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The concept of missions means a lot of different things to a lot of people. To me, writing fiction is at or near the core of my existence and by it and through it I am intending to explore the essence of life itself, as is relevant to the human condition.
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While I intend to call to the fore, through conflict and drama, the complex moral and social issues of our time, I do not intend to take a position on any that I find debatable. My job, as I see it is to show, the great conflicts and dilemmas we face as humans. And, if I am lucky, on top of my game and successful, there will be some tiny aspect of truth hidden among the lines of prose and dialogue............................................ |
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"I finally finished Spice, which turned out to be one of those books that makes me feel like my insane life isn't nearly as bad as other people's! It was a very engrossing book and certainly not one of your run-of-the-mill "feel good" books. I like a book that teaches me something in a non-preachy way and if it takes me to other parts of the world, all the better. Spice did." R.Y.
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Whether it's trying to make sense of the universe, or simply trying to decide where we fit into the dance of life, that is my life's work. |
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Perhaps we can start with a few givens and examine the fallout from things like: |
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"The story in Philips Park has absolutely got to be told. As an African American, I am hesitant to have children. You always want what's best for your kids and that's how bleak our prospects are." A.F. (Texas 2005) |
"I had to put down your book [Spice] for a week and rethink my position on the things [various racial inequities] it portrayed." T.J. |
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As a Christian, I am struck by how un-Christ-like so much so-called Christian behavior is. I tend to write stories with recognizable underlying Christian values, but they are not Christian novels per se. I think that "Christian" novels are slanted too much toward a pre-conceived proposition, whereas quality fiction puts the characters, and therefore the readers more on the horns of a dilemma and less in the saddle of a preconceived notion. Nor do I think that Christianity holds an exclusive patent on sensitivity, love, worthwhile values and clues as to how best to live fulfilling, meaningful, exemplary lives. |
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These are the core perspectives, perspectives, which when coupled with an overwhelming zest for fairness, equity, the need for the possibility for hope and happiness for all of mankind that I am then able to branch out and portray the impact on both the perpetrator and the victim of such activities as: |
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In doing so, I'm not intending to preach. In fact I make every effort to avoid being "preachy." What I'm looking for is the gut level, physical & emotional impact of these activities and in turn their effect on the human psyche. |
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A rule of the physical universe is: To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. It's also a basic rule of life. Sometimes there are forces, which once set in motion cannot be stopped, or diverted. |
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My job as I see it is to trace these actions and reactions to their ultimate conclusion. And distill from them their impact on the human condition, whether it be: |
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In brief , my mission is: |
To work with my medium, i.e., the written word, and my readers (writing is an interactive process.) to seek out and portray ultimate truths, injustice, threats to justice and ways of living and viewing life that add to our collective knowledge in leading happier, more productive, satisfying lives than would otherwise be the case. Put more succinctly . . . I write to make a difference!
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