With the publication of “The Black Panthers: A Story of Race, War, and Courage. The 761st Tank Battalion in World War II,” and “Blood Stripe: The Susanna Marcasi Chronicles,” I have spent the past four-plus years all in. Maybe a total of seven with three on the fringe. The second Marcasi book is well on its way and I am getting ready to release three volumes of Susanna Marcasi’s blogs.

My publisher, publicist and I continue to promote the books. My next radio interview is Monday. Toledo.

Immersed in research and writing, I have chosen months, years of relative isolation. I am not unique; many who write hole up for extended periods. I thought I was very good at what I did, but realized I had stopped learning from others. And not just writers.

I accepted the rare opportunity to edit volumes on both the recent, ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has been three busy months so far. A sampling of “Wow” moments:

1. The war in Iraq in more complex than I realized.
2. Saddam Hussein’s capture, confinement, trial, and execution are jaw-dropping.
3. Some of the writers have an agenda — and it shows. (This is where I come in.)
4. Some writers do not know how to shape the story. (This is where I come in, too. Substantive editing.)
5. I play writing coach and am enjoying it. I am learning from it.

The editing gig has provided a break. And they pay me. I will continue to promote my books, etc.,  but Book 2 can wait. There was a time when I would have rushed to complete it.

I wrote “Black Panthers” pushing aside “Blood Stripe.” (Title at the time, “The Three-Legged Dog.” Really.) The break “Panthers” provided opened my mind to all Blood Stripe’s (numerous) shortcomings. The result after much rewriting POST-Panthers: a “Blood Stripe” that sizzles.

For me, if I am going write well, I must be all in. I look forward to writing my works again soon.