How about some questions from blog readers to start your weekend?
Q. We found what seems to be a good deal on a 2003 Alfa See Ya diesel pusher motorhome. The interior looks almost new, but the exterior has what I can only describe as large pimples all over both sides. I asked the saleswoman twice what caused them and if it was going to be an issue, but she changed the subject both times and never did answer. Have you run across this and can it be fixed?
A. This was a common problem with Alfa motorhomes, and my understanding is that it was caused by using substandard adhesive on the sidewalls. These blemishes can get worse and lead to delamination. The company went out of business in 2008 and filed for bankruptcy. The cost of replacing the sides would be prohibitive, in my opinion.
Q. Why in the world did you stay to ride out Hurricane Nicole when you showed pictures of houses falling into the ocean in your blog? That was beyond foolish.
A. Then I guess most of our neighbors are also fools because everyone stayed put. We have lived here long enough to be able to get an idea of what is coming our way, and we would not have hesitated to leave if we felt it was necessary. Our house is not on the beach and subject to the erosion that caused those buildings to collapse.
Q. I am a big fan of your books, especially the Tinder Street historical series. When will the fifth book be out?
A. I am finishing up my next Big Lake mystery and then will start on A Changing World, the next Tinder Street book. It will come out after the first of the year.
Q. Is it legal to let our two teenage sons ride in the travel trailer when we are on the road? They get bored sitting in the back seat of the truck.
A. It depends on the state, but regardless of the law I would not recommend it. The passengers could be seriously injured in an accident because travel trailers and fifth wheels usually don’t have seat belts or airbags, and they are not built to withstand a crash. Here is a link to a website with state-specific information. https://teamcamping.com/can-you-ride-in-a-travel-trailer-state-guide-included/
Q. You wrote about some new ceiling fans you bought and put up, but I can’t find the blog about how to order them. Can you help me out, Nick?
A. They are Jinweite ceiling fans, and we bought them on Amazon. We are very happy with them.
Q. I was impressed to read that you have made over a million dollars from your books on Amazon. That is quite an accomplishment. I told my brother about it and that you are self-published. He said that is impossible, that self-published books never sell that many copies, and that you must have a publisher. Was I wrong?
A. You were not wrong. There are many self-published authors like myself who have earned well over a million dollars in royalties.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
Thought For The Day – My wife tells me I can be an idiot sometimes. I think it’s very nice of her to give me permission.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Thanks, Nick. Love your Q&As… I always learn something new and interesting. Looking forward to the next Tinder Street, and I’m glad you came through the last hurricane ok!
One trick, I think, to being a successful self-published author is already having an audience from years of publishing a blog and the Gypsy Journal newspaper. We’ll all read anything you write, Nick, as we already knew you do it so well.