I just started writing the last chapter of My Babylon, and I feel as if I’m about to say goodbye to a friend.
Tag: writing
“Do you have a name?” I asked.
The same voice came back at me. “Vicarius Neron Quisar.”
At least he had a sense of humor. It meant Pope of the Emperor Nero. Biblical scholars theorize that the Beast described by John the Revelator was a symbol for the current Roman emperor. Yes, that Nero, the one that supposedly fiddled while Rome burned, and also liked to martyr Christians. Others, mostly hard-line Protestants, claim the Beast symbolized the Papacy. Why not cover your bases.
– My Babylon, Book Five: Beast
Putz
Doing magick by accident, new at scrollofthoth.com
Be forewarned Consilium of Tumblr Magicians, your new Grand High Poo-Bah is a putz
Matchmaker – A Short Story
This is a short story I’ll have available on Amazon Kindle around April 15th. It serves well as an introduction to my writing, and explores some of the same themes as My Babylon. Until the 15th, it’s free for my tumblr and blog followers.
Matchmaker
by James L. Wilber
“There’s been an update to the code since you last worked. Don’t forget to check out the new questionnaire.” Dylan, my supervisor, wore a black polo shirt with the company logo, a bracelet made of some alloy, and a couple days worth of black stubble. The exact kind of professional non-professional look you expect from a middle management dickwad working for a tech company. He shifted in his seat, waiting for my response even though he failed to ask a question. “You should turn your camera on.”
Like most people pounding keys, I work at home. Even though Dylan found it annoying, I only respond to questions, not statements. The less opportunity to betray my total disgust for him, the company, and the American way of life, the better. That’s also why I didn’t turn on my camera. The wreckage of my bedroom/office, and the fact I’d yet to brush my teeth today reflects the shits I do not give.
Unable to think of a good reason not to, I turned my video on and let him bask in my slothful countenance. Dylan visibly winced when he saw it, then pretended not to notice. “Do you have any questions?”
“Be mindful of the changes in output due to the code update. Items have been added to the questionnaire to take advantage of the new code.” Never question, only regurgitate.
He nodded. “I’ve got three VIP jobs I want you to get done today. Send me a chat message if you need anything.”
I looked straight at the screen and waited for him to disconnect the conference. A few times prior I had disconnected before he was through being useless. That really cheesed him off. A couple more and he would be looking for a new star employee.
Sneak Preview – My Babylon Episode 2
Chapter 1
I believe in the power of symbols. I used to think that meditation, yoga, memorizing chants, all those things that build self-discipline, were the most important parts of magick. The ability to focus one’s will separates the true magus from kiddie witches reading spells out of a book like a recipe. Don’t believe for a second that if you rub a red candle with marjoram, and say a rhyme three times, the next person to text you will be your true love. But there’s something to be said about ingredients.
When you can’t just nip down to the corner store and pick up what you need, when you can’t just order it online from a retailer in exotic goods. Even after spending hours on hours crafting the wand or altar or pentacle, you need something more. Then you’re on to something. When the item you require, the component on which you focus your will, can only be had by risking your future and throwing away your humanity, then you have a powerful symbol.
Like, for instance, a human body.
Mine sat chilling right where I left it, resting in a plastic bin, ice starting to melt. After liberating it from the hospital morgue the night before
My Babylon – New Intro
We create no myths.
There will be no new holy books written. There will be no great new revelations.
We only have stories.
We are jaded by excess. The great sea of information, capable of connecting us all, only serves to divide us by faith, culture, counterculture, and ideology. It makes us incapable of seeing the great works around us. At least for now.
I am the magus Ego Sum Legio. This is:
My story,
My myth,
My revelation,
Liber 589 – The Book of Eschaton
My Babylon
Coming Walpurgisnacht 2013 to Amazon Kindle
Songs in the Key of My Babylon
A lot of writer’s do it. It’s kinda lame I know. But I do write to music, and it does effect the story.
I don’t go out of my way to find it. I just create a playlist of music I like that fits the theme. Which means you’ll get a lot of Nine Inch Nails, and for this book, Marilyn Manson, Atrium Anime, and singles from many others.For me, this is the theme for Chapter 1 of Episode 1.