The Raven

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A special midweek episode with an article by Michaelbrent Collings.

How to Love Someone with Depression

by Michaelbrent Collings

We moved a few years ago, and I was thrilled. Not because of the great neighborhood (though it was great), not because the new house was nice and big (though it was nice and big), not even because it came with its very own trampoline (boing!).

No. It was the garage. More to the point, it was the garage ceiling.

See, in my old place, the garage had one of those ceilings with exposed rafters. You know the kind: perfect for shoving stuff that’s not quite nice enough to actually have out, but not quite nasty enough to throw away. Keepsakes and mementos from some birthday you half remember; boxes just in case you move again; kids’ toys the next one in line will probably use.

The new place didn’t have the exposed rafters. Which meant no more extra storage. The boxes would stick out like a sore thumb, right in the middle of the new garage. The keepsakes and mementos would have to find new homes – or be thrown away outright. Old toys would be given away.

But I was happy. Because in the old garage I spent hours looking up at those rafters, wondering which one would be the right one, the heaviest one, the strongest one.

Which one would be the best one to hang myself from.

Now, in every important way I have a pretty great life. I have a wife who is better than I deserve. I have children who fill me with wonder, and who make me laugh. I have a job that most people would kill for. So it’s not like I should be trying to escape.

But I also suffer from major depressive disorder with psychotic breaks.

This last part sounds scary. But don’t worry. It just means sometimes I’m utterly incapable of understanding my proper relationship to the rest of the world. I can’t conceive of a universe where I in any way belong. Of an existence that needs me, or where I have anything but a negative effect.

So I would go to the garage. Or maybe I would stand in a corner and slap myself, because some dim part of my brain hoped the physical pain would drive out a small bit of the far greater mental and emotional torment.

The new garage doesn’t have those rafters. It’s just blank ceiling.

Although I suppose it doesn’t really matter. I still get that way sometimes. Sigh.

Chances are that anyone reading this either suffers from or knows someone who suffers from depression. What do you do to help someone like that? Someone who has forgotten this one basic truth: that we all have value. That we all are special. That in our humanity lies a kernel not just of greatness, but of inestimable beauty.

I will tell you what my wife does. She isn’t just my Dream Girl – I could never have dreamed up something like her. She’s my Better Than Dream Girl. And when I’m at my worst, this is what she does, this is her magic: she follows me.

She goes with me to the garage. She stands with me in my corner. She holds my hands firmly so I can’t hurt myself, but not so tightly it hurts in and of itself. She whispers how she loves me, how she can’t let me leave because that would be a wound to her and to the world. She says things she knows I cannot believe, but that I will look back on and remember – things that will build a reservoir of strength for the future.

She stands with me.

She eventually puts an arm around me and leads me to a couch or a bed. Still embracing me, she helps me to sit or to lay down. She holds me. Perhaps scratches my back in silence. The words are done. There is only the fact that she is there, that she is not going anywhere. The silent reminder that in this moment, in this small now… I am not alone.

The great tragedy of depression is a crippling loneliness. A conviction that we are not and never can be worthy of anything but isolation. That the world has cut us off from all human connection – and that that is a good thing, because any other person coming in contact with us would simply suffer.

What to do then?

Stay with us.

When we are ready, hold us.

And in so doing, show us that we have that spark of worth, that potential for beauty.

Depression will not allow us to believe in our value. It forbids us any hope.

But…

But I have found that – with the right help, with the right friend – it will allow the hope of future hope. And in that we may walk away from the rafters. We may move to new, safer places, and find brighter paths.

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On today’s show we hear a vicious little short story by Justin M. Woodward, Wild.

After the story, Justin and I talk about how this story came to life, his personal connections to the material, and how fiction can have huge value in society.

Check out Justin’s work here: https://justinmwoodward.com

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

On today’s show we hear a very creepy story by Tim Chizmar, Libby, a story that delves into one of most peoples’ biggest fears….I’ll let you find that one out on your own.

After the reading, Tim and I have a very funny conversation about how this story came to be. Tim is an author, a screenwriter, and a comedian, so he is ALWAYS entertaining!

Find Tim here: www.timchizmar.com

Check out Tim’s work here: http://spookyninjakitty.com

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

On today’s show, author Edward Willett reads us a passage from his fantasy novel, Worldshaper, and I have to say, he does a fantastic job!

After the story, Edward and I talk about fantasy, crafting new worlds, and making characters that are relatable and memorable.

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/spilling-ink/the-raven?refid=stpr

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-raven/id1453251505

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CgQRnE6AR0iE1wI5jWQ7X

Check out Edward’s work here: https://edwardwillett.com

And try out his podcast: https://theworldshapers.com

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

Today’s show is a very special one. I am thrilled to welcome author, publisher, physicist, and playwright Samuel Peralta to the show. The story I’m reading today is Trauma Room, a beautiful piece of speculative fiction, followed by a fantastic conversation with Samuel. As a very special treat, Samuel also reads us two of his poems, and teaches us a little about the technologies of the future. 

Check out Samuel’s impressive body of work here: https://www.future-chronicles.net

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

On today’s show we hear a chilling story by Christie Stratos, The Subtlety of Terror, where we find that it's the quietest evils that are the most horrifying—their persistence, constant presence, and unyielding terror.

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/spilling-ink/the-raven?refid=stpr

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-raven/id1453251505

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CgQRnE6AR0iE1wI5jWQ7X

After the reading, Christie and I talk about how she created this deliciously dark story. She tells us about the difference between horror and terror, and how she uses deep elements of the human psyche to terrify her readers.

Christie Stratos is an award-winning writer who holds a degree in English Literature. She is the author of Anatomy of a Darkened Heart and Brotherhood of Secrets, the first two books in the Dark Victoriana Collection. Christie has had short stories and poetry published in Ginosko Literary Journal, Andromedae Review, 99Fiction, and various anthologies. An avid reader of all genres and world literature, Christie reads everything from bestsellers to classics to indies.

Find more of Christie at the following links:

http://christiestratos.com

https://www.patreon.com/christiestratos

https://www.youtube.com/thewritersedgeshow

http://www.amazon.com/Christie-Stratos/e/B015L5FMTM/

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

On today’s show we hear a passage from Sanctuary of Dehlyn, a thrilling fantasy adventure by Kathrin Hutson.

After the story, Kathrin teaches me a little about the world of fantasy, writing different sexes, and her inspiration for The Unclaimed trilogy. We also talk a little about some of our favorite fantasy authors, and how the genre has evolved.

Find Kathrin’s novel, Sanctuary of Dehlyn, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C43MST6

Check out all Kathrin’s work here: https://www.kathrinhutsonfiction.com

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity, who have been instrumental in helping to get this show off the ground.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07NFBFB45/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-142355&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_142355_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

 

On today’s show we hear a passage from a terrifying story by Michaelbrent Collings, Predators, an exciting, visceral, inventive tale of survival in the most primal of settings.

After the story, Michaelbrent and I have a fantastic talk about how this story was crafted, about creating great horror, and crafting incredible female characters. We talk about life, and the real life villains of the world, and about about my new phobia that he created. Michaelbrent is funny and genuine, and it was a real pleasure having him on the show.

Find the novel, Predators, here: https://www.amazon.com/Predators-Michaelbrent-Collings-ebook/dp/B07GZZZ9MT/

Check out all Michaelbrent’s work here: http://writteninsomnia.com

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity, who have been instrumental in helping to get this show off the ground.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07NFBFB45/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-142355&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_142355_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

 

On today’s show we hear a wonderful story by Daniel Arthur Smith, The Titan’s Daughter, a creative reworking of the Calypso excerpt of Homer’s Odyssey, a series of dreams and faint memories trigger a mysterious longing in a man otherwise content.

After the story, Daniel and I have a great talk about how this story was crafted, and how Daniel’s life as an adventurer has honed his craft and how his experiences give inspiration to his work.

Check out Daniel’s work here: http://www.danielarthursmith.com 

And the amazing online magazine, Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned, here: http://canyonsofthedamned.com

Thank you so much to all of you listening, you are the reason I’m doing this, to share my love of story with all of you. If you enjoyed this episode, please click subscribe, so that you can hear another great episode next week. The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.

The Raven on Stitcher    The Raven on iTunes    The Raven on Spotify

 

Welcome to the show! While The Raven premiers on March 1st, I just couldn't wait to share a little something with you now. In the coming weeks you're going to hear fantastic stories by dozens of great artists, but here in the pre-season, I thought it would be fitting to introduce you to the show with a piece of short fiction by none other than... me! This is a fun little story that I wrote in December of 2018, and even though it's short, I think it packs a punch. I really hope you enjoy it, and if you do, hit that subscribe button to let me know you're out there listening! Enjoy the show!

The Raven is sponsored by my friends at Creative Edge Publicity.

Look for them on their website at www.creative-edge.services

Creative Edge:  Your Brand, Your Future

If you enjoyed the story reading today, and you’d like to hear more stories narrated by me, check out the Tales From The Canyons Of The Damned on Audible, each issue has four to five great short stories, and they’re all narrated by yours truly. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07MXQMK95/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-140415&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_140415_pd_us

In addition to narrating stories, I also write them, and I have five full-length novels available now. If you’d like to check out my writing, head on over to my website at www.jnlavelle.com and see what you think.

For those of you who have supported me on Patreon, you’ll find some great bonus material. If you haven’t connected with me on Patreon, you can find me at patreon.com/jasonlavelle, where for only a few dollars a month, you can support the show and let me know that you enjoy it. In return, you will have access to additional stories and discussions, author Q&As, and personal and professional updates from me. Music for this episode was composed and performed by Justin Turner. Thank you again, and I’ll see you next week.