Cindy - telepathic eyeless doll from the novel Altered State of Affairs by Jerald Kasimov

Cindy

Cindy is an adorable baby doll that has been with my wife forever. Now, I’ve adopted her! Dressed in her original bathrobe and bunting, her age and being loved too hard have rendered her eyeless. Cindy has always been around… My wife would say, “Cindy is watching you…” Pretty spooky huh? Cindy found her way … Read more

Writing Is Therapy for the Soul

Writing Is Therapy for the Soul

Therapeutic catharsis opens my soul as I put pencil to paper. Confessing, purging, healing, and expanding my horizons—the mind-blowing benefits that I derive from writing. Besides helping me learn through investigation and research, it exercises my old brain cells that need constant maintenance. Like physical workouts that develop the osteo, cardio, and muscular components of … Read more

Perspective | an article by Jerald Kasimov

Perspective

It’s all in the eye of the beholder. What is normal? What does upside down mean or its corollary—right side up? Left or right? In reference to what? … the observer or the creator? So, what’s the Metaverse? It’s that strange place that exists somewhere—but where? I’ll bet my 11-year-old granddaughter, Chloe, can tell you; … Read more

Happy New Year: REACH for the STARS

Happy New Year: Reach for the Stars

Well, it has been over twelve hours since the Buckeye’s sad loss—time to move on. After all, my sixteen-year-old granddaughter, Aliyah, is awestruck by the new prospects, the hope, and the opportunity, that 2023 offers. “It’s a fresh start,” she says, “with so many possibilities!” The wonderment of a child is so pure, and as … Read more

Badass BATs | Cleveland Heights High School

Badass BATs

Man, those were good times—free as a bird. President of BAT, short for Beta Alpha Tau, that prodigious high school fraternity—been around for almost 100 years. Great traditions and kids who would become masters of the universe in their professions: college presidents, doctors, businessmen, lawyers, professors, and now me—Steven, the Army Ranger Delta Force wannabe. … Read more

THE GAME and the Genesis of Altered State of Affairs

THE GAME and the Genesis of Altered State of Affairs

Really, it’s not a game… it’s a culture—more than that—a legacy, handed down from generation to generation. Yes—even family before us! L’dor, v’dor. Seated in alphabetical order in Señorita Gonzales’s Spanish class is where it all began—where I met Terri. “But for Ohio State.” Two amazing sons, daughters-in-law, and five astounding grandchildren later—celebrating our heritage … Read more

Are you a Pantser or a Plotter?

Are you a Pantser or a Plotter?

I am a pantser. Unlike with Google Maps, my destination is superfluous. I don’t need to know where I’m going when embarking on a writing adventure—just need to write. “Put the damn pencil to paper, and everything else will take care of itself!” I tell myself. “Just enjoy the ride.” As a runner, I found … Read more

How It All Began | BAT Brothers | by Jerald Kasimov

How It All Began

The process of writing is unique to every author. Like artists—with their special paints, paper, and brushes—writers use whatever makes them comfortable. Stephen King swears by #2 pencils. Neil Gaiman loves his Waterman fountain pen—even changes the color every day. Simone de Beauvoir was infatuated with the Schaefer Snorkel pen. Me… like my hero, King, … Read more

COMMUNICATION: The Written Word by Jerald Kasimov

COMMUNICATION: The Written Word

What is the written word? It can be anything—the Bible or a stop sign. Does it tell a story or send a message? It really doesn’t matter because the writer and the reader may have altered perspectives. Like with the visual arts, the creation and the creator may be in a different metaverse. Likewise, the … Read more