Author Archives: dennisvogen

Heard

August 26th, 2022 Yesterday afternoon, I encountered a family of three who seemed overwhelmed. I asked how they were and they told me, understandably, that they had been better. I looked at the documents and photos spread across the table. They had to plan a funeral over lunch. I told them I understood. There continuedContinue reading “Heard”

Trauma Like Candy

August 25th, 2022 When I was growing up, my dad took us camping a lot. That meant a lot of s’mores, mosquito bites, boat rides, sunburns, worms pierced with hooks, hammocks, and campfires. On one particular trip, during elementary school break, I had become fascinated with the fire pit on the grounds. It was madeContinue reading “Trauma Like Candy”

I Am Not An Illusion

August 24th, 2022 Mystery is an amateur magic show. I get frequently asked why I tell people stuff on the internet. Like, the stuff you shouldn’t really tell people, the stuff people don’t talk about like I think they should, the stuff that is heavy or hard. I do it because I feel like weContinue reading “I Am Not An Illusion”

Great Big Tool

August 22nd, 2022 Like a spare key put someplace forgotten, artists can spend their entire lives looking for what it is that makes good art. They go to school for art, attending art classes. They read about making art, and then talk about their art readings. They are taught how art makes people feel, andContinue reading “Great Big Tool”

Brushfire on Twin Cities Geek

August 20th, 2022 I got a Google alert for my name earlier this evening (yeah, I get Google alerts for my name, shut up) and was delighted to discover that it was because Twin Cities Geek published a sublime review of my all-ages series, Brushfire, written by the incomparable Kyle Casello. An excellent excerpt: “HisContinue reading “Brushfire on Twin Cities Geek”

Not Too Little, Never Too Late

August 19th, 2022 When people get comfortable around me and my sobriety, they start to ask more complicated questions about it. The one they inevitably get to is: “Do you miss anything about drinking?” I do. Of course I do. Too much for a single post. But I want to talk about something that mightContinue reading “Not Too Little, Never Too Late”

Accessible Excellence

August 18th, 2022 The most common thing said about my books comes across as backhanded, but I’ve come to realize it aligns with what I want to do as a writer so completely. The song goes: “I am not a big reader, but I really liked your book.” Usually followed by the encore of: “IContinue reading “Accessible Excellence”

Cold World Trailer

August 15th, 2022 It has not been a cold summer, but for my readers, it has been a Cold World summer. Some of the best reviews of my writing career have made their way to me from people who have discovered the secrets of this story set on Earth in 2222; Cold World is aContinue reading “Cold World Trailer”

silly

August 15th, 2022 “As for its being silly, I don’t mind that. Sometimes it’s great fun to be silly, like children playing statues and dying of laughter. And sometimes being silly breaks the even pace and lets you get a new start.” – The Winter of Our Discontent Being silly is natural to me, butContinue reading “silly”