A heavy, worn leather journal embossed with the title “GridIron Chrief” in subtle metallic lettering rests on a dark walnut desk, its pages slightly fanned to reveal dense, handwritten paragraphs and neatly clipped revision notes. A brushed steel fountain pen lies diagonally across the journal, a tiny glint of ink at the nib. Soft morning light from an unseen window washes across the scene, creating gentle shadows and a calm, focused atmosphere. In the blurred background, a neatly stacked pile of printed manuscript pages and a closed laptop suggest ongoing work. Photographic realism, shot at eye level with shallow depth of field, emphasizes the journal as the central symbol of professional, serious writing.

GridIron Chrief

Writer, Football Coach, Living my best life!

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Gridiron Chief

Welcome to Gridiron Chief, where I share bite-sized blog posts, sample short stories, and progress reports on my novel as it grows.

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A sleek, modern workspace centered on a large, ultra-clean wooden desk holds an open laptop displaying a minimalist writing app filled with paragraphs of text and a visible chapter heading. Beside it, a stack of printed pages bound with a black clip shows red-inked edits along the margins. A matte-black mug of coffee sits on a cork coaster, faint steam curling upward. Cool, diffused daylight from a nearby window creates soft, even illumination, with subtle reflections on the laptop’s metal casing. The background fades into a gentle blur of organized bookshelves and a simple pinboard with neatly arranged index cards. Photographic realism, eye-level composition, professional and organized mood, emphasizing productivity and authorial discipline.
A close-up of a pristine, cream-colored index card pinned to a natural corkboard, covered in meticulously handwritten plot notes and arrows connecting key ideas for a novel. Around it, slightly out of focus, are other cards labeled “Character Arc,” “Climax,” and “Subplot,” arranged in neat, thoughtful rows. Warm desk-lamp lighting casts soft, amber tones across the cork texture and paper fibers, creating delicate shadows that emphasize depth. The mood is focused and analytical, capturing the planning phase of storytelling. Photographic realism, shot from a slightly angled, close-up perspective with a shallow depth of field, turning the central index card into a crisp focal point while the surrounding board hints at a complex, evolving narrative structure.

About the Author

Hello! I’m Michael, a retired U.S. Navy Chief proudly living in the vibrant heart of Tokyo, Japan. With over two decades of service in the Navy, I’ve navigated high-stakes environments around the world, honing skills in leadership, discipline, and teamwork that I carry into every aspect of my life.

These days, I’m channeling that same passion into coaching as the Head Football Coach of the Yokota Panthers, where I mentor young athletes on and off the field, building resilience and fostering a love for the game amid Japan’s dynamic culture.

I’m also an emerging author, blending my experiences into gripping stories. In 2026, my short story “The Reaper: A Father’s Vengeance” earned an Honorable Mention in the Cannon High Caliber Awards, a thrilling milestone in my writing journey.

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An elegant, minimalist bookshelf filled with neatly aligned hardcovers and paperbacks in muted, professional colors dominates the frame, with one central shelf reserved for a small, showcased space labeled “Works in Progress” on a brushed metal plaque. On that shelf sits a single, thick manuscript bound in a clear cover, its title page visible through the plastic. Soft, indirect daylight from the side highlights the textures of the book spines and the grain of the wooden shelves, casting gentle vertical shadows. The atmosphere is aspirational and orderly, suggesting a serious author’s personal library. Photographic realism, shot straight-on with sharp focus throughout, creating a clean, modern composition suitable for a professional author blog.

Get In Touch

Have questions or want to discuss a story idea? Email me at the address below, or use the form on the contact page.

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