I’m the tall kid, second from the left, with the lousy interpretation of Maximillian, the killer robot from The Black Hole on my head. The date: March, 1981–my sixth birthday party.
Seven months before the picture was taken, a helicopter took my father to a hospital to have part of his brain irradiated because of a malignant tumor. My neighbors had a haunted basement, and we played an especially cruel game on rainy days, locking each other in the basement with the lights off until we broke. When the weather was nice, we spent our afternoons in a backyard tent, flipping through old copies of Fangoria, Famous Monsters, and Mad Magazine–either that or climbing trees and blowing air through our mouths until we became so dizzy, we imagined falling to our deaths.
Everything I write is for that six-year-old kid. He understands imagination has the power to terrify, but also the power to heal and grow. He understands writing is a way to save both of us from the harsh pricks of reality.
I have three books on the horizon, a YA novel, a dark, historical science-fantasy, and a collection of short fiction. Stop by www.aaronpolson.com for the latest.
To have your picture and blurb featured here, read the guidelines. Join us!
15 Comments on ““Be Mysterious: Writers in Masks” features Aaron Polson”
Wonderful picture and blurb. Excellent stuff.
I think this particular mask post could be my favorite so far.
The pic is great, the story is tender and horrible, and I want to be a kid again. More than I expected.
So much depth here. Wow.
Aaron, great blurb. Sounds like a fantastic way to be a kid. 😀
Great photo too!
There is a story of its own merit hidden in that picture.
Excellent blurb. From the sadness and wonder of the six year old’s imagination, amazing stories have emerged. Nice mask.
Great picture and blurb.
Excellent post!
That is fantastic. Thank god for the 6 year old in you.
Maximillian was one of my favorite characters when I was little…I used to walk around with my arms bent and fingers extended, pretending I had multiple lower limbs with various weapons attached.
Good luck with the books, Aaron, and with pleasing that six-year-old inside of you.
Aaron has a stellar writing voice.
Definitely my favorite mask post so far, and not just ’cause I like Aaron so much. That’s good stuff, man. A powerful reminder everyone needs.
What a fabulous photo and post to go with it. So touching, so revealing, so heartfelt. Thank you for sharing with us.
Love those childhood photos.
Pingback: Writers in Masks brings back a memory | Smash Cake Magazine