Welcome to my website, Dad Can Write. It’s kind of funny…this is a page called Dad Can Write, but I can’t figure out exactly what to say. Let me tell you about myself. I have lived my whole life in Roanoke, VA, except for four years when I went away to college. I started off as a Communications major, but after one semester, I changed my major and graduated from Bluefield College (now Bluefield University) with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. Part of the reason I changed my major was because I wasn’t much of a writer…in fact, I hated it. I was such a horrible writer that once, after turning in a paper to my Intro to Creative Writing professor, he handed it back to me with an A on it and said, “Tell your girlfriend she did a nice job.” He was right, LOL. That being said, I can guarantee that my books were 100% written by me.

I never thought of being a writer. My main passion, ever since childhood, was pro wrestling. For as long as I can remember, I had a dream of getting in the ring and being a professional wrestler. Lucky for me, I’ve been able to live that dream since 1999 under the name Drake Tungsten. Even though I wrestle very sporadically now, I’ve had a wonderful career and made a lifetime of memories. It was those memories that brought me to write my first book…Body Slams, Beef Jerky, and Beer. When I started this book, I wrote the first chapter and then forgot about it. Years later, I wrote another chapter and again put the book away. It wasn’t until a few years after that that I told myself I needed to put my memories to paper, not only so others can read about my dream, but so I could keep them fresh in my mind too.

My second book went in a completely different direction. Saving Slapshots – Gunnar’s Journey to Victory is a fully illustrated children’s book based on my oldest son, Gunnar. When he was seven years old, Gunnar was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome. He had been playing ice hockey since before he was five, and his diagnosis threatened to put an end to his hockey playing days. Saving Slapshots is a very heartwarming, motivational book guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. Its underlying message of never giving up on your dreams is one that both children, and adults, can relate to. Beautiful illustrations from the talented Yury Borgen bring this amazing story to life. Check out her other work at Yury Illustration.

Now that I’ve written a book about his “Bubba”, my youngest son, Jax, has asked me to write a book about him. That one is still a year or two down the road but stay tuned for that.

If I still have your attention, GREAT! Thanks for sticking around and reading a little about me. Please have a look around the site and while you’re at it, visit my online store where you can buy both of my books, as well as branded merchandise that pertain to both my wrestling career and Gunnar’s book.

I never would have guessed all the different paths that my life would have taken me. I’ve gone from wrestler to husband to father to author. I think it is safe to say that I proved my old Intro to Creative Writing professor wrong…