Kid Stuff

I took a chance with writing* my first book, the Young Adult title, ‘The Middle of Nowhere,’ from the viewpoint of a fifteen year old. That is difficult (if not impossible) to pull off without embarrassing oneself at least a little. Or, as the currently popular term goes, of creating ‘cringe.’

I’m okay with the story. Sure, I can see all sorts of small changes I could make but it works overall. It took me longer to write than any that followed, as I was still feeling my way. So it was useful at least as a learning experience.

For a time, I thought I might write a sequel. That is not going to happen. However, some of the characters have shown up in other novels and stories, including my Cully Beach series.

Of course, it is true that one of my latest works was from the viewpoint of a twelve year old (and a girl, to boot). That would be ‘The City and the Sword.’ And it just might have a sequel.

*Not that one isn’t always taking a chance when sitting down to write!

Connections

As Taosim is a philosophy rather than a religion, I have no problem calling myself a Taoist Christian. I could apply the same label to Francis of Assisi.

The Taoist influences on his ideas — and those of late medieval Christianity in general — had filtered into Europe via Islamic thinkers and poets, particularly the Sufis. These, in turn, had been influenced by the the Taoist teachings and poetry of T’ang China.

Of course, ideas had always flowed both directions. The premodern world was much more connected than historians used to believe. No culture is unique; all have been touched by outside influences to some degree.

Medieval scholars might not have known the name Li Po nor any of the other T’ang poets, yet they were on the end of a chain of influences that led back to them. They are a part of our culture, just as were the Classical poets of the West.

And, in turn, Hellenistic Neo-Platonism and other philosophies of the West found their way eastward, to India, to China. Ideas are rather portable, you know?

Sold, a poem

Sold

We have sold our children
so we may eat today.
It is for your good,
we tell them and our selves.

Obey your masters; learn
to love them, love your slavery.
Who else will care for you
once you have been sold?

Stephen Brooke ©2025