A little Bit of this, a few Pieces of that

Dave Hoye just can't get rid of his burning itch to write.

It's therapy for the Everly man, who just released his fifth book, Bits and Pieces. The collection of poems features a variety of selections ranging in focus from nature to faith to friends.

"This has kind of a little bit of everything, but anyone who has a family can relate to those poems," he said. "This is a culmination."

Bits and Pieces also includes several photos taken by Hoye himself. He said the images add a dash of panache and personal appeal to the book, which was published by WestBow Press.

Hoye, 75, has been writing since he was in college and explained that putting pen to paper is a way to "comfort the soul." He tries to emulate Helen Steiner Rice, who was an American writer of religious and inspirational poetry.

"She was the type of author I wanted to be like as far as being positive," Hoye said. "When I was seeking my Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling, I wrote my thesis on positive writing as a way of therapy. Basically, I was practicing what I preached."

Hoye said a majority of his early poems "were all positive" and many had a spiritual bent. He has written thousands of pieces over the years, but he isn't sure of an exact total.

"When I had the chance to just be by myself, I was able to sit back and just write poetry," he said. "Basically I started writing just for me. I never had any idea that I'd publish any books."

Hoye isn't a one-man show. His wife, Cheri, helped compile his poems for Bits and Pieces and also edited each selection.

"I wouldn't have anything written if I didn't have my editor in Cheri," Hoye said. "She basically put everything together. I've got the creative ability to write, but not the skills to put it together to make it a readable book."

Many of the book's poems focus on nature and his faith, which are both dear to Hoye's heart. He's lived in several different parts of the country and both nature and the seasons are "quite a big motivation" for him.

"Other pieces are about how faith makes a difference in my life," Hoye explained. "I've been a lay preacher for many years, and someone told me before I had ever published anything that my poems might mean something to other people. I don't write so much for myself, it's just a matter of relaxing and trying to stay positive. But, I think it's kind of about reaching out to a lot of other people, too."

Though poetry is his crutch, Hoye isn't afraid to branch out to other genres.

He's set to publish a novel soon that chronicles his years as a baseball and softball coach. His motivation for the book came from one of his granddaughters, who challenged him to try something else.

"I never would have written it if it wasn't for her. How good it's going to be, I don't know," he said. "It's been one of my goals to get that published. A lot of my writing goes along with my own life experience, and the novel follows that."

Hoye was unsure if he'll publish another book of poetry, but he was certain about one thing – he's going to keep writing.

"This book may be something that people like or it may not be, but I definitely intend to keep writing," he said. "I'm not a poet from the literary side of things, my poetry basically comes from the heart. I like writing things a person can relate to and plan to keep doing that."