Welcome to The Twaronite Zone. If you read my essay “My Family the Mineral,” perhaps you’ll understand why I named it that. I’m chiefly a writer of essays and short stories, with an occasional poem thrown in for tragic relief. I’m also the author of two humorous novels (see Books page). I’ve long been attracted to the strange and the absurd, for that is where I live. A framed quote by Albert Camus hangs over my writing desk: “The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth.” Keeping this in mind does put things into perspective and helps me get past the morning news. Each day when I wake up I try to think at least one absurd thought. Besides being fun, it’s an excellent writing exercise that often leads to an idea for an essay or story.
The Twaronite Zone
Books, Stories & More by Gene Twaronite
Absurd, huh. OK, I’ll try it. For weeks now, I’ve awakened in winter dark and cold and tried to see where the story will go while I pull on covers somehow shorted by sleeping cats. It is a deepening rut. Yesterday I reached the keyboard with nothing, rebelled, and let my story take an absurd turn. Took two hours to write my way back. Now I like the result. Perhaps absurd starts are best.
Thanks, Garry. Absurd has always worked for me. Glad it helped you with your story.
Gene
Hi Gene: I am enjoying your pieces. Jo
Gene-
Thank you for including me to receive your blog.
I truly enjoy your writing and thought process.
Gary
One could get lost at your site if not careful. It’s fun to browse around.
Hi Gene, Thanks for the invitation to your your blog. Absurd is my territory. Usually, I live in the Land of Knownotten; however, my world has been invaded by a necessary evil called marketing. The result is writers block. I need to get back to absurd. Thanks for the reminder. Hope I can find my way back soon.
Thank you so much for sharing the new blog with me. I appreciate people that extend themselves for others and for themselves at the same time.
I enjoyed hearing you read at the ASPS zoom meeting yesterday, and I love your absurdity and new blog. Nonsequiturs and malapropos are my forté. When my daughter Natalie (now in her 50s) was a little girl, I noticed a dark place on one of her knees after her rough-and-tumble outdoor play, so I investigated.
“Is that a bruise or dirt on your knee?”
“It’s not sour cream!”
Ha! Her swift reply cracked me up, and the memory still tickles me. (Maybe you hadda be there.) It’s time for breakfast here in the East. I’ll eat like an animal!