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Sunday Inspiration: Allowing Oppression
He who allows oppression shares the crime.
—Desiderius Erasmus
Sunday Inspiration: Open Hearts
To keep our hearts open is probably the most urgent responsibility you have as you get older.
—Leonard Cohen
Sunday Inspiration: Care of the Soul
I have come to think that care of the soul requires a high degree of resistance to the culture around us, simply because that culture is dedicated to values that have no concern for the soul.
—Thomas Merton
Sunday Inspiration: Facing Our Soul
People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls.
—Carl Jung
Dead of Night Is Now Available!
Keep your word? Avoid a war? Save your your neck? Rune can do it all. And the only thing it may cost him is his soul. Things get dark in the second installment of the Caretaker Trilogy, but it’s still fun, smart, and uplifting contemporary fantasy. I hope you’ll like it!
You can find Dead of Night in all the places:
BOOKSHOP (paperback) | BOOKSHOP (ebook)
AMAZON (paperback) | KINDLE | B&N | NOOK
Design Notes: Magic and Neurodivergence
I mentioned a while back that magic in the Caretaker Trilogy takes a toll on a person’s free will. The more powerful the magic, or the more frequently it is used, the less freedom the user has.
I came to realize after the fact that at least some of this toll takes the form of tendencies that might be seen as in some way neurodivergent. This realization came through conversations with my neurodivergent daughter about her own experiences and those of her ND friends.
I remember explaining to her that, the more magic Rune uses, the more detached and flighty he becomes. He’ll either become hyper-focused on something or get quickly bored and move on to someone else.
“Oh,” she said. “Like ADHD.”
I think my verbatim response was, “… Yeah.” Then, pressing my luck, I explained that when Rune’s sidekick Brack uses too much magic, he becomes overly controlling, needed everything to be just so.
“So, OCD,” dear daughter said.
I promise you, I had no intention of going down this rabbit hole. I had already worked out most of these effects based on classical alchemy, both Eastern and Western, and how it associated the classical elements with certain traits of temperament. (A lot of my early worldbuilding was based on a nice popular article on the five elements in Chinese acupuncture) But not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I’m grateful dear daughter suggested this further line of reflection.
So, if you want to keep score, here are how the various classical elements affect someone who dives too deeply into them:
- Air: ADD/ADHD. Inability to regulate focus.
- Earth: Depression. Loss of passion, failing to see the point.
- Fire: Mania. Restlessly move from one thing to another.
- Metal: OCD. Control every variable to the nth degree.
- Water: Bipolar. Strong, unpredictable emotional ebbs and flows.
- Wood: BPD. Emotionally reactive, prone to rage and aggressive outbursts.
Most of this will never see print, but some of it does in Dead of Night.
The night gets darker on July 1.
Interview with Lilah
[I wasn’t sure I could arrange an interview with Lilah, and I wasn’t sure I could go through with it when things came together. Thanks to my connections in the religious community, I was able to arrange for us to meet in a small church that I prefer not to name. Suffice it to say their lovely sanctuary is adorned with several ornate crosses and other religious symbols.]
DP: Thank you for your time. This shouldn’t take long.
L: I don’t suppose it will. You’re nervous, aren’t you? I can tell.
DP: What? No… Just…
L: <smirks> It’s all right. You don’t have to pretend; I know the signs. You set this meeting up at a nice neutral location so you wouldn’t have to invite me into your house. Plus, what’s that around your neck. A cross?
DP: …I mean…
L: Crosses don’t work on me. Or dharma wheels or stars of David or anything else, for that matter. We don’t all get our panties in a wad over the Powers that Be.
DP: <internally crestfallen> Uh… Good to know.
L: You can’t believe everything you see in the movies.
DP: I never do. I understand you’re leaving on a trip soon?
L: <nods> To Louisville. But it’s for business, not pleasure. Some unfinished business I need to handle.
DP: Have you been to Louisville before?
L: Once or twice. The baron and I have crossed paths.
DP: The barron?
L: “Baron” is wishful thinking, if you ask me. A pretentious little man trying to herd cats, and he calls himself a baron. <scoffs> Vampires. A guy reads one too many Sookie Stackhouse mysteries and he thinks he’s royalty.
DP: I take it that’s not the way it works?
L: I’ve got to admit, it’s not too far off. You can call yourself whatever you want. You just have to have the strength to back it up…and you’d better hope nobody stronger is waiting in the wings.
DP: I understand there are varieties of…of…
L: You can say it. Some of my people find the word offensive; I don’t.
DP: Varieties of vampires.
L: See, that didn’t hurt, did it?
DP: <takes a deep breath> Your…people, they originated in the classical world, didn’t they?
L: In our most recent incarnation. Before that, it was ancient Babylonia. There’s always a market for vengeful women, it seems. “Hell hath no fury” and all of that.
DP: Yes, I’ve read a little of your history. Do you mind if we talk about that?
L: Why should I mind?
DP: Well, you… That is to say…
L: My fiancée was sleeping with my best friend behind my back. Is that what you’re so carefully trying not to say?
DP: I know it’s…a delicate topic for you.
L: <eyes smouldering> It was. At first. I can’t let it get in the way of my purpose in life. Or unlife? It’s complicated.
DP: Your purpose in life?
L: I am a cautionary tale, Mr. Pursiful. A living, breathing cautionary tale. As old as Lilith. You know the story, I presume?
DP: Of course. The spurned woman who takes out her vengeance on the man who jilted here. As you say, it’s a common trope in mythology.
L: You’ll find that I am no myth, Mr. Pursiful. Whenever women cry out for vengeance, I’m there. I or one of my sisters. Do you know how many women endured the shame of infidelity, the indignities of oppression? Do you know how many have mourned their husbands’ and sons’ sham imprisonments? Lynchings? <smiles> Nothing changes. Rachel is still weeping for her children. And vengeance is a bull market.
DP: And you’re in it for…what? Money?
L: Sometimes. As it turns out, houses cost money. But I much prefer pro bono work. So fulfilling! It makes me feel all tingly inside.
DP: <shudders>
L: Are we through here? I’m supposed to clear a domestic abuse case later tonight.
DP: Yes, I think that’s all. Uh, thanks again for your time.
L: Of course. <smiles, bats eyes> Sleep tight.
Lilah meets Rune in Dead of Night, and you’ll just have to see for yourself what happens next.
The night gets darker on July 1.
Sunday Inspiration: What Makes You Come Alive
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
―Howard Thurman
Interview with H. Brackwater
[Mr. Brackwater prefers to go by Brack. I’m not sure if he doesn’t like his given name or if he’s just a little paranoid about revealing his true name to strangers. Whatever the case, he was kind enough to visit with me and share a little about his life.]
DP: Thank you for meeting with me. I understand you first met your wife because of an argument?
HB: That’s right.
DP: Do you remember what it was about?
HB: Yes.
DP: Would you like to tell me?
HB: No.
DP: …
HB: …
DP: I just thought—
HB: It’s between me and Thora. What’s your next question?
DP: Uh. You traveled a good deal when you were younger. What was that like?
HB: Really good. Those were really good times. My father was a gearsmith, you know. He’d go wherever there was work: Arland, Iwashe, Cài Penlly. All up and down the Mother of Rivers. And every place is a little different, you know?
DP: What’s one lesson you learned in your travels?
HB: I guess you gotta do right by people, no matter who they are or where they’re from.
DP: Treat them the way you’d want to be treated.
HB: <nods> All coins are struck from silver.
DP: Is that a dwarfish expression?
HB: You ain’t never heard that? Yeah. It means, no matter who you are, you’re the same as everybody else. We all got the same needs, right? I’m a businessman. If you’re my customer, I don’t look at your size or the shape of your ears. I treat you just the same as everybody else.
DP: Not everybody thinks that way. I understand there are some who get nervous about having a metal-weaver around.
HB: <sigh> Yeah, that’s true too. Probably a lot of why we moved around so much when I was a kid.
DP: Could you explain that a little bit?
HB: Folks don’t always know what do to with what’s different. I bet it’s the same on your side of the Mere, too. You see, iron and magic don’t always get along. Your people used to carry around iron nails in their pockets to keep my kind of people from bothering them. And it can work, too, if you know what you’re doing. Iron sets up…you might call it a field. Keeps magic from being too, well, magical.
DP: I see.
HB: Most folks where I’m from won’t even touch the stuff. They say makes ‘em feel empty inside. Like they ain’t even connected to their chaos anymore.
DP: Their chaos is the source of their magic?
HB: That’s right. So somebody like me, who can work with iron all day long? Pfft. I can see most folks would think that’s kind of freaky. Scary even. It ain’t right. I’ll call ‘em on it, too. But I guess I can see their point of view.
DP: Is that important? To see other people’s point of view?
HB: You want to walk around in my work boots for a day? <chuckles> You want me to try on those shoes you’re wearing? ‘Course it’s important.
DP: Because all coins are struck from silver.
HB: Damn right.
DP: So now you live in Goblintown. You’ve raised a family there. How do the people there treat you?
HB: They’re all right. Of course, Thora knows a little about healing magic, and nobody complains about having a healer around. And she ain’t a metal-weaver, anyway. She weaves earth, same as my oldest son, Laurin. Now Duren—he’s the middle one—he’s gonna be a metal-weaver like his old man, but he’s still young.
DP: And your daughter?
HB: Ulfa’s bound to take after her momma, but she’s got some growing to do first. No, the Goblintowners are all right. Goblins don’t think twice about welcoming strays—if there’s something in it for them! And like I said, everybody needs metal fittings and tools and cranks and whatnot.
DP: You serve a purpose.
HB: And it feels good to be useful. It’s no good just taking up space. You gotta do something, you know?
DP: You’ve lived in bigger towns, places with a lot to offer. Do you regret ending up in a little, out-of-the-way place like Goblintown?
HB: Big is overrated. Any place can be home if you let it. Goblintown’s my home. I expect it always will be.
DP: And when there’s a problem?
HB: I’ll be there, doing what I can do.
DP: You mentioned your children. What do you hope for their future?
HB: Same as everybody, I guess. I want them to grow up to do the right thing. To make me and Thora proud. One of these days to make their own kids proud. Did you know my oldest just got married? <chuckles> Found himself a trollish girl, of all things!
DP: Congratulations.
HB: By the Seven, I’m gonna be a grandpa before too long! Can you believe it? But I want those grandkids to know their parents were strong. That’s what I want for my children. I want their own kids to grow up knowing they never gave in, were never untrue to themselves. <sniff> I want ‘em to hear their kids say, “That’s my daddy!” “That’s my mommy!” and swell up with pride ‘cause they’re a hero to their children, you know? ‘Cause when I hear my own kids say that? Boy, there ain’t no better feeling in the world. So that’s my hope for them.
DP: Yes, that’s, uh… That should be enough. <sniff> Thank you once again for your time.
You can learn more about Brack and his family in Dead of Night.
The night gets darker on July 1.
Interview with Morty Grindle
[I sat down with Morty Grindle a few months ago, just before the events of Dead of Night. Fictional characters often have a uniquie perspective on life, and Morty was no different. Here’s what he had to say.]
Darrell Pursiful: You’ve lived in Louisville for a while now.
Morty Grindle: That’s right, about six or seven years. Before that, I was in Saint Louis. And before that… well, a lot of places.
DP: Do you like it there?
MG: The people are nice. The pollen’s kinda rough in the spring. <laughs> With a nose like this, you think about things like that!
DP: I can imagine. So what do you do for fun?
MG: It’s fun enough meeting people, trying to make sure they have a nice stay. I work at the Brown Hotel, you know? Folks come through there from all over the world. You never know who’s gonna want something special—the name of a chiropractor who makes house calls, a table at Jeff Ruby’s. That kind of thing.
DP: And you can help them with that?
MG: If there’s one thing better than meeting people, it’s connecting the ones who need something with the ones who can give it to ‘em.
DP: So who’s the most interesting person you’ve helped?
MP: <straightens up> Listen, Mr. P., you want to talk about me, we’ll talk. Just don’t ask me about my clients, okay?
DP: I’m sorry, I just thought—
MG: ‘Cause that’s kinda sacred, if you know what I mean. They trust me to take care of ‘em. They don’t need anybody else up in their business. Got it?
DP: Absolutely. Please forgive me.
MG: Just so long as we understand each other.
DP: Of course. <flips through notes> You don’t live at the Brown.
MG: Nah. I got a place over in Underborough. It’s kinda small, but it suits me fine. The rent is cheap. Plus, there’s always lots going on in Underborough. Lots of merchandise goes through there, you know? The kind of stuff you don’t usually see on this side of the Mere. The other day I picked up a shamlee cap, and all I had to do was give a guy the number of a good lawyer that don’t ask too many questions.
DP: A shamlee cap?
MG: You put it on, and it makes you look human.
DP: Wow. I’d love to see something like that.
MG: I already traded it to a troll that lives under the Kennedy Bridge.
DP: Ah. I guess I assumed—
MG: That I’d keep it for myself? Why would I want to do that?
DP: What was I thinking?
MG: Now don’t get me wrong. I take care of my clients for a reason. I do ‘em favors, eventually I’m gonna call in a favor from them. That’s the way these things work. But I figure, wait till I need something big, you know? Until then, keep the deals in motion. That’s how you build trust.
DP: I don’t see how your system would work without trust.
MG: I know, right? A deal’s a deal. That’s what I always say. If you can’t live up to your end of it, then what kinda man are you?
DP: You seem pretty definite about that.
MG: Yeah, well. Not everybody treats it that way. Something I learned the hard way a few years back.
DP: Somebody went back on a deal?
MG: <eyes flashing> Somebody stabbed me in the sarding back, if you’ll pardon my language. <fists clenching> Jonbo Loudy. By the depths, if I ever see that bob-washer again…
DP: I didn’t mean to upset you.
MG: What? Oh, it wasn’t you. It just gets me kinda worked up, you know? Some folks think a promise still means something. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that not everybody sees it that way.
DP: That was a long time ago, wasn’t it?
MG: <shrugs> Don’t change nothing. Sure, I was just a kid back then. But there’s right and then there’s wrong, is all I’m saying.
DP: I see.
MG: And nobody—and I mean nobody—gets between me and my clients. That’s what Loudy taught me. I don’t need to learn it twice.
DP: You’ve lived in the Fallow for going on thirty years now. What do you appreciate most about it?
MG: What’s not to like? The music is great. Oh, and the food? Have you ever tried Thai food?
DP: Yes, it’s one of my favorites.
MG: Me too! I tell you, we didn’t have anything like that back in Cuttywatty. I still miss a good merrybrew, though, especially in the summer.
DP: I’m not familiar with that drink.
MG: It’s kind of traditional around the holidays. Gamaufry’s makes a pretty good brew, but it’s never as good as homemade. The secret’s in the berries. If you like, I can hook you up with a bottle or two. Just say the word.
DP: Thanks. I think I’ll pass.
MG: Your loss. If you ain’t looking for brew, how about a new suit? I know a guy in Saint Matthews—
DP: Maybe next time. Thanks for chatting with me today.
MG: My pleasure, Mr. P. Don’t be a stranger.
You can read Morty’s story in Dead of Night.
The night gets darker on July 1.
Darrell J. Pursiful 