A poem

Here's a poem I wrote back in college. Thought I'd share it here. If you're not familiar with the legend of Beowulf, you might not understand certain aspects of it, but you'll get the basics.

Warning: it's a bit weird.

Warning #2: I'm not a poet.

So Grendel, thou mighty lopper off of heads,

You’ve gone into screen writing for the little kiddos.

What dynamic dysfunctional heroes and adult innuendos!

Children watch, and from inside the tubular bowels you orchestrate.

Spittle dribbles from your chops, for you are a sly, progressive teacher.

Angry monster who cometh out of the mist,

Young adults speed and drink and laugh away maturity.

You rush ahead of them, drink, laugh, and wait

Their “Responsibility—not quite yet” anthem merges with your battle cry.

With a little luck they’ll never quite recuperate.

Terrible Grendel, where is your Beowulf who opposes?

Adults are so busy making money, the farthest they can see into the future is a 401k.

Your gaping eyes smile, and you chew your tongue, awaiting the coming mastication.

Hey grown up! Look out! There is flesh caught in its teeth with your DNA on it.

Or would you rather E-Trade and golf your death thoughts away?

Alas, Grendel, men have forgotten you—your flesh-lusting sneer reveals your delight.

Old man, you know the foolishness of all those youngsters.

“Boys will be boys you say,” and thump your chest with your fist.

“Got another twenty in ya, you old rascal,” you say as you pull the lever

And the jangle ring of the slot machine drowns out Grendel’s wicked howl.

Then it happens! So sudden! …is that Grendel coming for you? “Am I dead?”

You ask yourself, as your soul flutters off like a bat to Grendel’s home in the lake.

Guess you should have fought for that fluttery little thing.

Can’t say you didn’t try to live life to the fullest—at least the first 1/∞ of it.

Grendel closes his eyes, sleepy, full;

Sorry, there’s no entertainment to drown in down here.

Writing for your children: a powerful motivation

Have you ever wanted to write a story for your own children? You're not alone. The thought of writing for your children can be a daunting idea, but I think this notion is more wide-spread than many realize. It is in fact, a common desire many parents have.

When we reach adulthood, marry, and have children of our own, it is natural for us to look back with nostalgia to those wonderful memories we still carry from our own childhoods. As we watch our children play, and we can't help being drawn back into our own early memories. We can recall so many of our own toys, now long gone, and the great thrills of joy we had...the wild imaginative adventures they took us on. It is the same when we read to our children, or observe them smiling as they read a chapter book. We can't help but remember those books and stories that moved us so powerfully, that deepened our understanding of the world...that gave us strength...that helped us overcome fears, even a fear as large as loosing a parent.

The desire to pass on knowledge, to comfort, and to share hard won wisdom with those in need isn't just the nature of a parent, but it is human nature. But this multiplies significantly when the person in need is intimately close to us. Children our full of needs...the need for wisdom and knowledge as they grow, and the need of comfort as they begin their journey into an often vicious and harsh world. It is only natural that the idea should come to a parent to write a book, inspired by the needs of their children.

For example, author D. Barkley Briggs was the parent of four boys when he lost his wife of sixteen years. For Briggs, this was a catalyst that spurred him to write for his young boys. In his young adult fantasy novel, The Book of Names, he chose to "tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss." And truly, one of the greatest attributes of fiction is its ability to pass on wisdom without the sensation of human intrusion. In plain terms, we often want to learn things on our own, and not from others--especially as teenagers! We want to come to understand by ourselves. For this, fiction can be a wonderful teacher. And in life, sometimes things are better understood through story, than in conversation. Like Briggs, any parent in such horrible circumstances offers up their comfort and their support as best they can, but sometimes words fail. And where words fail, sometimes fiction can come to the rescue.

I hope this has encouraged those of you considering writing a book for your own children. Or if perhaps you are--like me--thinking of writing a story for children you do not yet have, I say, why not? For both the parent, and the parent-to-be, just think back to those stories you adored when you were young, to those tales of heroes, of battles between good and evil, and to those books that gave you strength to fight off a particular fear, or overcome a hurdle in your life...why not write a book like that for your own child. You would be hard pressed to think of many things more worthwhile.

If you're interested in Briggs' Novel, The book of Names, please check out the following blog sites that are part of the CSFF blog tour.

Sally Apokedak
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Valerie Comer
Frank Creed
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Isbell
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Alice M. Roelke
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Timothy Wise

Brandon's best reads of 2008

2008 proved to be a busy year and I didn't read nearly as much as I would have liked. However, though I read fewer books than in 2007, the enjoyment factor was much, much higher. Beside novels, there were some good short stories, though I will complain that I didn't read as many quality short stories this year as in past years.

Starting with Novels. In the MUST READ category I came away with three books that were incredibly engaging reading.














Bar none, these three novels were excellent: The Postman by David Brin, Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card, and Watership Down by Richard Adams.

(1) David Brin's The Postman was a riveting adventure story full of thought provoking questions, wisdom, and the richness of a masterful writer. A heroic story of sacrifice set in post-apocalyptic America--this is speculative fiction at its best.

(2) Orson Scott Card's Ender's Shadow was a gripping read. Cards' characters are fascinating and he digs deep into their psyche's. For those who loved Ender's Game, it was highly enjoyable to see the story unfold threw a new pair of eyes. The Ender's Game series, and all it's companion novels prove to be time and again, excellent sci-fi.

(3) Richard Adam's Watership Down is a fantastical story about Rabbits who go on lupine adventures that are both epic and very personal. There is hardship and tragedy, but there is hope and victory as well. Watership down is a combination of Animal Farm, Lord of the Rings, and The Secret of Nimh. The story of these rabbits will live on in my mind until I am old.

I have only one honorable mention: The Caves of Steel, by Isaac Asimov was a fun sci-fi detective story as told by a master of the genre. Good characters, and an enjoyable mystery.

In the category of Short Story I sadly have only one MUST READ. John Barne's, "Every Hole Is Outlined." This was a deep, moving story set in the far future. The tale of a cargo ship out in deep space and a slave and her apprenticeship to the spacecrafts head mathematician. Ghosts, and brilliant prose haunt this moving piece.

Honorable mentions:
-"The Ghosts," by Lord Dunsany

Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I'll get to more books and more short stories in 2009. Happy reading!

Good news comes in three's

FIRST:
The start of the good news comes from my publisher, Silver Leaf Books. "When the Sky Fell" is now available for pre-order!!

I can hardly believe its happening. December 2006 Silver Leaf Books gave Mike Lynch and I the good news...our book was going to be published.

Now it's here, and it's exciting and scary all wrapped together.


SECOND:
I'm working on the third draft of my newest novel with Mike Lynch. It's an archaeological adventure/romance/thriller that we've titled: "After the Cross"

I sent the beginning chapter into a contest for "first chapters". A few days ago found out the good news! We were one of eight winners!

The contest was put on by the Dead Robot Society, a podcast group. Besides the thumbs up, I received a free autographed book by Scott Sigler...pretty sweet. The first chapter has been posted at the site, and is up if anyone wants to check it out. JUST CLICK HERE.

Third:
My essay on Walter Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz" is now up at one of my favorite Christian web zines, Wayfarer's Journal.

I originally wrote this essay as part of a massive college paper...a type of "senior project". Well, I got my English degree, and decided...hey, this can get more than just a good grade, why not send it out for publication! The Walter Miller essay is my second publication that spawned from that college paper. If you're interested, you can check out the essay by clicking HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!