100 Shadows

by Charles W. Bechtel

100 five-line poems. Each is a slice of personal experience out of which has come meaning worthy of contemplation. I call these meditations, and though each is small, they expand upon reflection. One may read the book in thirty minutes, or one when the need arises. I have been influenced, in making these, by a lifetime of studying Japanese and Chinese forms, specifically haiku and koan. At the heart of the book lies Ursula K. Le Guin's translation of Lao Tzu's "I Ching," which I have owned for more than 20 years. From her I learned how to encapsulate experience so that it echoes. From the master of I Ching I learned how to compress experience into simple form.

114 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 3, 2015

About the author

Most recently released: 100 Shadows, meditation poems in tanka form

Available books:
The Lady from Spain novel
The Odor of Orchids novel
Book of Days novel
Sound Words Seen poetry
On Second Thoughts collected essays

The first five books in the series of six are presently available:
A Hole in the Water
Hell's Cold Furies
When the Ball Drops Foul
Running Before Thunder
And Then You Don't

All books available as e-books on Amazon.com.
Charles Bechtel is now working on A Hypocrisy of Oaths, the sixth in the series and last DREW NOLAN, reluctant detective, book.

His latest book, The Lady from Spain has been published and is now available on Amazon, Createspace and Smashwords

Born:
Spring Lake, North Carolina, April, 1953, fourth day, five minutes past midnight (thus late for my parents’ anniversary, which sets a standard for all such events from then on.)
Educated:
A long while back, when colleges offered to improve human beings attending their classes, not dedicate themselves to the function of making a person employable. Ahh, the good old days.
Undergraduate degree: In English from a State college in Glassboro, NJ, that changed its name to Rowan University when Mr. Rowan gave it a huge wad of cash.
Master degree: In English from Temple University in 1996, which is where I got to learn exactly what I needed to know from David H. Bradley, the author of a fine book, The Chaneysville Incident (among others) which I recommend reading. Otherwise, graduate school for writers is a waste of time and money.

Marriage:
I am married to the finest woman on Earth, by accounts of many others more than myself: Manuela.
I married once before, but for practice. It lasted a mere sixteen months.
Manuela brought with her two wonderful young ladies, Elizabeth (Baby Beth) and Manuela (Meme), who each in turn delivered into my life young ladies of inestimable worth: Sky (b. 2003) Lucy (b. 2007) and Mia (b. 2008.)
Though I give to each huge chunks of my heart, doing so has increased that heart’s size.

Work History:
Let’s say I worked, and have enjoyed no occupation more than Educator. My students put their trust in me; I put my faith in them. Pretty much always works out.

What I do for fun:
Everything. If it is not fun, I quickly stop doing it. (see Work, above)

Writing Philosophy:
Make sense by appealing to the senses.