Ticket to Ride

I’ve got a ticket to ride! Next week I’ll be in Chicago for a conference. And guess how I’m getting there? By train!

I’ll be traveling on the Amtrak Cardinal line from Baltimore to Chicago -- the very setting of TRACKS, my novel in stories.

I picked up my tickets and am ready to hop aboard the train this Sunday.

While I’m riding the line, why don’t you hop aboard too? Read and rate the second chapter of TRACKS at the link below. It has a good shot at making round three in the First Chapters Competition.

Voting is open until April 25, so don’t miss the train. Read and rate TRACKS chapter two: A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein, today!

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976948471

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Eric D. Goodman is a full-time writer and editor. His work has appeared in local, national, and international publications, including a story in the current issue of The Baltimore Review. Eric’s novel in stories, TRACKS, is a finalist in round two of the First Chapters Writing Competition. Read and rate chapter two here.

Comments: 14

charles thiesen - gather's only god, proud to be from gay-supporting Massachusetts Apr 20, 2007, 12:59pm EDT

Hey, I just noticed this. "His work has appeared in local, national, and international publications, including a story in the current issue of The Baltimore Review" I didn't even consider entering the contest because it was only opened to unpublished writers. Aren't you disqualified on this basis?

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John Philipp Apr 20, 2007, 1:25pm EDT

Eric, have fun in Chicago.
Before you leave, read my article "Cancel your plane reservation" [http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976950901]
about riding Amtrak.
I used to travel from NYC to St. Louis a lot when I was a kid to visit my grandfather. Years later I took the last "Broadway Limited" train. It was so sad.

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Robb F. Apr 20, 2007, 1:28pm EDT

Train Ride............haven't been on one yet...........I hope it I can arrange the trip with my son over the summer as another "memory maker." I am confident you will let us know about your experience.

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Kimberly Ripley Apr 20, 2007, 1:29pm EDT

Just read it and absolutely loved it. Have a wonderful trip. Someday I'll share my horror story on the Amtrak Auto-Train!!

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Peter, who hasn't changed icons. That's Jason G. Apr 20, 2007, 1:41pm EDT

Enjoy your train ride. I haven't travelled by train since I was in the Army and was sent from Kuala Lumpur to Penang in what was then known as Malaya [now is Malaysia] Dirty little train that was, coal-powered, hole in the floor toilets, etc.

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Eric D. Goodman Apr 20, 2007, 1:53pm EDT

Hi Charles. No, I studied the rules before entering and even asked. You can't have published a novel, but excerpts, short fiction, and non-fiction is okay. Someone else brought this up in round one, referring to me as well as some others. I reverified the information at that time.

Thanks for asking.

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Eric D. Goodman Apr 20, 2007, 1:57pm EDT

John, I enjoyed your story about travel on the Amtrak! For some reason, I wasn't able to leave a comment. But I did read and enjoy it.

Peter, the last train ride I took was in Russia! Your ride sounds like an experience worth writing about!

Robb, I hope you can arrange that too.

Thanks, Kim! And I look forward to hearing about your experinece with the Auto-Train!

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charles thiesen - gather's only god, proud to be from gay-supporting Massachusetts Apr 20, 2007, 2:17pm EDT

No, I studied the rules before entering and even asked. Thanks Eric. I suppose if I'd really wanted to enter I would have done the same. But they sure weren't very clear rules.

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Kerry Dexter Apr 20, 2007, 3:46pm EDT

Eric,
Enjoy your travels. Have you some good train songs in mind to accompany you? City of New Orleans, Train Long Gone, Blue Train, perhaps? Last train trip I took was from Newcastle to Glasgow, and that's been more than a year now -- clearly time for another trip!

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**AngelEyez** a. Apr 20, 2007, 10:36pm EDT

my best friend is going from Syracuse Ny to Rocky Mount Nc next thuresday.. if thats the same time.. mabey youll all be passing by each other.. shell be the very pretty dark hair girl with a brat monster of a child running up and down the isle screaming no while his mother has a heart attack of embarrasment .. lmao.. but we all still love the little monster.. heheehhe

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vickey w Apr 21, 2007, 12:48am EDT

I used to take the train from here in WV to DC. I thought it was fun, this isnt that far of a ride, would like to take a longer trip, maybe, next time. It sure beats driving.

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