Written Works...
While a picture can tell a story in its own fashion, however the written word pre-dates this medium and takes the reader to places and times not typically possible. Working with words also helps me understand my photographic subjects and the composition of the components which make up what I am attempting to express via image.
This entire concept takes me back fifteen or so years when teaching an Adult Ed class at a local high school where one of my student was a lady in her mid seventies and as spry as the day is long. Where upon walking into class for the first day found her going to toe to toe with a young hoodlum who had been kicked out of day school. Yes when I took the job, they forgot to tell me the trouble makers who where kicked out of day school were expected to attend evening class. Anyway the two had to be physically separated just to provide perspective of just how lively she was.
After getting past this first day fun and escorting the juvenile trouble maker from the class, I asked the same question as with every first class, "why are you here". As we went a round the room, most answers where "because I was kicked out of day school" until we came to the older lady (note: I am not happy with myself refereeing to her as the older lady as she has a name its just after all of these years my mind fails to recall it). Her answer was " I want to be a novelist" which naturally brought a round of snickers and off handed comments. However these comments did not phase her or what she was in the room to achieve
During the course of the 3 month class I learned a lot from her about what it would take one to become a novelist. One of the profound facts was the required ability to juggle 1,000,000 words in your head. Yes you read that correctly, a one with six zeros after it in your head! Here is not the the place to belabor the why, its just meant to share the complexity of it all. While I don't aspire to me a novelist, I do aspire to be a better person every day and in sharing some of these works. I'm hoping that I am getting closer to that goal.
Also as you read the stories the names have been changed and there maybe some mashing up of time to improve readability. However the stories are true and I hope you find something in each... (click highlighted link below to read story)
The Stars... set in Seattle Washington one cold summer, this stories weaves together a number of strong life experiences expressing ones internal search for self on a cold and rainy evening... Morning in Vance... set one sleepy morning where, doubt, fear and reality all come crashing together in something called life. |