Soul Screaming
A weekly newsletter about the writing life as a writer's get older
Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, doing the best you can
Well it’s all right, as long as you lend a hand
—Traveling Wilburys
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Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
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NEWSish Stuff
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Upcoming live events
StokerCon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 4-7
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The latest episode of Tell The Damn Story focuses on confidence
We have a lot of fun talking about writer confidence and self-education and how what we absorb helps us create with more confidence, including Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King by Caroline Bicks, the University of Maine’s inaugural Stephen E. King Chair in Literature. Well, worth your time.
Here’s the book:
To check out Professor Bicks’ book, here’s a link: https://a.co/d/03RPxKRD
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On Writing: Teel James Glenn creates new life to Frankenstein … in 1939!
Every once in awhile an author catches lightning in a bottle, or, in this case, lightning in a 7’2” body. The prolific author has gifted the world with a fresh, captivating take on Mary Shelley’s enduring creation, the creature of Frankenstein.
James has given the beloved “monster” an expanded backstory that aligns perfectly with Shelley’s groundbreaking novel, and landed him in 1939’s New York City, at first. Then the master storyteller blends the character’s infamous horror elements and original characterization with decades of self-education and world travel, presenting a version of one of horror’s cornerstone creations with intelligence, whit, a deeply philosophical and literary well of influences to quote from, and an admirable humanity. Having assumed the name Adam Paradise, he dedicated himself to making up for past sins by helping those whose humanity is overlooked, ignored, or forgotten, leading him to serve as a private detective confronting criminals, solving mysteries, and embarking on an ongoing exploration of what being human means and questions of both a spiritual and supernatural nature.
All in gripping page-turners that run about 210-220 pages each.
So far, the author has published two novels, with a third on the way. Each is engrossing, fun, profound and grounded, all at the same time Adam Paradise is an exceptional character, and Teel James Glenn is the perfect storyteller to chronicle his adventures.
In an upcoming episode of Tell The Damn Story we discuss the challenges of taking on such a beloved—and now public domain—character and breathing new life into him without disrespecting the source material. He says respect and research are key.
James hates when creators take on a beloved character and make changes that shatter core elements of what made them connect with fans, suggesting everyone would be better served if those authors or filmmakers just did their own original stories. The challenge for him was to respect the source material and expand upon the character’s journey without ruining what made them so great.
He succeeds spectacularly.
Here are the covers, all highly recommended:
And here’s a link to Teel’s work:
https://a.co/d/08e337ay
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And now for a pic of a handsome fella … and a geezer
Seamus and Nunzio Productions’ Cheif of Security Sonny Mehlman was exhausted after watching me write two new poems for a new WIP and edits a chapter from another. That hero is truly dedicated.
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POP CULTURE FUEL
TV
If there are any lingering doubts that Marvel is back, those people have not been watching this season of Hell’s Kitchen’s favorite son. Intriguing, well written, exceptionally well filmed, great sound, incredible performances by the entire cast, all focused on bringing superb entertainment that explores the line between good and evil, sanity and insanity, and the price we pay for our actions. Pure comics book glory. Top flight storytelling reflecting current events.
Not to be missed.
Books
Once again, my friend recommended something I hadn’t read. Best Bronx professor I ever had.
Wendell Berry is an intriguing poet who I do not write anything like. However, reading widely fuels all of our work, and engaging with Berry’s celebrations of nature are much-needed these days and inspire me to want to do what I do to the best of my abilities.
Recommended.
Another poetry collection is more directly inspiring my current poetry WIP, based on an ongoing nightmare that is getting too little attention for my soul. The resulting subject matter is once again deeply dark and these often bright and/or reflective poems seem to be setting me on fire in ways I didn’t expect. I am grateful.
Music
Once in a while, a random YouTube video can send me down a rabbit hole. This week, I saw an old video of then-20-year-old Tal Wilkenfeld playing an incredible bass solo while gigging with Jeff Beck. Immediately I needed to hear more of her work. This is only one of at least three of her solo albums. She’s also done a ton of session work with legendary musicians. Now somewhere around 37, she’s only gotten better.
Worth a listen.
And after yet another week of so much news carnage beating on our collective nerves, I needed some goodness. And there is nothing that sounds as continuously good as this collection of both albums and some extra cuts from the legendary super band, The Traveling Wilburys.
Most highly recommended:
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Parting thought:
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All right, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.