If you’re visiting this page, it’s because you want to know how this blog was allowed to happen. You are not alone. Thousands of others — including my newsroom editor — have pondered this same question.
Generally after a few beers.
To help answer this perplexing question, blogger, writer and filmmaker Alan W. King of Humble Bear Production created a glimpse into my writing process and the origin of this blog in a video short.
So if you have a few minutes, go ahead and lower the lights, grab some popcorn and sit back while I plug in the projector. Sorry, but we’re out of Raisinettes…
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(Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available from Port Hole Publications, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.)
Ned's Blog 
Ned,
You just started following me on Instagram today and I got so excited! Anyways, I have been contemplating do I or don’t I contact you? Well, here I am contacting you. I hope you don’t mind. I am so overwhelmed right now. To me, you are like a celebrity.
I have been looking through your Instagram through Alicia. I know your wife Alicia. I’ve known her since 1989, we worked together at Lucky’s and she was in my wedding 19 years ago. I told her a while back that I wanted to contact you and she told me too but you know how time gets away from you. Anyway, I’ve read some of your blogs and I love them!!! You just have this magnetism about you. I watched your YouTube video here, I really like you. (Truth be told, I already liked you because of your story with Alicia but that’s for another time!) I plan on getting your book too!!!
You are the 3rd person either I know or through someone I know, that wrote a book. I thought God, I want to write one too. I am an aspiring writer. I have been since I was very young. Mostly, what I have written were poems, only ones that rhyme though. I know it’s weird, right? It is such a release and outlet for me, it’s ridiculous. Here’s what happens, how I write. I can’t just sit and write. Something happens or I’m thinking strongly about a certain subject and I just go to town for hours. I’ll start writing and re-writing like 100 times over. But I’ve never done anything with it. I have loved writing but not the way your English teachers told you too. It is my passion. I know this is what I want to do. I am not thinking I am going to be famous or anything like that, although if that happens, I’m okay with that! Can I just tell you how badly I want to write a book? Well, I do and I’m telling you! The problem is… I have absolutely no friggin idea where to start??? Can I ask you to steer me in the right direction?? I would love to have a blog but I have no idea how to do that either. Ugh… I am clueless. Please help me Ned. I appreciate your time and advice in advance. Thanks~Lisa
Hi Lisa! Alicia has told me so much about you! But I believe everyone deserves a second chance after they’ve served their prison sentence, so I’m here to help!
OK, seriously, she’s said a lot of wonderful things about you and I’d be happy to help in any way I can. Here’s my email:
nedhickson@icloud.com.
Drop me a line and I’ll give you whatever advice/suggestions I can to help get the ball rolling. It sounds like you already have the passion for it, now it’s just a matter of turning that passion into a productive routine 😉
Thank you for the kind words, Lisa, and I look forward to talking with you!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!!! O M G!!! This is so exciting. I hope you are ready for me, LOL!!! Give Alicia a hug & kiss for me! (But no tongue okay?)
My pleasure, Lisa!
(Oh, and I’ll make sure she knows the tongue is from me…)
Hello Ned! I too, I am very excited to be here! I’ve to tell you– I love your writing style. Your blog is one of the best blogs I’ve ever read. You write very funny, which–by the way– is a rare talent. I can imagine it’s difficult to write like you, but hell! This is exactly how I want to write, and I want for you to help me– any tip.
I just got myself a WordPress account, the 35 bucks a year account– end of story. I confess; I don’t know where to start!
Well, well, well. I cannot believe I’m just now getting around to watching this spectacular video. I loved every minute of it. You made me laugh out loud with the “serious side” face.
I came here because of your contest (again) and kinda got sidetracked. Anyway…what was I saying again? Oh yeah. You funny. Thanks for sharing more of your writing life as a columnist. You’re living the dream, man.
So glad you enjoyed it, Darla. Alan King did a terrific job putting it all together. I’m very appreciative. It’s something my kids can look back on one day and feel proud they turned out relatively normal.
Hi Ned,
I just wanted to drop in and say I love your blog! Very funny. And congrats on all the things! Y’know, the success and stuff. 😉
Hey, Sophia! Thanks for dropping in and for the kind words 😉 I’m looking forward to following your stuff as well!
Thanks Ned! 🙂
(And kind words come too easy for your work – you’re hella funny!)
I Ned, I just signed up for your blog, because it is funny. I read the joke on the Walmart speed of light and I have used it. Got a few laughs thanks. But I also wrote to you and you seem to have answered the questions in your blog. I am starting my own blog, podcasts and for me it is a process. But I do still plan on checking this site to see what’s going on. Thanks
Glad to hear it, Carolyn! Thanks so much and best wishes on your new endeavors 😉