Author Archives: Michael

A Ghost in the Desert

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A great day if you are a fan of the outdoors and all the interesting things it holds. A rare jaguar was caught on camera in the remote southern mountains of Arizona. It is the only jaguar known to exist in the U.S.

Federal officials are still reviewing 1300 square miles in Arizona and New Mexico as critical jaguar habitat. Those watching have to wonder how this will play out for the proposed Rosemont mine site, which is near this jaguar sighting.

It’s sad to see the Arizona Department of Fish and Game oppose such a designation. I have found that state wildlife operations are largely corrupt and influenced by local industry and politics. National forests and national parks were created to remedy just such entrenchment. And thus the need for federal protection for many species.

Either way, a ghost has returned to its former home. And once more, we are lucky to witness what we’ve known, aligning with what should be.

Photo from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Jaguar Sighting

Critters appreciate a good view, too.

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Rather than scurrying off, this western gray squirrel let me take a seat near it and enjoy the Yosemite sunrise. I’ve had some fantastic experiences in our parks and forests, but this is one of the more memorable ones. The spot is known as Glacier Point, and is insanely popular. But I arrived at dark, well before sunrise, and the squirrel and I had the place to ourselves.

I miss the California parks. One day, I’d love to return and spend even more time. I’d like to think that this sunrise-watching squirrel will still be there, and still be okay with the company of a bipedal variety.

Trickster.

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I came across this coyote in Yellowstone National Park. He was a rather unique fellow. He tested the breeze often with his snout, and chose his paths carefully.

Chelan tribal myths indicate the coyote as “the head of all creatures”.

Maybe.

Fletcher’s Mountains is up at Perihelion Science Fiction

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The June issue of Perihelion is out, and with it my story “Fletcher’s Mountains”. This is my favorite published short story so far. If you get a chance, click on over to Perihelion and give it a read.

There was no road to Enders’ cabin. He’d planned it. He’d said something about the bad guys not finding you as long as you don’t point the way.

Alex Kane and Clarion West

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I’m happy to interview fellow writer and friend Alex Kane on his upcoming Clarion West adventure. I’ve known Alex for a few years now, and he’ a heck of a creative force. Keep an eye on this guy. And better yet, throw a little coin his way so he can focus on what matters at Clarion West, like listening to writers such as Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill.

It’s incredibly hard to get into Clarion West, and that’s underselling it. What was your initial reaction?

I really didn’t expect it, to be honest. I’d applied to both Clarion and Clarion West two or three times each over the past few years, and had been rejected, so despite a few stories being published in the meantime, I had no real reason to anticipate anything but another kind rejection email. Instead, I got the most exciting phone call of my life. Cell phones do this incredible thing, these days, where underneath the number it displays the caller’s location, as well: “Seattle, WA.”

There was this element of wow, what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ll get to study the craft of fiction under writers like Joe Hill, whose novel Horns is probably my biggest literary influence, and Neil Gaiman–what could possibly be more valuable and thrilling? Yet there’s something very scary and intimidating: having to ask for all that time off, and wondering whether you’ll have to quit your job and find another one; worrying you won’t be able to afford it, or what you might have to do to be able to pay for the trip; not to mention the common symptoms of Imposter Syndrome–what Gaiman refers to as the “Fraud Police.” You worry that you’ll be wasting your own time as well as that of your instructors. Doesn’t matter how much fiction you’ve sold, or if you’ve been a finalist in the Writers of the Future contest, or even how excited you are by the craft and all your ideas. The expectations you put on yourself are really pretty paralyzing, sometimes.
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