The Scratching Post: One Year of Scratch Writing: Gratitude, Growth, and Looking Ahead to 2025

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since I made the leap to pursue Scratch Writing full-time. The journey has been anything but easy—every challenge has pushed me to grow and adapt—but I’m still here, and I absolutely love what I do. There’s no better job in the world than helping others bring their stories to life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to wake up every day and do just that. Now, let's get into it. 

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and look ahead to what’s next. This year has been a journey of growth, creativity, and connection, and I’m grateful for every client—past, present, and future—who’s been a part of it. Thank you for trusting me with your stories and ideas. Here’s to an even brighter year ahead. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a successful start to the new year!

Books

The focus for the coming year is bringing the next book to life: Call of the Minotaur: Midas Files, Book Two. This sequel dives back into the tumultuous journey of Hank Raglan, who awakens from a decade-long coma, only to find himself stranded in Iraq. Meanwhile, Caroline Friday grapples with a career-defining decision, and Addison Moore and Jack Barons navigate the complexities of their strained marriage.

At the heart of the story, Hank faces a life-altering choice: return the mysterious Gold Box to its creator or use its power to reclaim the life he feels was stolen from him. However, relentless danger looms, as Mortimer Vanterpool—who has been hunting the Gold Box ever since Hank vanished at the end of The Midas Protocol: Midas Files, Book One—is hot on his trail.

With personal struggles, high-stakes decisions, and a relentless adversary, Call of the Minotaur promises a gripping continuation of the saga.

The Minotaur, in mythology, has long symbolized the darker aspects of human nature—untamed instincts, inner conflicts, and the struggle to overcome one’s baser desires. Trapped within the labyrinth, the Minotaur represents the challenges and trials one must face to reach enlightenment or overcome inner turmoil. For Hank, the titular Call of the Minotaur serves as a metaphorical crossroads.

He must decide whether to answer the call to his higher self, rising above personal grievance and selfish temptation, or give in to his lesser nature, leveraging the Gold Box's immense power for his own gain. The stakes are not just about his fate but about the integrity of the man he chooses to become. This decision mirrors the ancient symbolism of the Minotaur, demanding courage, sacrifice, and the ability to confront the labyrinth within.

Keeping the momentum going with Call of The Minotaur is absolutely critical to ensure the story unfolds seamlessly and with the depth it deserves. My focus right now is on seeing this book through to completion, but I’m also looking ahead to the third installment, yet to be titled, which will wrap up the series. Writing consistently and pushing through the challenges of storytelling is key to delivering a compelling narrative arc for the entire trilogy. If all goes as planned, there is a real chance that the series could be complete by 2025, which feels both exciting and ambitious.

Sites

Earlier this year, I brought together several mini blogs to create a unified experience called Scratch Magazine. This new platform is hosted on the ScratchWriting.com domain under the /magazine subfolder.

Scratch Writing Magazine

At first glance, it might seem like a mix of diverse topics, but at heart of each of them is the love of storytelling:

• The Scratching Post: A blog exploring the ever-evolving nature of storytelling.
• Mobile Gnosis: Focused on the future of transportation, EV adoption, and sustainability.
• Bingham's Notebook: Dedicated to the Midas Files series, featuring discussions on characters, plot developments, behind-the-scenes insights, and more.
• The Football Fan's Diet: A creative blend of NFL football metaphors and health tips.
• Cool Filmz: A blog about movies and TV shows.
• The Funny Newz: An Onion-inspired satire site delivering humor with a twist.

Scratch Magazine brings these eclectic topics together in one place, offering something for everyone while reflecting my passion for diverse storytelling and ideas.

Across Pittsburgh

In January 2024, I launched Across Pittsburgh, an ambitious project with a clear mission: to become the ultimate local guide to Pittsburgh while celebrating the rich tapestry of Yinzer culture. For those unfamiliar, "Yinzers" is the affectionate term Pittsburghers use to describe themselves.

Launching a fully developed website to compete with well-established Pittsburgh web magazines might seem ambitious, if not a little impractical. After all, I’m primarily a one-person operation, while outlets like Pittsburgh Magazine, Next Pittsburgh, and Visit Pittsburgh benefit from extensive editorial resources and larger, dedicated teams.

Notwithstanding, there are a numerous amount of other headwinds. SEO is pretty much dead. Social Media now means developing on that platform only and unless you are willing to spend, not conducive to sending traffic to a website. Plus, there is AI, driving folks to Ask Engines, such as Chat GPT.

So why take on this challenge? Because I thrive on them. Plus, AI offers the opportunity to elevate this project from a simple passion experiment to a serious competitor against established websites. At the very least, it’s a fun tool that sharpens my skills while fueling my love for Pittsburgh storytelling. In the end, there’s no losing here—or so I hope.

Clients

Now, we arrive at the heart of this post: the clients—the foundation of the Scratch Writing digital web empire. They are the ones who keep the lights on, enabling me to create books and pursue long-term projects like Across Pittsburgh.

• Systems 123 -Thrilled to collaborate with my latest client on a unique storytelling journey! Together, we’ll be crafting a fresh and engaging website experience that not only looks great but also resonates with their audience. I’m excited to dive into creating meaningful content that truly captures and conveys their one-of-a-kind story, highlighting the essence of what makes their brand so special. This is going to be an exciting project, and I can’t wait to see it all come to life!
• University of Pittsburgh PAE -I am a consultant for the Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement department at the University of Pittsburgh, where I specialize in developing comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) documentation. As the university's fundraising arm, this department plays a pivotal role in advancing its mission and goals.
• Chris Candies, Inc. - I’m collaborating with a national candy manufacturer based in Pittsburgh to develop their new website. The project is moving forward smoothly and remains perfectly aligned with their timeline.
• Minard's Spaghetti Inn - I manage the website for a renowned, long-standing restaurant in northern West Virginia. As the business prepares to expand into food retail in 2025, I am planning to propose and develop a new website tailored to support their ambitious growth and drive their expansion goals.
• Terry Hohman Painting, Inc. - A professional commercial painter serving the greater Pittsburgh region as well as the tristate area spanning Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. I designed their new website and continue to manage its ongoing maintenance.

Welcoming New Clients

Are you seeking exceptional digital storytelling services to bring your vision to life in 2025? Let’s create something remarkable together.
With a strong track record of delivering tailored solutions that align seamlessly with each client’s unique goals, I’m ready to welcome one more valued partner into the fold. Whether you need a beautifully designed website, a stronger online presence, or a forward-thinking digital strategy, I’m here to help you achieve success.
Let’s connect and transform your ideas into reality!

Wishing You a Prosperous 2025

Thank you for reading this article. As we welcome a new year brimming with opportunities, I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2025. May this year bring success to your endeavors, joy to your moments, and fulfillment to every step of your journey. Here’s to reaching new milestones, fostering meaningful connections, and making 2025 a year to remember!