My name is Dwayne Lance Filer, and I like to write far out stuff.
I grew up in Compton, California, and had one of the greatest richest childhoods one could have growing up in an inner city.
My mom Blondell and dad Maxie raised the seven filer siblings, Maxine, Kelvin, Anthony, Stephanie, Dennis, and Tracy.
In the same Compton home, we still own today.
I miss old Maxie and Blondell, but I’m sure they are smiling down from heaven and proud of their children.
My mom and dad were involved in the West Coast civil rights movement, and during the 60s and 70s I got to witness and was involved in some wild and crazy events during this importanttime in American history.
Since birth, I’ve possessed an extraordinary memory, an insatiable imagination and a fascination with writing.
I started writing in high school through college and during my work years.
My first short story was written for Mrs. Pierce’s seventh-grade English class at Walton, Jr. High, High in Compton.
At Compton Senior High School, Mr. Alvin Taylor’s Black History class inspired me to write what you know.
My next stop was at California Lutheran College, now university, where creative writing professors Ted LeBrens and Dr. Jack Leadbetter encouraged me to continue to write my off-the-wall short stories.
After college, I continued to learn the craft of writing at the Watts Writers Workshop in 1973 to 74.
God bless Harry Dolan.
The Open Doors writing program for minority writers at 20th Century Fox, 1980 to 82.
And the Institute of Children’s Literature.
I worked for the California Public Utilities Commission, CPUC, for 29 years, and retired in 2013.
I am and have been married to Dr. Janice Filer for 40 years.
My daughter, Arin, is a dedicated teacher, and my son Lance is an attorney, both in the Southern California area.
I am so proud of my kids.
Besides my brothers and sisters, I have a goo gaggle of cherished in-laws, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and many, many great friends.
Diddly Squad is my seventh book.
I write every day and will have more Diddly stories to come, as well as children’s books, screenplays, and an adult short story collection.
In addition to writing, I paint wild stuff.
Write music reviews, many of which you can find on this website, and I play a funky bass guitar.