Category Archives: Writing

The Forest Knows Where You Are

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Lost Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, And you must treat it as a powerful stranger, Must ask permission to know it and be known. The forest breathes. … Continue reading →

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the songs of April were in my ears

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Youth and Age Kahlil Gibran In my youth the heart of dawn was in my heart, and the songs of April were in my ears. But my soul was sad unto death, and I knew not why. Even unto this … Continue reading →

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99 Stories of God

Posted on April 9, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Buried in Colorado All Alone” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God The girl from the pharmacy who delivered Darvon to Philip K. Dick, the science fiction writer, wore a golden fish necklace. “What does that mean?” asked Dick. She … Continue reading →

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The Rights of the Reader

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon this English translation of the 1992 French bestseller, Comme Un Roman, with illustrations by Quentin Blake. It’s a book about reading and the power of books by a celebrated author and former teacher, and much of it … Continue reading →

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The first duty of the novelist is to entertain.

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“The first duty of the novelist is to entertain. It is a moral duty. People who read your books are sick, sad, traveling, in the hospital waiting room while someone is dying. Books are written by the alone for the … Continue reading →

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April 4th, 1984

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER theyll shoot me I dont care theyll shoot me in the back of the neck I dont care down with … Continue reading →

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An odd place for a lighthouse

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It’s always a treat to stumble upon an engaging short story and doubly so to discover a prize-winning work. The VS Pritchett Short Story Prize for 2022 was recently awarded to Kaliane Bradley’s genre-bending story Doggerland. Simultaneously humorous and creepy, the story … Continue reading →

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March Elegy

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

March Elegy by Anna Akhmatova  

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Story Typology

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Two Types of Stories: Expanded Edition For the NY Times Book Review. For more comics on all things literary, check out Grant Snider’s book I WILL JUDGE YOU BY YOUR BOOKSHELF.  

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English can be tricky

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 

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