Author Archives: Richard Reilly

Back to Writing

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For the first time in quite awhile, I am writing again with a great level of consistency.  Along with this comes the concern of disclosing what I am writing.  It’s difficult to talk about what you are writing about without losing the excitement.  So, in the meantime, I think I am going to work on re-organizing the website so that it can include older works.

I started writing 9 years ago–at the age of 14.  It started with romantic poetry.  It developed into flash fiction.  That quickly turned into short stories.  By the time I was 20, I had written my first novel.  The thing is, I don’t have many of my older writings here.  They may not be as good, but I love the idea of presenting them as a way of seeing my progress.  I will likely start updating them this evening.

It will take awhile.  In the meantime, check out an old Sci-Fi Short story.  A recent discussion with a lovely girl reminded me of it.  I think you will love it.

The Prototype 

50 Days Out

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I got back from Washington about 14 hours before Thanksgiving Dinner.  Now, as the Holiday Weekend comes to a close, I find myself with a score of decisions and realizations.  With 50 days left before I am scheduled to leave for Morocco with the Peace Corps, there is plenty to figure out in a short amount of time.  For the first time in my life, I am coming to a crossroads where straight is no longer an option.  I must make a hard decision.

Although I do have more pressing matters to think and write about, the one I spent today on seemed appropriate.  I have been mulling over the idea of home for more than a month now.  I finally found the words to articulate the feeling that has been grown inside of me.  I hope you enjoy it.

on Home

 

A Month in Tacoma

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As of right now, I am 55 days out from my 27 month Peace Corps commitment in Morocco.  All that is on my mind, however, is how I just spent the last 30 days…With 55 days left to my own devices, I can think of no better way of using my time than writing.  These final two months will be spent with friends and movies, yes.

But, in the end, these 55 days will be used to write about the last 30 days…

 

Crossroads #42

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After more than three weeks in Washington State, I am finding myself at yet another crossroads.  This one is rather large.  I know I have choices.  Big ones.  I know that I’ve find someone.  I know I want to stay.  I know I want the Peace Corps.  I know I want the career that the Peace Corps provides.  I know I can’t have both…at least not now.

Meanwhile, my dog died.  I grew up with Cassidy from my preteen years on.  It was a great loss…and very difficult to experience from so far away.  I’m having a hard time focusing right now.  So here is the poem I have prepared.

Cassidy

Election Day 2012 Wishlist

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The day is finally here.  I will be in front of my computer and a TV screen most the day.  Here is my hopeful list.  I know all of them won’t happen, but I sure hope a majority of them do.

  1. Amendment 64 in Colorado passes—Legalizing Marijuana.
  2. 3A passes in Greeley—allowing for a new middle school in my hometown.
  3. Obama wins the Presidency.
  4. Obama carries Colorado–I like seeing my state sway progressive.
  5. Marriage equality comes out strong in state amendments.
    1. Minnesota doesn’t define marriage as one man one woman.
    2. Washington legalizes gay marriage.
    3. Maine legalizes gay marriage.
    4. Maryland legalizes gay marriage.
  6. California bans the Death Penalty.
  7. Massachusetts becomes the next state to allow Assisted Suicide.

I also uploaded a piece on the Electoral College yesterday.  If you missed it, here is the link: Repeal the Electoral College

on the Electoral College & the Presidential Election

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With 25 hours or so until the first polling stations close on the East Coast, we are nearing the start of the 2016 Presidential Kickoff (Just Kidding…actually, maybe not).  Anyway, this has been a long and obnoxious election.  In the end, I became a part of the annoying group that talked too much about the election.  Sorry about that.

Tomorrow I will upload my Election Day Wish List–just something I put together every election day.  But, for today, I want to spend my time with you talking about the Electoral College.  I consider myself one of the fiercest opponents of this disgusting piece of law.  I cringe with anger at the mere mention of its name.  If you want to see the extent of my anger or just want to know more about the Electoral College, please read on:

Repeal the Electoral College

on Marijuana & Genocide

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With about 50 hours left until the Presidential Election, I can’t help but be one of the people to weigh in.  On Twitter and and Facebook, my focus has been on Amendment 64 here in Colorado–The amendment that will legalize and regulate Marijuana like Alcohol.  Although I would like to weigh in on the Romney versus Obama fight, it seems almost irrelevant.  At this point it’s like trying to debate gun rights or abortion–you’re not going to convince anyone.  But, with Amendment 64, I think we can educate the public on the truth about Cannabis:

1. Marijuana accounts for zero death per year.  Period.
2. Cannabis–the plant that bears THC–was originally made illegal because the timber industry saw it as a threat.
3. In countries where Marijuana has been legalized, the use of the drug by children has not increased.
4. Legalizing marijuana will be a massive blow to the drug cartels in Mexico–who currently are leading a disgusting war for control that is crippling the country.
5.  This is my personal opinion: The government’s main job is to protect us from each other…not to protect us from ourselves.

That being said, I am uploading an old paper I wrote for my Master’s Program in History.  This paper deals with the Armenian Genocide and how Turkey has covered it up in the century that has followed.  I’m mainly uploading this for a friend to read, but it is well worth the time.  If you do not know about the Armenian Genocide, give this a look.

The Armenian Genocide and Turkish Denial

Love & Fear

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I am on my tenth day in Washington State.  I came here to figure out a lot.  For one, I wanted to challenge myself.  I wanted to throw myself as far away from the monotony of daily life and prove that I could endure it.  Ever since this summer, I’ve been afraid.  I don’t want anxiety over little fears to be a daily part of my life.  If, however, I must accept it, I want it only on the condition that I view it as a challenge I cannot walk away from.  I want to confront my fear head on.

The other reason I came to Washington was for love.  That’s not to say that I am in love.  Moreso, for the first time in far to long, I feel as though it is a possibility.  These ten days have opened me up in ways I haven’t felt in years.  This intense emotion has helped me challenge my fear, start writing in new ways, and has made me genuinely happy.  I don’t know what to make of these strange twist of fate…but I know now that they are worth it.  So long as you do succumb to anxiety and fear, you will find your way.

With Love,
Richard

P.S.–This entire post reminds me of Donnie Darko.  Please ignore that aspect of it.

My Affliction

CALLING ALL WRITERS!!!

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When I was in high school, I didn’t know how to be anyone but me.  Looking back, that wasn’t the case for everyone.  Teenagers tend to fall into cliques, subcultures, or certain behaviors in order to feel that sense of belonging that we all yearn for.  Looking back, I am under the belief that the best way to experience high school is by being yourself.  I would love to share this idea with teenagers getting ready to enter high school or already in high school.

So here’s the plan.  I am looking for 15-25 people who are willing to share their high school story.  I want to know what kind of group(s) you fell in with.  I want to know how you stood out as an individual.  I want to know when you found it hard to be yourself.  I want to know when you found yourself conforming at times.  How did it affect your academic life?  How did this affect your social life?  How did this affect your romantic life?

The plan is to make an anthology of these stories.  I am looking for stories between 3,000 and 6,000 words (these aren’t set guidelines, but don’t go crazy).  If your story is among the best, I will contact you and let your know that it will be included.  Once the anthology is set, you will have an opportunity to buy a severely discounted copy of the book.  Also note that, should the book ever be professionally published (it’s incredibly difficult to do so, but who knows), the profits will be split evenly between all chosen contributors.

Send you story, information, or questions to FFman@comcast.net

Make sure to include your name, contact information and name/location of your high school.  I can only accept stories until Christmas Day 2012—so get started!

Feel free to reblog to spread the word.