Once upon a time, I actively aspired to be a writer. It's a much less active aspiration these days, but more due to life circumstances than to waning interest or (I hope) lack of ability.

I kept telling myself I'd get back to writing "one of these days" when I could focus on it full-time. But one of the great joys of the "information age" or "digital revolution" or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days is self-publishing. The internet is a full-blown vanity press at a tiny fraction of the cost. So why wait?

Small Consolation is my attempt to weave video games into a serious piece of short fiction. I should acknowledge that the "gaming at church" scene was specifically inspired by my good friend Jacob Lenzi, whose (significantly more humorous) take on the situation I found inspiring.

The next piece, Static Faith, is about a reluctant misogynist working his way through existential angst. It references existential philosophy pretty heavily. See what you think.

Finally, a little science fiction with Forbidden Fruit. It's also intended as an allegory of sorts... plus it's much more lighthearted than my other two pieces.