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Every artist, no matter what their medium or genre, whether published, trying or private, goes through various emotions about their work and the responses to it.  My mother painted and writes poetry.  My sister used sculpts in clay.  Both had their critics.  My interests went more technical, but I did, and do, have interest in game design and writing.  That interest grew, with games leading the way.

     Now I am pursuing my inner drive, which include creating games for the public and writing fantasy.  This is not easy for a dyslexic person and one that has some very politically incorrect views that needs expressing.  Many who read my work are intrigued while others are shocked.  Some are bothered from the style and I've been call archaic quite a few times.  I take that as a compliment.  As for the general criticism, if there is justification, I take heed, but most people criticize when it goes against their grain and expect others to be like them.  I am not like them.  I have no desire to be like them.  I don't expect them to be like me and there are people out there that are.  Quiet people, wishing they could open up and be natural.  There are many people like that in the world and many enjoyed what I wrote.  I have my reasons for writing and be popular is not one.  Yes, I would like to be published.  Hopefully sometime I will, but that is not the main reason I did this.

     Many writers do not do it for fame.  They write because they have something to say.  Some appreciate it, others do not.  Some enjoy their styles, others do not.  What constitutes good writing and style is subjective and varies with the reader.  Personal views sparks controversy, often distracting them from the underlying story.   Every successful writer has had their vocal critics and detractors and those detractors wondered how the writer, or artist, became popular in the first place.  I expect to receive a fair amount of criticism considering the nature of the works and what had been said so far.  Most people are open and und  I write what I wish and felt needed to be said and the stories reflect my non-conventional thinking.  Some may not appreciated that, but many who are interested fantasy, with one sci-fi vignette for flavor, may appreciate what is presented here.

     Here, I can rebuttal the statements of others and maybe they'll come to have understand or maybe they won't, but if some do then it served a purpose.  Many will feel these views are a bit harsh, that I would shun people with it.  To that I am sorry.  I did consider reducing it, but decided not to.  There are people out there that feel their ways and opinions are greater than everyone else.  I grant we all have opinions.  I do and so do you.  There are many things I enjoy and more I do not.  To those who wish to listen, I will express myself, but I really try not to force my views on others as I wish not to have others force their views on me.

     Philosophical discussions on politics and religion are taboo for most people and many will steer from in-depth conversation about art if there's a chance of an argument.  Others will force their points on people who have different perspectives, feeling those individuals need to learn and are wrong for thinking different.

     I went to a writer's seminar at a sci-fi convention a while back.  I've not been to many, but this one had an 'agent' on several of the panels that I and several in the room felt needed some serious slapping.  Her statements would make what is written on the opening page seem tranquil.  She projected an anger to those who had styles difference to her.  She even argued with two of the established writers on the panels. One of them, I'm sure, would have taken her out of the room if he was not restraining himself and being polite.  The 'agent' continued her insults and went into threats, stating in several ways that all the agents and publishers talk with each other and if you insult one, her mainly, that you would have a harder time getting published.  She then went on to say that writers have to do every thing the agent tells them or they would not succeed.

    That agent's entire manner sounded as though she possessed control issues.  She was looking for desperate people that would see there name in print no matter what they had to do.  I'm not one of those people.  I enjoyed writing Tarrarian Plight and Blood Cousins.  A fair amount people who read them enjoyed the works.  Yes, I would like to see them published and on the shelves.  I do have an ego to boost, but I will not cater to others who wish to assert their control.  There is much that could be done to make the works better, but I will not tolerate those who feel they are superior for whatever reasons, whether they wave their degrees or some other credentials for all to see.

     As for degrees, I respect most that have them.  I never completed mine.  I found I did not need to to do what I wished.  But, a comment to those that have them.  Most people who have degrees don't seem to show their education.  They flaunt the piece of paper, but understand little what they learned.  They never truly gain the concept of putting the parts together and thinking on their own.  They took what they did learn, or the small parts they remembered, and settled on a narrow path.  When those people encounter others with different experiences that contradicts their own, they get upset, even outraged.  If one tries to counter them, they say, "I have a degree in -[fill in the blank]-, and your statement doesn't make sense", as though bringing up the 'degree' invokes a spell to ward off those who appose them or to convince the other person they were wrong.

     The bearer of the degree will not consider their own views may be in error or, as in most cases, there may be a variety of ways to see the same thing.  One of those persons read the first chapter of Tarrarian Plight.  Before he took it he said he would be cruel and write a report for the next day, that he 'has as a degree in literature' and wished to be completely honest.  On that following day, he expressed his views by saying the story was trite, cliché and a few other general observations.  When I asked what was trite, he just said - the whole thing.  There were other people in on the conversation and they asked for examples.  He had none.  For some time the talk continued, but he could not defend his statement with nothing more the his 'degree'.

     I did a lot of thinking about the man's comments, more than they deserved.  Yes, there is a certain amount of trite and cliché elements in the stories, but mostly I think he misunderstood the meanings I tried to express, bringing in his own biases.  Some descriptions and terms used in the stories are not used much any more and not contemporary.  I've been compared to British and European styles and even thought of being British.  Where ever I developed my ways, I don't know and I don't think I'll change.  A lot had been stated more elegantly and less vulgar in the past and I feel much of it should be revived, no matter how trite.  Some would say the way this page is laid out is trite and cliché.  So be it.

     With that, I hope I did not offend too many.  There is no way to say anything in this day and age that would not offend some people.  I also hope this does not detour you from reading what is presented on this site.  If it does, oh well - enjoy your day anyway.  For those that stay, I welcome you and thank you for bearing with my expression of opinion and hope these works are more than cliché and trite to you.

Jeremiah