By Teresa Herriman, The Courier-Herald

"Congratulations!" the letter read. "Your story, The Fishing Lesson, has been selected to appear in 'Chicken Soup for the Fisherman's Soul.'"

With that, local writer Ray Morehead joined former Presidents George Bush and Jimmy Carter, retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf and others who provided stories for the latest version of the popular "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series.

"I've written several stories for 'Chicken Soup,' but this is the first one that has been published," Morehead said from his Bonney Lake home.

The selection process is rigorous, he explained. More than 1,500 stories were submitted to supplement the main authors who work for the publication. Just 88 stories were chosen based on several key criteria, including the ability to inspire, promote positive life changes and subtly teach life lessons while capturing the spirit of the sport.

Morehead's story is loosely based on personal experience about a lesson learned that gets reversed back on the teacher, he said.

Morehead submitted a half-dozen stories to the 'Chicken Soup' publishers before being accepted.

"I didn't hold out a whole lot of hope for this story. It was just something I whipped out," he said.

Although Morehead has always enjoyed writing, he never intended to become a published writer.

"I started writing when I was away from my family, documenting an event or memories," he said.

The practice helped him process his experience while serving in the Air Force from 1969 to 1976.

"Mostly it was like a release," he said. "If I wrote it down, I could put it away."

While stationed in Asia, Morehead met and married Yen Chi. Following his discharge, he entered civil service, working at Fort Lewis, later retiring from Madigan Army Medical Center.

The couple has made Bonney Lake their home for nearly 25 years.

In addition to short stories, Morehead writes poetry and dedications, primarily for his family, he said, to honor a daughter's wedding or document his feelings after significant events, such as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

He is a member of the International Society of Poets and has been nominated for poet of the year.

Morehead said his stories and poems are usually inspired by a descriptive phrase or word.

"I like descriptive things. It will start something then grow from there," he said.

"Chicken Soup for the Fisherman's Soul" will be available in local bookstores or online beginning Tuesday.

Teresa Herriman can be reached at therriman@courierherald.com