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![](3D"http://www.gazette.net/images/2008_1126/rhodeslf112708w_rgbb.jpg") Brenda Ahearn/The Star E.L. Rhodes of Clinton, who has published his =
first novel=20
and has a second one due out next year, says he's more a =
storyteller than=20
a writer. |
E.L. Rhodes never expected to be a published author, but at 50, = Rhodes, who=20 built a career as a computer scientist, suddenly has found himself = standing in=20 the limelight for his first novel, "A Flaming Rose."
Rhodes' second novel, a murder mystery titled "The Serialization of=20 Discontent," is scheduled to be released Jan. 3.
He is hard at work on a third and plans on having it available this = spring.
"I'm not a writer by any means. I consider myself a storyteller," = Rhodes=20 said. "Actually I didn't think I could complete the thing [book]. After = it was=20 done people said I should do something with it, so I did."
A native of Southeast Washington, D.C., Rhodes is the youngest of = five=20 children and the only male sibling. In the spring of 1975, he received = his=20 diploma from Eastern Senior High School and enrolled in Washington = Technical=20 Institute, now known as the University of the District of Colombia. = After=20 receiving his degree in computer programming in 1979, he later joined = the U.S.=20 Air Force and served from 1981-1987.
Rhodes currently works as a computer programmer for the U.S. Customs = and=20 Border Protection Agency, and currently resides in Clinton. A man who = wears many=20 hats, he also teaches a music workshop, attends martial arts classes, = enjoys=20 golfing, and is a divorced father of three children, one boy and two = girls, ages=20 29, 16 and 14. Although he considers himself someone who likes to clown = around a=20 lot, he takes family seriously.
"I spend a lot of time with my kids. I feel it's important, = especially with=20 my daughters, since most young ladies wind up dating guys similar to = their dads.=20 So now when they choose they'll choose wisely," Rhodes said.
"A Flaming Rose," is a comedy placed in an urban setting, about an = ordinary=20 guy, Melvin Dossier, who comes from nothing and inherits a fortune after = the=20 death of his uncle. After moving into his uncle's house in Virginia, = several=20 hilarious situations mixed with romance build to a mysterious ending. = The book=20 was published in January.
"With a dwindling store of authors who write in this kind of sassy,=20 non-traditional prose, I find his voice fresh and accessible. A fast = read, =91A=20 Flaming Rose' is worth wading through the coal to find the diamonds," = Apex=20 Reviews of Durham, N.C., said.
With one book out, and another arriving soon, Rhodes says he is by no = means=20 finished.
"I'm not that far from retirement, so, once I retire, I want to write = more,=20 Rhodes said. "Right now I have six books on my brain, so, after that = we'll see."
A true artist at heart, he is open to spending the rest of his life = engaged=20 in an activity that deals with some form of art.
Although he doesn't consider himself a writer, Rhodes views writing = as a=20 great tool for expression. In fact, he calls writing therapeutic and = feels that=20 it's important even if you're not trying to get published.
"People should just get their thoughts down on paper. I also think = writing is=20 a beautiful way to pass information on to people," Rhodes said.
From time to time, Rhodes reflects back on life before his first = published=20 novel and tries to imagine life without it.
"I never thought it would be like this. I get e-mails from a lot of = people,=20 even people who came across my book on the subway! It makes me feel = great that I=20 accomplished something," Rhodes said.
Where to buy
E.L. Rhodes' two novels are available at most major bookstores. Visit = the=20 author's Web site at www.elrhodesbooks.com.
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