Introduction
Life has a funny way of making itself more complicated despite any input or desire from its experiencers. Rather recently, I fell victim to a complexity, one which brought with it some rather severe alterations as to the way I lived my everyday life.
Ever since I was a boy I have wanted to be a writer. I have fond memories of hauling my father’s heavy electronic typewriter down from its home on the top shelf in the hallway closet, and sitting at the dining room table writing away. Then I grew up, and my creativity seemed to cease for reasons inexplicable. I suppose I can blame the busyness of adult life and accomplishment, but in a way that would be nothing more than a scapegoat and an excuse.
Truthfully, I attempted to start writing several times in recent years, but up until this point I always gave up. This most recent attempt began with a novel, which I am still working on, admittedly somewhat sluggishly. This novel however, paved the way for my short stories, several of which are contained in the pages grasped in your hands.
Months after starting my novel, my life was changed as I mentioned before. Suddenly, writing seemed to be a method of expression just as much as an enjoyable hobby. The novel was fun, but I began writing short stories to express things happening in my own life. Some were simple tales of fiction which I enjoyed writing. Others were fables inspired by something I saw or envisioned. Again, others portrayed things that either happened to me or played out inside my head. Which is which I will leave for you to speculate upon.
Now, life has changed again, arguably for the better. I am in the midst of finishing my aforementioned novel while foolheartedly starting a second, and attempting to publish this collection. This book has a special place in my heart, as these are the tales that got me through one of the hardest periods of my lifetime, along with overwhelming amounts of support from family and friends. I hope that as the reader you enjoy at least some part of what is to come, and always remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
