"Arrivals & Departures" Film Released!

It's one thing to feel the satisfaction of you words in a finished composition. It's quite another when it stands up and walks about in front of you.  Even more overwhelming when it takes on a life all its own.  That's what happened to my short story Arrivals & Departures.

The power of it spoke to others, who also felt compelled to explore it creatively. It was a heady experience - like being in one of those transcendental productions where the entire cast loves doing the show so much, and the show is so good, that you truly regret the closing performance.

This was also a great medium for my writing, and I am hoping that more works may fit into this format in the future. If you would like to read the original story, you can find it HERE - the second one on the page. This was before I revised it for the audio recording which lead to the machinima. (i.e. film made "in the machine")

 Arrivals & Departures was released on 22 July, 2018 and is available on YouTube, Vimeo, SLArtist.com and AView.TV.

If you enjoy this machinima, please share it!

NOT IDLE! Noooo, no no!

Recently I wrote 9 pieces, a mix of poems and stories, for Fantasy Faire in Second Life - To Benefit Relay For Life. The pieces were part of a writing challenge where the invitation was offered to visit the 15 created realms of the Faire and allow these creative environments to inspire.

In addition. I took on the added challenge of making a small list of people from my own life that had "battled the Unweaver" as we say in Faire parlance: cancer survivors, and those not as fortunate. It was hard to keep the list short, frankly.

This piece was written in memory of Rev Eugene F Kester, who passed just in the last year. A man of grace and spirit, who was unendingly supportive of me and my work.

The piece is a haiku cycle.

Image by Aoife Lorefield

Weep Not for the Day

by Judith Cullen

© 2018

In memory of Gene

Motes of life floating

swaying, drifting, dissolving

in a ring of fae.

Cell by cell vanish

peeling away the layers

what will then remain?

Land diminishing

magic wafting on the breeze

first gone, then it's lost.

My head on my knees

weeping its quiet passing

exquisite, tragic.

A voice from the past

So deep, yet gently speaking

a wise shade returns.

"Seek not the ebbing,

paths naturally cycling,

mere glimpse of the whole.

"Weep not the waning,

for surely the wheel shall turn

creation returns.

"This moment will not

linger, forever static

but shall breathe anew.

"Come to the water

embrace what little remains,

hold it inside you.

"You are the vessel,

connecting all that has been

with that which shall be.

"Love is the power,

THIS WEEK: A Poem Inspired by Virtuality

I have been active in virtual worlds for nearly a decade now.  They are great palettes for creativity, a great way to extend your reach, meet new and different people, play, laugh.  And they have saved my sanity more than once in what has been a pretty challenging ten years.

But like any online experience, there are pitfalls: not everyone is what they seem to be, and not everyone has the same ethical standards. You tend to color the outline of who someone is from your own crayon box, which isn't always relevant to who they really are. Some people are outright frauds - people who are actually role playing without warning you that it is a game to them.

In many ways it is everyday life, distilled and intensified, with a convenient (but not terminal) log out button in the upper right hand corner.  Because while the following poem was inspired by my virtual experiences of the last decade, I have also met people in everyday life who are not what they seem, who play a part, whose ethical standards are not the same ones I hold.  It's just harder to maintain the illusion in the cool, clear air of reality.

The Rules of Roleplay

by Judith Cullen

© 2018

There are always rules,

for any given role play:

specific points for specific play.

These clothes, but not those;

Roles can do this, but not that;

I know her, but never him.

There are always rules

to the way you role play:

Public is always "in play";

back line is for personal,

the private place for real,

for stepping aside.

LIVE ONLINE ~ Tuesday, July 22nd at 7pm Pacific!

Selections from MIRACLES: A TRIO OF ISLAND TALES Presented Live in Second Life (c) and on Stream.

I'll be sharing two of the three tales in this collections live online.  The session begins at 7pm Pacific time.  CLICK HERE beginning at 6:50pm to access the stream. Please note: you may need to make sure certain plug ins are equipped to listen to streamed media on your computer.  Check  the "Judy's Stories -  Live!" tab for some links that may assist you.

FIVE STARS for MIRACLES: A TRIO OF ISLAND TALES

"These three tales bring me in and make me one with the Pacific Islanders in the kingdom of Tonga. The stories of peace and faith are uplifting and inspiring. A pure joy to read!"  ~ Reader Review

Available in Kindle and Paperback on Amazon

THREE for SUNDAY Preview!

I'll previewing Miracles: A Trio of Island Tales this Sunday, June 15th a three different times (all Pacific time).

10am at the Seanchai Library on the Kitely Grid, and streamed live online.

Noon at DNA Arts & Music in Second Life, and streamed live online (this will be a mix of the book and some other essays).

4pm at Poesy on the Kitely Grid as guest of Freda Frostbite, and streamed live online.

Here's an excerpt from the Introduction to the story collection:

"My Christian friends and colleagues might be critical that I do not push a specifically Christian agenda (with these stories).  I most emphatically do not.  That has nothing to do with my own beliefs, and everything to do with my understanding of the nature of faith.  It is something that can be neither dictated nor legislated – you cannot make someone believe as you do.  Earnest belief must come from within, completely genuine and totally heartfelt.

"Belief is woven into all three stories in 'Miracles: A Trio of Island Tales.'  These stories are fictionalizations of Tongan history and family stories shared by my collaborator, Ilaisaane Filikitonga Tome.  She is a native born Tongan: an amazing Polynesian kingdom in the South Pacific known for the friendliness of its people, an exceptionally high literacy rate, and for devoutly faithful Christians. The power of her stories is moving and undeniable.  You may or may not share her belief system, and that does not really matter.  It is hard to hear her stories and not recognize the essential power of them."

CLICK HERE to go to the instruction tab about live streams.  Do not wait till the last minute!  Trust me.  The information on this site is not all inclusive of all the possibilities of every operating system or media software. Each session will be roughly an hour long, and will be simultaneously live in these virtual worlds to audiences there, and live on my stream.

Fell free to share your applause, comments, virtual snapshots etc here or on facebook or on Google + (Judy Cullen).

PREVIEW of MIRACLES: A TRIO OF ISLAND TALES live Sunday!

Sunday, June 15th at 10am Pacific, I'll be reading from this collection which will release come hell-or-high-water this month.

If you are a metaverse traveler, I will be live in voice in #kitely.  You can drop into the Seanchai Library homeworld (http://www.kitely.com/search?q=seanchai) and click on the volcano panel in the main landing zone to take you to the story site. 

I have also been asked to present from my works at Noon that same day in #secondlife at DNA Arts - contact myself (Caledonia Skytower) or Luna Branwen to get the location. I may or may not be reading from this collection, but I will be reading from my original works.

For those of you who are determinedly corporeal, I'll also be streaming BOTH sessions live online.  So you can tune in and listen to "Radio Judy" which will either add to the serenity or the hilarity of your Sunday.

To get info for listening via my stream, Click Here

Be sure and check out my first ever book trailer/teaser !

BEGGAR'S DAY Live Online, Wednesday at 7:00pm!

Friend, and fellow Indie Author, MJ McGalliard published his debut adventure Beggar's Day Book One: The Beggar Prince two years ago in kindle format.  Now, with Book Two on the way, I'm helping him celebrate the release of Book One in paperback, just in time for the holidays!

Join me as I simul-stream the beginning of the adventure in both Second Life, and streamed online, Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00pm Pacific.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer

 . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.

HER OWN WORDS ~ Encore Live Online, Wednesday 10.23 @ 3pm Pacific

I'll be presenting an encore reading this story Wednesday, October 23rd live in Second Life (c) at 3pm Pacific Time at the Burn 2 Literary Camp AND also live, streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.

Ever been haunted by your own words?  What if you were haunted by them literally?  A woman is pursued by words she wrote over 30 years ago, and struggles with how to end being haunted by HER OWN WORDS.  

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer


This story is entered along with 11 others as part of author Lissa Bryan's Online Ghost Story Competition.  You can visit the "Ghostwriter" Ghost Story Contest Blog and vote for HER OWN WORDS, or any of the other submissions.  The winning story will be announced on Halloween!

Stories streamed on the internet are free.  Tips/donations for making these sessions possible are gratefully accepted.(see the donation button in the right hand margin)

COMING IN DECEMBER!

The next phase in last year's beta test of The Dickens Project is officially happening for 2013:  an expanded "next step" environment with more to explore, and a simultaneous performance in the real and virtual worlds, live .. to live audiences!

We even have a fresh new blog out about the performance!  The Dickens Project ~ Tacoma!

I am proud to be the host of the Tacoma audience, greeting them live in the historic Knights of Pythias Commencement Lodge #7 in downtown Tacoma.  While voice talents Kevin Lee and Shandon Loring will be performing with me, live from the virtual world of Second Life.

It is an exciting next step in the vast potential I see to use the virtual world as a tool for real world interfaces, not just for personal entertainment.

BIT O' POE - Wednesday Night, October 9th at 7pm Pacific Time

It's the month of October, one of the BIG THREE greatest months for stories in the year. What would this month of spooky stories be without offerings from the Master of the Macabre himself?  Mr. Edgar Allan Poe.

I'll be sharing selections from his lesser known poems and stories including El Dorado, The Valley of Unrest, Hop-Frog, and more. Ravens optional., live in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28 

And also live in streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before start time.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use one of the following applications. Don't wait till story time!:

• iTunes - here's some help with how
• Quick Time Player - here's some help with how
• Windows Media Player - here's some help with Media Player 11 for Windows XP (NOT all versions do this, so check yours out, don't assume!)

Readings in Second Life (c) are offered free to all residents with the invitation show their appreciation, if they deisire it, by joining the Seanchai Library Staff in supporting their featured charity.  Stories streamed on the internet are likewise free, and tips to the Seanchai Library charity, or to the Storyteller (donation button in the right hand margin) are gratefully accepted.

PESKY POOKA NIGHT!

"Two great tastes that taste great together" applies to more than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Tonight I'll combine two great tastes: The essay "Russborough and Rathbally" from Cailtilin Walsh & Alfred Hellstern's A YEAR IN TULFARRIS with my own "The Shadow by the Gate" from  A TRIO OF IRISH TALES.  Both relate to County Wicklow, Ireland around the Poulaphouca Reservoire.

"Poulaphouca" translates as "The Pookas's Hole."

I'll be sharing these, and possibly others, live in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28 

And also live in streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before start time.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use one of the following applications. Don't wait till show time!:

• iTunes - here's some help with how
• Quick Time Player - here's some help with how
• Windows Media Player - here's some help with Media Player 11 for Windows XP (NOT all versions do this, so check yours out, don't assume!)

A YEAR IN TULFARRIS ~ Live Wednesday 9.25 at 7pm Pacific Time!

I'll be reading from Caitlin Walsh & Alfred Hellstern's lovely book of pictures and essays from their year living in Ireland.

"My boss was wondering if I'd be up for working in Dublin for a year. What would you think of moving to Ireland for a year?

"And so began the adventure, chronicled by his photographs and her written musings, as they explore monuments and meet people (and animals) who will leave an indelible mark on them and their children forever." 

This week - Conclusion: Summer on the Emerald Isle and "falling" towards home.

The reading will be live in Second Life at the Seanchai Library in SL Voice...
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28

CLICK HERE to enjoy John McDermott's rendering of "Grace" which is referenced in one of tonight's essays - "Penny dropping"

Note: To be able to enjoy the streamed reading, your computer may require an application.  You may want to check this in advance ... such programs include:

• iTunes
• Windows Media Player (NOT all versions, so check yours out, don't assume!)
• Windows 8 Radyo

 A Year in Tulfarris (c) 2009 by Caitlin Walsh and Alfred Hellstern.  All Rights Reserved.

More from A YEAR IN TULFARRIS

I'll be reading more of Caitilin Walsh's wonderful essays of her family's life and adventures as they spend a year living in Ireland tonight live in Second Life at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time.  Alas, still struggling with streaming, but it is still a possibility in the near future, just not tonight. Stay Tuned!

Husband Alfred Hellstern provides breathtaking photographs to accompany Cait's witty essays.  Enjoy more of Alfred's inspired work by visiting his Online Photography & Design Portfolio.

Learn more about Cait and Alfred's gorgeous book A Year In Tulfarris

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

The Trio Promotion went great Friday and Saturday, in part thanks to my Launch Team, and to my great friends and supporters. (You could be a part of the Launch Team fun!  Just leave me a comment or contact me on facebook!)   I think there might even be some actual fans now! Fans of my writing!  GASP! We'll party again when Miracles: A Trio of Island Tales comes out in a few weeks. 

Thank You One and All!

***

This week I'll begin supporting another friend and author, Caitilin Walsh.  She and her husband, Alfred Hellstern, published this lovely book of essays and photographs after spending a year living in Ireland.

I will be reading from Cait's essays and featuring selected photographs of Alfred's in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific on Monday September 9th and Wednesday, September 18th.

At the moment, there is no firm plan to stream Monday's session, but God willing we might be streaming the session on the 18th.  Otherwise, You need to be logged into Second Life and at the Seanchai Library on the grid to hear the live presentation.  If you are an SL resident and you are interested, send a notecard to me as Caledonia Skytower (IMs often get capped).  We'll keep you posted on developments here regarding possible streaming.

To learn more about Cait and Alfred's book, CLICK HERE

EXPLORING POTENTIAL ... Looking for the Next Step in Immersive Storytelling

Okay, I know it has only just stopped snowing in some parts of the U.S. and the world.  I have been working on some work samples for various endeavors, and created a video trying to express the concept behind The Dickens Project for a grant.  I am fascinated by the idea of creating interactive environments for presentations of live voice performances.  There is something about hearing a story told live, slightly imperfect, that is different from a recording or audio book.  To me, it feels more personal.  The Dickens Project in 2012 was a beta test that was just the beginning of where I think this approach can go.

Check the video out, and see if you see what I see - Click Here!

(Now, if we can just get people to want to use it as a service!)

THE DICKENS PROJECT!

Where have I been?  Immersed in design projects, story projects, and audiobooks!  Check out the pictures on my Design site of the beta test of The Dickens Project, whose ultimate realization would be an interactive virtual environment where you could walk in the steps of Ebenezer Scrooge through a detailed virtual environment, guided by a live storyteller and the words of Dickens ... all of them!

The Dickens Project - Virtual Immersion in Literature

 

FYI : I will be reading the entirety of A Christmas Carol Live in two sessions (half the novella each) in Second Life (c) as I have for the past several years - December  23rd at 3:00pm Pacific Time, and December 24th at 3:00pm Pacific Time. 

The Dickens Project is free, donations accepted to benefit the Community Virtual Library.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/179/204/23

THE DICKENS PROJECT ~ December 14 - 27 in Second Life (c)

For years, I joined those who scoffed at annual productions of A Christmas Carol ... I admit it - guilty as charged! Maybe that's because there are so many bad adaptations and productions out there. It is easy to get lost in the superficial moments of the story and lose the depth it has.  At around 28,800 words it is about a three hour read out loud (less if you are reading it to yourself), and totally worth it.  Dickens packs so much into those words.  From savoring plenty and embracing poverty and need, he covers a lot of ground.

For the last four years I have presented the entire text in voice performance in Second Life (c) and it has given me a refreshed perspective. I now realize why there are people who do not feel their year is complete without some exposure to this story. Every time I read it, I find something new that touches me.

This year, I am developing an interactive virtual venue called The Dickens Project (because other names just became too damn cheesy) which is a beta version of a hopefully more expanded interactive project in the future. It is coming along well with a great group of folks involved from all over the world. It is based around a variety of live readings of A Christmas Carol as well as other works by Dickens.  Check it out!

THE DICKENS PROJECT in Second Life (c)