T. John Greene

Biography

Single and attached to a wonderful woman, I spend my spare time at the laptop these days, trying to get some nouns and verbs out for publication.

I see writing as a hobby - hopefully, since I enjoy it, there will be an audience out there that also enjoys reading my work.

Though I'm not a serious writer, I do welcome the feedback of reviews. Whether the reader is pleased or disappointed with my effort, I can use reviews to adjust my approach.

Best advice I received when I was young: "Read!"

Smashwords Interview

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
When I was a child, I slept in a crowded house, up in a converted attic. There was a cubby hole in my bedroom that I never entered alone, day or night - it contained a vampire that would have dispatched me to the realm of the undead. So, naturally, my first stories were about vampires, particularly Dracula, though at that age I considered them all to be based on true stories from my life. I have since learned to draw a sharper line between fantasy and reality, most of the time.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I can't recall the first story I ever read, but the first novel I read (about twenty times) was Robin Hood by Henry Gilbert. It filled my heart with a love of idealism, justice, and merry old times with good friends. I think it was a very good book to read as a child, and the bravery of Robin et al in the face of a hostile hierarchy was, in a subtle way, good preparation for life. {It was years later that I learned that Maid Marion was actually Robin's sister in Celtic mythology - I like to think that she represented freedom to Robin and his band.}
Read more of this interview.

Books

Queen Of The Dreamers
Price: Free! Words: 930. Language: English. Published: March 10, 2015 . Categories: Poetry » Canadian Poetry, Fiction » Inspirational
These six poems convey the vital nature of imagination in our lives. If we do not imagine, we cannot have better individual and collective futures. The Queen's names are Freedom, Peace, Love and Charity. I do not attempt to imagine for the reader, but instead try to inspire your inner courage to make the best of what you have, and then some. These poems rhyme, and can be thought of as songs.
"Life Is About Choices" For Dummies
Price: Free! Words: 580. Language: English. Published: March 3, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » General, Essay » Political
A very short work of fiction for those still dazed and confused by the daily grind; on the other hand, plain and obvious truth to those who have woken up and smelled the coffee. Whether you see this brief work as fiction or non-fiction, you'll have to admit - it is very concise.
Entrance To A Strange World
Price: Free! Words: 300. Language: English. Published: February 26, 2015 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry, Poetry » Canadian Poetry
One poem. "Humming, whirring, gyring and groaning machines orbit about the central power; frightened, I sleep." With words alone, we fight the armies of the world everywhere we go - we want peace, and we are the immortal human spirit.
Suns
Price: Free! Words: 760. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2014 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry, Poetry » Spiritual
Can a person truly see the world from different, unique vantage points? Intriguingly, some claim so, while others rebel against the idea of multifaceted truths. Truth may be knowable, but it is inexpressible. These five poems explore the theme. 470 words.
That Son Of Yours
Price: Free! Words: 1,370. Language: English. Published: May 21, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Literature » Plays & Screenplays
Flora has a visit from old neighbors who demand an apology from her son.
The Escape Artist
Price: Free! Words: 1,130. Language: English. Published: October 12, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » Black comedy, Fiction » Literature » Literary
What is there to be thankful for, when everyone seems so lost?
Surrender To The Valkyrie: Life In Six Poems
Price: Free! Words: 850. Language: English. Published: October 2, 2013 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry, Poetry » Canadian Poetry
I cover a lot of territory here, starting with our expulsion from what would have been paradise, through the prisons of civilization, and returning at last to a new paradise in a lover's arms.

T. John Greene's tag cloud

charity    choices    civilization    dandelions    dreamer    escapism    family    feud    free verse    freedom    illusion    imagination    imagine    inner peace    love    multifaceted truth    peace    perspective    poetry short    revenge    slavery    suns    thanksgiving    the machine    truth    vantage points    words   

T. John Greene's favorite authors on Smashwords

Smashwords book reviews by T. John Greene

  • Big Man & Other Stories on Oct. 15, 2013

    There is excellent writing and engaging storytelling throughout this volume. My personal favorite was the title piece, Big Man. Thank you for the great read!
  • The Secret Message on Nov. 04, 2013

    A very good read, according to me and my niece. The characters are well drawn, the plot is compelling, and the story is heart warming. I hope to see more from this young author in the coming years - she is very talented.
  • Closer to the End on May 21, 2014

    Powerful and heart-wrenching.
  • Roller Coaster Ride on May 22, 2014

    The thrills and anxious moments resonate in this poem. I loved it.
  • The Frailty of Hope on May 22, 2014

    Clear, compelling stuff! I loved the images and these poems are cathartic, not depressing. I would like to see more poetry from this author.
  • The Buried House on May 22, 2014

    Very well-written as a compact story. I felt the narrator's surreal view of the events - I liked this.
  • Reflection: We Have No One (an abstract fiction) on Dec. 11, 2014

    It is as though we are reaching for immortality, when it is not for us to decide. I liked this very much.
  • The Inter-Galactic Greenie on March 02, 2015

    A nice poem, but it barely scratches the surface of the frustrations of living in this age of hollowed-out democracy. The mention of people-power brings to mind the reality of thinking citizens being marginalized by the big media, ignored by politicians and put down by big authority. Why not more rage against the machines destroying our world on so many levels? Still, this poem is a very good lament for a world that seems hopeless, except for what lies dormant in the people.
  • OCT on March 12, 2015

    Some of the very best, in eight words.
  • Diamonds are Forever on March 19, 2015

    Exquisite rendering of a painful life in a disastrous world. The poem flows and clunks along in all the right ways. I hope to hear more from Diamond.