August 26th, 2023 “Hot like wasabi when I bust rhymesBig like LaAnn RimesBecause I’m all about value” – Ancient 1990’s proverb In recovery, I live by the mantra “Progress, not perfection”; as I study karate, I’ve learned that its true goal is “the perfection of character.” These are not mutually exclusive principles. I’m dealing withContinue reading “A History of Losing My Shirt”
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The Weirdos, Part IV: The Blue-Ringer
August 24th, 2023 George Michael sang, “I gotta have faith,” and, God, does the Blue-Ringer ever. Moe Crawford is the odd duck in a group full of strange fowl. He’s upbeat, infectiously positive, even in the face of the worst news; his unshakable belief in God keeps him going; he generally has his shit togetherContinue reading “The Weirdos, Part IV: The Blue-Ringer”
Writing With Dennis Vogen!
August 22nd, 2023 I’m finally doing it! Class is in session and I’m the teacher! On Wednesday, November 1st, from 7 pm to 9 pm, I will be at Labyrinth Puzzle Rooms in Downtown Lakeville to discuss: – Writing short stories, novellas & novels– Publishing your work– National Novel Writing Month And any questions youContinue reading “Writing With Dennis Vogen!”
FIGHT!
August 21st, 2023 I look like an idiot. I haven’t been on my usual bullshit lately, writing about my messy emotions or mental health, or about politics or the climate or philosophy or grief or sobriety. It’s not that I don’t think about these things anymore; they’re all I think about, the things that keepContinue reading “FIGHT!”
The Weirdos, Part III: Art So Terrible It Almost Looks Human
August 15th, 2022 Do you ever wake up and wonder what’s real? When I was a kid, I always dreamed of having my own comic book; as an adult, when I began creating it, I was determined to “do it the right way.” Paper. Pencils. Ink. Lots of coffee. Of course, there is no rightContinue reading “The Weirdos, Part III: Art So Terrible It Almost Looks Human”
The Weirdos, Part II: The Sketch
August 11th, 2023 I love Abigail “Axis” Coire — aka The Sketch, though she’s never referred to by that name in Volume I — so much, for so many reasons, but one of the strongest is her complexity. The irony of this is not lost on me, because she began as a single question: “Wouldn’tContinue reading “The Weirdos, Part II: The Sketch”
Brushfire: Wave 2 Officially Sets Sail!
August 9th, 2023 I blinked and, whoa, tonight was over! I met a lady this afternoon who wondered aloud if she was meeting a future famous best-seller, and this is the part of the post where I get saccharine like cotton candy and tell the people who have been supporting me this whole time —Continue reading “Brushfire: Wave 2 Officially Sets Sail!”
The Weirdos, Part I: The Flying Squirrel
August 7th, 2023 It’s no secret that Ashley Maypole, the main character of my comic The Flying Squirrel, is the Weirdo most like me. He’s an alcoholic comic book writer with Imposter Syndrome and an unhealthy obsession with squirrels. He has a son and a Boston Terrier and a best friend who looks a lotContinue reading “The Weirdos, Part I: The Flying Squirrel”
“Faribault famous”
August 2nd, 2023 I did a neat thing last week and it’s out today: the Faribault Daily News published a feature on me + my life + my work! You can check it out on their website at faribault dot com and of course I have some behind-the-scenes tea for you! – Pam and IContinue reading ““Faribault famous””
SKP 2023: The Weirdos
August 1st, 2023 It’s August, the season finale of summer, and this month we’re talking my superhero anti-epic, The Weirdos. This story has everything: humble (and prophetic) origins, addiction, rehab, superpowers, bad words, good hearts, watercolor paper, that time I got blacklisted from every local printer, community, connection, more bad words, healing, and four peopleContinue reading “SKP 2023: The Weirdos”
The Den 