"A Fair Fight" now online

Once again rejected by the Rogue Voice, then almost lost on my old laptop, but I have now posted "A Fair Fight", again on its own blog. I have less time these days, but will try do work on my next story over the summer.

Finished "A Fair Fight"

I finished the story, "A Fair Fight." I've been busy of late, but I was able to take my wife's editing suggestions and sent it off to the Rogue Voice for an official rejection. I'll post it here soon (unless they actually run it, in which case I'll post a link).

I have a basic premise for my next story and I've been trying to flesh it out in my head. The inspiration is a story my wife told me about the poet Wallace Stevens.

Working on a new story

I'm working on a new piece at the moment that explores the power dynamic between men and women. The setting is the fictional town of Alcantarilla, CA (Spanish for "sewer"). There is a little bit of martial arts thrown in. I will once again submit it to the local literary journal, The Rogue Voice and see if they'll run it. If not I'll post it in a couple of weeks. I have been in the midst of a financial decision and even though it isn't taking up a lot of time, I just can't sit still and write creatively, while it hangs over my head. Hopefully, that will subside after the holidays.

"Trial of the Monkey" Not the Winner

I was waiting to hear whether the play I wrote, "Trial of the Monkey" won a local contest and I'm sorry to say that it did not. Congratulations to the winning play (announced next week). I still think that it's a good play with a socio-political message. I will post it on it's own website so that it can be read and enjoyed (and maybe even performed). If you are interested, contact me: Click Here to See Trial of the Monkey
Update(12/25/07): I want to point out that the play can be viewed as a cute story about a monkey, even as a children's story, but it is really a satirical allegory for the xenophobic country of my origin. I think that it carries an important political message. It is one of three I'd like to write in this vein to capture different aspects of our society and culture. This one is about xenophobia and class struggles. The next will be about mass media and the destructiveness of a foreign policy based on ignorance. The third will be about the dark side of technological advances.

Before Santa: The Secret Origins of Santa Claus

I just posted this story, which can be seen here. It was turned down by The Rogue Voice, a local literary journal. Presumably, it was too "rogue." It's too late to submit it to another journal with the hope of publishing by Christmas, so I put it up on its own blog. It is a lighthearted attempt to put together some urban legends about the origins of Santa Claus and his psychedelic, shroomin' ways. I also included some Norse mythology and Viking history. Enjoy.

Update(12/25/07): This story got a slight bit of buzz by my own doing this year. I am hoping it will give it some momentum by next Christmas. It is also my hope that it will highlight what was lost when the Church squashed paganism. It takes place a thousand years ago, so I had to let my imagination fill in most of the details, but I believe that it has elements of truth to it, particularly in terms of the use of psychedelic mushrooms in pre-Christian times, which I believe is important in understanding some of the mythology of the time.

Trial of the Monkey

I have recently written a play called, "Trial of the Monkey." It is presently entered in a local playwright competition. I have also written a short story on the presumed Nordic origins of Santa Claus called, "Before Santa." That might be my first in a line of historical fiction short stories. I am new to the writing game and have nothing published or performed as yet. I have a full-time job and respect anyone who writes for a living. For me, it is mostly for fun, although I would happily accept cash offers and some cult fame.