In Yoda speak, many things I've been called: Christopher, Chris, Chrissy, Woman, Selew, Kunk, Mr. Kunkel, Teach, Dad, Mr. Karel, Coach, Captain, Sir, Buddy, Professor, Chr Chr, and now...
My name is CJ.
Ever since I used a popcorn bucket to defend the galaxy against the dark side of the Force, I've been obsessed with visual storytelling. Cartoons, sitcoms, dramas, and even the commercials brought me joy. Then I found interactive storytelling. Joysticks and direction pads led me to plot twists and adrenaline-fueled battles.
Movies, TV, video games. I couldn't get enough.
But my heart was drawn to the lifestyle of the teacher.
I wanted to learn the ways of my father. He was a master teacher beloved by the Bedford community. I spent my formative years watching people revere my dad. So, I followed his path and became a teacher. Like him, I wrote poems, short stories, newsletters etc. See, he wrote all the time. Unfortunately, he perished too soon. He never formally published a book. He never made it inside the gates of bookdom.
On my journey, I chose education over communications and earned the Master Teacher title. Leading teams of teachers, parents, and padawans, I learned that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. My POV changed.
Returning to the ways of the Jedi, I chose to embody the adage: do or do not, there is no try.
I left teaching and earned an art degree to become a Digital Storyteller. I worked in commercial video and eLearning before starting my own business, Learning Carton. I found my Road Back to visual storytelling.
Now, as a father of four, a loyal partner and sibling, I'm standing at the gates of bookdom.
I'm a first-time self-publishing author completing a decades-long quest that began at age 19.
Selection is the beginning for Kian and his family; for me, it's my chance to create a new galaxy to inspire the next generation of defenders.
Selection is Book 1 of a planned series.