And Yet...

New Hidden World Episode

2011-10-08T13:50:00.000-04:00

Enjoy the second installment of the Elizabeth Mine Crew as they venture farther into the abandoned mine. What new world awaits them?

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Progress on Fantasy/Adventure Novel

2011-09-18T17:14:00.000-04:00

Am deep into a rewrite of my novel for middle grade/YA readers. The shift from first person narration to third person has opened up enormous possibilities. I look forward to the critique at the fall SCBWI conference next month. If anyone reading this blog is engaged in a novel or short story, please share your progress and insights.

Podcast Link

2011-05-17T16:33:00.000-04:00

The latest installment is The Hidden World part 1. There is plenty of Steampunk excitement in upcoming parts.

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New Halloween Story Podcast

2010-10-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

Really Impressed with "The Crowfield Curse"

2010-09-12T20:55:00.000-04:00

I am thoroughly enjoying "The Crowfield Curse" by Pat Walsh. It was just released in the States September 1. The narration is smooth and the plot is very interesting. It's set in medieval England in the 14th century in and around Crowfield Abbey, and it has a wonderful supernatural element. Great book for independent readers, or anyone looking for a great story. Check out Pat's website. There is also a blog.

Review of Laura Shovan's "Mountain, Log, Salt, and Stone"

2010-09-04T14:28:00.000-04:00

It has been a pleasure reading Laura Shovan’s collection of poems titled “Mountain, Log, Salt, and Stone”. One of the many strengths in Shovan’s work is her powerful imagery. In her poem “In Early Spring” she captures what might be called the meditative beauty of children’s winter coats “slung over the playground fence.” In “Wooly Bully” Shovan tenderly describes a family dancing and playing together inside on a snowy evening while a solitary animal outside their window longs for comfort. In “An Absolute Vista” the poet again uses snow as an iconic image that bonds father and son. It is understatement to say Shovan paints with words, for she achieves in blending image and narrative in such a way as to leave the reader edified by and transported into the world of the poem.

Another talent of Shovan’s is her ability to convert the ordinary to the sublime. To see the world for what and how it is then transfigure that truth into a more universal truth that washes over the reader like a cleansing rain. In “Peach Picking” a feisty duck pecks at the narrator’s son while in an orchard. This brief moment turns into a testament of the mother’s devotion to her son. The last two stanzas capture this sentiment:

At home, my son won’t eat
the fruit until I scrape away
the ridged insides, that empty maze,
and revise his ruined day.

He wants his peaches smooth,
so I eat the hearts myself
and tell him this is where
the fruit is sweetest.

In the prose poem “Aida” the narrator realizes that her life has changed dramatically since her recent marriage and that she no longer enjoys the same interactions as her friend, with whom she is watching the opera, Aida. The seamless transition from opera house to her friend’s house and the subsequent revelation that life has changed is masterful.
All readers will be transformed by this deft collection of poems. Each piece resonates with a yearning to understand and appreciate the world as it is and as it was, to recognize the points of origin for what will become the struggles and epiphanies of life.
You may visit Laura Shovan’s blog – Author Amok – by using the link from this site.

Baltimore Comic Con

2010-08-29T15:44:00.001-04:00

It has been a while since I attended a comic book convention. But since my old friend Matt Wagner was one of the many artists/writers at this year's convention in Baltimore, I couldn't resist taking him up on his offer of two free guest passes. My wife, Gioia, and I had a wonderful time, though we didn't purchase a thing. It is entertaining enough to observe the various superheroes walking around with plastic bags and Cokes. If you are not familiar with Matt's work check him out here.

This photo was taken by Gioia of Matt and moi.

Twilight of Wayside

2010-08-22T11:13:00.000-04:00

As many of you may know, I am stepping down as the resident set designer at Wayside Theatre as of the end of this week. My intention is to pursue teaching and writing and, occasionally, some decorative art. The experience at Wayside has been edifying and I wish everyone there only the best in their lives and art.

Novel Progress

2010-08-22T11:09:00.000-04:00

Chapter five is almost complete, and the characters and setting continue to come to life. Very exciting.

"Whirlwind" published online

2010-07-28T19:15:00.000-04:00

Thank you to Black Cat poems for publishing this piece. Black Cat has a wonderful collection of poems and a diverse group of poets, both vintage and contemporary. Check them out.

Opening Night

2010-06-07T10:08:00.000-04:00

Everyone at Wayside Theatre is pleased with the strong opening performance of "Shenandoah" -- music, singing, acting, design all came together wonderfully. Try to see this production before it ends on July 3.

First Novel

2010-05-24T18:43:00.000-04:00

Work still continues on novel number one. It is a backwards/forward process, with characters developing personalities and voices and the plot becoming more intricate. Chapter three is almost complete. I hope there will be a market for this fantasy/adventure in the intermediate reader world. Well, 6,000 words done, 90,000 more to go.

Something in the Attic

2010-05-06T20:00:00.003-04:00

There is something in the attic.
Shhh – there it is again.

The front door was locked
when I went to bed.

Why now? When everything
was turning around.

There it is again –
a pounding sound.

Things will turn around.
They must.

It’s no doubt
the wind.

Some people keep a gun
in a nightstand beside the bed.

If anything harms my wife,
I’ll rip it to shreds, laughing.

I can be violent, see?
Just try me.

I never bother anyone,
and now this happens.

It’s more of a
scratching sound now.

I never fought in school.
Too timid.

Oh, if I were young again,
I’d show them who is boss.

Never start a fight,
but don’t hesitate to end one.

Wise words.
Easier just to be beaten.

It’s getting fainter.
Don’t you think?

Come on.
I’m ready for you.

I’d have that job at school,
if I’d fought for it.

Always weak.
Not now.

This is my time.
Things are changin’.

This is my house,
and no one invades.

I think it’s gone.
Listen -- Yeah, it’s gone.

Good thing.
I was ready to do some damage.

©2010 Til Turner

Rae Armantrout

2010-04-30T20:46:00.000-04:00

Ms. Armantrout has a poem I think is wonderful, titled, "Paragraph". Check it using this link.

Black Books

2010-04-28T21:21:00.000-04:00

If you enjoy Brit humor, you should check out "Black Books", which follows the day-to-day misadventures of a misanthropic bookseller and his dysfunctional assistant. Think of the show as a mix of "Slings and Arrows" and "Fawlty Towers". Needless to say, it should appeal to bibliophiles.

Willow Tree

2010-04-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

I climbed the willow tree,
the one my mother planted
long before my birth
Pressing my face against
a warm limb as
ribbons of summer sun
lay over me

Tiger-like my arms hung loose
caressed by wind-chimed breezes
Mother smiled up at me,
raising her pale hands

Billowing shadows
zebra-striped our faces
as I pawed in her direction,
at the scar beneath her thinning hair

The sun-dappled grass below
had captured her steps
which led to my father,
sitting alone with tears
in his eyes

2010 Til Turner

Great Meeting with Winding River Writers Group

2010-04-19T12:54:00.000-04:00

The members of the Winding River Writers Group had a very productive meeting yesterday. New poems, plays, essays, and fiction provided a great eclectic mix of talent from the writers. I am looking forward to the poetry reading with these collegues this coming Saturday evening. I was also able to muster a new poem -- "Willow Tree", which I hope to share at the reading.

Poetry Reading at Shenandoah Arts Council

2010-04-12T12:49:00.000-04:00

Hope you can make it to this event to celebrate National Poetry Month
The location is 811 South Loudoun Stin WinchesterIt is from 7:00 - 9:00pm

Celebrating Poetry Month

2010-04-05T16:11:00.000-04:00

I look forward to reading with the Winding River Writers Group on April 24. Following the group's readings there will be an open mic. I will send more info in the next few days.

Myebook - Revolver (chapters from Marcus Sedgwick's "Revolver")

2010-03-27T14:11:00.000-04:00

Myebook - Revolver

The Good Thief

2010-03-23T20:12:00.000-04:00

If you have the chance, pick up "The Good Thief" by Hannah Tinti. It is reminiscent of Dickens and Stevenson. It has a wonderful balance of pathos and adventure. The story is about a young one-handed orphan who is adopted by a thief and becomes his adept partner. This novel is a great work of historical fiction. The analogy to "the good thief"--or Saint Dismas, who was the penitent thief crucified alongside Jesus, is powerful.

Digital Painting

2010-03-14T11:54:00.000-04:00

For Wayside Theatre's upcoming production of "Harvey" there has been the chance to flex muscles with some fantastic software. Corel Painter allows one to draw and paint naturally in a very intuitive manner. Shown is a portrait of Harvey and Elwood done in oil mode with roughly 17 layers and some lighting effects. This painting will be used in the show and will be enlarged to 18 x 24. Check out Painter if you are looking for a way to explore ideas without committing to hundreds of dollars in canvas, paint, thinner, etc. The initial expense for Painter will eventually be offset. Check it out at www.corel.com.

New Work

2010-03-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

I'm currently working on a series titled "Dancers", which will consist of works on paper and oil paintings. They will vary in size, and some will be constructivist in style. Here is a pencil study for Dancer #1.

The Subway Diaries

2010-01-30T22:32:00.000-05:00

Very excited to announce that a friend, Heidi Kole, has recently published a book titled "The Subway Diaries" about her experience busking in the New York subways. It is a wonderful book that is selling quite well. I was fortunate to receive credit as the grammarian/stylist for the book, which is available at stores and online and as an e-book. Check it out.

Moving Away

2010-01-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

You are gone
friend.
Your house remains
in sad
condition,
your dream unfulfilled.

The attic windows
weep
their master's absence.
Gutters spill
their tears to
small sorrow ponds,
reflecting the forlorn
structure without a soul.

Still, there is life,
your reflection
seen briefly
when the memory sun
tears through
the mourning clouds.

c 2009

Reflecting on Sherlock Holmes

2010-01-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

Recently saw the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movie and was impressed with both the art direction and acting, but felt the film should not have been framed around Conan Doyle's creation. How enjoyable it would have been to see parallels to the world of Sherlock without expecting the subtleties and credibility of the written works. I for one tire of Professor Moriarty being pulled into play by so many writers and film makers; and it is especially disheartening to witness the character of Irene Adler interpreted as a femme fatale, particularly with a love interest in Holmes. Holmes simply isn't a ladies man.
After seeing the film I reflected on the production of "The Final Adventure" that I designed for Wayside Theatre in October. It was a solid production with John Alcott giving a strong performance as Holmes. Above is an image of the white model of the set designed for the production.
One very positive result of the new Holmes movie is the prominence of so many wonderful Holmes pastiches and movies. Many films featuring Basil Rathbone or Raymond Massey--just to mention a few--have been remastered and re-released. It is a perfect time for collectors to supplement their libraries.
Happy viewing and reading.

2009-06-12T15:38:00.001-04:00

Unpublished Poetry

2009-06-12T15:30:00.001-04:00

Published Poems