Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I love this quote from Flannery O'Connor on writing

This is from Flannery O'Connor, in her essay, "The Fiction Writer and His Country," written in 1969:

"St. Cyril of Jerusalem, in instructing catechumens, wrote: 'The dragon sits by the side of the road, watching those who pass. Beware lest he devour you. We go to the Father of Souls, but it is necessary to pass by the dragon.' No matter what form the dragon may take, it is of this mysterious passage past him, or into his jaws, that stories of any depth will always be concerned to tell, and this being the case, it requires considerable courage at any time, in any country, not to turn away from the storyteller."

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A month in the woods - the day before

My friend Robert has decided to move into the woods for a month.

It's not a camping trip, or a long hike. He's gainfully employed and will be working the whole time. But one lease just ended, and before he signs another, he's decided to fulfill a lifelong dream--seeing what it would be like to live outdoors.

I've known Robert since the first grade--about a million years ago. He's always been a serious outdoorsman, and loves the wild more than a soft bed.

He's texting me everyday to document his experience. I'll be posting his texts here. Here's the first one:

It's official...tomorrow I'm signing a one-month lease with mother nature...and the creator of the universe is my landlord.

a month in the woods - day one

This is the ongoing document of my friend Robert's experiment--living in the woods for 30 days, while working. His brother, Ron, is joining him.

Well, I spent all night getting ready to go...today after work we are heading to the woods. This is my last morning here. It's 35 degrees out and snowed a teeny bit last night. I'm committed now...signed my lease last night. People might think I'm crazy...or weird. But I think everyone wishes they could even contemplate what I'm going to do. I'm going to do this no matter what the weather brings. And besides, it's only 30 days. I can't wait to sit by a fire...listening to the river...and watching the leaves fall. And not watch TV...or hear sirens. Day one.

Just about to self publish my first book

Seth is about to come alive. I've got the cover art done, edited and re-edited. All that's left is buying the ISBN number and hitting the publish button. Stand by.