Saturday Coffee: It’s Been A Good Week

            I know I keep going quiet and that is either because I am running errands or school comes up. But, I have to put school first. Eventually this column will be part of my Patrion campaign to make a living writing as well as doing other stuff. But, that won’t be until I am done school, which is a few years away since I want to get my Master’s as well. And, this term I have been reading about how short stories used to be published in the daily newspaper.

            Reading that I was thinking how it would be nice if that was brought back to newspapers today. Not as news but clearly marked as a short story for people to relax with after reading all the stressed of the day. It would be interesting to see. And, you could craft each story to the region it was being published in as well. Stephen King once lamented over how he was afraid the world was losing the art of the short story. I hope he was wrong. I know I enjoy writing a good short story as well as reading them.

            Personally I want to see the short story spread as a way for writers coming into the business to cut their teeth like it used to be. Instead of them having to jump right into writing a novel and self-publishing or trying to sell it to a publisher. Writing short stories lets you build a name for yourself as a good writer before having to delve into longer stuff. Then when you go into the longer stuff you sell better and easier since you already have a reputation. And, it saves you on having to give out free copies or depend on reviews.

            But I have seen success without doing it that way to. I guess it just depends on the writer. For me I am more comfortable going the way those before me went and cutting my teeth on short stories first. Though I have some novel ideas already. Some of which I am slowly working on, which drives some people I know insane. I just want it to come out right when it is finished. Though I have the ending in mind already.

            Just forming the middle can be a bit tricky. Usually when I start a story or novel I know how I want it to begin and end, but where it goes in between is up to it. It has a life of its own and sort of just flows through me. And, I am building steam to be published multiple times a year slowly but surely. Just taking time is all. But once I get there I will be in a place like I am in school now. And, balancing it with my social life. Primarily writing in the morning and early afternoon as well as at night a bit.

            That is pretty much where I am now with school. Where it takes up most of my time, but not all of it. And, I don’t mind that. Probably because I am a bit of a workaholic once I find my groove. Granted it took me a while to find my groove, but I am finding it now and enjoying it. And, finding that I can get my personal writing and reading in almost every day as well as possibly add some. Along with visiting with people, making my appointments, and when it is good enough out catching a movie especially when I have someone to go with.

            I hope you have enjoyed your stay in my little corner of the web for the day. And, I’m planning to be back tomorrow. But, for now feel free to leave questions and comments below. And, if you want my columns to appear in your inbox enter your email address in the box below where it says to follow by email. As for me I am not sure exactly what I am off to do next for once. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *

Wednesday In The Library: Challenged Books

            First to start off with today is a milestone today. Today is the 300^th post and we have passed 10,000 views on the blog. I am so thankful to all of you for all your visits to the blog. Without you this wouldn’t have been possible. And, I plan to try to give you more hard hitting content as well as more entertainment as best as I can. As well as more access to me. And, today is no exception as we will be talking about challenged books.

            Challenged books are books that are attempted to be banned or removed from public libraries. It happens multiple times a year. And, it is unconstitutional. Books are protected under both Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech. But people continue to think that if they don’t like a book they can just challenge it. There is only one book I have heard of that could be banned under the obscene laws and that is a book that is basically child rape fantasy. And, yes it was actually written and banned in Europe. I don’t remember the title but I only heard about it through a podcast called, Book Riot, which is dedicated to news on books and reading.

            Now I’ve read books I don’t like as I am sure you all have as well, but I wouldn’t challenge any of them. And, that is for the simple reason that I think everyone has the right to read a book and make up their mind for themselves. Reading is a personal journey and not everyone has the same taste. Just like with cuisine. Some like spicy food and some like more sweet or salty dishes.  Books are just as much treasure troves.

            We all find our own treasure in certain books. And, everyone deserves to find their own treasures wherever they may be found. Their own adventures and escapes. To explore their own words of choosing or topics of choice. Just because we don’t like something doesn’t mean we should block it in almost every case except for the one I mentioned above. Reading opens our minds to knowledge, which leads to wisdom.

            And, wisdom is hard to achieve other than through pain or wisdom. But, books over a third road that can be accessed quicker. And, everyone deserves to access wisdom. It helps one get further in life. Which we all want in this lifetime. And, everyone has a path to walk in this lifetime that they have to find. And, if reading can help them find it who are we to deny them that. We should be encouraging them to read not discouraging them just because we don’t approve of a book.

            I will say that all books are not age appropriate at some point and time. But, by the time a person reaches high school that problem should not apply. High schoolers should be able to handle any sort of material presented to them in literature. And, if they aren’t it is because the parents have raised them too sheltered. Now if there are those who might have a psychological issue to the book the teacher needs to be told a head of time, so that the teacher can give a warning to that student privately same with college students.

            I’ll get down off my soapbox for now. But, I am sure I will have to get back on it again on this or another issue at some point. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. And, if you want my columns to appear in your inbox enter your email address in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me I am going to go do some reading both for school and for pleasure. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *

Monday Beginnings: Community Connections

            I’m starting the week off in the hole with school, but only by one paper, which will be made up by the end of the day. Then I will be on track for the week, so no worries. I would have been on track already, but had some sleeping issues come into play. My own fault and I own up to them. Some people I know have had far more serious issues to deal with, so I have nothing to complain about just stating the facts and owning up to it is all.

            But I am still enjoying my classes and all the work that comes with them. They are enlightening and fun. I’m only making a B but I am earning it. Today will be a day where I talk a bit about how things used to be for me. And, how I want them to be for everyone eventually. I see some hope in my neighborhood lately, where for too long it has been quiet. And, just the other day I heard kids playing outside like you used to hear all the time. It was refreshing and good to hear live brought back into the neighborhood.

            Now if the adults could start opening up a bit and trying to socialize with each other it would be even better. I wouldn’t mind being a tutor for some of the kids and even holding a writing group for them. At least those that like it. And, I know parents can be nervous so the parents are welcome to attend and even participate. Maybe I haven’t yet given up on my neighborhood yet. Maybe I am not capable of that. Or maybe I am just dreaming again.

            When communities come together they are a power to be reckoned with. They produce better citizens and reduce crime in their neighborhoods as well. And, everyone is happier overall. Plus, they can do more for each other. And, the celebrations can be bigger as well. Block parties were always a favorite of mine. Now that I think about it might be a good place for a book signing. Hoping my building has a block party this year since people are starting to not be so isolated.

            One can hope anyways. And, once I finish my education and get started working I will find ways to give back to the community I know that. Speaking of working I got my first rejection letter today. It was from that piece I just put in on Friday. But I’m not upset. I plan to celebrate it. After all every author has gotten a rejection letter at some point in their career. I plan to print it out at some point and frame it even.

            You have to take the bad with the good after all. And, I’m still being published this year so that is something to look forward to. And expect me to be promoting it on my author page as well as on here. I’ll also be working to get a few other things published throughout the year as well. This year I am diving full force not only into the community but also into the publishing world. So, hang on tight it could be a bumpy ride.

            I hope you have enjoyed the conversation today and stopping by my little corner of the web. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. And, if you want my columns to appear in your inbox enter your email in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me I am off to do school work as always as well as some pleasure reading. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *