I finished writing another short story. This once has the simple title Twinkle.
Once upon a time I studied physics in college. Back then I learned that the elements composing you and I and the entire world were forged in the furnaces of stars. (Mostly, that is.)
A month or so ago I was out on one of my walks, moving through a poorer neighborhood, when I saw flowering weeds in the bare dirt of a front yard. And the seed for a philosophical story entered my mind.
The short story that finally grew and matured you can read here.
Do you like to read stories with surprise endings?
I finished writing another very short story. This one features a turn of events at the end that is completely unexpected. The story is titled Poem to Myself.
Like most of my fiction this piece is a bit philosophical, and it contains both darkness and light.
How is that possible when the main character is a self-centered creep?
There’s a poem in it somewhere? Will the light triumph?
If you’re bored sitting at home while the pandemic rages, and you like to read, you might enjoy checking out dozens of thought-provoking short stories here.
As always, thank you for coming along on my small adventures.
An author labors every day, hour, minute, writing, brainstorming, re-writing, doubting, dreaming, despairing, pouring out heart, soul and some of their deepest, most vulnerable thoughts for the entire public to read.
Will the finished words be criticized?
Will the author be ridiculed?
Will all that hard, agonizing work simply be ignored?
During the month of February, the San Diego Central Library is honoring the work of local writers. Books and eBooks that have been published in the past year are on display in the Local Author Showcase. The beautiful books have taken center stage on the first floor of the library for everyone to admire.
Writing is difficult. Writing a book is extremely difficult.
Congratulations to those who dared and succeeded!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
The words came to me in Balboa Park while I listened to my friend Mitchell playing didgeridoo. People walking down El Prado would pause before the strange, resonant instrument. A brave few would dance.
As people came and went, I wondered what effect their movement might have on the planet. Both Mitchell and I are curious about strange, cosmic things.
Those who love to read meet those who love to write at the San Diego Union-Tribune 3rd Annual Festival of Books!
This morning I headed to Liberty Station in Point Loma to enjoy the San Diego Union-Tribune 3rd Annual Festival of Books!
I was excited to see that a positively enormous crowd had gathered to celebrate reading and writing! I didn’t attend any of the panels, but I did walk around to check out fascinating displays by local authors, publishers, cultural institutions and organizations that promote literacy. I spoke to many of the writers and was inspired by their creative energy and optimism!
These days the written word might be read on phones more frequently than on paper, but those words are just as vital as ever.
What would life be without words?
Words connect people.
Words define the world to our minds.
Words are how we create meaning.
The big San Diego Union-Tribune Festival of Books was held at beautiful Liberty Station in Point Loma.Many local and regional authors showcased their books at the festival.Readers could meet friendly authors, get a signed copy, and make new discoveries!Looks like Frida Kahlo is into that book.Books as decor? READ THEM, you silly people!Write Out Loud, who produces TwainFest and other cool literary events, smiled for my camera! PoeFest in Old Town’s spooky-at-night Adobe Chapel is coming in October!I read a few days ago that the La Jolla Playhouse’s musical Diana is heading to Broadway. Thumbs up!These cool folks representing the San Diego Repertory Theatre told me their digs at Horton Plaza are getting an upgrade!An exciting new era is beginning at the San Diego Symphony. Their new conductor is internationally acclaimed Rafael Payare!I know why these folks are smiling. Comedian Steve Martin’s funny farce, The Underpants, is now playing at the Old Globe Theatre!Letras Sin Fronteras had their cool bookmobile at the festival.The state of Maine asked Coronado author Tamara Merrill to write a book about prejudice in that region’s past. It’s titled Shadows in Our Bones.I remember seeing Sheri Fink with her fun Whimsical World children’s books during my walks near Seaport Village!I love the cover of The Happy Little Garbage Truck by author Josan Wright Callender!I caught an energetic performance by San Diego Taiko at the festival stage.I also enjoyed seeing some awesome Star Wars cosplay!First 5 San Diego was promoting parents reading to their children at a very young age.Some fun, easy books that any young kid would surely love!San Diego Writers, Ink had a table at the Festival of Books. They nurture local writers with classes, groups, workshops and readings!Author Jim Stevens said I couldn’t read a few sentences from any page of this novel without laughing. I did . . . and I did!San Diego Zoo Global Press has launched fun children’s books about animals! I met author and illustrator of Periwinkle’s Journey, Suzy Spafford, of Suzy’s Zoo fame.A penguin makes a journey…Anyone could piece together poems like mosaics at the Words To Go table.I learned UC San Diego Extension is building a new facility in downtown’s East Village. Very cool!Some colorful kids art at their table!Local word lover Richard Lederer, the Wizard of Idiom, was showing his many books and silently correcting my grammar.Mister is the true story of a chicken, inspired by a San Diego teacher!Eat. Sleep. Read.KPBS had a table display of this year’s One Book, One San Diego titles.Visitors to the festival could write the title of their favorite book on this big chalkboard.The San Diego Public Library had a booth, plus a nearby bookstore at the festival.Visitors could write suggestions for the San Diego Public Library. Ebooks appeared to be a popular desire.The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper had a special indoor exhibit concerning journalism. Truth is Always the Strongest Argument – Sophocles.The Festival of Books is an absolutely amazing San Diego event where writers and readers meet and share a love for the written word!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Yesterday afternoon I spent some time reading in the Coronado Public Library.
I was sitting comfortably in the library’s Reading Room, my eyes resting on Donal Hord’s sculpture Mourning Woman, when I became aware of happy, excited voices drifting in from the Children’s Room.
And a small story whispered into my mind.
The story isn’t about Death–it’s about Life. So I changed the Mourning Woman to the Silent Woman. I also changed the season, and the appearance of the Reading Room.
If you’d like to have this very small story whisper to you, click here.
Yesterday I published a new work of fiction on my writing website Short Stories by Richard. This morning I made some important changes and now feel satisfied.
The story’s revised title is The Hand of Fate. It’s about things we see and know nothing about.
If you’d like to read the small story, click here.
Cool San Diego Sights! 