Words
Thoughtful words perform real magic. When combined into well-crafted sentences and woven into paragraphs, they bring readers to tears, evoke laughter, and, at times, do both simultaneously. They transport brain synapses to rich, unforeseen universes. They illuminate surprising corners of the human psyche. They generate empathy, change perspectives, and inspire change. They create meaning and shared experiences, which miraculously travel through time and space. I aspire to write thoughtful words that perform such real magic.
Having grown up the son of two English professors, I learned at an early age to respect language, revere grammar, and recognize artistic storytelling. The act of writing—stories, poems, and legal briefs (for a time)—has always comforted me and helped me process my interactions with this dazzling and oft-bewildering world of ours. At this point in my writing career, I feel very fortunate and humbled to have the opportunity to share some of my words with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Unorthodoxy
As the title implies, my protagonist, Cecil Reitmeister, lives an unconventional lifestyle. He is obsessed with his microbiome, the community of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses) that inhabit his body. He resists washing, welcomes dirt in all forms, and believes that he can save the world if he perfects his internal ecosystem. But his dream comes crashing down when the police knock on his door. They condemn his home and kick him out onto the streets. Cecil is unlike anyone I’ve ever met, yet he is also like everyone I know: we all aspire to greatness in our own ways, and, at some point along the way, we all bump up into reality. And that is when life really starts getting interesting. Read more here, where you will find a full synopsis.