NOCTURNAL-BEING

(WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK) A SUCCESSFUL WRITER

The following is an original short story posted as an example of my writing.  Feel free to critique or offer comments.  I have come to the conclusion that any good writer would edit / rewrite, right up to the moment the book, short story, or poem collection is going into print.  Fortunately or unfortunately, that's not possible.  However, editing / rewriting is a writer's salvation.  If you don't believe me...well, read on:

NOCTURNAL-BEING

(Draft Version)

I am a creature of the night. Like a vampire, I sleep through the day; arising after darkness falls. Under artificial light, I prepare for work. Into, darkness, I step. Above, may be stars, moon, or clouds, floating by. On stormy nights, the wind howls; the sky lights up. It's as though, angels are chasing a demon, across the night sky. Flash-upon-flash, as thunderbolts, are hurled at their target. Demon, thunders off, to a deeper darkness, to hide from punishment, for who knows what, evil deed.

From house, to car, I move. Door creaks; shuts. Two bright eyeballs, come to life. Running late; car, like a screaming banshee, roars into the night. It wishes to defy every traffic light, to speed its way, along the path, to arrive on time. Like a true vampire, a lone occupant wonders; why must I go forth again, among the nocturnal forces, to seek my needs?

Turns on radio, receives music, for soul and ears.  Yet, eerie is what I hear. For playing that moment: Riders On The Storm. Nocturnal-being, bloodshot eyes, rushing through the night; dare not look at others, driving up along-side.

Midnight's closing in. They may be zombies in the night; demons, out for a drive; the Grim Reaper, looking for a race to the death; ghosts, who are not really there; worst of all, could be others like me, wearing the nocturnal-being, ball and chain.

Work 8 hours or more, with creatures, similar to myself. Slowly, each, vanishes, back into the night. We are a different breed from you. Finally, my turn to leave.

Day is dawning; city, comes to life. Sunglasses donned, hide from, sunlight. Heavy traffic, turns race home, into a snail's-pace. Sun stares at me. Tired, barely awake; despite sunglasses, blinded by the sun's stare; occupant crawls home. Finally, destination, achieved.

This nocturnal-being, slinks from car; inside home. Life, once more, is saved; rescued from cruel sunshine, with its lively, beehive-like, beings. Fed, lid closes on coffin, restoring the nocturnal-being, to the sleeping-dead.

Reminder:  I retain copyright to all poems and stories posted here.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: HARRIET TUBMAN

BEFORE THERE WAS A BLACK HISTORY MONTH

If you are a young person reading this, you may not realize there are people living today, who remember when there was no Black History Month.  How did we learn Black History?  We didn't learn much.  Sounds harsh, but true.  Probably, most Black History courses and majors were taught at Black colleges and universities.  However, "the times they are a-changing," was said in the Sixties; the era when I went to school.  Late Winter 1965 or Spring 1966, my Sixth Grade school teacher chose to read to us, a biography.  The biography was about:  The Life of Harriet Tubman. 

FAME IS THE MAKING OF A LIFE NOT FAME ITSELF

Although we learned about George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, and a lesser known man named Josiah Henson, they were depicted more for their success, than for the trials and tribulations they went through, before achieving success.  (Josiah Henson was discovered, at that time, to have passed through our area, as a runaway slave.  Josiah Henson, was one of the real life slaves, Uncle Tom's Cabin is based on.  So, he was more like a local celebrity to us, than a historic slave figure.).  Even teaching these Black historical figures was an exceptions, not the rule.  For a white public school teacher to choose a book on slavery, from a slave's viewpoint, to read to his white students, was a bold choice. 

FREEDOM:  OFTEN TAKEN AWAY; SELDOM GIVEN

Yet, I am reminded today of one irony.  On our teacher's nameplate, on his desk, was the word Reverend, Rev., for short.  Today, in our, supposedly, more enlightened age, it's doubtful his title of reverend would be allowed on his nameplate.  It would probably violate some public school, state, or federal policy.  So, do guard your rights and freedom.  You never know where, when, or how your freedom may be taken away.

THE LIFE OF HARRIET TUBMAN

The Life of Harriet Tubman showed us a woman of remarkable strength and character, as well as, faith.  We saw her from childhood to old age.  As our teacher read a chapter or part of a chapter each day, we heard the trials, the tribulations, the harsh treatment, and the triumphs of a real human being; a Black woman, during the era of slavery, and afterwards.  This was no sanitized tale of a famous woman.  This was a story, of how and when, the Civil Rights Movement began, long before it had a name.  Harriet Tubman has been an inspiration to many people, whatever their country.  Today, both America and Canada are proud to claim her.  By the time our teacher finished reading Harriet Tubman's life story, we had been changed forever.  In real life, that is what Harriet Tubman did too.  She transformed people, Black and White, making history in the process.

JUSTICE

It's not possible to do justice to Harriet Tubman in a short blog.  Therefore, I share a Wikipedia link below, which does more justice to the life of Harriet Tubman, than I can do.  There are many fine biographies on Harriet Tubman.  By searching on her name you will find many websites that cover her life and related Black History. 

I thank the Reverend Herbert W. McFadden, my Sixth Grade teacher at Seven Hills Elementary School in Owensboro, Kentucky, who introduced us to Harriet Tubman.  I also thank the unknown author, for bringing Harriet Tubman's life into my own life.  I have never forgotten her.  Black History and Black History Month is for ALL AMERICANS and anyone interested in the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

Click:  Wikipedia 

TO WRITERS YOUNG AND OLD

Whether you choose to write the story of a real life person, such as Harriet Tubman  or a fictional work, like Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, it may be possible for you to transform people's lives with your words.  Even if you transform only one person, in a positive way, your writing life is a major success.  Let all young writers, writers of all races or ethnic groups, and writers of all ages, take heart.  As long as you write, it is possible for you to make a positive difference in the world.  That was my introduction to Black History Month, before there was such a thing.  Books are powerful instruments of change.

MOONLIGHT RENDEZVOUS

ON BEING A FAILED POET



The following is a rough draft of a poem I wrote a few years ago.  Since Robert Frost is the only poet, whose poems I read and understand, without a great struggle, and Edgar Allen Poe's poetry interests me, I took up poetry writing, to try to better understand poetry.  For a time, I subscribed to The Atlantic, which often published poetry.  In fact, it is notable for publishing numerous poets before they were famous.  Their poems, in my mind, made no sense when I read them.  Incomprehensible would better describe what I read.  Because I was never a big fan of poetry to start with, I decided The Atlantic, and other poetry, revealed my deep ignorance of the subject, despite many years of school teachers, trying their best to drill it into my head, even as they went into flights, of grandiose praise, of poets and poetry they read or assigned.

Keeping in mind my ignorance of the subject called poetry, I gladly accept any critique, criticism, grammar corrections, suggestions, etc., if you care to enlighten me.  I tried joining a Writers' Group, which included critiques, but as always happens in my life; if I join something, it moves too far away or ceases to exist.  The Writers' Group I speak of may have done both.  So, I am at your mercy and am calling for your guidance.  I know I will never be a true poet, but I would like to get better, both at writing and understanding poetry.  I am a sow's ear poet, so I doubt you can turn me into a silk purse.  It's okay with me if you try.  Now, let's get to the issue at hand; my poem.  I have put you off as long as I can.

(a rough draft version)

Did not realize,

On a snowy, winter evening,

Had a moonlight rendezvous,

With frozen moments in time.

Trudged homeward,

In snow deep.

Crunch! Crunch!

Sounded shoes.

While standing,

Weary in this burden,

Stopped to survey,

 The full-mooned landscape.

Upon a slight hill,

Children had played, 

Leaving snow angels,

 They had made.

 Another place,

 Standing sentinel,

A snowman,

 In the dark moonlit park.

 Sparkling gems in moonlight,

 Silent trees stand,

Limbs and twigs burdened,

 With icy-white cover.

 Here; there; icicles,

 Shimmering daggers, hanging perilously,

Dare anyone to step beneath,

 To risk losing life?

 Cold penetrates bones,

 Urging movement homeward,

To hearth; to thaw;

 To celebrate escape.

 Tracks behind,

 Reveal to thinking beast,

Winter's latest capture,

 Move on! Move on!

 Escape destiny's rendezvous,

 As latest specimen entering,

Nature's frozen menagerie.

 Flee, where children have flown!

 To comfort of hearth, home, bed, and dreams.

 Blog author retains all copyright to his literary and poetic works. :-)

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: LANGSTON HUGHES

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

In the United States, the month of February is celebrated as Black History Month.  This is a time for remembering Black Americans, ranging from famous Black slaves, such as Harriet Tubman to the current President of the United States, Barack Obama.  During February, I plan to feature a few notable Black / African American writers.  In doing so, I am attempting to acknowledge the road for Black authors to publication is still more difficult than for authors of other races and I wish to encourage publishers to take a stronger interest in publishing Black authors.  There is a very large audience of Black readers, awaiting the day, when finding a new Black author will be as easy as finding a new Black recording artist or sports star.

BIRTHDAY OF A BLACK AUTHOR

According to Wikipedia, "James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist."  In other words, a very busy and accomplished 20th. Century author.  In addition, he was a Black author.  Langston Hughes' ancestry was primarily African American, Native American, and White American; not unusual for many people labeled Black in this country.  He was active as a poet, columnist, dramatist, essayist, lyricist, and novelist from 1926 to 1964. 

SAMPLE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Poetry Collections:  The Weary Blues, Knopf, 1926; The Negro Mother and Other Dramatic Recitations, 1931; Freedom's Plow, 1943; Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz, Hill & Wang, 1961

Novels and Short Story Collections:  The Ways of White Folks. Knopf, 1934; Laughing to Keep from Crying, Holt, 1952; The Best of Simple. 1961

Non-Ficiion:  Famous American Negroes. 1954; Fight for Freedom: The Story of the NAACP. 1962

Major Plays:  Mule Bone, with Zora Neale Hurston. 1931; Simply Heavenly. 1957; Jericho-Jim Crow. 1964

Works For Children:  Popo and Fifina, with Arna Bontemps. 1932; The First Book of Rhythms. 1954; First Book of Africa. 1964

A BRILLIANT BLACK AMERICAN

Langston Hughes was obviously a brilliant American; a brilliant Black American, as well.  If you would like to learn more about Langston Hughes, allow me to suggest you begin with this link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Hughes

SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN WRITE?

TO ERR IS HUMAN; TO WRITE IS A CRIME

Perhaps the greatest thing missing from too many writers lives is SUPPORT.  "So, you think you can write?"  Whether this cruel question is asked, writers are often told, you cannot write.  You will never be a writer, author, poet, etc.  The cruelest form of this comes in two varieties, family and experts.

YOUR WRITING IS PATHETIC

No, I did not mean to say prophetic.  That would be too nice.  Family can be your worst writing enemy.  They know where to stick the knife, so you feel the maximum pain.  They know what part of you, to bury the hatchet in.  Cruelest of all, they can be this way with the best of intentions.  Whether it's authors, film stars, musicians, or business people, some people have lived with the torment of family seeing them as a failure in everything they do, especially what the person does BEST.  I'm talking very famous and successful people.  So, if you lack family support in your writing or other goals in your life, you are not alone.  UNDERSTAND THIS, detach yourself from this cruelty, then use it in a positive way. 

I would be shocked if family ever decided I can write, but that's fine.  It is sincere the way they feel and they mean no harm.  In that sense I am lucky.  This allows me to look at their criticism, then realize something very important to know as a writer:  THERE IS A LOT OF REJECTION.  I won't say this is not hard on a person, but I have set a goal to accept REJECTION for what it is, a momentary thing, which can't happen, if you don't act to get published.  Just like ACCEPTANCE can never happen, if you don't act to get published.  So, your worst critics should be brushed aside, as a temporary impediment, to getting to where you are going, which is getting your writing published.

I AM THE EXPERT!  MY OPINION COUNTS!

True, the expert's opinion counts.  Whether an agent, editor, reviewer, critique group made up of professional writers, or any of the other writing experts you encounter on the road to publication; you should listen to their opinions, but remember, it IS opinion.  A piece of trash for one expert may be a classic to another.  You especially want to disown in your mind, any expert who attacks you or your work, personally.  Like the turtle or the snail, you must plod along on your journey to where you are going.  What is worthless in today's market, may be gold in tomorrow's market.  You are a writer / author as long as you do not stop.  Search out the experts who believe in what you write.  Assume the rest don't know what they are talking about, despite being experts.  The good thing is most of the experts have a vested interest in seeing you succeed.  It's called MONEY.  Agents, editors, and publishers can starve as much as writers, if they fail to support publishable work.  Unlike family, they need to live off what you do, so keep writing.  Still, I admit, experts can be very destructive to a writer, if they are a sick human being.  Smile and keep moving along.  In the end, you will achieve VICTORY.  (Understand, most experts do their best to HELP YOU.)

ENCOURAGED, I HOPE

I hope I have encouraged you to keep writing, not worry about critics, use the negatives for positive results, and love what you do.  There is plenty of discouragement, mountains of frustration, toil, and heartache in writing.  You are working toward that moment of JOY that comes one day.  Don't forget that.  By the way, when you find yourself published?  If it's a book, send me an autographed copy.  I WOULD LOVE TO READ IT!



THE TALES I TELL

TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING

To better understand who I am as a writer, you need to know the tales I tell.  By nature, I am a short story writer; a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, O. Henry, and Mark Twain, among others.  Twain, famous for his books, was an excellent short story writer.  These are authors I aspire to write like.  Poe taught me to look into the human mind; where there is a fine-line between sanity and insanity.  He taught me people cross back and forth between the two, never realizing this.  All three taught me irony, which can be humorous, jolting, or twisted.  This offers many possibilities to a writer.  O. Henry was a master at using irony. 

If anything, Mark Twain taught me, I am not a natural story-teller.  He is one of the greatest story-tellers of all time.  Aside from revealing my writing faults, he taught me humor is a great thing!  Humor enhances a story and makes life less dull for the reader.  ANYONE, of any consequence in my life, has taught me, laughing at life keeps you sane and alive.  Humor is one reason I want to be a writer.  Humor, is needed to survive blog bugs too.

ON PUBLICATIONS



I have and haven't been published.  As a kid, I wrote short stories for my Junior High School newspaper, achieved a co-byline for a story once, and worst of all, I gathered school gossip that was sometimes published.  Almost forgot song dedications, which was more fun.  Yes, I was a school reporter.  This must alarm Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olson--some of my favorite fictional reporters. 

My next published work was in HEARTBEAT, the singer / entertainer Peter Noone's newsletter.  (For those too young, he is the famous lead singer in the Sixties band Herman's Hermits.  He remains internationally popular.)  My 2006 review of a concert he did in my area was published in his fan club newsletter.  A couple of minor writings were also published in the newsletter.  Speaking of irony, my review in the HEARTBEAT fan club newsletter, may have had a larger and wider audience, than any fiction writing I may ever see published. 

For a year, I wrote a column appearing in the newsletter where I once worked.  This was from early 2006 through a time in 2007, when the newsletter ceased publication.  (Died for budget reasons, not my writing; in case you are wondering.)  My first article in the newsletter was an e-mail interview with an occasional radio personality.  I consider this interview a key moment in my writing life. 

Otherwise, I have never been "published" in a literary magazine or in any sense you think of as "published."  Hope I achieve that too!

BLOGGING

Blogging affords me the opportunity to find a reading public, so I may acquire a writing platform, as publishers call it.  I began Blogging with Yahoo in December of 2005, ending when they closed their Blogging platform in 2010.  I have been Blogging with Blogger since some time in 2009.  Building my interview skills, I have interviewed 6 people for two blogs.  Three writers, one unpublished; three musical entertainers, with two being famous stars of the Sixties.  Through Blogging, my writing life has taken the interesting turn of interviewing people.  This leaves me half scared to death and half delighted. Interviewing is a strange animal emotionally, until you get used to it.  You do get used to it, don't you?  Moving along!

SHORT STORIES

I prefer to publish fictional short stories.  My readings tell me this leads to the poorhouse, plus obscurity.  Books sell---if any writing sells---if you want to eat and live.  So...I have my work cut out for me, which I admit, is depressing at times.  Then too, there is all the wonderful writing platforms open to me today, if only I understood them all; even some of them!  (Like, self-publishing, e-books, etc.)  Writing is not for the faint of heart.  IT'S FOR THE TOTALLY INSANE, like me. 

On my old Yahoo Blog I posted a few of my writings, thinking that was okay.  Then I read, no publisher wants anything that's been online.  They say it's published, therefore virtually unpublishable.  Well, except for all the people who have succeeded in doing just that!   Dare not, believe publishers are more sane than writers!  I may...just may...with that insanity in mind, revive a few Yahoo short stories here.  People do need to see I write.  Even how bad I write; thus, encourage you to write.

POETRY

:-) I have such a lousy understanding of poetry, I took up writing poetry.  I hope to learn poetry by writing poetry.  Also, some of my short stories have poetry-like rhyming.  This baffles me, but I like it.  I may share a few of my old Yahoo blog poems.  Afterall, it's virtually impossible for my poetry to qualify as publishable.  Too many truly excellent poets out there, going unpublished, to believe I am in their league.  However, I do write poetry, with this nagging Walter Mitty hope, it's better than it really is.  As I said above, humor is important in life.

CONFUSED YET?

Hope I have not confused you.  Writing is my final major goal in life to achieve success.  I will always write.  I am that strange person, who set very high goals in life; unachievable goals, it turns out.  Odds are against me in this goal too.  That's putting it mildly.  Yet, each of my 3 major goals in life taught me things.  If I stopped writing today, I accomplished totally unexpected things in my writing pursuit, which I am proud of.  There you have it!  A small understanding that I will never ask too much of you.  Read a little; join me in writing, if you like; maybe a comment, when you have something to say.  The tales I tell are the humble tales of a poor boy born with stories in his head.  Thank you for joining me.

FAMOUS FICTIONAL PEOPLE

NOW APPEARING...!

Today's thoughts have nothing to do with writing and everything to do with writing.  The topic is famous fictional people.  Although it is not possible to name all my favorites, permit me to name a few.  Each is worth a deeper study for creative writers.  However, this is about being a fan.  I am writing this for fun.

WALTER MITTY

You can't read James Thurber's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, without realizing he is a fictional person; a fictional dreamer.  He is an everyman, for those of us, who  live undistinguished lives.  Somehow, Walter Mitty is certain he should be more than he is, except fate set him on a different path in life.  One thing Walter Mitty does not lack, is a vivid imagination.  The one thing he can't escape, is he is a henpecked husband, regularly brought back to reality, by his over-bearing wife.  She is also partly responsible for him living, as much as possible, in the imaginary world he creates.  Walter Mitty might have made a great writer, were he a real person.  He has come to be a part of American Culture, even making his way into some dictionaries.  Best of all, the story is a fun read and Walter Mitty is a fascinating person.  Destined to always be undistinguished, in literary form, he has become an American legend in the real world. 

SHERLOCK HOLMES

Sherlock Holmes, is possibly, the most famous fictional person and detective in the English-speaking world.  In fact, Sherlock Holmes is so famous, some people think he is a real person.  There have been attempts by people to visit him at 221B Baker Street, London, England, his fictional apartment address.  Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print in 1887, with the original tales covering the 1880 to 1914 period, according to Wikipedia.  In The Final Problem, the Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle, not only formerly introduces Holmes archenemy Professor Moriarty, he attempts to kill off both characters, intending to put an end to the great detective stories.  Naturally, he eventually resurrected Holmes from the dead.  In part, this was due to his popularity, but also, because of the author's financial needs.

Sherlock Holmes stories tend to be filled with logical reasoning, scientific methods, and pure genius.  Holmes at his best is a problem solver.  That some of the scientific ideas introduced in Holmes stories went on to become a part of Scotland Yard's actual detective methods, may play a strong role in why many people believe Sherlock Holmes is a real person.  Until the method later proved faulty, the old method of using plaster-of-paris to create a mold of a footprint at a crime scene, originally introduced in a Sherlock Holmes story, was used by Scotland Yard detectives and police forces around the world, to capture, then convict criminals.  Despite all this, Sherlock Holmes remains no more than a famous fictional person.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Like a good cliffhanger movie or story, this project is to be continued in the future.  This allows me to express my thoughts freely, while trying to hold the writing to a readable word limit for you, the reader.  For any writer to create a memorable character, with the staying power of a Walter Mitty or a Sherlock Holmes, is a dream come true.  This is as close as a writer comes to achieving immortality.  For readers, it gives readers a ficitional person to pass down to future generations of readers.  Someone everyone knows and everyone can discuss.  Most of all, someone everyone can enjoy.  I hope you have a few famous fictional people in your life.  I leave you now to return to my imaginary world..."The Siren Song of Cyren is the tale of...