About

I love to write among many other things and have written four novels, many short stories and poems. My wife and I love to collect. She collects dolls. I collect lighted houses. See http://wmanke.com/ for free soccer coaching activities and more. Besides serving as school board trustee, doing honey-do jobs and trying to write great novels, I consider myself retired. I loved my three decades in education as teacher, principal and director of instruction, but my love for writing led me to take early retirement. I have a great wife. We love our four children, their spouses and eight grandchildren. Since retiring I've completed four novels. My second novel has been published, but I haven't tried with the others. I recently read "Secrets of Hawking Manor" again preparing to write its sequel. You can check the novel out on my website http://wmanke.com/ and read some of my short stories and poems among other things. Free lesson plans and coaching tips for soccer are there too. I'm thinking of trying to get one or two of the others published this year. So I've been able to stay busy. Matter of fact, most days I wonder how I got everything done when I was working, because now on some days it's hard to do.

Education

• University of Victoria
• Simon Fraser University
• PBI High at Three Hills, Alberta

Favorite saying

• "Things I’ve learned I’ve learned that love not time heals all wounds. I’ve learned that being kind is more important than being right. I’ve learned that DNA proves that each person is unique, one of a kind, and the Creator loves each with an everlasting love. which all makes each a rare and priceless treasure to the rest of us. I’ve learned to treasure each day. It doesn’t come gift wrapped and tied with a bow, but it’s a gift of time just the same, and we have too little of it to waste it on envy and hate. I’ve learned that everyone has the power to forgive, and to do so sets one free. I've learned that thieves use Facebook to find addresses where people are away from their home. I’ve learned that our earth is most fragile and beautiful, and we all must be guardians of it. I’ve learned that genius is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. I’ve learned when it comes to chocolate resistance is futile. I’ve learned that laughter is a great medicine and most of the time it’s free. I’ve learned a great joke doesn’t have to be a dirty one. I’ve learned that if you want to be noticed you don’t have to streak. Just skip instead of walk down the sidewalk or sing along at the opera. I've learned that I've got a lot more to learn, just ask my wife."