Ryan Akiyama

Introducing Betsy Newkirk

In this excerpt from one of my 2 WIP novels, we meet Betsy Newkirk as she drives her cousins to the trailhead for their weekend hike. I am posting this for two reasons. 1) For accountability. I can’t give up on a task I’ve made public. 2) For feedback. I’m hoping to receive constructive criticismContinue reading “Introducing Betsy Newkirk”

The Gospel of Rhythm (part 1)

When I wrote these goals on January 1 or 2020, they felt audacious. My mindset at the time was one of “journey before destination*” and thus, even though it seemed highly unlikely I’d be able to achieve and maintain these goals, I felt the act of setting such ambitious targets would inspire me to makeContinue reading “The Gospel of Rhythm (part 1)”

a year of losses and gains

For just over a year now, I’ve been working to improve my health and fitness. I’ve been pretty public about my weight loss and about the improvements to my overall fitness levels, often measured by how fast I can run and for how long. Because I believe my journey may be of encouraging assistance toContinue reading “a year of losses and gains”

A Quick Summary of Twenty Years

I have this friend I’ve known since pre school. You might say it’s a friendship I’ve had the longest. But you might also say it’s not, depending upon your definition of friend. She was one of my very best friends in high school. We stayed in touch through our college years, and attended one another’sContinue reading “A Quick Summary of Twenty Years”