Crafting Joy with the Fingernail Fink
Crafting Joy with the Fingernail Fink
The Journey of Crafting, Sharing, and Creating
In third grade (I think), we had an Author Fair. Each of us students had to write a book for the competition. This story is actually embarrassing, and I'm not sure why I'm sharing it. The teacher gave us blank paper to fold into a book. We wrote a story and drew pictures for each page.
My book was titled The Fingernail Fink. The title used alliteration (well done) and included the word "fink," though I misunderstood its real meaning. Am I stalling in telling you the story? Yes, of course. Why? Because the premise was that the Fingernail Fink, a shadowy figure only appearing at night, broke into houses to steal...wait for it...discarded fingernails. I know, I know. Please, don’t judge me. I was only a child.
But I wish I could have seen the teachers and judges' reactions to my masterpiece. It was weird, for sure, but I went for it. And I remember how fun it was to create it.
Luckily, my creative writing improved by the time I was a freshman at Hanover College, taking English Composition. The professor gave us an assignment to find a magazine ad and write a story about it. I chose a whiskey advertisement with an ironic picture of a truck with a flat tire hauling tires in its bed. When I got the paper back, the female professor wrote that my writing made her want to, "pour [herself] a Windsor Canadian Supreme, fluff up [her] pillows, light a smoke, and relax.” Whew!
I loved writing for writing's sake. It brought me joy. However, in 2016, I wrote a blog post sharing this:
In recent years, I became discouraged with writing. Not the content, which was always fine, but this nagging question hung over me like a heavy cloud—Why waste time writing when no one reads or pays attention?
I somehow believed my joy in writing depended on readership. I recognized my mistake and apologized to those who read that confession.
But that's the temptation. We can start to believe our work, craft, talents, and creativity are tied to who sees, likes, loves, or pays attention to it. We risk sacrificing joy and the experience of doing what we love by thinking it's only worthwhile if celebrated by the masses—whether a social media post, our work, or our creations.
The truth, and my hard-earned wisdom, is that joy lies in the creation and sharing, no matter how many people see it.
So why am I writing about this? Because today, the sequel to my first novel What Can’t Be Hidden is out in the world. It is entitled And So By Fire. And for the last four-years, I have had such profound joy in writing these two books. I can honestly say that my joy in the creative process and the sharing of these stories with those who will read them exists whether the audience is one or many.
Thank you for your continued support and weekly reading of my posts. It is an honor. If you would like for information about either book, everything is listed below.
Peace and love,
Brandon
Buy Now:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Bookshop / Viewpoint
Dear friends,
The wait is finally over! I’m thrilled to announce that And So By Fire, the sequel to What Can’t Be Hidden, is now available! This must-read novel was designated as “Hotly Anticipated” in the Science Fiction category on Amazon, and soared to #1 at Viewpoint Books in early sales, igniting the excitement surrounding its release.
And So By Fire is a must-read novel that explores timely themes of disinformation, deepfakes, and the elusive quest for truth and humanity in a world shaped by manipulation, featuring a gripping plot and complex characters that offer profound insights into our modern society. Watch the trailer and read the synopsis below.
In the highly-anticipated sequel to the best-selling novel, What Can’t Be Hidden, Thura awakens from a forbidden simulation deemed illegal by The Coalescence-a powerful hacking group that has overthrown the government on the island of Pangea.
As Thura delves deeper into The Coalescence’s dark agenda, she confronts the harsh reality that her ideals and convictions alone may not be enough to challenge their control over the people. In a race against time, she must rediscover her own humanity and overcome her deepest fears to ignite a revolution that will forever alter the fate of the island.
And So By Fire is a timely and thought-provoking allegory, delving into themes of disinformation, deepfakes, artificial intelligence, and the elusive search for truth and humanity in a world of manipulation. With a gripping plot and complex characters, this must-read novel offers profound insights into the intricate workings of our modern society.
Perfect for:
Fans of thought-provoking fiction with a focus on contemporary societal themes
Readers interested in exploring the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on our lives
Those intrigued by the challenges of disinformation and the search for truth in a digitally-driven world
Individuals who enjoy immersive storytelling with multi-dimensional characters
Anyone seeking a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of human emotions and resilience
Book enthusiasts who appreciate allegorical tales that mirror real-world issues
Those interested in exploring the intersection of revolution, power, and the struggle for freedom
Readers looking for a sequel that builds upon the themes of a previous work and takes the story to new heights
Or, people who just want to support me! 🙂
Buy Now:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Bookshop / Viewpoint
What Can’t Be Hidden is perfect for:
Those interested in exploring the divisiveness of systems and the “us versus them” mentality that plagues our world
Readers who appreciate stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal norms
Individuals seeking a thought-provoking narrative that challenges conventional thinking and encourages introspection
Anyone interested in themes of othering and the importance of finding inner peace and freedom amidst chaos
Fans of fiction that explores the power of beliefs, convictions, and the search for identity
Book enthusiasts looking for a compelling tale that delves into the intricacies of human emotions and the pursuit of understanding
Those intrigued by stories of personal growth, resilience, and the journey toward reconciliation
Readers who enjoy allegorical storytelling that shines a light on relevant societal issues
And again, those of you who want to support me! 🙂