Loekie

Growing up, I never saw myself as a storyteller. But looking back, I see the seeds. I would build complex models with my Lego or Mecano, each with a story to tell. When I played with my Tonkas, Dinkeys, etc. scenarios developed. But I was reminded by those around me that these were youthful pastimes that should not impede the reality of my life. I was to grow up to be a professional, be it a doctor, architect or engineer.

And the sad thing is that the educational system I grew up in did not nourish the seeds. I focused on math and science. Yet a glimmer never left me - reading. My parents, being voracious readers, encouraged me to read. So I wrapped myself in science fiction from an early age. By 10, I was reading classics like Dune.

My start in writing was more because of arrogance and laziness. In 1976 I took a literature course in junior college called Innocence to Experience. As a final project, the teacher said we could write an essay comparing the books we read or write a short story exploring the theme of the course. I took the easy route, so I thought, and focused on writing a short story. Which got good reviews from the class.

It took another 3 years before storytelling grabbed hold of me. And it hasn't let go ever since. I have the battle scars from friends who read my short stories and pronounced some of them to be crap. I have my rejection letters, which at first I attributed to stupid editors who did not know the gem they had in their hands.

It has been a long journey with ups and downs which continues to this day. And each day I find out I am on the right track but I still have a long way to go.

Originally I was on urbis. At first, I was getting good feedback but with changes over time, real reviews became far and few between. So I've moved to greener pastures, here.

My focus over the past few years is a fantasy series called Tangled Threads. The first two volumes are done and the third is about 2/3 completed. It has some great stuff in it and a lot of crap still clinging to it. And I hope to get incisive reviews to hone the first volume because I know it needs work.

If you are going to delve into my world, I have set up a resource {here}. I am building comprehensive details for my world.

At the same time, I am writing some fiction and science fiction. Plus essays on social issues like the homeless and gay politics. I am all over the place and try see things from unusual perspectives.

In time, I hope to get my series and other pieces published. But that is not the goal. I love to tell stories. There is something magical when I put my pencil to paper and things start to flow. And it is depressing when I finish a piece. I love that ride of creativity, that "channeling" that happens.

I'm here to learn, improve and hone my writing muscle.