professional science fiction and dark fantasy writer
I came across this quote many years back which speaks to the seeming futility of writing. And how wrong we are when we have that opinion. Whenever I am especially down about some aspect of writing, or doubting myself, I think of this quote. I think it captures a philosophical truth about perseverance, and why …
Continue reading "Lighthouses and Stories Guide Us Through Darkness"
Beautiful music about a beautiful genre. God, how I love the west and all its mythic power, along with its ability to define us as human beings, and help us find our true place in the universe. All good stories do this, but I think westerns have a special ability, and affinity, to tap into …
Continue reading "Ennio Morricone – Once Upon a Time in the West"
I suppose if you push me I will admit I prefer silent films to any other format. I mean, if that's the choice you give me. There are a lot of reasons for this. Mostly, I think, because so many silent films were incredibly groundbreaking in so many areas including writing, direction, artistic quality, and …
Continue reading "Metropolis (1927) as SF Atavism and Cautionary Tale – A Review"
I'm still trying to sort this out. I am wondering if certain genres rely more heavily on history and historical interpretations than others. I mean, I guess that's true to a degree for any genre, right? I've read lots of science fiction stories that either A.) took their ideas from history, or B.) were set …
Continue reading "The Importance of History to the Western Genre"
The first thing that hits you when you are in the wilderness is the invading silence. It's oppressive. It seeps into you and invades your core and fills it like spring water welling through a crack in the ground.The silence is everywhere. It lifts you up and carries you throughout the day and night. The …
Continue reading "Sunset and Moonrise in Caprock Canyon (Bridge of stars between)"
One of the best things about camping in Caprock Canyon are the buffalo. As a western writer (and just a writer in general and a human being enamored with history and culture) I love seeing these majestic animals. I think one of the biggest surprises is how small they are. Yes, small -- compared to …
Continue reading "Buffalo in Caprock Canyon — Beyond Awesome"
“You can find meanness in the least of creatures, but when God made man the devil was at his elbow.” --Blood Meridian Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West might be one of the top five novels of Modern American literature. I say "might be" because it is probably too soon to make that …
Continue reading "Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy — a Review"
