MORE CARTOONS: I Know--I'm Having Too Much Fun..!

Panera Bread Writer: Finishing My Two Novels..!

I am pleased to be returning to my fiction-writing projects!

I. My first novel is set in (Appalachia circa 1930) and overflows with fetching, forlorn, forsaken, fanatical characters--embroiled in snake-handling, embalmed in moonshine, embarrassed by intemperate sensuality, and emboldened by mania, morbidity, and magical thinking.

The schizotypal, idiosyncratic, odd, and eccentric entertainingly bother the reader with their personality disorders.

As Prohibition roars into America--one of my protagonists uses this poster in his late-20's-early-30's fool-some-of-the-people-all-of-the-time Crusades in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri--as an advertising prop in his traveling-snake-oil-abstinence shows.

If you lived then, attended one of his 'temperance crusades', and came upon this "P-R" poster...I mean--seriously--would you quit drinking? Snakes play a central thematic role--and the book will not be for the tenderhearted, bleeding hearts, or Harlequin lonely hearts. Below: a watercolor I painted on one of my treks to the hero, Hyman P. Fogarty's, mountain stomping grounds in Hell-fer-Sartin, Kentucky.

I would not recommend the 200 Proof moonshine I was offered.

A man came out of the woods, held a rusty squirrel rifle on me, handed me a jug of what I found tasted like embalming fluid and commanded me to take a big drink. Dizzied, delirious, and dumbfounded by the quaff, nevertheless, I was surprised by his handing me the rifle, taking the jug back, and demanding that I hold the gun on him while he took a deep drink. I still have bouts of heartburn.


I am returning to my own 'roots' (SE Kentucky to SW North Carolina region) to finish this work--interviewing dozens of elderly folk in the region about their experiences. Basically everything in this fictional manuscript will have occurred somewhere, at some time in Appalachian history--but with names changed and identities protected.



II. My second novel (Chinatown/San Francisco circa 1984) features a Ming Vase McGuffin sought after by the Chinese Mafia. The innocent hero, Vietnam Vet Blind Hawk--a descendant of Pilgrim-helping Squanto, who lives in a warehouse fixing up found-junk to sell in flea markets, finds himself caught between the Tong, British Museum detectives, and the FBI.


The story tries to push and pull the reader from conundrum to conflict to redemptive crisis: pure entertainment that won't let you go until the story ends too soon. (There may be a sequel.)

(unpublished works-in-progress): Copyright 2008 by Philip C. Brewer All Rights Reserved

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Coffeeshop Friends & Just Plain Friends..!

What refreshing times gathering around 'watering holes' of any kind can be..!

The coffeeshop arena has afforded me the opportunity (not only to draw cartoons and do Watercolor sketches, but) to meet so many nice people--i.e.: 'nourishing personalities'.

I think of so many--including Jeanette, Lavon, Kim, Pam, Jennifer, Gail, Royce, George, Matt, Oren, Kirk, Phyllis, Michael, Susan, Roken, David, Joe and Marcia, Don and Mary, Emmanual, Jason--and so many of the nice baristas and counter-servers at Uncle Harry's, Starbucks--and especially at Panera Bread..!

My great friend, Earl Templeman (18-wheel-trucker-Nazarene-minister--who is an outstanding biblical dramatist--trained by Charlton Heston's personal drama coach, Ralph Rogers) and I have enjoyed many inspiring times in coffeeshops.

Craig Easter, master artist-potter, another great and dear friend, coach, and encourager, and I have occupied many a restaurant or coffeeshop booth talking about the philosophy of art and doing social commentary.

Pastor Tom Sims, creative Virginian, is a master storyteller, writer, king of bloggers ("Dream Factory"), and a fantastically interesting coffeeshop conversationalist.

Michael Siler, Niels Werner and other dear coffeehouse pals, with whom I have emptied many a cup of fine Arabica gourmet brew, while discussing Christian Theology, principles of leadership, creative writing, Music, Psychology, and humorous social commentary, have been real encouragers to me in so many ways.

Dear friends like Don and Mary Leming--who've emigrated with me to Panera Bread--my new writers colony--always spice up my Psalm 23 retreat.

Fellow coffeeshoppers have inspired me to market my cartoons, music, art, and to finish my novels and screenplays--(versus just dreaming about doing it!).

Many great things and fine friendships have emerged from the 'perfect blend' of coffeeshop conversation.

George Fragos is a brilliant font of cyber-knowledge, personable, and a consumate coffeeshop aficionado--without whom Uncle Harry's would seem vacuous and incomplete.

The coffeeshop atmosphere can be a non-alcoholic "Cheers milieu" ("...where everybody knows your name") where authentic rapport can be established (unlike a barn-full-of-strangers mega church--Ha..!).

The coffeeshop can offer a setting where one can find nourishing folks (I believe there are only two kinds of people in the world: 'nourishing'--nice folks--and 'toxic'...I tell employers, "Hire 'nice'...because you can't 'teach nice'...you can't 'train nice' into folks).

Of course (study the history of human civilization) the proverbial barbarians are (always) at the gates. At (fortunately few) coffeeshops, the 'rough crowd' might show up after 7pm. Or there might be an occasional philistine behind the counter or wearing a manager badge and Aztec affect and murdering the Lord's English in the process.

But, of course, one mustn't fret over the Culture War in Society. Perhaps, in some aspects, there has already been a Coup--no longer a War--because the inmates can, at times, seem to be running the asylum. But the kingdom of God is always winning--and the Midianites will always eventually turn on each other..(the Gideon Principle i call it)..!

But, so far, that is the Exception not the rule. The coffeeshop remains a most satisfactory gathering spot for the civil, sane, and sensible (who're not recovering from ten years of Meth, ballistic-decibal headbanging, or a life of crime riding with the Hell's Angels).

ARE THERE STAGES TO BUILDING SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL RAPPORT..?

To yours truly, the Social Steps seem to be:

(1) pleasant non-verbals: Friendly smiles, good eye-contact, greetings, introductions, handshakes:

(2) Discerning trustworthiness, light self-disclosures, attempts at rapport-building, mutual inquiries regarding the other(s);

(3) More self-disclosures, more rapport-building, attempts at humor; (4) Feeling more secure regarding openness, vulnerability, self-disclosure, and 'show-n-tell';

(5) Testing for the other's ability to think abstractly, to grasp more subtle or profound humor, attempting to discern the other's World View, thinking, and Belief System;

(6) Established trust, choice whether to 'bond' in friendship, to offer more in-depth 'show-n-tell', to have more flexibility in interaction, to enjoy optimal freedom with humor and joking--generally anxiety-free interaction and trust.

(Some ideas excerpted from: "St.Arbucks: Perfect Blend For Latte Villagers" Copyright 2007 by Philip C. Brewer--unpublished manuscript)

The Splice of Life

This is the fantastic flood wall facing the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. Beautiful murals adorn this wall in Lowertown, the part of Paducah nearest the river, where some 60 artists have established a model for inner city restoration anywhere. Old houses and buildings have been (hosted by the city fathers) renovated into art studios, living spaces, and gallerys open to the public. The Paducah Arts Program is gaining national attention. I spent a week there in 2006 and met many fine artists who graciously welcomed me (and invited me to their wine and cheese tastings).


My dear friend, Earl Templeman and I are enjoying a steak dinner in the highest town in America, Leadville, Colorado--over 10,000 feet elevation (I could feel my arteries hardening). Earl is a gifted biblical dramatist--tutored by Charlton Heston's personal trainer, Ralph Rogers. Earl's powerful presentations include The Apostle Paul, John the Revelator, the Psalmist David, and the Prophet Isaiah.


Years ago, I scribbled this 'mirror poem' on a coffeeshop serviette:

The Splice of Life

Apartness
Is a lonesome state,
So, gregarious creatures
Congregate
To avoid the void of it.

Though togetherness
May accentuate
Nefarious features
Of associates
No joy's devoid of it.

--P.C. Brewer

Friday Night Clog Dancin' at the Old Country Store in Floyd, Virginia..!

You're Sipping on Holy Grounds...

All the great awakenings took place outside the walls of the local church, and outside the walls of papal institutions, liturgical traditions, denominations, and organized religion. The New Testamant was written in Koine Greek--the street language of the common guy--like the typical latte villager we see these days in coffeeshops--in the marketplace. The public marketplace, the agora, is really where things happen socially and conversationally. Years ago I began enjoying conversational prayer with people I had established rapport with in coffeeshops--especially in the Fig Garden Village area of Fresno, California.

Occasionally, it has been my privilege to be given permission to pray with and pray for folks. Some have had emotional struggles, or relational issues, or financial or employment problems, or physical maladies. Some were aware of profound ultimate concerns, ontological issues, or wanted to discuss spirituality.


I've always received as much as I've tried to offer to others. Sometimes it takes several conversations to build enough of a relational and friendship bridge so that we can feel comfortable to segue into personal issues.


Many people have touched my life and enriched me educationally, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually--far more than I have them.

I always consider it a great honor to be invited into someone's life on a deeper and more personal level. Of course, I don't try to be the answer man. (I wonder if finding the right question to ask may be more important than having all the answers..?)




So many fun experiences occur in the agora that I can't imagine fearfulness and phobias associated with it--yet there are folks who appear to suffer from fear of crowds--or are carrying around in their purse or wallet the diagnosis of Agoraphobia, an anxiety or panic disorder.

I find the many 'phobias' listed in psychiatric tomes interesting.

In fact, a few persons even struggle with Phobophobia, the fear of fear.

(I wonder if anyone wrestles with Phobophobophobia, the fear of the fear of fear?)

My motto is: "A fiend in need is caffeined indeed!" (I'm debating whether to stencil it on a t-shirt--with a coffee cup picture?)

But while scribbling out my cartoons on any legal writing surface on hand I often experience a reverence for God and a deepening respect and empathy with my fellow brew-tasters.

These are folks practicing the art of conversation, some authentically commnicating, some perhaps enjoying the beginnings of koinonia and even communion--the rarest form of interpersonal communication--man to man and man with God.

Of course, there are always the studying ones, the readers. And the sketchers like me--but we're still here, as whole persons, individuated, but nevertheless part of the group, of this slice of life.

The latte village, I think, could be the perfect place for the troubled person struggling with the fusion-vs.-individuation polarity--the fear of engulfment on the one hand in tension with the fear of abandonment on the other.

You can sit there, drawing, or reading a good novel--alone--but not quite--around other people--connected in a sense to other living, breathing, humans. Maybe a smile, a greeting, or friendly nod is all the rapport-building you need for the time being.

But if the coffeeshop you land in is blessed with friendly management, sociable counter people, and at least a few substantive (non-shallow) personalities who possess a bit of empathy (and who're not rapport-impaired forrest gumps or meth-head bikers with deer-caught-in-the-headlights stares--ha!) you'll find the ambience a conducive arena for a Bible study or perhaps some officing.

Coffeeshops are ubiquitous nowadays--and one may become your favorite island of sanity. From the daily grind--to holy grounds...
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Copyright 2008 by Philip C. Brewer All Rights Reserved