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Webb writes about Timberlane childhood
Mobilian publishes book of short stories about growing up in the neighborhood
Friday, January 12, 2007
By AMY BROWNING
Correspondent
It was not the grade David Webb was expecting.
He had just turned in his first English paper at Auburn University. The paper was
returned with a "38" marked on the top.
It was a pivotal point in Webb's life that was underscored with the remarks by his
teacher that not only were his writing skills nonexistent, but his grammar was terrible.
It was a moment in time that changed him forever.
"The whole class did poorly. Maybe the professor was just trying to get everyone's
attention," Webb said. "I didn't have anything to do with writing after that for a while,
but always considered myself a good writer. That event really motivated me."
Webb, 38, moved to Mobile from Miami when he was 2. After attending Dodge
Elementary School and Hillsdale Middle School, he went to Murphy High School. While
there, English teacher Ruth Welborn classified his style of writing as "humorous and
terse," he said.
He enrolled at Auburn, then transferred to Birmingham-Southern College, took
business classes and graduated with a bachelor of science in management, marketing
and finance in 1992. Webb needed one semester to complete an English degree as well.
During those college years, an English professor in an upper level class confirmed the
compliments given to him by his high school English teacher regarding his writing style.
Webb, upon graduation, began writing again. He authored a series of short stories based
on his memories of being a 10-year-old boy growing up in the west Mobile neighborhood
of Timberlane. The neighborhood still exists near Dodge.
The 260-page manuscript of 28 short stories was not intended for publication, but rather
as a Christmas gift to Webb's parents. It took a year to complete.
"The neighborhood was perfectly laid out with woods and a stream. As a boy I remember
it more like a forest and a river," he said.
The landscape gave Webb and his many friends lots of places to run, hide and play.
According to Webb, they had colorful imaginations and got into all kinds of crazy antics.
Not only did they get themselves into trouble, they got each other into trouble according
to Webb.
"A lot of people in the book are real. They were my friends," Webb said. "We are still
friends today. Those are the people who get a kick out of the book."
"He hasn't changed much. He was nice to everyone. Everybody gravitated towards David.
His house was the hub where we convened," said Dean Brown, childhood friend and CEO
for Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic. "He was adventurous. He was always cooking up
something, from making bike ramps to skim boards to use in the creek."
Webb presented the manuscript for publishing in 2005, when it was published by
WingSpan Press. "The short stories are anecdotal and humorous. The book is classified
as a juvenile book, but it's one that older generations can relate to and enjoy as well,"
Webb said. "It goes across generations."
Webb is working on the sequel to "Timberlane Dave," entitled "Perfectly Warped." It is
a continuation of short stories about boyhood experiences. He has also begun a book
manuscript for a religious thriller entitled "Sacrosanctity."
Webb has even adapted a screenplay to "Timberlane Dave" that will be complete by the
end of the year. "There are so many short stories that exist in my head," Webb said.
While his writing career advances, Webb serves as the district sales manager for Wells
Fargo all along the East Coast. The plane trips and waiting in airports provide
opportunities to write.
"My laptop is my friend," he said.
Webb sings and plays bass guitar in a local band called "Rolypoly." They play music the
same style as popular'80s bands like the Smiths, the Cure and Talking Heads. All the
songs are original. Webb helps write them.
The band released their debut CD in 2002, which was produced through Elliptic Curve
Enterprises, Inc., Webb's own production company. The band plans to release another
CD in 2008, Webb said.
He, John Ashbee and Tuan Titlestad practice every couple of weeks in his attic, said
Webb.
"I'm lucky my wife, Blakeley, has an appreciation for the music," he said.
Webb is also an avid fisherman and member of the Southern King Association trail. He
has fished competitively for six years and has been placed on the leader board during
previous Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeos. He tries to enter two or three tournaments
a year.
"I almost had the record (at the Alabama Deep Sea Rodeo) in 2001 with a 58-pound king
mackerel until someone beat me out in the last 10 minutes," Webb said.
He said his dream is to be able to make a living fishing and writing.
Webb is also pursuing a master's degree in liberal arts with a literature concentration
from Spring Hill College beginning this month.
This endeavor has become a family affair. Webb's sister Marsha is pursuing that same
degree at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she resides.
"I've always wanted a degree in literature. I just love it," Webb explained. "It may take
me five years though."
Webb offers advice to anyone who would like to improve their writing skills. He has a
simple process that he uses to create his stories.
"Writing is like playing a musical instrument. The more you practice, the better you get
at it," Webb explained.
Webb begins by "recalling cores or snippits of things." Next, he writes an outline of how
the chapter will flow and adds some piece of artwork.
He suggests the best thing would-be writers can do is get their ideas out of their heads
and onto paper. "Don't worry about how it comes out on paper; you can always work
with it later," Webb said. "If you want to be creative, sit back, re-read it and embellish
it later."
Webb usually spends two hours a night writing after putting his 19-month-old son,
Charleston, to bed. He pulls from his memories events from his childhood, writes them
down and occasionally catches himself laughing out loud, not unlike the boy in his
stories.
There is one difference.
"Timberlane Dave will never be more than 10 years old," he said.
Courtesy of the Press Register, Mobile, AL. All rights reserved.
Mobilian publishes book of short stories about growing up in the neighborhood
Friday, January 12, 2007
By AMY BROWNING
Correspondent
It was not the grade David Webb was expecting.
He had just turned in his first English paper at Auburn University. The paper was
returned with a "38" marked on the top.
It was a pivotal point in Webb's life that was underscored with the remarks by his
teacher that not only were his writing skills nonexistent, but his grammar was terrible.
It was a moment in time that changed him forever.
"The whole class did poorly. Maybe the professor was just trying to get everyone's
attention," Webb said. "I didn't have anything to do with writing after that for a while,
but always considered myself a good writer. That event really motivated me."
Webb, 38, moved to Mobile from Miami when he was 2. After attending Dodge
Elementary School and Hillsdale Middle School, he went to Murphy High School. While
there, English teacher Ruth Welborn classified his style of writing as "humorous and
terse," he said.
He enrolled at Auburn, then transferred to Birmingham-Southern College, took
business classes and graduated with a bachelor of science in management, marketing
and finance in 1992. Webb needed one semester to complete an English degree as well.
During those college years, an English professor in an upper level class confirmed the
compliments given to him by his high school English teacher regarding his writing style.
Webb, upon graduation, began writing again. He authored a series of short stories based
on his memories of being a 10-year-old boy growing up in the west Mobile neighborhood
of Timberlane. The neighborhood still exists near Dodge.
The 260-page manuscript of 28 short stories was not intended for publication, but rather
as a Christmas gift to Webb's parents. It took a year to complete.
"The neighborhood was perfectly laid out with woods and a stream. As a boy I remember
it more like a forest and a river," he said.
The landscape gave Webb and his many friends lots of places to run, hide and play.
According to Webb, they had colorful imaginations and got into all kinds of crazy antics.
Not only did they get themselves into trouble, they got each other into trouble according
to Webb.
"A lot of people in the book are real. They were my friends," Webb said. "We are still
friends today. Those are the people who get a kick out of the book."
"He hasn't changed much. He was nice to everyone. Everybody gravitated towards David.
His house was the hub where we convened," said Dean Brown, childhood friend and CEO
for Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic. "He was adventurous. He was always cooking up
something, from making bike ramps to skim boards to use in the creek."
Webb presented the manuscript for publishing in 2005, when it was published by
WingSpan Press. "The short stories are anecdotal and humorous. The book is classified
as a juvenile book, but it's one that older generations can relate to and enjoy as well,"
Webb said. "It goes across generations."
Webb is working on the sequel to "Timberlane Dave," entitled "Perfectly Warped." It is
a continuation of short stories about boyhood experiences. He has also begun a book
manuscript for a religious thriller entitled "Sacrosanctity."
Webb has even adapted a screenplay to "Timberlane Dave" that will be complete by the
end of the year. "There are so many short stories that exist in my head," Webb said.
While his writing career advances, Webb serves as the district sales manager for Wells
Fargo all along the East Coast. The plane trips and waiting in airports provide
opportunities to write.
"My laptop is my friend," he said.
Webb sings and plays bass guitar in a local band called "Rolypoly." They play music the
same style as popular'80s bands like the Smiths, the Cure and Talking Heads. All the
songs are original. Webb helps write them.
The band released their debut CD in 2002, which was produced through Elliptic Curve
Enterprises, Inc., Webb's own production company. The band plans to release another
CD in 2008, Webb said.
He, John Ashbee and Tuan Titlestad practice every couple of weeks in his attic, said
Webb.
"I'm lucky my wife, Blakeley, has an appreciation for the music," he said.
Webb is also an avid fisherman and member of the Southern King Association trail. He
has fished competitively for six years and has been placed on the leader board during
previous Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeos. He tries to enter two or three tournaments
a year.
"I almost had the record (at the Alabama Deep Sea Rodeo) in 2001 with a 58-pound king
mackerel until someone beat me out in the last 10 minutes," Webb said.
He said his dream is to be able to make a living fishing and writing.
Webb is also pursuing a master's degree in liberal arts with a literature concentration
from Spring Hill College beginning this month.
This endeavor has become a family affair. Webb's sister Marsha is pursuing that same
degree at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she resides.
"I've always wanted a degree in literature. I just love it," Webb explained. "It may take
me five years though."
Webb offers advice to anyone who would like to improve their writing skills. He has a
simple process that he uses to create his stories.
"Writing is like playing a musical instrument. The more you practice, the better you get
at it," Webb explained.
Webb begins by "recalling cores or snippits of things." Next, he writes an outline of how
the chapter will flow and adds some piece of artwork.
He suggests the best thing would-be writers can do is get their ideas out of their heads
and onto paper. "Don't worry about how it comes out on paper; you can always work
with it later," Webb said. "If you want to be creative, sit back, re-read it and embellish
it later."
Webb usually spends two hours a night writing after putting his 19-month-old son,
Charleston, to bed. He pulls from his memories events from his childhood, writes them
down and occasionally catches himself laughing out loud, not unlike the boy in his
stories.
There is one difference.
"Timberlane Dave will never be more than 10 years old," he said.
Courtesy of the Press Register, Mobile, AL. All rights reserved.