I'm a writer and a teacher of philosophy, and I'm now in the Philosophy and Literature Ph.D. program at Purdue, a perfect fit for someone like me. Hopefully, I'll get my Ph.D. in hand this time and teach full-time somewhere, so I can continue to write and have a job to fall back on, since writing is not very profitable unless you get really lucky.
Not wishing to be "typecast" into a particular genre in my writing, I write regular fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, all laced with philosophy, religion, sexuality, and ethics (I was a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy and religious studies, and I carry that love into my fiction writing). I strive to write stories that rock your world with action while subtly providing philosophical and ethical thoughts to reflect upon. Quite postmodern, I attempt to promote understanding and compassion surrounding issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, the environment, and religious toleration. I'm not afraid to be gritty and risque in my writing, either (I put a "Suggested for Mature Readers" label on The Deviants after I realized my brother wouldn't let his teenage daughter read it). Stylistic influences include Dan Simmons, Stephen King, Jim Shooter, Tolkien, Orwell, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. So far I've written two books, The Deviants and Your Yesterday Is My Tomorrow, and two more books with sexual themes, Witch Hunt and Barrier, are on the way.
In those two upcoming books, I am critical of "hostile environment" sexual "harassment" law (not quid pro quo sexual harassment law, which I support). When people can be slammed for asking someone out, or telling a joke, we have gone way too far, and I shudder to think how these laws can be applied against gays, lesbians, and queer people in the future. They sure have impacted me as a white, "straight" male. Not a lot of people like to talk about these issues, but I sure confront them in my work.
My yellow lab, Heidi, the love of my life, even stars in The Deviants! You have to check it out. I love dogs. I love cats, too, but sadly I'm allergic to them. Take a look at my website: www.richmondwest.net.
Also, see excerpts from my books and other writings posted in my blog, above.
And don't forget to add my "friends" Heidi and Scratch, too (first and second on my Friends list, below). Scratch is one of my characters from The Deviants, a supervillain, and I've got some great excerpts of his appearances in The Deviants on his blog, too. And Heidi is not only the joy of my life, but she also stars in The Deviants as well! I have her all-too-brief appearances in her blog.
And while you're here on my profile, check out some of the funny videos. The Saturday Night Live "Geek Phone Sex" at the bottom is one of my favorites. :)
The Deviants (sci fi/fantasy--suggested for mature readers due to sex and violence)--In an earth ruled by the Immortals, some people...just want to be different. The Deviant gene allows them to express their greatest desire. Johnny Knight, a Cherokee with cheek and a postmodern prophet of pizzazz, leads a super-powered team on a defiant romp through sexual, philosophical, and theological issues, as well as butt-kicking action.
Click the "Add to Cart" button below to order The Deviants ($15.00 + $3.00 S&H) via Paypal.
You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this.
Emergent/Postmodern
82%
Neo orthodox
79%
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan
71%
Modern Liberal
68%
Classical Liberal
64%
Roman Catholic
57%
Charismatic/Pentecostal
50%
Reformed Evangelical
14%
Fundamentalist
0%
What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com
By Aaron Diaz, on dresdencodak.com:
You Are An INFP
The Idealist
You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.
Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.
It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.
But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.
You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist. What's Your Personality Type?
You are introverted, reserved, and quiet with a preference for solitude and solitary activities. Your socializing tends to be restricted to a few close friends. You are generally calm and composed, reacting moderately well to situations that most people would describe as stressful. Novelty, variety, and change spice up your life and make you a curious, imaginative, and creative person. You have a strong interest in others' needs and well-being. You are pleasant, sympathetic, and cooperative. You are reasonably reliable, organized, and self-controlled.
My Personality
Neuroticism 13
Extraversion 25
Openness To Experience 92
Agreeableness 84
Conscientiousness 51
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Your Yesterday Is My Tomorrow (fantasy/sci fi)--What if a buddha married a god? Rusty Shields, down on his luck, hears a mysterious female voice. She claims to be Diana, his twin flame, his immortal love--his soul mate. And Diana tells Rusty he is really Sodol-Kai, a buddha-to-be who has encountered her in many lifetimes. Rusty's family and his doctors believe he suffers from schizophrenia. While in a mental hospital, Rusty writes about his past lives, recalling great religious stories. Is he really suffering from schizophrenia, or is a goddess calling him from the stars? Only the reader can decide. But when the good karma runs out, will Sodol-kai lose his greatest love?
Click the "Add to Cart" button below to order Your Yesterday Is My Tomorrow ($15.00 + $3.00 S&H) via Paypal.
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