Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

“The Old House at Night.”  by Bill Iles 1963 “A Tree Fell on the Old House.”   “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”    Proverbs 23:7 I’ve always dreaded it, but knew it’d happen one day.  My sister’s message was short, “A tree fell on the Old House last night during the storm.” Before I tell you …

A Ugandan Thanksgiving    In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -I Thess. 5:18   Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It’s free of commercial crassness and a time for family and sincere gratitude. Thanksgiving gives us room to take a big breath and simply be thankful. Thanksgiving became special …

This week’s blog post: Aunt Margie’s Hands I still believe my Aunt Margie Nell had the most beautiful hands in the world. I miss those hands on the piano. Although I miss Aunt Marge’s hands, I miss her heart the most. Marjorie Nell Iles Walker was my Dad’s younger sister. During her lifetime, she was SW Louisiana’s most renowned pianist. …

A one sheet sell sheet is a snapshot tool to share with editors, agents, and readers concerning an upcoming book. This attractive one sheet was designed by my friend Wayne Mullins and his wife Heather  at Ugly Mug Marketing.  Visit www. to learn about Wayne’s innovative excellent. Please take a moment to visit www.usglymugmarketing.com and leave a message for Wayne. …

Pine Knot Piles and Earthly Treasures I have a startling confession to make. I’m going this afternoon to Ace Hardware to buy some pine kindling. I’m glad my ancestors didn’t live long enough to see a Dry Creek man pay good money for rich lighter kindling. In Alexandria, we recently moved into a house with a fireplace. I’ve been waiting …

I’m Sorry. Will you forgive me?”     Here’s a good quote to begin: “An unforgiving Christian? That’s an oxymoron.” -Jordy McCaskill   Summer 2023 Alexandria, Louisiana   My friend and I had just finished a fine meal at Word of Mouth Cafe near the Rapides Parish Courthouse in downtown Alexandria.   As I neared my truck, a tall security …

A Mentor named Jay Miller   “I was born in a tiny Southern town. I grew up with my family and friends all around.” Something to Love Jason Isbell   I grew up in a rural community where I was fortunate to have a long line of mentors and role models.  Many of these relationships continued even into my adult …

  The bird crashed into the plate glass window. My friend and I walked over to where a red cardinal lay on the grass. She said, “It’s dead.” “Let’s watch for a while. I’ve seen birds, knocked silly from a collision, get up, wobble around, and fly off.” But it was evident this cardinal’s flying days were over. He was …

Ten Mile Fire Perkins Road Ten Mile, Louisiana The Wayfaring Stranger Excerpts from Chapter 42:  The Ten Mile Fire Aunt Mollie and the Big Fire Thursday, September 7, 2023 Yesterday, I drove through the devastation of the Ten Mile Fire, which burned 8,000 acres along the Rapides/Vernon Parish lines.   Ten Mile refers to the creek that winds its way across …

The Wayfaring Stranger  by Curt Iles   It’s our first novel and still a reader favorite.   You can download a PDF of the entire novel here.

The Wayfaring Stranger    The Big Fire Full. Chapter 42 Joe Moore was making what he called his “firewood rounds”: he would go by Aunt Mollie’s, then the Sweats, and finally Miz Girlie’s. By the end of the day, he would have supplied every family with plenty of smaller sticks for the wood stove, as well as larger ones for …

Somewhere in China.      October 2003 I’ll always remember her dark unforgettable eyes. We only met once in a bustling train station, and I never got her name. I don’t recall her speaking since we had a language barrier and a brief visit. This young Chinese woman was in danger, meeting four Americans. Our contact told us she would …

Where We All Belong   Curt Iles     I. THE JOURNEY  _____________________         CHAPTER 1   CAPTURED   “A prisoner of war is someone who was trying to kill you, but then asks you not to kill him.” —Winston Churchill   13 May 1943 Tunisia, North Africa   “The first five minutes of a POW’s captivity …

Where We All Belong is the first book in a three-book series, A LOUISIANA JOURNEY.   A LOUISIANA JOURNEY  will consist of three books: Where We All Belong   A German POW, Noah Becker, comes to Louisiana during War World II and finds a new life and new love. The American Woman  Louisiana girl Maggie Loewer travels to war-torn Germany to find …