Pig Headed - a bizarro short story

 Once upon a time, in a world that was not quite like ours, there was a man named Bob. Bob was a simple man, with simple tastes and a simple job. He worked as a clerk at a convenience store, stocking shelves and ringing up customers. But one day, everything changed.

Bob was on his lunch break, sitting on a park bench and eating a sandwich, when he saw a strange creature walking down the street. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. It had the body of a man, but the head of a pig. Bob rubbed his eyes, thinking it must be a hallucination, but when he opened them again, the pig-headed man was still there.

Without hesitation, Bob got up and followed the creature. He followed it down the street, through alleys, and over bridges, until they came to a door that led underground. The pig-headed man opened the door and gestured for Bob to follow him. Bob hesitated for a moment, but his curiosity got the better of him and he followed the creature down into the depths of the earth.

Bob found himself in a vast underground cavern, lit by a strange green light. The pig-headed man led him through the cavern, and as they walked, Bob saw all manner of strange and bizarre creatures. There were people with the heads of dogs, cats, and birds, as well as creatures that were like nothing he had ever seen before. They were all going about their business, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

As they walked, the pig-headed man introduced Bob to the other creatures, and Bob soon found that they were all quite friendly. They welcomed him to their underground world, and Bob realized that he had found a new home. He quit his job at the convenience store, and soon he too had the head of a pig, and he was happy.

Years went by, and Bob became a respected member of the underground community. He learned the ways of the pig-headed people and the other bizarre creatures, and he even found love in the form of a woman with the head of a snake. They had pig-headed children, and Bob couldn't be happier.

But one day, something strange happened. Bob woke up to find that he was back in the park, on the bench where he had first met the pig-headed man. It was all just a dream, or so he thought. But as he looked down at his hands, he saw that they were now hooves, and he knew that it had not been a dream at all. He had truly found his new home, and he knew that he would never be the same again.

Some thoughts on Bizarro fiction

 Bizarro fiction is a genre of literature that is known for its surreal, absurd, and often grotesque elements. The term "bizarro" was first coined in the late 1990s by author and publisher Eric S. Raymond, and it has since come to encompass a wide range of literature that defies easy categorization. Bizarro fiction can be difficult to define, but it is generally characterized by its embrace of the strange and unconventional, its rejection of traditional narrative structures, and its use of absurdity and absurdity as a literary device.

One of the defining characteristics of bizarro fiction is its embrace of the strange and unconventional. Bizarro writers often use elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create worlds that are not quite like our own, and they often use these elements in unexpected ways. For example, in a bizarro story, a character might encounter a talking tree that speaks in verse, or a city that is built entirely out of candy. These elements are not included to advance the plot or to serve a specific purpose; instead, they are included simply to create a sense of strangeness and otherworldliness.

Bizarro fiction also rejects traditional narrative structures. Bizarro writers often use techniques such as non-linear storytelling, stream of consciousness, and multiple narrators to create a sense of disorientation and confusion. This can make bizarro stories difficult to follow, but it also allows for a greater freedom of expression and a greater sense of experimentation.

Another defining characteristic of bizarro fiction is its use of absurdity and absurdity as a literary device. Bizarro writers often use elements that are bizarre or grotesque to create a sense of unease and disorientation in the reader. For example, a character in a bizarro story might encounter a creature that is half human and half machine, or a city that is inhabited by giant insects. These elements are not included to make sense in a logical way, but to create a sense of unease, disorientation and to challenge the reader's sense of reality.

One of the key themes in bizarro fiction is the idea of the outsider. Many bizarro stories feature characters who are outsiders in one way or another - whether they are outcasts, misfits, or simply people who don't fit in with society's expectations. This theme can be seen as a reflection of the genre itself, which is often seen as being on the fringes of literature.

In conclusion, Bizarro fiction is a genre that defies easy categorization and is known for its surreal, absurd, and often grotesque elements. It embraces the strange and unconventional, rejects traditional narrative structures, and uses absurdity and grotesque as a literary device. It's a genre that allows for a greater freedom of expression and experimentation and often deals with themes of outsiderness and challenging the reader's sense of reality. It's a genre that is not for everyone, but for those who appreciate its unique style, it can be hugely enjoyable.

Revisiting my old material

 Revisiting old musical material can be a powerful and personal experience for any artist. The process of revisiting old songs, albums, and even unfinished demos, unrecorded material, and lyrics jotted down in old notebooks, can bring a sense of nostalgia and remind us of who we were and where we come from as musicians. It can be a reminder of the journey we've been on and the growth we've undergone as artists.

I personally have had the opportunity to revisit old material during my career, whether it be through re-recording songs, playing them live, or simply listening to demos that were never released, revisiting old song ideas and lyrics in my old notebooks. Each time, I've found it to be a valuable and enlightening experience. It's like opening a time capsule and discovering forgotten gems, some of them I felt like they were ahead of their time, some others needed a new approach or production.

One of the reasons I've revisited old material is to reconnect with my past self. When I look back at my old notebooks and see lyrics or song ideas I had written down, I'm reminded of the person I used to be, the emotions I felt and the experiences I've been through. It's a reminder of the journey that I've been on and the growth I've undergone. I've been able to see how my songwriting has evolved and how my perspective has changed. It's helped me to understand the evolution of my art and to appreciate the development of my craft. Revisiting old material has also helped me to reconnect with my roots and where I come from, both musically and personally.

An experiment with flash fiction

 As she walked home from work, Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. She kept turning around, but she never saw anyone. It was a quiet neighborhood, but Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her.

She picked up her pace, her heart racing. She was almost at her front door when she heard a rustling in the bushes. She turned to see a figure emerge, but it was just a stray cat.

Sarah laughed at herself and let out a sigh of relief. She was just being paranoid. As she unlocked her door and stepped inside, she made a mental note to call her best friend and ask her to walk home with her tomorrow.

But as she turned to close the door, she saw the same figure standing on her porch, a sinister grin on their face. 

Creativity and mental health

 As someone who has struggled with mental illness for much of my life, I've learned that finding healthy ways to cope and manage my symptoms is crucial. For me, one of the most effective forms of self-care has been turning to art and music.

Experimenting with different mediums and styles has been a way for me to express myself and process my thoughts and emotions. Whether it's drawing, painting, writing songs, or playing an instrument, creating something from scratch has always had a therapeutic effect on me.

I've found that the process of creating something – whether it's a finished piece of art or a rough draft – can be incredibly cathartic. It allows me to channel my energy and focus on the present moment, rather than getting lost in my own negative thoughts.

In addition to the personal benefits, I've also found that sharing my art and music with others can be a powerful way to connect and find community. Whether it's through social media or live performances, sharing my creations with others has helped me to feel less alone in my struggles.

If you're someone who is struggling with mental health issues, I highly recommend giving art and music a try. You don't have to be an expert or have any particular talent – the important thing is to find something that brings you joy and helps you to feel more grounded. Who knows, it might just become your go-to form of self-care.

A very short story I wrote a few years ago

 I've been doing some rearranging of my possessions and stumbled across some forgotten notebooks filled with mostly unfinished work. Most of it is embarrassingly bad but I did find this short story. I genuinely can't remember if I ever planned on continuing the story or if it was always going to be this brief, but I do recall it was inspired by a writing prompt I saw on Facebook. 

It doesn't seem to have ever been given a title so I'll just call it Untitled Short Story circa 2018.

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The sun beat down on the dusty road as I trudged forward, my backpack heavy on my shoulders. Sweat dripped down my face and I longed for the cool relief of the river that flowed just out of sight. I had been walking for hours and my feet ached, but I knew I couldn't stop. I had to get to the next town before nightfall. As I walked, my thoughts turned to Maria. I could still see her face, her dark eyes filled with tears as I left. I knew I was breaking her heart by going, but I had to do it. I had to see the world, to feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. I had to know that there was more out there than the small village we had grown up in. Finally, as the sun began to sink below the horizon, I saw the glint of water in the distance. I quickened my pace, my thirst and fatigue forgotten. As I reached the river, I collapsed to my knees and plunged my face into the cool, clear water. It was the most refreshing thing I had ever tasted. As I sat there, drinking my fill, I knew that I had made the right decision. I had left everything I knew behind, but it was worth it for this moment of pure, unadulterated freedom. I knew that no matter what the future held, I would always carry this moment with me, a reminder of the endless possibilities that lay ahead.

Drawing and painting - some thoughts

 Hi everyone,

I've always enjoyed drawing, but recently I've been trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and experiment with different techniques and styles. In addition to trying out new media like pens, markers, and watercolors, I've also been exploring different kinds of art.

For example, I've always been a fan of traditional drawings and paintings, but I've recently started dabbling in digital art. It's been a bit of a learning curve, as I'm used to working with physical media, but I'm loving the flexibility and potential for experimentation that digital art offers. I've also been interested in art forms like sculpture and collage, which are completely new to me. It's been so much fun to try out different materials and techniques, and see how they all come together to create something unique and personal.

Overall, I've learned that experimentation is a crucial part of the creative process. It's easy to get stuck in a rut and keep doing things the same way, but by trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone, I've been able to develop and grow as an artist.

I hope you'll check out some of my recent art and let me know what you think. You can find it on Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook. And if you're an artist yourself, I encourage you to take the time to experiment and try out new techniques and styles. You never know what you might discover!

Barnaby Tremayne