The Most Fundamental Affirmation

[Brian Niemeier he/him]

Relationship starts with acknowledging the other's existence. I acknowledge you , and I hope you'll return the favor.

 

To make things easier, I'm a published short story and nonfiction article writer whose interests include philosophy, theology, and history. I am also a tabletop RPG and amateur cooking enthusiast.

 

I'm currently seeking representation for my first sci-fi/fantasy novel while finishing a second. Mr. Sanderson has served as a constant inspiration to me.

 

Wishing everyone here success in all their endeavors and Godspeed,

 

Brian

[Iredomi]

Well hello Brian I'm here acknowledging you =) hope you have a great time on this site. 

Good luck with your novels =)

[Brian Niemeier he/him]

Well hello Brian I'm here acknowledging you =) hope you have a great time on this site. 

Good luck with your novels =)

Thank you, Iredomi. How are things in New Zealand?

[Jedidiah he/him]

What sort of philosophy and theology are you studying, if I might ask?

[Iredomi]

Things are good in New Zealand... at least I don't think we've been taken over yet or anything =)
Just finished a Creative Writing paper and two history ones for my second year doing a BA. Now going to do another creative writing paper and English and History next semester. Hoping to become a writer, actually I'll just write regardless but yeah. Looking to do teaching when I leave University though.

What are your stories about? I'm a stronger poet than prose writer though I have aspirations to write short novels and maybe try doing something super epic one day.

[Brian Niemeier he/him]

What sort of philosophy and theology are you studying, if I might ask?

I have studied most western philosophical systems and dabble in some eastern traditions (Hindu philosophy, Confucianism, etc.). Among those who've most influenced my thought are Plato, Aristotle, Augustine of Hippo, Soren Kierkegaard, Gabriel Marcel, and Peer Kreeft. Which philosophical schools have you studied?

 

And as you can probably tell from the above list, I'm a Catholic theologian.

 

Thanks for asking.

 

Things are good in New Zealand... at least I don't think we've been taken over yet or anything =)

Just finished a Creative Writing paper and two history ones for my second year doing a BA. Now going to do another creative writing paper and English and History next semester. Hoping to become a writer, actually I'll just write regardless but yeah. Looking to do teaching when I leave University though.

What are your stories about? I'm a stronger poet than prose writer though I have aspirations to write short novels and maybe try doing something super epic one day.

I'm glad to know that Kiwi sovereignty endures (having survived inundation by three major Hollywood studios).

 

Congratulations on finishing your papers, though I'm having grad school flashbacks. Best of luck teaching.

 

So far I've written a short story in which Walter Kronkite falls from the sky 100 billion times (it makes sense if you read the story--well not really, but at least it's fun) and another that follows a Cold War-era reporter's attempts to discover the truth behind an eccentric billionaire's dissapearance and sudden return.

 

My novels (and this relates to your epic aspirations) are the first two entries of a planned fantasy/sci-fi series which I hope will turn out rather epic. Tackling such a project is a worthy goal that I hope you will pursue.

 

Though my first book includes one verse each of two made-up folk songs, my poetry is amaturish at best, and I envy your lyrical skills.

[Iredomi]

In regards to Philosophy I've done two entrance papers for it. Big questions and moral philosophy. I liked Kant's ideas the most but haven't looked much in to any of it. Your stories sound really interesting, especially the one about the man falling from the sky. I really like quirky ideas like that. 
I've started writing numerous stories, one that's typical epic fantasy except with a lot less magic, assassins with magic versus peaceful group with not very advanced technology versus oriental culture with advanced technology (still pre-modern). That has sort of come to a stand still at the moment. My main epic I plan on writing one day is basically about a city in the clouds (oversimplified). Had another idea about a story of someone who writes a story to escape his troubles but finds that he starts to believe what he is writing is true but yeah just an idea as of yet. And I've written one very short story about suicide for my creative writing paper. And many many poems on predominantly personal and depressing topics.  

But yeah I really love writing. Aside from fantasy fiction I really enjoy reading critical reviews and wouldn't mind writing reviews for a magazine one day too.

[Jedidiah he/him]

I have studied most western philosophical systems and dabble in some eastern traditions (Hindu philosophy, Confucianism, etc.). Among those who've most influenced my thought are Plato, Aristotle, Augustine of Hippo, Soren Kierkegaard, Gabriel Marcel, and Peer Kreeft. Which philosophical schools have you studied?

 

And as you can probably tell from the above list, I'm a Catholic theologian.

 

Thanks for asking.

I'm a Roman Catholic seminarian (philosophy + classics double-major), and have most of the same philosophical interests (mainly Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Anselm). I haven't studied nearly enough Kierkegaard, unfortunately, and Kreeft is fantastic!! I think I enjoy Sanderson's work so much because of their potential metaphysical implications (Cognitive, Spiritual, and Physical), and the dialogues about morality--especially in The Way of Kings--are quite interesting. God bless with everything!

[Brian Niemeier he/him]

In regards to Philosophy I've done two entrance papers for it. Big questions and moral philosophy. I liked Kant's ideas the most but haven't looked much in to any of it. Your stories sound really interesting, especially the one about the man falling from the sky. I really like quirky ideas like that. 

I've started writing numerous stories, one that's typical epic fantasy except with a lot less magic, assassins with magic versus peaceful group with not very advanced technology versus oriental culture with advanced technology (still pre-modern). That has sort of come to a stand still at the moment. My main epic I plan on writing one day is basically about a city in the clouds (oversimplified). Had another idea about a story of someone who writes a story to escape his troubles but finds that he starts to believe what he is writing is true but yeah just an idea as of yet. And I've written one very short story about suicide for my creative writing paper. And many many poems on predominantly personal and depressing topics.  

But yeah I really love writing. Aside from fantasy fiction I really enjoy reading critical reviews and wouldn't mind writing reviews for a magazine one day too.

You've probably read more philosophy than most people, which in my opinion is good. Kant is fascinating. He's largely responsible for much of the prevailing worldview today, which is kind of tragic since he ended up achieving the exact opposite of what he set out to do (undermining the traditional bases of objective morality instead of finding a new justification for it). But I digress.

 

Thanks for your interest in my stories. The one you mentioned is available here for free:

http://www.jerseydevilpress.com/?page_id=1987

 

Your fantasy world ideas intrigue me. They sound well disposed to a healthy blend of high concept storytelling and social commentary. I encourage you to see what fruits come of them.

 

In terms of your other bleak topic choices, there's a time and place for everything. I recall someone saying that happy songs are the hardest to write. Should I ask about the suicide-themed piece? Please ignore the question if I'm speaking out of turn.

 

I'm encouraged by your enthusiasm for writing. Continue and you will succeed. Best of luck with your plans to become a literary critic. Perhaps I can solicit a quote from you some day.

[Brian Niemeier he/him]

I'm a Roman Catholic seminarian (philosophy + classics double-major), and have most of the same philosophical interests (mainly Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Anselm). I haven't studied nearly enough Kierkegaard, unfortunately, and Kreeft is fantastic!! I think I enjoy Sanderson's work so much because of their potential metaphysical implications (Cognitive, Spiritual, and Physical), and the dialogues about morality--especially in The Way of Kings--are quite interesting. God bless with everything!

You have made my day. I'm tempted to invoke Providence, but I agree that Mr. Sanderson's work holds a natural appeal for folks with our sensibilities. My experience with his writings is limited to Elantris, and even there I found reason to cheer (the argument that non-existence is worse than a life with suffering, Hrathen and Sarene's theological debates, etc.). I must read the books you recommended soon.

 

You've pointed out the glaring omission of St. Anselm from my list of influences. Not only is the Proslogion a work of towering genius, his Chronicles led Drs. Henry Jones and Henry Jones Jr. through the challenges that stood between them and the holy grail. Never mind what a "J" was doing in an early Medieval trap.

 

I wish you success in your seminary career and will pray for your growth in wisdom and grace.

[Jedidiah he/him]

You have made my day. I'm tempted to invoke Providence, but I agree that Mr. Sanderson's work holds a natural appeal for folks with our sensibilities. My experience with his writings is limited to Elantris, and even there I found reason to cheer (the argument that non-existence is worse than a life with suffering, Hrathen and Sarene's theological debates, etc.). I must read the books you recommended soon.

 

You've pointed out the glaring omission of St. Anselm from my list of influences. Not only is the Proslogion a work of towering genius, his Chronicles led Drs. Henry Jones and Henry Jones Jr. through the challenges that stood between them and the holy grail. Never mind what a "J" was doing in an early Medieval trap.

 

I wish you success in your seminary career and will pray for your growth in wisdom and grace.

Thank you much!! Elantris was my first exposure to Mr. Sanderson's work, and I liked it enough to try out the Mistborn Trilogy--which was one of the best series I've ever read. The only Cosmere novel I haven't read now is Warbreaker... Enjoy the  books, and by the way, Cur Deus Homo, by St. Anselm, is fantastic, as well. 

[Iredomi]

You've probably read more philosophy than most people, which in my opinion is good. Kant is fascinating. He's largely responsible for much of the prevailing worldview today, which is kind of tragic since he ended up achieving the exact opposite of what he set out to do (undermining the traditional bases of objective morality instead of finding a new justification for it). But I digress.

 

Thanks for your interest in my stories. The one you mentioned is available here for free:

http://www.jerseydevilpress.com/?page_id=1987

 

Your fantasy world ideas intrigue me. They sound well disposed to a healthy blend of high concept storytelling and social commentary. I encourage you to see what fruits come of them.

 

In terms of your other bleak topic choices, there's a time and place for everything. I recall someone saying that happy songs are the hardest to write. Should I ask about the suicide-themed piece? Please ignore the question if I'm speaking out of turn.

 

I'm encouraged by your enthusiasm for writing. Continue and you will succeed. Best of luck with your plans to become a literary critic. Perhaps I can solicit a quote from you some day.

 

Well the one story with three different sides is very much a commentary on beliefs. One of the main characters views religion as something that gets in the way of progress one lives by her beliefs and the third character the assassin has his own beliefs though they are somewhat twisted. It is mostly a warning against following tradition blindly though. And most of the conflict from the eventual interactions between these three will be their relatively closed mindedness. The story about the city in the sky is basically concerned with consequences and how much one who lives for thousands of years can view a particular event as stemming from something he has done wrong. 

 

In response to your question about the bleak topic of suicide for my short story. Well I was getting stuck trying to write a short piece of fiction for my class. Fantasy I tend to see as a long term thing so I found it quite difficult to write something in that vein. Poetry has always been an outlet for the darker thoughts inside of me, so I wrote a short story on the topic of suicide. It is roughly 1700 words. It focuses on the impact of someone taking their own life (pretty much unsuccessfully as is the case). It is made of six or seven segments. The first one is the main characters thoughts while in a coma. The second is the Doctor/Nurse checking up on the girl. The third is from the perspective of the note that she wrote. The fourth is the mother some time afterwards. The fifth is from the father who has now left the family. And the last perspective is from the girl during the incident. It was for a multiple PoV task. I feel death in general but especially suicide is covered very disrespectfully in news articles. I think I remember seeing an article where someone said that this girl killed herself because it was part of the "fashion of emo". And I think saying things like that just really isn't helpful. I've sort of lost my train of thought now... Well I wanted to show suicide not glorify it or condemn it but just unveil it. The story does give many reasons not to do it of course but it doesn't say the girl was wrong by doing it. I don't know if this explains anything but yeah. My thoughts on the topic itself are not at all clear and rather hard to explain.

[Iredomi]

Really loved that short story by the way. Epic, tragic and amusing.

[Brian Niemeier he/him]

Really loved that short story by the way. Epic, tragic and amusing.

Thank you for reading it. Your own story ideas sound complex and engaging. Thanks also for sharing the background on your short story. The insensitive way in which death is often treated in the news is a subject I didn't often think about, but I realize you're right.