Ask the Author: Mernie Buchanan
Answered Questions (5)
Mernie Buchanan
A sci fi about how the world can be saved. I'm hoping it isn't a fantasy.
Mernie Buchanan
Without a moment's hesitation I would transport to the planet Chiron in James P. Hogan's classic 'Voyage from Yesteryear'. Although the book itself is somewhat clunky, the premise is a definitive solution to the question, "How could anarchy work as the ideal social structure in a technological society?"
As a life-long freelance artist I would live pretty much as I do now, but without economic, bureaucratic and competitive restraints that plague and limit every society on this planet. None of this bullshit (government, money, religion) exists on Chiron. I would also have (as would everyone) a friendly, quirky robot helper to do the grunt jobs and connect me to everyone else in a highly functional world where the only restraint is a limited imagination.
As a life-long freelance artist I would live pretty much as I do now, but without economic, bureaucratic and competitive restraints that plague and limit every society on this planet. None of this bullshit (government, money, religion) exists on Chiron. I would also have (as would everyone) a friendly, quirky robot helper to do the grunt jobs and connect me to everyone else in a highly functional world where the only restraint is a limited imagination.
Mernie Buchanan
When this pestilence is purged from the land I have a fantasy plan to do some book promo in the Bay Area... maybe a year or two from now. Likely will have to buy a new vehicle first. Am waiting for small, affordable hybrid or electric SUVs and a return of income from my teaching and Air BnB rental. And a better economy. And an end to anti-social distancing. So yeah, there's some hope we'll see each other again. There is always hope! Maybe that's why we say, Happy New Year? Take care, love, Mernie
Mernie Buchanan
It is exactly the same as the best part of being a painter—the act of creating. Visualizing an image, the first coat/the first draft is where the imagination grabs big brushes and makes bold strokes. Then a story becomes more layered with hundreds... thousands of smaller strokes of detail. It is all so fluid and colorful as that story emerges.
When the finished piece is mounted in a frame, the part that takes even more work is finding people to look at it and want it. Does anyone know how to get marketing to be as satisfying or fun as the act of creation itself?
When the finished piece is mounted in a frame, the part that takes even more work is finding people to look at it and want it. Does anyone know how to get marketing to be as satisfying or fun as the act of creation itself?
Mernie Buchanan
As a lifelong painter, most of my narratives have been composed with brushes. Letters to my adventurous traveling sister and volumes of unreadable journal entries is how I've practiced writing until recently.
The summer before last I met and made an appointment with a hypnotherapist who had an intriguing shamanistic presence. Being somewhat cynical, I walked out thinking, "Well that was $75 for sitting in a chair relaxing I will never get back." But something shook loose.
The very next morning I awoke hearing the voices of otherworldly characters who had something to say. I saw an outline with a premise (described in the title), and felt that wonderful creative compulsion I know so well from making art. I picked up a pen and fresh notebook, sat on the front porch overlooking the lawn and tall forest of my new home in the Hudson Valley, and started taking dictation. Some of those voices were pretty amusing, but oh man does it take some editing to make a book readable. It helped that the Reign of Covid kept me isolated and focused. That seven brilliant friends helped proofread was another blessing. Thank you to everyone—both on this planet and the other side both. Special thanks to my small Muse and hug-buddy Faun the mighty chihuahua. Here... have a treat.
With love, Mernie
The summer before last I met and made an appointment with a hypnotherapist who had an intriguing shamanistic presence. Being somewhat cynical, I walked out thinking, "Well that was $75 for sitting in a chair relaxing I will never get back." But something shook loose.
The very next morning I awoke hearing the voices of otherworldly characters who had something to say. I saw an outline with a premise (described in the title), and felt that wonderful creative compulsion I know so well from making art. I picked up a pen and fresh notebook, sat on the front porch overlooking the lawn and tall forest of my new home in the Hudson Valley, and started taking dictation. Some of those voices were pretty amusing, but oh man does it take some editing to make a book readable. It helped that the Reign of Covid kept me isolated and focused. That seven brilliant friends helped proofread was another blessing. Thank you to everyone—both on this planet and the other side both. Special thanks to my small Muse and hug-buddy Faun the mighty chihuahua. Here... have a treat.
With love, Mernie
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