Reader Q & A...

Branch,
As an avid fan I’ve read with interest many of the posts on your web site, however just when I think I see a pattern, you throw a curve ball. Your themes and subjects cover a lot of ground. While I enjoy being surprised, I am wondering if you can sum up for me in a few words your direction of purpose.

Jeremy H.,
Ithaca, NY


Jeremy, thanks for the compliment and question. One “rule of thumb” often used or quoted in writing workshops is “Write what you know.” With this in mind many fiction writers and practically all nonfiction authors write what they are familiar with or have learned, explored and in their writing attempt to express or explain.

Perhaps the three words that might best describe the ‘roots’ of my writing are; entertain, educate, and edify. Unlike many authors my works are not autobiographical and don’t express an “all or nothing” connotation for the reader. A constancy of balance and authenticity is of foremost importance when conveying to my readers the themes and subjects in my stories. Life is not always filled with ‘right or wrong’ scenarios. Additionally, the reflective nature of emotions and issues presented are designed to allow and encourage the reader to identify the commonality of the subject matter as it relates to their own experiences.

In this age of instant communication, one thread among people is a desire to compare and contrast first hand experiences with those of others. Doing so takes place on virtually every conceivable interest level, range and category from the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social, political, religious, economic, or status classification. Every possible comparison is used by someone to contrast themselves and their efforts with others. Competitive behavior and self-evaluation is standard practice with not only individuals, but also within families, groups, companies, communities and societies worldwide, as never before.

While an emphasis on ‘self’ achievement and expression ingrained and promoted beginning with our earliest inoculations as members of our own society, what may be lost is the innate base of our worthiness simply for who we are, not who we aspire to be in the eyes of others. Approval is a prime motivator our humanity but excessive anticipated approval from others can be isolating and damaging if we have avoided accepting analysis within of our efforts both the successes and failures.

If you have perused my titles you’ve seen a variety of subject areas offered through different presentations and formats. Whether nonfiction topics of spirituality, sexuality and publishing, or the short stories of poetics, my selections tell complete stories of interest to particular readers. In this vein my writing is brief and concise for today’s busy reader. Using a ‘conversational style’ my works are easy to read, easy to follow and understand with identifiable themes.

I write for both secular and spiritual audiences. With those readers in mind my works are designed to aid the first group in the reduction or elimination of daily struggle, while the second assists those interested in better understanding or attaining a spiritual connection. The goal is an attempt to plant seeds of personal growth for each reader’s ‘self’ approval and improvement. 
In three words; entertain, educate, edify.

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