I’ve lauched a blog called IMPULSE: Journal of Creative Endeavors.
Impulse is a journal about creativity. Its purpose is to share and explore ideas about creativity and the creative process with fellow writers, artists, film-makers and anybody interested or involved in creative endeavors.
Impulse is ideas. Impulse is information. Impulse is inspiration.
Ray Bradbury was the key note speaker for the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. It was a wonderful experience to be present. Although he spoke from a wheelchair on stage, at 87, Bradbury was full of energy and enthusiasm. His talk was both entertaining and inspiring.
Basically telling the story of his life, and covering all his major works and the circumstances of their creation, Bradbury’s message was one of love. At every turn he stressed this, the love of life, the celebration of it, and creation as an act of this love.
At one point he addressed the audience of writers emphatically. “If you can become more involved with your love,” he said, “there is your salvation.” This seemed to sum up Bradbury’s message.
I felt in the presence of a great sage, that I was hearing the wisdom of accumulated millenia. It was a message of profound significance that could certainly be understood on a number of levels. Ultimately, it was a message of hope, and encouragement to keep loving, to love more, and to do more to fulfill that love.
My very short story “Vault of the Heavens” has been posted on this site for readers. This story was first published on Anotherealm. Apparently Anotherealm was recently sacked by malevolent hackers, and although they are up and running again, their pre-hack flash fiction (where my story was published) has not returned yet. So I decided to make it available here. Hope you enjoy it.
“Vortex Mirage” has been translated into Greek and published in the Greek edition of Universe Pathways. The magazine looks fantastic even if I can’t read Greek. Thank you George Sotirhos for making this happen, and for sending me a copy all the way from Greece.
“Vortex Mirage” was previously published in the 2nd English Edition of Universe Pathways Magazine, and was first published in Planet Magazine, where it can still be read online.
“Legend of the Crystal Robots” will be published in issue #2 of Worlds Apart, a new magazine from Bill Rupp, editor and publisher of Continuum Science Fiction. Watch for future updates.
My name has been listed in a registry of online fiction called the Database of Online Authors (DOA). This hub for online fantasy, horror, and science fiction is a great way to check out a variety of fiction out there on the web.
A thread has appeared on Anotherealm‘s forum dedicated to “Vault of the Heavens.” There are two nice comments already, and the story has over 120 views. Thank you all.
“Hey – this is quite touching, in a poetic kind of way. I can see it happening too…” -John Gilbert
“Wow. That was very good. Is this the first venue you submitted it to? I have no problem picturing this story in an issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction.” -Michael Hanson
“Vault of the Heavens” has been published in Anotherealm. It appears in volume 4 of 2006. In this very short story a fourteen year old girl sees the stars for the first time. It’s an experience she’ll never forget, but not for the reasons you might imagine.
Gareth D. Jones wrote a review of the 2nd English Edition of Universe Pathways on scifi.uk.com. He includes “Vortex Mirage” as one of several stories that stood out as worthy of mention. Here’s what he wrote about the story:
“Vortex Mirage, by Matthew Lowes is a well-realised vision of the moon in the not-too-distant future. Although essentially a hard-SF story, there is enough human interaction and a sense of wonder to make it stick in the mind.”
“Vortex Mirage” can be read online in Planet Magazine or seen in the 2nd English issue of Universe Pathways, available through Lulu.com.
060711 – The 2nd English issue of Universe Pathways is out, featuring “Vortex Mirage.” It is a double summer issue available in print through Lulu.com. Also, Planet Magazine is up and running again.
060618 – Links to “Vortex Mirage” on Planet magazine are down. I assume this is a temporary server problem at Planet. Sorry for any inconvenience.
060330 – “Vortex Mirage” to be published in both the English and Greek editions of Universe Pathways, The Greek Sci-Fi Magazine. English issue available in June.
060228 – “Vortex Mirage“ is published in Planet Magazine.
matthewlowes.com 