Carl grew up and lives in Kentucky. He went to college in Alabama and was an Air Force officer for a time. He did graduate work at the University of Iowa in linguistics and was a teacher for the better part of a decade.

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When he lost his job, Carl decided to do what he always wanted: write. He likes to think of himself as the hero character in a sitcom that pursues their dream no matter the obstacles as opposed to the overweight, unemployed househusband a la Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom.

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He walks dogs in his spare time.