Tormented Genius

Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite authors. Though his was filled with tragedy and torment, it did not take away his genius or his eye for description of surroundings. I wouldn't say that Poe flew under the radar in literary circles but he was an enigmatic person.

I have read his famous poem The Raven but he wrote many other poems. Hs stories are a great example of what makes a great author. In the story 'The Fall of the House of Usher', Poe's description of the acoustics inside the castle made me feel that I was his sidekick. I felt like we walked side by side in this strange and scary place. I read 'he Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Pit and the Pendulum (which was a movie in the early 1960's), The Mask of the Red Death, and The Cask of Amontillado. Poe showed his genius by the description of the surroundings, by the building of the story to its horrifying climax, and by the seeming casualness of the survivors.

Edgar Allan Poe did not live a long life (1809-1849) but he left an indelible mark in my mind as a literary icon.

Effecting Change

Writing touches the deep recesses of my minds and hearts. We can point to books read that inspired, challenged, educated, and spurred us to activity. It is the last description that I will touch on.

Over the years many writers have written books, poems, stories and commentaries about the world as they see it. While writing can open our minds to new worlds, it should spur people to change the inequalities in our world. Much is happening as I write. The mortgage crisis, recession, the war in Iraq, the economy, medical care, and high prices are affecting all of us in some way. To me what makes a great writer is the way they can communicate with the readers. Poe, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes come to mind. After I read Malcolm X's autobiography, I could see where he was coming from and how he came to his conclusions.

I just want to say that whatever genre you choose to write, remember that you are effecting change no matter how subtle. Writing is not an idle pursuit of entertainment but affects those who you wish to affect.

Working on a mystery story

I am formulating a horror mystery story in my mind. Now I have to get the outline on paper. I like horror that forces the character to face their fears, biases, and preconceived notions. I also want to have the characters have a positive change in their lives. I believe that horror can alter the course of a person's life in a positive way. Is there anyone that has felt the same way? Love to hear your ideas and stores.

Horror/Mystery Fan

I am a big fan of horror mystery genre. I love it when characters are confronted with their worst fears-an are challenged as to how they will get out of thier predicament. There are some places that can be a great back drop for a horror story. I love castles, dungeons, dark rooms, empty streets, hotels, motels; the list is endless.

I am a fan of Edgar Allan Poe. Stephen King is good. I'm searching for some of the great horror fiction writers of the present and the past.

MAYDAY!

Today is International Labor Day. May is Labor Month. It's odd but some countries such as China and France (I believe) have week long celebrations. THe US has only one day; and labor of poor and working men and women built this great country.The labor movement was an integral part of working people securing fair wages, benefits, and medical care.

Over the past several decades we have seen government and business literally takes away those gains. Industries such as steel and the auto industries have been decimated by restrictive laws, cheap sources of labor, and union busting. It is time for all working and poor people to organize and unite to change this trend.

I am searching for books about labor history, biographies, organizing and any thing to do with labor. If there are any suggestions you have, I welcome them.