My Flag is Cooler than Yours, Part 1

Jessie and I argue. We usually run semantic circles around each other until we come to the realization that our views aren’t that different. So, we decided to put these debates into written and largely unedited form and publish them, because… #ideasandstuff. One of us begins with a question, and we go from there until a conclusion (or new question) is reached. We’ll see how this goes the first time around, and then we’ll probably come up with a witty/ironic/thematic name for it. This will be divided into (at least) 2 posts.

Steve D: Remember when we talked about having philosophical debates with with each other and posting them as dialogues? Let’s do that. In this email chain. I will pose the first question, and we’ll keep emailing back and forth until we reach some kind of conclusion (or impasse). Then you pose a related, but tangential question to begin anew in a fresh email chain. This means that you should actually check your email. Like probably at least once per day. Continue reading “My Flag is Cooler than Yours, Part 1” →

April’s Theme: Let there be Goofy!

Dear Inspiration,

“Now I know I haven’t really tried to hang out with you lately, but that totally doesn’t mean we can’t still be really close best of bestest friends. On my time table. You know, when it’s convenient and I’m not busy working or running errands. Oh? That doesn’t work for you? You only want to visit when I’m driving with no paper and pen available or meeting with my boss about upcoming events? Well gosh, I guess I should be used to that by now.” Continue reading “April’s Theme: Let there be Goofy!” →

Take Me to Church, I’ll Worship like a Model at the Shrine of the Times…

I wasn’t sure about posting this one – mostly because despite my faith being strong, my feelings about religion confuse me too much for me to really write about them, but Stevie convinced me with a classic “Why not?” So here goes:

Baptism

Everyone arrives late. Late to being early, late to being on time. Flash.
Disregard for ceremony, Disregard for the sacred.
Religion is what we make it – And here, it appears
As a spectacle. A side show fit for bright camera lights and unfunny levity. Flash. Continue reading “Take Me to Church, I’ll Worship like a Model at the Shrine of the Times…” →

The Story of 1,000 Stories: Piecing Together the Narrative Puzzle

Recently, I’ve decided to dive into reading two lengthy, in-depth fictional series at once for my leisure reading: The Wheel of Time and The Horus Heresy. About 3.5 books into these series, I’ve managed to stay focused on the wider story arcs of each while alternating between them. And so far, I am astounded at how brilliantly these two series are written, and how differently from each other. Continue reading “The Story of 1,000 Stories: Piecing Together the Narrative Puzzle” →

Shakespearean Sonnet – Loneliness – JG

Mistakes and Dishonor

I’m only lonely when I notice
Your absence in the wake of communication –
The sniper sharp focus
On our previous consociation. Continue reading “Shakespearean Sonnet – Loneliness – JG” →

Pervasive Longing: Of Monsters and Men’s First Album, and Long-Overdue Return

Our music reviews seek to trace the narratives that weave between songs and albums. Check out our Rhythmic Fiction tag for other stories told through music.

Have you heard the new Of Monsters and Men album? Well… it’s not exactly new. Actually it’s not new at all. My Head is an Animal, their debut album, was released on September 20, 2011. I saw Of Monsters and Men perform live in June of 2013, and they were fantastic. I have been eagerly awaiting news of their second album for nearly two years now, and last week, I finally heard the announcement of their second studio album on the radio: June 9.

Do you know what this means? I began writing this review for kicks last November, and it’s finally relevant! I no longer have to justify reviewing an almost 4-year-old album on the basis of my pining for the sweet melodies of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir’s voice. Continue reading “Pervasive Longing: Of Monsters and Men’s First Album, and Long-Overdue Return” →

Shakespearean Sonnet – Loneliness – SD

Trivial Hostilities

Chillin’ at the bar and I feel isolated,
Surrounded by eyes who only see the surface.
Diving into my ocean, they’re saturated;
Afraid of the monsters lurking in the abyss. Continue reading “Shakespearean Sonnet – Loneliness – SD” →

Creativity Sessions: The Minutiae of Characterization

People are weird.

I don’t mean in the cynical I-don’t-want-to-engage-with-anyone way. I mean in the myriad ways in which we generally conduct ourselves; our ticks, habits, vocal cadence, personality quirks, the way we laugh.

Think about your closest three or four friends; the people whom you (hopefully) trust and know intimately. Don’t they each have a distinct laugh, whether the high-pitched titter or the soulful bellow? And, not one of them speaks in exactly the same manner, with the exact same inflection or vocabulary. Kind of weird, right? Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: The Minutiae of Characterization” →

March’s Theme – and call for ideas!

Let’s be real for a moment. I’m getting kind of bored of coming up with themes every month. It’s not that I’ve run out of ideas; it’s really that I feel like my voice is drowning out any external potential for creativity. Continue reading “March’s Theme – and call for ideas!” →