Paper Birds

Born in ancient times. Without my being consulted, my mother moved me from Southern California to suburban Cleveland. Went to Ohio University where I studied with Daniel Keyes and Walter Tevis, who happened to be a couple of the greatest writers to ever do science fiction. I spent a  record long time as an undergraduate getting degrees in English and Creative Writing.

There is a long story about how I almost dated this girl I met early in my stay at Ohio University. I met here briefly at an art film viewing club, and by coincidence, I saw her the next day at the Union bar and grill. I was a day late since she’d just met this guy in the back room of the Union bar and grill, only a few minutes before I arrived, and she’s been with him ever since.

I often “fictionalize” my adventure with her and her family by pretending I asked the question, “They got any more like you at home?”

Because I did, in fact, after a time, meet her twin sister. We have been together more than 50 years, and I am starting to think the relationship is going to take.

We have one child, a son, who because of the way I raised him, is perfect and brilliant and successful in many ways…although, through a process I cannot comprehend, that amazing little boy is a middle-aged man.

I somehow passed in and out of many jobs or professions, until I became a dealer and used and collectible books and comic books for about 30 years.  This work involved my going the science fiction conventions where I befriended writers who were my youthful idols. 

To my surprise, I ended up with my own page Internet Movie Database.

I have done some writing all my life but almost never received recognition of any sort. I’m a co-author of Cthulurotica. My play Surface was chosen for the Festival of Life in Cork, Ireland. I have had about a hundred poems accepted by very small magazines, and a few short stories here and there.

I have saved enough money to retire and officially I am retired. I do not feel retired though because  I am active,  continuing to absorb literature and study it on my own, and doing my own little writing. I have always read more novels a week than most people.  Being retired, I can indulge my tendency to be a recluse. Having a wife and a Siberian Husky who attend me with great affection or devotion does not interfere with my being a recluse from most of the world.

Several times I’ve been asked for a brief autobiography, and every time I write one I feel like the recitation of the facts has failed to draw a picture of who I am or where I’ve been or what I have done. If I have created an illusion of having conveyed who I am, then this is enough to ask for.