Married to a doctor, four kids, goals achieved, she has it all. But lately, she is questioning everything. She celebrates a birthday weekend away with lifelong friends at a cabin in the winter woods. Libby is newly divorced, still angry and looking. Sara is single, head of her own design firm. Fun, food and memories rock the party. A knock at the door. It's a man, stranded in a blizzard. Snowed in, frozen together in time, their lives accelerate to change.

READER REVIEWS "Weekend Away has it all: humor, suspense, sex and poignancy. The chapters dealing with Bill, the father of four, had me laughing out loud. The narrative switches between characters, creating a need to know what happens next. We seamlessly move from Bill left alone to deal with his children for the first time in his life, to Ana experiencing non-motherhood for the first time on her weekend away with her friends."

“Women of a certain age, like men, measure their lives against their dreams. Weekend Away deals with that in funny, introspective, shocking ways. The story rides an arc of questions, new experiences, and surprising revelations. It reads like a movie.”

“Seniors off their rockers.”

"Silly isn't just for the immature."

“70 is the new 50.”

“Love, laugh, cry. Could you help someone die?”

“WARNING: Scenes of sex and violets.”

IN DEFIANCE OF GRAVITY - Novel

An elderly man grieves the death of his invalid wife. He was her devoted caretaker. Now, he awaits his own end. His pushy daughter-in-law and only son plot to sell his home and move him into a senior community. Resigned to their wishes, William enters Sunshine Village to live out his remaining days. Grief and guilt haunt him. But, among the ruins he finds new life. A woman teaches him how to live and laugh again. And that it’s never too late for love.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN + Other Stories

1st volume in The Gold Collection of Outstanding Short Stories.

READER REVIEW "This excellent book of short stories covers a wide range of people and experiences. Robert Richter has a wonderful ability to enter the thoughts and actions of characters, widening our own capacity for understanding of their joys, miseries and conflicts."

VEGAS WEEKEND + Other Stories

2nd volume in The Gold Collection of Outstanding Short Stories.

READER REVIEW "A delightful short story colleciton from Robert Richter. Tremendously clever. The stories touched me, tickled me and even got me teary."

LAST NIGHT IN PARIS + Other Stories

3rd volume in The Gold Collection of Outstanding Short Stories.

READER REVIEW "A surprise in every story. A very pleasant read when you have a few extra minutes. Great gift for a reader."

OUT OF THE FOG + Other Stories

4th volume in The Gold Collection of Outstanding Short Stories.

READER REVIEW “This guy knows how to write! Prepare yourself for some serious escapism as his finely crafted journeys, drama and humor blossom in your brain. This is for everyone.”

new

HONEYMOON + Other Stories

5th volume in The Gold Collection of Outstanding Short Stories.

READER REVIEW “Another wonderful collection of stories that amaze, amuse, delight and dazzle. Endings sometimes stun and always surprise.”

STORIES FROM HIGH TIDE - 150 selected stories from the five volumes of The Gold Collection- Outstanding Short Stories. “Stairway to Heaven,” “Vegas Weekend,”

“Last Night in Paris,” “Out of the Fog,” and “Honeymoon.”

150 surprising, funny, sweet, scary, shocking, silly, sensual, twisting stories.

25 years of delirious, tedious, ponderous, insidious, fastidious, delicious writing.

new

BETWEEN THE LINES - Lyrics & Rhymes

This is a collection of my favorite lyrics and rhymes.

Rhymes are stories of people, places, ponderables. Lyrics became songs, and often videos.

Short term entertainment. Escape the chaos. Await an appointment. Diversion before dozing.

Quick pieces. To give you a grin. Ponder imponderables. Fitting reading on thrones. You never know when a page or two may come in handy in an emergency.

I invite you to see and hear my lyrics and rhymes - click MUSIC and VIDEO links at the top.

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sample

OLIVIA OCTOPUS - for kids

Written in rhyme, Olivia shows kids the amazing qualities of the octopus. They think with nine brains, smell, taste, feel, and hold with their eight tentacles. They walk, jet, change color and shape.

They’re surprisingly intelligent. And sensitive to humans. Olivia shows kids our link with all creatures. And the importance of caring for our oceans.

Inspired by the Academy Award Winning Documentary by Craig Foster, “My Octopus Teacher.” My amusing muse for this little creature. Thanks to Thodoris Tibilis, designer of Olivia, and Shutterstock artists from here to Bolivia.

BILL THE BIRD CAN’T FLY - for kids A story of physical diversity.

Bill’s bill is too big, and his wings too small to fly. He feels inferior, until a tragedy brings him to the aid of others. Bill lives by himself in his hollow tree. One day a big storm comes to blow, crashing limbs and wreaking havoc. Bill comes to the rescue with his big strong bill and saves a lovely little bird, the girl of his dreams. They live happily ever after in his hollow tree with a covey of cute little birds of their own.

READER REVIEW

“This is such a sweet story, with very winsome illustrations. Good for a cuddle-in-your-lap read - while they still fit and will cuddle.”

HEAR BOB READ TO LES HOOPER’S MUSIC

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sample

NEW DAD HANDBOOK - Tips, tools, and tricks for new fathers.

Explores ten stages in kids' lives from newborn to 18+. It’s a quick How-To, about good humor, good habits, good talking and good listening. It’s a lot of work. And a lot of fun. Being a dad is the most awesome responsibility a man will face in his life. It is also his greatest joy.

TYPICAL TIP - Pacifier reliant? Tie it to a doorknob.

READER REVIEW

“This author sounds like the best advisor ever for dads! Such thoughtful practical advice.

I gave this to my son-in-law, about to become first time dad to my first time grandchild.”

SWEET DREAMS - My Memoir

My life has been sweet. I’ve lived many of my dreams. And a few nightmares. I’ve been lucky to play in the arts for a living, winning awards as writer, director, composer, and artist.

Writing fiction the last 20 years, it was time to pause the deception. Here’s the real stuff.

Stories of people, places, and events from my fleeting trip through time.

I’m grateful to those who taught me life lessons — mentors, a quadriplegic pal, a homeless man, a foster child, a dying boy.

I started writing advertising. I had to entertain you fast. Make you laugh. Feel empathy. Buy burgers, cheese, or left-handed door knobs for clients like Kraft, McDonald’s, Campbell Soup, Coors, State Farm, General Mills, Honda, Kellogg’s, and a few hundred more.

This is an expression of gratitude. For luck, blessings, and gifts. I’ve had more than most.

I have family. Friends. Health. Love.

What more could a man ask? Sweet dreams.