I am both an author and a graphic artist, though my three cats would tell you a different story. They're of the opinion that my only reason for existence is to feed them, pet them and let them in or out of the house! They're good kitties though, and make wonderful companions.

Being a writer is a lot like living on a wild roller coaster. Sometimes all you can do is hang on for the ride while the story pours out of your fingers, and sometimes you have to fight tooth and nail for every letter! It's a lot of fun, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. It would be nice though if inspiration didn't insist on hitting me after the lights were out and I was half-asleep so often!

All of my books are available on Amazon.com or other online stores, however you can also order them from the publisher. For more information on them, as well as reviews and illustrations, see my web site at:
http://sojourn.omnitech.net.

I am also a graphic artist. I'm available to create posters, CD covers as well as other projects. I charge nothing but credit and request permission to display the finished graphics in my online gallery which can be viewed at:
http://artwanted.com/crystalwizard

Finally made a bit of music: Not much, but it's something. I'm trying to learn how to work ACID 6 so I've created a couple of short tracks out of loops from Looperman. They're free to download if anyone wants them. I'd like some feed back on them too.

Desk Fan: I have a little desk fan,
As pretty as you please.
It sits beside me on the desk,
and blows a happy breeze.

I love my little desk fan,
It cools me off so well.
It makes the summer not so hot
As I can truely tell.

I'm gonna miss my desk fan,
It died today, you see.
A grinding, rending, crunching noise.
Did warn of what would be.

Smoke streamed out from my desk fan,
The motor... it'd give out.
I scream'd and hollar'ed, ranted, raved,
Then sat and pulled a pout.

My desk, it started sweating,
My windows fogged all up.
My computer had a melt down,
My dog, she had a pup.

The house, it caught on fire.
It was a total loss.
Five neighbors and the mailman
All snickered...

Instant Water - short story:
The sun shone upon a small patch of tilled earth, baking it to a crisp.

Marigolds blossoming around the edges wilted and drooped. An old woman stood

with her left hand on her hip and squinted at the garden through one eye.

"That garden ain't gonna grow."

She turned a two-inch square, cardboard box around and peered at the label on

the front.

"Instant water..." She tossed a dirty look over her shoulder at a bungalow and

wrinkled her nose. "Stupid late night T.V. shows...sellin' mah husband all

sorts 'a rubbish!"

She gave her attention back to the box and tried to make out the directions on

the back.

"Jest add water..." She raised an eyebrow at the...

Nemesis: I found it sitting on my desk, staring at me with eyes as black as the night between stars. Silent. Motionless. Evil. Large pink ears protruded from its head like malicious radars, siphoning every sound into its gargantuan brain. Soft fur, grey with white speckles, coated its body. Fur that begged to be touched. Stroked. Cuddled.

I sat in my chair staring back while I struggled with my socks. I swear it laughed at me, though I heard no sounds.

Evil. Pure evil. And it had landed on my desk.

I dragged my pants onto my shuddering body, picked the monstrosity up by a tuft of its fur and flung it out the open window onto the newly mown lawn.

A soft step caused me to stiffen and turn....

A very cool review I got of a book I'm just finishing up.: The book is called Spellbound, and if anyone would like to read it before it goes into print, just send me a private message here.

Here's the review:

"Although not my usual type of book I really enjoyed it apart from
wanting to see Gino splatter Darnell over the walls, floor, ceiling and
everywhere else and it wasn't there.

It kept my interest from chapter to chapter right through to the end and I would definitely read it again. The only other comment I have is that the
term Wizard is slightly confusing as it usually pertains to a person being
male.

After reading Spellbound I am now looking forward to reading all of the
Sojourn Chronicles. Many thanks for a great s...

Splatters of Color: Splatters of color,
In patterns of old.
Dancing with joy,
The spring doth unfold.

Growling with thunder,
The clouds in the sky.
Drop showers of rain,
On the ground they pass by.

Deep green and sparkling,
The grass now is thick.
The branch with new leaves
Is no longer a stick.

The coating of winter
Has melted away.
The world has awakened,
To a new, wondrous day.
© 2007 Crystalwizard

A very cool internet radio site I thought everyone might find useful.: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/

It's a neat concept. Talk radio kind of in blog format. A lot like the stations you can set up here for music, but you can broadcast out to the net too.

thought I'd pass it on in case anyone was interested.

*Does the happy dance*: Hi all,

I just got notice of a really cool thing. My short story, The Gazebo, was included in the 2007 First Quarter Anthology from Bewildering Stories. Here's a link to the anthology main page

http://www.bewilderingstories.com/anthologies/227-238_antho1.html

You'll find my story listed on page 2 or 3. If you read through it, I'd like to know what you thought.

Tall Tales on the Iron Horse: This is a new Sci-Fi anthology of short stories which is scheduled for release fairly soon. The book cover is mine, and I just finished it, which is why I haven't done much around here lately. I think I can breath again though

You can see the large version here:
http://artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=484262

and the home page of the publisher is here:
http://www.bewilderingpress.com/

If you get a chance to wander by my artwanted gallery, leave a comment on the image

Just down the way: Just down the way,
I have a friend,
A man of little means.

A house he has,
A garden too,
With carrots, beets and beans.

Just down the way,
I know a man,
Who hasn't very much

He scrimps and saves,
And just gets by,
He says he has no luck.

Just down the way,
On eve the last,
A fire it did blaze.

A small house burned,
A tiny place,
There wasn't much to save.

A worthless house,
Its roof did leak,
The porch was falling down.

The paint was peeling,
Shutters gone,
The eyesore of the town.

Just down the way,
I had a friend,
He's not there any more.

He died last night,
The smoke was thick,
They found him on the floor.

I miss my friend,
His sunny smil...

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