Perhaps the greatest, most difficult quest of our intelligent species is for a simple Theory of Everything. Everything–the entire cosmos–explained: easily, elegantly.
I just finished writing a short story concerning this. I’ve titled it The Perfect Snowflake. You can follow the link if you’d like to read it.
My writing blog Short Stories by Richard is the home to many small works of provocative fiction.
You’re invited to enter that universe.
Perhaps you’ve noticed I love to write fiction. I love to combine words. Words are tools that can dig toward truth.
I’ve recently written three short stories that are absolutely dystopian. They concern advancements in technology and the possibility of our own dehumanization.
I’m not a pessimist. I prefer to smile and generally try to find and highlight good things in life. But I also strive to be intellectually honest. I recognize that the human world contains both light and darkness. And some of my stories can be quite dark.
These three dystopian stories are: Life Made Easier, A Ship Without Ghosts, and What the Giant Saw. Click the links if you’d like to read them.
It’s funny–the latter, most recent story was written yesterday as I sat beside the small river in Balboa Park’s beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden. Looking down at the living water, I felt strangely like a giant. Perhaps my stream of thought emerged from that feeling.
All of my modest works of fiction can be found at my website Short Stories by Richard.
Like a mysterious living battery, your dog stores up love. Its tail is powered by love.
A healing love that flows from hand, to hand.
If you’d like to read a bit of fiction I wrote over the weekend about this magical phenomenon, a very short story that I’ve simply titled A Dog’s Tail, then follow the link! If you enjoy reading Cool San Diego Sights, you might like it!
Along with a variety of other philosophical stories, A Dog’s Tail resides on my special writing blog, Short Stories by Richard.
I encountered some poetic street art while walking up C Street this morning. Halfway to the top of Golden Hill, I paused.
An electrical box was painted with fading scraps of thoughtful poetry. As we walk we find ourselves in surprising places. Forgive my translation of Julio Cortázar.
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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!
To read a few thoughtful stories I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.
I believe I finally got it right. My latest short story. For a while it seemed wrong, incomplete.
Returning the Ball is a happy story about youth, youthful optimism, and a heart’s gratitude.
This quick read is likely to make you smile. Perhaps even wipe a tear. Click the above link to read it.
Need something to read this Labor Day? I’ve gradually built a collection of short stories (and a poem) at my blog Short Stories by Richard. These small works of fiction are ideal for a beach read. Or half an hour by the pool.
Enjoy your day and thank you for supporting Cool San Diego Sights! I plan to head up to Balboa Park! What will I discover today? I don’t know!
Richard
Life is essentially beautiful. Art can remind us of this truth.
Art that affirms life’s essential beauty can be simple or complex. It isn’t small, or cynical. It generously finds wonder with every brush stroke.
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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!
Can you believe it? My writing blog Short Stories by Richard now contains 23 short stories and a poem!
My works of fiction (and poem) operate like small seeds in your fertile mind. Plant one or two–and see what might grow.
Are you curious? Simply click the following links to read my most recent stories:
A Short Bloom offers the wisdom of one gardener.
Writing Infinity is a poem about capturing perfect truth.
Walking on Light is a strange, magical story about an uplifting kind of light.
Beth’s Window contains flowers that will always regrow.
A Bottle of Polish is a tragic story about one person’s secret shine.
How to Catch a Crab is about mystery, danger and a boy’s desire.
Elvis and the Time Machine proves that anyone can time travel.
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Richard
Murder! Gambling halls and brothels! Wyatt Earp! Corrupt police! Scheming businessmen! Secretive gangs! Pirates! A rip-roaring story dripping with suspense and excitement!
Would you like to read the first few chapters of a thrilling novel set in late 19th century San Diego? Jack Tyler, a talented author of adventure and steampunk fiction, is now writing an action-packed novel titled Stingaree, which takes place in San Diego’s old red-light district–an area of town that today is part of the Gaslamp Quarter. He has made many great chapters available to the public–for free! Click here to visit his website, then find the link to Stingaree.
In the late 1800s, the Stingaree was where sailors, ranch hands, and the working class sought their thrills in a depressed and rather desolate city. It was home to dozens of gambling parlors, whorehouses and saloons. Law-abiding citizens stayed away for their own safety. To be seen in the Stingaree might destroy one’s reputation. At night all hell would break loose. Those who prospered running tawdry businesses in the Stingaree had to pay the police bribes and watch their own backs.
In the novel Stingaree, the reader will recognize a variety of historical persons and locations. From the construction of the Hotel del Coronado, to George Marston’s department store, to the Horton House Hotel–the story is an exciting journey back in time. Jack Tyler successfully presents a city full of danger, uncertainty and great promise. From his imagination emerges an assortment of wonderfully inventive characters.
I must say I really enjoyed reading the completed chapters. This is the sort of smart, well-constructed story that would make for a really entertaining movie or television series. Cliffhangers and plot twists abound. Enjoy a fun read by clicking here and look for the link to Stingaree!
My writing blog Short Stories by Richard continues to grow. It now features 17 short works of fiction.
Many of the stories concern magic–or elements in life that seem to be magic. Most of the pieces contain both light and darkness.
I already posted a summary of my first six short stories here.
These are the next eleven–click the links to read:
One Strange, Shimmering Dream follows one man’s fantastic pursuit.
A Small Fountain in Green Park is about love and cherished moments in our brief life.
Irresistible Gravity is about futility and self-questioning.
A Dance in the Lightning takes a dangerous peek at ultimate reality.
Waterfall Tears interprets a moment of grieving.
An Old Man on a Bus contains unexpected defiance.
Dew on the Grass is about keen perception.
How to Paint Angels tells a story of despair, then sudden miraculous inspiration.
Final Real Magic is about youth and the uncertain nature of magic.
The Piano Player Sat Down produces a bit of strange, musical magic.
The Child and the Koi is a short fable about opposing primal powers.
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Thank you for following my blog! Today I’m going to a Mariachi Festival in San Diego’s South Bay. Photos should be coming later!
Have a fine Sunday and keep on smiling!
Richard
A fascinating exhibition at the San Diego Central Library will be running through May 7, 2017. You can find it on the 9th floor in the library’s Art Gallery. The exhibition, titled Print Culture: Midcentury Modern Graphic Design in San Diego, concerns artistic expression and the evolution of printing technology during the mid-20th century. Emphasis is placed on San Diego-based independent artists and local businesses, particularly defense contractors.
Artists, graphic designers, printers and those who enjoy learning about San Diego’s history and culture really should pay a visit to the gallery. Here are some photos which provide a taste of what you’ll see.
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Writing is a struggle. After revising my latest short story over and over again, I believe that I finally have it right. This story is so short you’ll be able to read it in less than one minute! It’s called The Piano Player Sat Down.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Cool San Diego Sights! 