Stories aren’t just told; they’re brought to life by experiences.
“Put a story in their hands, a journal by their side—thinking follows.”
I’m Derek “Wink” Winkenweder. I was born in Saskatoon, Canada, moved to the United States in 1987, and spent my career as an aerospace mechanical design engineer. After retiring early, I traded offices for open roads. Today I travel North America in my van, Drifter, meeting people, discovering places, and searching for history, mystery, and legends. And if the legend isn’t there, I might create one.
My mission is to help families read together, watch together, and grow together by turning powerful short stories into simple daily journaling habits that build courage, character, and hope… one page at a time.
I write short, vivid stories, children’s stories for adults to share with children—each with a clear moral meant to spark conversation. The goal is simple: inspire, encourage, and empower. When a story lands and a conversation starts, both the adult and the child grow.
A story can shift your view; a habit can shift your life. Every story I publish comes with The Power of 90—a companion journal with 90 days of prompts, plus reflection pages at 30, 60, and 90 days. One page a day builds momentum. As Earl Nightingale put it, we become what we think about—and journaling helps direct that thinking on purpose.
The first story I wrote was “Breaking Free,” born from a tough day years ago when I ran a food company. Frustrated, I paused, and noticed a spider struggling in its own web. With one determined push, it broke free. In that moment, I realized I was tangled too—in assumptions and pride. That shift became the seed of my storytelling work and, eventually, The Power of 90.
“The Boy Who Believed in the Golden Goose” follows Lenny Chase, a kid who builds something valuable through small, steady actions. His journey mirrors mine. I didn’t have a father or grandfather to guide me, but I believed that with creativity, hard work, and faith, you can create real value and become someone others can count on.
My work draws on a lifetime of building and solving—engineering, entrepreneurship, homebuilding, and now storytelling from the road. Every mile with Drifter brings a new scene and a new lesson to share.
I’ll keep the stories honest and the prompts simple. I’ll write from real places, real people, and real lessons, so you can share them with the young ones in your life and watch confidence grow, one page at a time.
Stories aren’t just told; they’re brought to life by experiences. Thanks for being part of the journey.