Tomorrow, Sylvester Stalone will finally give us a just conclusion to the Rocky series. With the taste of Rocky V still souring in people's mouths seventeen years later, many have been skeptical of Rocky Balboa. However, the early reviews have been good and it may be the surprise of the season. Why do I mention this? I mention it because I will be at the theaters tomorrow -- and there's a I rumor I'll be punching the seats.

Someone in Westfield, Massachusetts, is going to tell the story -- and perhaps they already have -- about a young Rocky fan that would punch the seats of the school bus to mimic his favorite movie icon. He would do it on demand and everyone would get a nice laugh. That young Rocky fan, of course, was me. I would like to set the record straight, however, that I was not punching the seats in the theater during Rocky IV. Heh...

Rocky may have nothing to do with mystery, but he certainly has a lot to do with my writing. The core concept I picked up on throughout all my viewings of the franchise is to never give up even when everyone else thinks you've been knocked out. There is a humiliating amount of rejection in the publishing world, and it takes an enormous amount of perseverance to keep plugging away at it. Rejection letters become punches that knock you to the canvas, but, like Rocky, you stumble to get back up. But you do get up. You have to get up. There is no other choice but to get up -- because, if you don't, you'll never go all the way.