Ask the Author: B.R. Maul
Answered Questions (4)
B.R. Maul
She screamed and wept and clawed the hard ground as the dark, ugly beast dragged her through the gates of hell. She was an above average woman in every way, height and weight, desire and passion, ambitions and expectations, as a daughter, sister, friend, aunt, wife and mother, and in the way she loved those dear to her and hated those who did wrong.
B.R. Maul
I have two I am looking forward to reading this summer.
The first is "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness. This is a powerful story! After seeing the movie and learning that Patrick Ness wrote both the book and the screenplay, I ran and picked up a copy (and when I say "ran" I mean go to my computer and "picked up a copy" is pushing the Purchase Now button on Amazon). The story behind this story is equally as fascinating because Patrick Ness wrote the book based on an idea from Siobhan Dowd, who past away in 2007.
The second book is "Star Wars: Lost Stars" by Claudia Gray. It's one of the few manuscripts (apparently) that made it through Walt Disney's purchase of the Star Wars rights from Lucas. Many of the other manuscripts were put aside. It ties in nicely.
The first is "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness. This is a powerful story! After seeing the movie and learning that Patrick Ness wrote both the book and the screenplay, I ran and picked up a copy (and when I say "ran" I mean go to my computer and "picked up a copy" is pushing the Purchase Now button on Amazon). The story behind this story is equally as fascinating because Patrick Ness wrote the book based on an idea from Siobhan Dowd, who past away in 2007.
The second book is "Star Wars: Lost Stars" by Claudia Gray. It's one of the few manuscripts (apparently) that made it through Walt Disney's purchase of the Star Wars rights from Lucas. Many of the other manuscripts were put aside. It ties in nicely.
B.R. Maul
A creative question; I never thought of this before. Since one couple didn't stand out right away I pondered this question for some time. My conclusion...I have two. I know, I know there's always one in the bunch who can't answer the question properly. However, hear me out please. As a science fiction AND fantasy fan, I took from each one.
My first couple is...Westley and Buttercup in "The Princess Bride."
Talk about passion! The way Westley and Buttercup look at one another and desire one another is the epitome of romantic love. The best part is, the desire is not temporary. After four years of being separated (and she believing he's dead) their passionate love continues as if only four days went by. And what man doesn't want to hear his lady say, "I will never love again" because he's no longer around?
My second couple can be found on the other end of the science fiction and fantasy spectrum...Han Solo and Princess Leia (I'm going to assume I can leave out from what story they're from).
I love the way Han and Leia banter back and forth, but hold a passionate love for one another and are not afraid to show it. They are clearly comfortable around one another. Their marriage demonstrates a wonderful trait that every marriage should have, an unconditional love that will not discriminate against emotional outburst. I also appreciate how they, like all parents, have struggled with parenting (I'll leave it at that).
My first couple is...Westley and Buttercup in "The Princess Bride."
Talk about passion! The way Westley and Buttercup look at one another and desire one another is the epitome of romantic love. The best part is, the desire is not temporary. After four years of being separated (and she believing he's dead) their passionate love continues as if only four days went by. And what man doesn't want to hear his lady say, "I will never love again" because he's no longer around?
My second couple can be found on the other end of the science fiction and fantasy spectrum...Han Solo and Princess Leia (I'm going to assume I can leave out from what story they're from).
I love the way Han and Leia banter back and forth, but hold a passionate love for one another and are not afraid to show it. They are clearly comfortable around one another. Their marriage demonstrates a wonderful trait that every marriage should have, an unconditional love that will not discriminate against emotional outburst. I also appreciate how they, like all parents, have struggled with parenting (I'll leave it at that).
B.R. Maul
The person who asked me this knows enough about me, so I wasn't sure what part of my life was being referred to as "the dream."
So I asked, "What exactly is 'the dream?'"
"Doing what you love to do for a living..." was the reply (in a nutshell).
This would have lead to an interesting conversation, but the question was only in passing so I spent far more time thinking about what I would have said, then the amount of time I actually said it.
Yes, I love writing. And yes, it was what I dreamed of doing as far back as fifth grade. However, I didn't start writing until I was in my thirties. After high school I spent about fifteen years putting off what I wanted to do so I could do what I was told I should do, which was get a good job, buy a house, buy nice cars, and have nice things. Mind you, it wasn't one individual, or even several people, that told me this. It was implied, taught, and demonstrated over and over in society, to include much of my extended family and friends. For some reason it seemed only the elite, or extremely lucky people, were allowed to do what they love to do.
How did that work for me? It was horrible. Growing up I watched many family members and friends working jobs that they didn't like to save up money in hopes that one day, when they could retire, they would do what was in their hearts to do. Only...I never saw it play out that way. Life has other plans. What we do for a living, our work, is what we will spend most of our time on that God has given to us. And next to the relationships we keep throughout our life, our work is what will help shape our world.
It didn't feel right. Even as a little boy, something seemed wrong about it all. Sadly, I watched family, friends, and people all around me, sell their most precious time for an hourly wage, borrow money to get stuff, get another job, borrow money and get more stuff...and so on. It broke my heart...and still does. This is a heavy topic, but one that is near and dear to me.
Let me set the record straight. Jobs, exchanging our time and efforts for money, are important. Heck, I still take on jobs whenever it is necessary. But, it's important to stay out of debt and keep spending low so we can do what we love to do, what we're made to do. A person who loves to bake may not make near as much money baking as they would if they went to school for, and got a job as, an engineer (although some bakers do), but when baking that person will love what they do. That person will rise up to challenges. That person will know what joy is.
Doing what we love beats waiting for the end of a work day, and living for the weekends. It is freedom at its best! It's a decision one has to make and a way of life one needs to follow through on. Yes, we have to give up things we feel entitled to, such as new cars, a bigger house, cable, and more...but, oh, it is so worth it!
No matter how much time a person sets aside to do it, everyone has the ability to live their dream. The first step is deciding to do it.
Blessings to you my dear reader.
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
So I asked, "What exactly is 'the dream?'"
"Doing what you love to do for a living..." was the reply (in a nutshell).
This would have lead to an interesting conversation, but the question was only in passing so I spent far more time thinking about what I would have said, then the amount of time I actually said it.
Yes, I love writing. And yes, it was what I dreamed of doing as far back as fifth grade. However, I didn't start writing until I was in my thirties. After high school I spent about fifteen years putting off what I wanted to do so I could do what I was told I should do, which was get a good job, buy a house, buy nice cars, and have nice things. Mind you, it wasn't one individual, or even several people, that told me this. It was implied, taught, and demonstrated over and over in society, to include much of my extended family and friends. For some reason it seemed only the elite, or extremely lucky people, were allowed to do what they love to do.
How did that work for me? It was horrible. Growing up I watched many family members and friends working jobs that they didn't like to save up money in hopes that one day, when they could retire, they would do what was in their hearts to do. Only...I never saw it play out that way. Life has other plans. What we do for a living, our work, is what we will spend most of our time on that God has given to us. And next to the relationships we keep throughout our life, our work is what will help shape our world.
It didn't feel right. Even as a little boy, something seemed wrong about it all. Sadly, I watched family, friends, and people all around me, sell their most precious time for an hourly wage, borrow money to get stuff, get another job, borrow money and get more stuff...and so on. It broke my heart...and still does. This is a heavy topic, but one that is near and dear to me.
Let me set the record straight. Jobs, exchanging our time and efforts for money, are important. Heck, I still take on jobs whenever it is necessary. But, it's important to stay out of debt and keep spending low so we can do what we love to do, what we're made to do. A person who loves to bake may not make near as much money baking as they would if they went to school for, and got a job as, an engineer (although some bakers do), but when baking that person will love what they do. That person will rise up to challenges. That person will know what joy is.
Doing what we love beats waiting for the end of a work day, and living for the weekends. It is freedom at its best! It's a decision one has to make and a way of life one needs to follow through on. Yes, we have to give up things we feel entitled to, such as new cars, a bigger house, cable, and more...but, oh, it is so worth it!
No matter how much time a person sets aside to do it, everyone has the ability to live their dream. The first step is deciding to do it.
Blessings to you my dear reader.
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
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