Category Writing
Just Add Writers
Starting a Writers’ Group in Suwon, South Korea One of the biggest disadvantages of being an overseas expat is that people are in a constant state of motion. Whether it is to another city in Korea or another country in Asia, foreigners are perpetually coming and going. While it can be interesting to meet so […]
Why I Wrote My Novels
I have finished three novels and, although they share only the most tenuous connections in setting, character and plot, I do consider them a trilogy of sorts. All three are attempts to understand the disconnect between intentions and outcomes. All three are, in a very real sense, about my attempt to overcome the desire for […]
Mohsin Hamid Replies to My Open Letter
The first in my series of open letters was addressed to Sinead O’Connor. It consisted of my thoughts regarding her and Miley Cyrus’ little “poison to feminism except we aren’t sure what feminism stands for” feud. I really doubted I would get a response from either participant and, considering the level of maturity in Ms. […]
The Writers’ Curse?
This article appears on bengarrido.com courtesy of Paula (Pjo) O’Riley,the author of “Atheist in Church – on Heaven and Other Mysteries” and “Postcards from Planet Eldercare – the Final Frontier.” Next up: a novel set in 1963 Reno, Nevada, containing a search for Heaven, a question of self-forgiveness, race relations, and a bit of illicit […]
Covers for My Book
Guilherme Gustavo Condeixa is an artist, curator, soccer-buff and all around nice guy whom I have cleverly conned into doing my book covers. Here, then, are the four proposals from which I must choose. The book is a literary thriller about a bunch of white supremacists losing their culture to urban sprawl and outside “defilement.” […]
An Open Letter to Mohsin Hamid
Dear Mr. Hamid, I would like to start by saying that you are my favorite living author and that, since Carlos Fuentes’ death in 2012, you are facing very little competition. Indeed, your novels, short stories and essays are some of the biggest influences on my own writing. I sometimes quasi-seriously feel that, when my own books […]
A Decision of Immense Importance, A Choice of Incredible Significance, A Coded Reference to My Own Indecision.
Friends, I’ve got two books started and I haven’t decided which one to buckle down on next. I could, of course, really think about what makes more sense for continuity, consider marketing and ponder the milieu. However, doing so would require me to take time from valuable tasks like watching season two of Justified, stalking […]
Kindergarten
This is an excerpt from “Price Fixing,” a novel I intend to pursue soon. If you’d like me to focus on this novel next, please vote here. Kindergarten – My first real, fully formed memory concerns a game of tag. I wasn’t even playing, I don’t think – perhaps someone had just tagged me out. Regardless, […]
Excerpt From The Nepotist
Below is a sample of what’s coming. This particular excerpt comes from a novel I’ve planned. If you’d like me to work on this novel next, please vote here. A Warm Welcome I stood by the door and looked through the high temperature glass into the chamber. The man had been no more than 50 […]
The New Year’s Sacrifice
This is a short story from Chinese author Lu Xun, who happens to be one of my literary heroes. While not well known in the west, he is widely considered the father of modern Chinese literature. Perusing his body of work, it is easy to tell why. New Year’s Eve of the old calendar1 seems after […]
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