Mostrando resultados por autor "John Corral" en Todas las categorías

This collection of eight stories explores the power of memories—both recent and distant—and their profound influence on our daily lives. Memories are more than simple recordings of the past; they are dynamic reconstructions, shaped by our present emotions, biology, and instincts for survival. They can evoke both joy and sorrow: the brain is evolutionarily tuned to remember threats, like the fear of a "monster in the closet," more vividly than uplifting moments, such as laughter at the circus. Similarly, the pain of losing a loved one often outweighs the joy of shared experiences. ...

This poetry collection features the epic poem The Sailor Who Lost His Faith In The Sea, which is one-third of the book’s contents. The poem is over a year in the crafting and is told in narrative style in the voice of a mixed-blood Caribbean working-class sailor who personifies the character, memories, and rich heritage of that region. In that setting, he deals with fundamental questions of life and death and the ordinary issues of everyday life in a genuine, unvarnished way. The sailor says, “When I write, each word is soaked in salt water, wrung out, dried in sea air, and hung on the ...

Superheroes are our symbols of hope when everything seems hopeless. They possess extraordinary powers and abilities, overcome obstacles and barriers, and defeat our enemies in ways that entertain and inspire us. They battle numerous monsters, protect the innocent, and do so selflessly, morally, and creatively. However, then there is real life. This collection of stories focuses on the latter, featuring everyday heroes and villains, with only a few superheroes sprinkled throughout. Ultimately, these tales are about real people, and struggles we encounter in our daily lives.

“The title story “How Is My Ukraine” is fiction. However, it is based on actual events in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Hence, it is derived and inspired from real experiences but with names, places, and exact details altered to not invade the privacy of those involved. That is also the case with two other stories in this collection, “The Interrupted Honeymoon” and “Salvation At The Cinema,” which are set during a tsunami and a revolution, respectively. Given the events, they provide few feel-good moments or happily-ever-after endings. Expect death, which is part of ...

In this book of prose and poetry, this multifaceted author provides thoughts and observations about obsession—the state of preoccupation about someone or something. Obsession may be healthy if directed toward a rational and essential objective, or unhealthy if it is intrusive, unwanted, or destructive. In these 41 pieces, the full range of subject matter and type of fixation is explored with reflective candor, wit, and vital commentary.

My sister, Jovita Corral Gamboa, passed away recently. She was a very special person who embodied kindness, caring, love, and grace. She had a heart that knew no bounds and the capacity to give generously of herself to anyone lucky enough to have known her. On my part, I shared an extraordinary bond with her growing up, and my earliest memories of her were a constant source of comfort, support, and a nourishing spirit. That continued as she remained an integral part of my life, sharing every joy and challenge and providing me with countless memories I will always treasure. As a writer, I ...

This collection of poems explores the theme of angels. Both imaginative and based on reality, the poems depict God’s messengers and warriors who embark on missions from God as well as journeys of their own choosing. Delving into the various interpretations of angels, ranging from fables to popular imagination, the collection includes works that are humorous, serious, profound, and intense. These poems illuminate truths like a searchlight in the darkness, serving as keys to exploring the depths of human understanding that might otherwise be misunderstood in the world.

“Science Fiction has to accomplish a nearly impossible magic trick: to introduce a world often much stranger than our own and make you care about it in a matter of a few paragraphs,” wrote Ray Bradbury. “The most important part of this magic trick is just a willingness to get weird.” The stories in this collection are brimming with bizarre and otherworldly premises: A vending machine does more than dispense sodas, becoming a therapist influencing people’s lives; a father must kill to have his triplets be born; coping with the results of faster-than-light space travel that proves ...

"Toward the Light" is a collection of poetry that centers on understanding, progress, hope, and spiritual awakening. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the journey from darkness and ignorance to understanding and goodness—reflecting personal growth, overcoming hardship, and the search for true illumination. This poetry speaks to anyone who has ever questioned if there is more to life, looked beyond the present, or dreamed of something greater. In the quiet corners of the heart, where emotions linger and memories echo, poetry becomes a language that reveals the essence of our existence. ...

This series of short stories explores themes of adversity and loss while ultimately offering a sense of hope that resilience, strength, and faith will prevail. Within this collection, you will find engaging and moving narratives about individuals who confront challenging circumstances, experience loss and heartbreak, and struggle with depression due to their life choices. Although each story is unique, they share a common thread of meaningful lessons learned along the way, equipping the characters with coping mechanisms for the future. Not all of the stories are somber; they also contain ...

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” —Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina In Anna Karenina's opening, Tolstoy says that family conflict results in unhappiness and may take many forms. Happy families share a common set of attributes, while unhappy ones do not. It is this variety of attributes that causes unhappiness. Happy people have no problems. They wake up, have breakfast, don't quarrel, go to work or play, dine pleasantly at the end of the day, and don't quarrel. There is no material for interesting stories. Conversely, the worse a life is, the ...

This poetry collection is intended to be read and acted upon. It can be described as performance poetry, as it conveys its message through the use of voice, rhythm, and emotion, to resonate deeply with the reader. The collection blends various forms and styles of prose and poetry to express its themes in a dynamic and impactful way. Each line, stanza, and idea has the potential to evoke profound thoughts and feelings in the reader's imagination. Be enriched by it, and have it seep deep into your imagination and consciousness.

Delve into the poems of "Bellowing Thoughts," a poetry collection that offers a glimpse into the author's thoughts, perspectives, and personal experiences. With classic stanzas and rhyme and often realistic language and style that captures the essence of everyday life and the profound, this small yet powerful book invites readers to connect with the raw emotions and genuine reflections within its pages. Through a blend of harsh scrutiny and caring examination, "Bellowing Thoughts" serves as a guide to the complexities of existence, providing viewpoints for introspection, contemplation, and ...

When I think of poetry, I envision the classic works written by great poets of the past—poetry that modern educators often label as ‘elitist’ literature. Such writing may now be primarily found in private schools, especially those that are religious or uphold traditional standards of scholarship and merit. This is a tragedy. Great poetry should not belong solely to a select few; it should be the birthright of all children. Poetry is the language of the soul (consider the Psalms), and since we all possess souls, it is vital for everyone. This statement challenges the spiritual ...

The central theme of this collection of short stories is denial and self-deception. We humans are a unique species, capable of incredible achievements such as space travel, uncovering the secrets of nature, and exploring the depths of the ocean and the mysteries of the atom. However, we also have a tendency toward self-destruction, manifesting in widespread destruction like war on a global scale and personal struggles with alcohol, finances, and relationships, which can lead to individual disasters. This contradiction is explored through stories of mature and competent individuals who ...

What if you killed someone? He might have been a cold-blooded killer, but that still doesn’t mean it wouldn’t affect your feelings about taking a life. And what about your feelings when you go off to war? Or when you are a hunted man, an inmate of a brutal prison system, or the object of a female sexual predator. These and four other stories explore the theme of rage in various situations, including the featured story, Rebecca’s Rage. Rebecca’s husband, Steven, was everything she wanted in a husband: drop-dead handsome, smart, successful, and ever-faithful. Yet she always seemed so ...

This poetry collection delves into the theme of overcoming life's challenges. Life is filled with various obstacles, including economic hardships, serious illnesses, family issues, and political unrest. How individuals confront these challenges reveals a great deal about their character and identity. The fifty poems in this book reflect on these struggles, aiming to provide strength and inspiration to readers. It is the hope that these poems will offer insight and help people realize that they are not alone in their difficulties and that they can overcome their challenges.