Memoirs of a Geezer!
Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth
to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!
This Episode: Imagination!... A "Stab" at Children's Literature!
With any passionate discipline, the imperative is action, movement... an inexorable journey! If one is driven to write, for example, the pen or keyboard tends to fuse with fingers and mind! The writer is compelled to stab nouns with adjectives and send the pair skittering off with eager verbs... It's a kind of madness, some say, an obsession. a thing that has to be done with compulsive regularity. Or is it a blessing? Who the hell knows what it is, and why the urge is so insistent, like eating, sleeping and other natural impulses. Within the vastness of words corralled in books and libraries, how many are actually remembered, cherished? Very few, it's true... but, that's not the point. If you love to write, well then you just have to carry on... For many it's not even a matter of choice, I suppose!
With the great success achieved with my first published work (stated with admitted sarcasm, tongue placed solidly in cheek!), I thought I'd try my hand at a book for children. It has now been completed, and includes wonderful illustrations created by an exceptional artist / collaborator, my brother, Kris. SweetHeart's deft hand, too, of course, always a superb editor and contributor! Why not?, I figure! Other lunatics have tried writing and having books for kids published; many have even succeeded. Why not one more delusional lunatic?!
Perhaps it's an ego-driven madness of sorts. I make no lofty claims. I'm no prolific writer or oft- published novelist. I've not achieved fame; I have no bookshelf filled with hardcover volumes bearing my name. In fact, as I recall, there was a Jesuit teacher in my high school who, when asked if writing could be in my future as a possible vocation answered, "That's the last thing you should do!" In spite of that rebuke or because of it, I chose my profession... And thus I write, whether anyone reads what I write is another matter entirely.
Possibly I should have been wisely counseled prior to embarking, but in any case... The result of my latest effort -- accomplished recently, and well into my geezerhood -- is entitled, An "Awful" Beautiful Day... Or, Me and My Chicken Pox! It's based on an episode experienced by my remarkable daughters, Alie and Bethie. Well, perhaps I should reveal at least the beginning of the story, in its own words, just to demonstrate that the thing is indeed a fait accompli...
What the hell... I'll include another, maybe even two more of the gorgeous illustrations... I'm certain readers, devotees and others will be excited and delighted. Won't they? Here are more of the illustrations, with text even!:
The story's central focus is on IMAGINATION! Quite a few readers have pronounced it "Fun and Funny"... "Delightful Reading..." "Entertaining..." "...an Interesting Reminder of a Nasty Virus Kids Used to Get... and about Which They're Still Quite Inquisitive!"... Yeah, say I! That's the whole point, fer crying out loud!! Interested literary agents are most welcome to call or write! I must warn you, however, I'm quite discriminating!... Anyone out there??!! Hello??!!
Writing is a joyful and can be a somewhat lonely experience, but almost always gratifying, that carries with it a sense of accomplishment. Something you can step back and admire once it's done. And so I say to you, my friends, empathetic comrades and kindred souls, pick up a nib, a quill, a pencil or a keyboard and write something. Even if you and a family member or a friend are the only market or audience for your work.
Oh yeah, one more thing. There's a Chicken in the book, a rather large, cartoon-ie one! A truly glorious fowl creature to behold! It alone is worth a look... Ba Gawk, Ba Gawk... Buk... Buk... Buk! Its words are translated within the story, and that, too, should generate interest and readership
throughout the entire poultry farming community, agriculture in general... the entire planet, even the inhabited parts!! For those of you who many not be fond of chickens, we apologize, and remind you that there are many other redeeming parts of the book, Characters too, that you're certain to find enjoyable, possibly even memorable!
[ Special Note of Dedication and Attribution: The perpetrator extends giant thanks, and dedicates this writing to his beautiful, incomparable, fun and funny daughters for their unending gifts of themselves, their humor, support, understanding, patience and love. In addition, a special joint dedication to Brother, Kris, and to SweetHeart, my best friend, muse and cherished co-collaborator in life! (But not also dedicated to the pantomime chicken I met the other day in the mall!) Thank You, and Good Night...! ]
(A Second Note: "And Good Night to All the Beautiful Young Women..." is available through www.amazon.com; wwwbarnesandnoble.com; www.booksamillion.com; www.outskirtspress.com! The Illustrated Children's Book -- "An 'Awful' Beautiful Day..." is not yet in print, but can be made available to interested parties... Contact: jkriofske@att.net or joel.mary@icloud.com!)
 |
| Thrill to a Dancing Pickle!... this and so much more: Read: An "Awful" Beautiful Day... Or, Me and My Chicken Pox! |
"From a bright pen they dripped away,
Thin and filmy, whirling, elusive,
In the end but shreds, scattered and lost,
Caught on the breath of the wind..."
-- Anon.
With any passionate discipline, the imperative is action, movement... an inexorable journey! If one is driven to write, for example, the pen or keyboard tends to fuse with fingers and mind! The writer is compelled to stab nouns with adjectives and send the pair skittering off with eager verbs... It's a kind of madness, some say, an obsession. a thing that has to be done with compulsive regularity. Or is it a blessing? Who the hell knows what it is, and why the urge is so insistent, like eating, sleeping and other natural impulses. Within the vastness of words corralled in books and libraries, how many are actually remembered, cherished? Very few, it's true... but, that's not the point. If you love to write, well then you just have to carry on... For many it's not even a matter of choice, I suppose!
 |
| Yeah, Right! More shameless self promotion! But, you see, it's my blog, so I get to throw these images in from time to time... You know, to edify... to annoy! It's a swell book; it contains a good story, funny and educative too! Get a copy: www.amazon.com; www.barnesandnoble.com; www.booksamillion.com; www.outskirtspress.com... |
With the great success achieved with my first published work (stated with admitted sarcasm, tongue placed solidly in cheek!), I thought I'd try my hand at a book for children. It has now been completed, and includes wonderful illustrations created by an exceptional artist / collaborator, my brother, Kris. SweetHeart's deft hand, too, of course, always a superb editor and contributor! Why not?, I figure! Other lunatics have tried writing and having books for kids published; many have even succeeded. Why not one more delusional lunatic?!
Perhaps it's an ego-driven madness of sorts. I make no lofty claims. I'm no prolific writer or oft- published novelist. I've not achieved fame; I have no bookshelf filled with hardcover volumes bearing my name. In fact, as I recall, there was a Jesuit teacher in my high school who, when asked if writing could be in my future as a possible vocation answered, "That's the last thing you should do!" In spite of that rebuke or because of it, I chose my profession... And thus I write, whether anyone reads what I write is another matter entirely.
Possibly I should have been wisely counseled prior to embarking, but in any case... The result of my latest effort -- accomplished recently, and well into my geezerhood -- is entitled, An "Awful" Beautiful Day... Or, Me and My Chicken Pox! It's based on an episode experienced by my remarkable daughters, Alie and Bethie. Well, perhaps I should reveal at least the beginning of the story, in its own words, just to demonstrate that the thing is indeed a fait accompli...
What the hell... I'll include another, maybe even two more of the gorgeous illustrations... I'm certain readers, devotees and others will be excited and delighted. Won't they? Here are more of the illustrations, with text even!:
The story's central focus is on IMAGINATION! Quite a few readers have pronounced it "Fun and Funny"... "Delightful Reading..." "Entertaining..." "...an Interesting Reminder of a Nasty Virus Kids Used to Get... and about Which They're Still Quite Inquisitive!"... Yeah, say I! That's the whole point, fer crying out loud!! Interested literary agents are most welcome to call or write! I must warn you, however, I'm quite discriminating!... Anyone out there??!! Hello??!!
 |
| Bethie (left) and Alie in their present day manifestations. I tried to give them a kind of "cartoon-ie" look, in keeping with the theme... |
Writing is a joyful and can be a somewhat lonely experience, but almost always gratifying, that carries with it a sense of accomplishment. Something you can step back and admire once it's done. And so I say to you, my friends, empathetic comrades and kindred souls, pick up a nib, a quill, a pencil or a keyboard and write something. Even if you and a family member or a friend are the only market or audience for your work.
Oh yeah, one more thing. There's a Chicken in the book, a rather large, cartoon-ie one! A truly glorious fowl creature to behold! It alone is worth a look... Ba Gawk, Ba Gawk... Buk... Buk... Buk! Its words are translated within the story, and that, too, should generate interest and readership
[ Special Note of Dedication and Attribution: The perpetrator extends giant thanks, and dedicates this writing to his beautiful, incomparable, fun and funny daughters for their unending gifts of themselves, their humor, support, understanding, patience and love. In addition, a special joint dedication to Brother, Kris, and to SweetHeart, my best friend, muse and cherished co-collaborator in life! (But not also dedicated to the pantomime chicken I met the other day in the mall!) Thank You, and Good Night...! ]
(A Second Note: "And Good Night to All the Beautiful Young Women..." is available through www.amazon.com; wwwbarnesandnoble.com; www.booksamillion.com; www.outskirtspress.com! The Illustrated Children's Book -- "An 'Awful' Beautiful Day..." is not yet in print, but can be made available to interested parties... Contact: jkriofske@att.net or joel.mary@icloud.com!)
Humbly Submitted, 01-16-17 -- Joel K.
