How I Roll
So my blogging mentor told me I need to create a posting schedule. At least once a week I should post something interesting for my vast fan base, which I think has increased 100% to two subscribers. After being advised of this posting requirement, I gave the topic quite a bit of thought. My first question was, “why would anyone take the time to read my worthless thoughts every week?” But apparently some people want to know about the whole writing process, and are willing to read the thoughts and experiences of an aspiring writer. So if there are people willing to read what I write, then I’m willing to write something for them.
But I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. It seems to me that if people are going to use their limited personal time to read my posts, then my posts better be worth it. With this in mind, I’ve created a list of rules and guiding principles for my posts:
1) I’m nobody special, haven’t accomplished anything really noteworthy yet and ain’t no expert on nuthin’. Accordingly, I will not talk down to anyone, because I’m in no position to do so. My writing isn’t a gift to you, your interest in my writing is your gift to me. If I ever use this blog as a means to display arrogance or condescension, I ask that you please call shenanigans on me.
2) I won’t use this blog to post worthless, inane comments about my personal life. Nobody cares what kind of music I like or what clothes I wear. The mundane details of my day to day activities don’t even interest me, much less anyone else. There will be no “Thank god its Friday!” or “Eating at Olive Garden!” posts on this blog.
3) Throughout my military and police careers I have known and respected a great many people who did not share my political or religious views. I’m generally conservative, a rabid political independent and a devout agnostic. I may have serious disagreements with someone, but that doesn’t mean I can’t respect them. Therefore there will be no hysterical “If you don’t agree with my opinions on politics/faith/the war/abortion/drug laws then you can’t be my friend!” drama on my blog.
4) I will not use this blog to post attacks on any political figure. I have done my best to keep partisan views out of my books and intend to do the same here. I will show respect for the President of the United States, even if I disagree with decisions he makes. I may post my political views, but will do so in a respectful manner.
5) I promise to stay in my lane. If there is any particular strength to my writing, I think it comes from the fact that I write about what I know. I don’t write about brain surgery, gourmet cooking or health care because I know nothing about those subjects. To keep my posts relevant, I will write about personal experiences or subjects of which I have personal knowledge. If I do have to step out of my lane and venture into uncharted waters, I will acknowledge that fact.
6) I am not a spokesman for anyone but me. I do not represent any branch of the military or any law enforcement agency. I own any opinions I write and any mistakes I make.
7) I will do my best to stick to subjects I’m passionate about, just as I’ve done with my novels. Some subjects I intend to blog about are the writing world, public misconceptions about the war and combat veterans, the “PTSD business,” the difference between support for the military and pity for the troops, and my thoughts on the true definition of military leadership. I am very open to suggestions for blog topics.
8) I will do my best to respond to every comment, but I have a job and big family plus part-time military service, so I have limited personal time. I’m also still writing novels on the side. If I don’t respond, please don’t take it as an insult. I probably just missed it or got caught up in something else.
9)This blog isn’t anti-police, anti-government, or a place for people to vent all their anger and suspicions about any political party, federal government agency or elected representative. I welcome rational, intelligently presented dissenting opinions. This is a site where I hope reasonable people can calmly discuss important issues. It’s not a place for internet tough-guyism, veiled threats made from the anonymous safety of a computer, or expressions of support for any revolution. Because I love this country, the last thing I’ll ever advocate is warfare between citizens and any arm of the government. The vast majority of police officers, members of the military and American citizens are fantastic people. We as a nation are strong enough to correct problems, even those we’re facing today, with discussion instead of violence.
I think that covers it, although I’m sure I’ll think of another ten rules as soon as I hit “publish.” My current plan is to write a blog post every Monday. To keep me from running out of material too quickly, I’ll probably alternate between opinion posts, war stories, and cop stories.
Remember I’m brand new to this, and may be totally off on these ideas. To be honest, the idea of writing a blog intimidates me. I’m scared. Hold me! Seriously, If anyone has good ideas on how I should run this blog, I’m all ears.
Thank you again for reading this. Once again, I hope my writing justifies your interest.
-Chris
You’ve got a pretty good mentor!
Fiona,
I have a fantastic mentor!
Loving the posts, Chris. Informative and very thought provoking, to steal a phrase from a previous commentor. You have a good mentor.
Hi Chris,
Writing is tough work. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Like most folks we probably agree on some stuff and disagree on others. But I really like the attitude and tone of your writing.
Thanks again for sharing it,
Don
Don,
I appreciate that. I’m pretty opinionated, and don’t think there’s anyone anywhere who would agree with me on everything. I have many close friends I argue with constantly. I’m always up for a good debate, so please, anytime you see me write something that irks you, call me out on it.
Chris
Chris, you really can write well, and you have the virtue of humility. To me, that’s what makes for a good blogger. BTW, you’re the first cop blogger I have ever bookmarked.
Thanks for your efforts.
Just today I was just today provided a link to one of your articles – you have more sense about the realities of life and how things work than any elected official at the federal/state/local level that I know. I can only hope and pray that common sense wins out in the end. Thank you for very straight-forward and thought provoking essays. New kindle might soon have your book in my list of reads.
SJ,
Thanks! Please feel free to give me your feedback on any of my posts, I’m always open to criticism or new ideas. If you do buy my book, please let me know what you think. Happy holidays and I hope to see you comment here again.
Chris
Chris, I found your blog. I’m looking foward to reading what strikes you as interesting, as I predict it will interest me as well. Charlie Mike.
Charlie Mike, brother!
Chris
hey chris, just found your blog from a link at broomsticks, gread writing very interesting stuff, what dept. do you work for?
joe
Johnson county, texas
Joe,
I try not to say what agency I work for in my writing or in interviews, because I don’t represent my department and my writing should only reflect my opinions. I usually just say I work for a department in SE Texas. But it’s not too hard to find out who I work for, if you check out my “in the media” page. Maybe I should remove that link…
Before I came to this department I worked for two tiny departments near Victoria, so I’ve experienced police work in a 10 man rural dept and in a huge dept. Sometimes being a small town cop was harder than being a big city cop.
Thanks for reading and commenting, and stay safe out there. Please come back and comment anytime.
Chris
Just stumbled on your blog from a post on FB. As a former soldier and now cop, I’m digging your posts. Keep up the good work!
Hey Eric, glad to hear that. Spread the word!
Chris
Chris,
I know a lot of people, some of them friends of mine, are really worried about gun confiscation and what might happen in the next few years. I think it would help if you could give us some idea of what police are being told by their superiors. We see DHS with millions of rounds of hollow point bullets and now purchasing 2,700 MINRAP vehicles, in preparation for who knows what. A lot of very nervous people could use some encouragement, if you have any.
Gordo,
I don’t have any personal knowledge of the DHS purchases you mentioned, although I’ve seen a lot of reports about them recently. All of LE uses hollow points, so that doesn’t ring any alarm bells for me. I’d also have to find out if the DHS provides ammo to other LE agencies; that might explain the number of rounds purchased. And how much ammo did DHS buy last year, is this year’s ammo budget larger? I don’t know. In the current political climate, I understand why people are concerned.
About the MINRAPs, my understanding is that they’re being given to police tactical teams. I keep hearing people call them “light tanks”. As a former tank crewman I can tell you they definitely are not any kind of tank. SWAT teams have used similar armored vehicles for years, and as long as they’re used for protection of officers in situations where they need cover from gunfire, I don’t see a reason to be concerned.
Hope that helps.
Sir,
You are the kind of ‘nobody special’ that makes the U.S. the greatest country in history.
Don’t ever forget that, and don’t let anyone else forget it either.
Marc,
I disagree, but that’s still really cool to hear. Thanks!
Read your article in the statesman today. Finally someone thankful for the experience. You are right all we hear about is how people get back and cannot transfer into civilian life, but I bet there are thousands like you that do and are successful. Thank you for your services.
Thanks Ramses. I wasn’t sure how people would respond to that essay, glad to hear someone appreciated it.