About the Writing

My philosophy of writing is pretty simple. I want my work to leave its readers feeling better than they did when they picked it up.  The Real World can be overwhelming, frustrating, dark and depressing. Life is filled with struggle and disappointment. The greatest purpose of art is to give us sustenance and strength, to return hope and optimism, to pose questions and suggest that there are answers, if not suggesting the answers themselves.  My work reflects that conviction.

There are some exceptions. My short story “Chimera” stands out as dark and uncharacteristically disturbing.  Sometimes one needs to try an unfamiliar path. I generally write what may be called science fiction.  I choose that label because it seems to fit best; the plots are based on solid science, no magic, no supernatural elements, and the possibilities revealed by science are what most often inspire me. But there are exceptions to that, too. Archimedes Nesselrode is full of lovely, charming magic. The Juggler is just for fun, a beach novel, if you will. “Love Me, Love My Hellbeast” is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek bit of Lovecraftian horror.

But labels are misleading; they are vague guidelines at best. I’m not really a genre writer. I don’t follow a formula. I don’t think I qualify as a “literary” writer. Not highfalutin enough. Too concerned with plot and character. But I like to make my readers think, give them something to chew on, confound their expectations.

Please feel free to peruse the samples I’ve provided on the website. Published short stories are complete; others are excerpts in the hopes that they may someday see publication. I’ve shared extensive excerpts from Elder Light, my most ambitious work.  Although it rather bucks the current market demands, I remain optimistic that it will someday find its audience. If I write it well enough, they will come.

That’s really what it’s about; intelligent optimism.  Because there is really not much point in blundering around in the dark.