Category: Update

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Between You and I: A new short story

I have just uploaded a new short story to my newly reshuffled Writing area. I believe subscribers to this page are only notified about posts, so I thought I’d let you know in case you’re interested. The story was written a couple of years ago and is very brief. I’m a fan of packing a lot into a few words. I like a quick literary hit, so I can go away and think about it, or read it again without too much of a time investment.

Between You and I (conversation with a ghost)
The narrative explores the experience of a deceased soul residing in Limbo, observing the living world from a dark alcove behind a curtain-like veil. The soul shares their role as a custodian of the family, assisting a newly deceased ancestor in crossing over while warning of the dangers of becoming trapped in the living realm.

Image of the ghost from the story 'Between You and I' written by Dan Verkys.
The ghost from the story ‘Between You and I’ written by Dan Verkys.
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November Update

Greetings,

I thought I’d do an update regarding what I’ve been up to this month:

  • Poetry – I’ve continued to write poetry as and when it comes to me. My thanks to those who have subscribed and encouraged my writing with a like or a comment; it really means a lot. I am still learning as I go; it has been a great way to clear my mind, even if it can become a little gloomy or ranty, those are healthy emotions that are a part of my life.
  • Site updates – I have added some slightly more professional-sounding page overviews written in the third person for my pages. The original text was used was a quick placeholder that I planned to swing back to eventually and correct. I do need to some more tinkering with my art section, I’m still not 100% happy with it. I also need to add some information about my soundscapes/music; other than a simple link to Spotify, I’ve not really shared much about it. Just like writing, I have a passion for audio, but I lack confidence with my execution. Like with anything else I do, any insights, ideas or tips from you guys are always welcome.
  • World building – I have been expanding my Infinite Black Universe. You can now check out a little more progression with A Grey New World. I have a lot written, but it needs some polishing before I can share it. Other than poetry posts, I don’t believe any of the additional work I add to this site notifies the subscribers, so do take a quick wander around and let me know if anything is of interest, or if there is something you’d like to see more of.
  • Artwork – I’ve been adding more of my art to this site, as my primary means of creativity it is important for my mental health. Being able to share every facet of my work without restriction is quite freeing. While looking through one of my notebooks, I found a quote from Franz Kafka which reads, “A non writing writer, is a monster courting insanity”. Truer words have never been spoken, any artist who isn’t activly creating, is absolutely not fun to be around, we drink we get our selves into trouble and can generally run off the rails. So if that’s you, stop thinking about dollar signs and start thinking about creativity again, your mind will thank you.
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Reformatting me

Since I retired from actively working on other people’s projects a few months back, and have given myself some time to recover, by enjoying a break from visual creation, I can feel myself slowly starting to reawaken, as though the light that had been dulled is being rekindled. Most stress has been removed since the change. I do not work to a timeline, and I do not push myself beyond the enjoyment of creating my own work for my own purposes.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some very talented people, I’m sure some of them are probably pissed with my new found retirement/isolation and outlook, but hey, I gave bucket loads while I contributed over 30 years, there comes a time when you need to do your own thing, so I am, I’m now doing Dan things whenever fuck Dan feels like it, and it is good.

The combination of maintaining this website, while limiting social media interaction was just what I needed. Injecting energy into new hobbies and breaking away from art altogether has also been extremely helpful. You kind of burn out after a while and become jaded with everything you create; it is no longer fun.

I forgot that creating artwork was for my benefit, a form of therapy, which I will now continue uninterrupted.

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Go ya by the nose

Sometimes it is important to regroup mentally, to step away from everything you’ve been doing to filter out the stressors. I’ve done that recently with a pause on social media. This has opened my mind(s) a little more and allowed me to experiment again and scribble down ideas and possible new pathways. The arrival of AI and its rape of the artistic world, dealt my interest in creating art a considerable blow. So the freedom given by stepping away from these digital platform has been good so far, I’ll keep at it, I do hope to find my feet again.

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Thank you, etc

I just wanted to post a quick thank you to those of you who have been supportive by leaving encouraging ‘likes’ for my writing, it is a really nice surprise. I’ve always kept myself very private, however through writing, I’m learning to voice some of my more chaotic moods, in addition to some fun creative writing that reflects my calmer moments. So thank you for your support and encouragement, I’m learning every day.

An anonymous thank you:

I thought I’d share the results of a recent book hunt, my thanks go to ‘anonymous’ for leaving a kind donation, it was lovely of you. As a result, I have procured a more robust copy of John Keats’ Poetical Works. My trusty old copy from 1895 has been loved to death, so this new (old) copy from Collins Clear Type Press will provide it a well-earned rest.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its lovliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

- John Keats