Long ago I heard or read that the Balinese believe that one should live a life creatively. I like that.

My dad got me my first guitar as a teenager, and I started writing songs, becoming a professional musician, then a visual artist who shows his work around Texas, and now, an author. I believe all this comes from the same place: stories. It's all stories!

I hope the Balinese would approve.

I started reading science fiction when I was in grade school. I bought little paperbacks with a book on one side; turn it over and there was another book! I still read sci-fi along with medieval history and anything else I know little about. It's coming from these places that I wrote AFTER THE BEFORE and WHAT AWAITS? Speculative fiction, at heart, asks the question "What if?" That interests me.

And how does writing short fiction compare to songwriting you ask? Waaaaay easier! There's no cemented rhyme scheme, no expected format (verse, verse, chorus) and no imposed time limit. Try it. You'll like it!

As a musician, Ernie has appeared twice on PBS’s Austin City Limits and is a member of the Texas Songwriters Association Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame. As an artist, he exhibits at art markets around the state. His art, music, and writing can be found on his web site, www.ernies-artmusic.com