by Lisa Colangelo
Two Queens FDNY lieutenants found out they have more in common than a firefighting career.
Lt. James Dillon and Lt. Terry Brody have both penned and published their own books.
Dillon, who works out of Engine Company 312 in Astoria, wrote the humorous and handy "101 Tips for Lousy Drivers."
Brody, of Ladder Company 128 in Long Island City, published a teen romance called "Rescuing Madison."
"I've always enjoyed writing," said Dillon, a 26-year veteran. "And I've always been interested in driving. I've been driving fire apparatus for nearly 30 years."
But his inspiration came 10 years ago when his oldest nephew started driving.
"I kept giving him all these tips," said Dillon, 51, who lives on Long Island with his wife, Randi, and two children, Emily and Matthew. "Then I started writing it down. Before long I had 101 [tips]."
Brody, 39, who has written a dozen screenplays, said his book - a romance between a pop star and a firefighter - started out as a screenplay geared for an older audience. But he was told to make it more teen-friendly, as a way to bank on the "Twilight" craze.
One of his screenplays, called "Beer, Chocolate or You," was turned into a short film.
Brody, who lives with his wife, Christine, and two young children on Long Island, is holding a book signing on Saturday at Pindar Vineyards in Peconic, L.I., from noon to 3 p.m. Half of all proceeds will go to charity.
And Brody's already on his next project - a family comedy.
"It's called Kringle vs. Kringle," he said. "It about what happens when Santa and his wife take a break" from each other.
For more information about Dillon's book, go to www.lousydrivers101.com; for Brody's book, go to www.rescuingmadison.com.
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