Not About Lumberjacks

Be mighty, and keep your axes sharp!

Behind the Cut – Episode 14: The Art of the Lumberjack

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Light in the forest - Behind the Cut – Episode 14: The Art of the LumberjackA real book inspired “The Art of the Lumberjack.” That book? The Sport of Falconry.

According to the inscription, the book was given to me by my father on January 11, 1975.

This four-and-a-half minute episode is about how a book I’ve had for 41 years led to one of the best short stories I’ve ever written…

To Christopher Peter Gronlund. From his father on 1-11-75. Some day if you have the time, read this book son. I just never had the time. I always knew how, and I didn't need this book. Look for the signs along the way son, always be careful, and try not to get hurt.

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The Art of the Lumberjack

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Light through Trees - "The Art of the Lumberjack"A year ago, I posted the first Not about Lumberjacks story. In honor of the show’s anniversary, I keep with tradition and refuse to even mention those foul-mouthed tree droppers!

When Erik Nilsson has a minor heart attack and is told to take some forced time off of work to recuperate, he finally reads a book left to him by his father much earlier in life. What he finds hidden among the pages changes him forever…

Content Advisory: Mention of suicide by shotgun. Overbearing parent (mother). Protagonist dealing with a medical issue (a minor heart attack).

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Broke for Free

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund

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Behind the Cut – Episode 13: Strange Audio

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Behind the Cut – Episode 13: Strange AudioThis time, I sit down and chat with Cynthia Griffith about recording an audio drama instead of a narrated work of prose.

It’s the longest episode of Behind the Cut, but it gives a good peek at the process behind putting an audio drama together.

And remember, in a few weeks it’s the next Not about Lumberjacks story. It was written for a special occasion: the one-year anniversary of the show!

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Strange Audio

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Ghostly Image and Sound Wave - Not About Lumberjacks: Strange AudioIn honor of Halloween: a podcaster discovers some ghostly audio while editing an episode of his show…

Content Advisory: Swearing, crude humor, spouses arguing, an old ghost created by violent means (violence against a woman).

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Chad Crouch

Story: Christopher Gronlund

Narration: Christopher Gronlund and Cynthia Griffith (Wife and all Ghosts)

Additional Voice Talent: Rick Coste (The Three-Step Dick and Ghosthunter #1), Rocky Westbrook (Ghosthunter #2), and Mary Salerno (Mom).

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Behind the Cut – Episode 12: Purvis

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Dungeons and Dragons dice - Behind the Cut – Episode 12: PurvisIf you listened to “Purvis,” it’s probably clear that I spent a lot of time when I was younger playing Dungeons and Dragons and being picked on.

If you’ve not listened to “Purvis,” I suggest you listen to the story first because there are some big spoilers in this behind-the-scenes look at the story.

But this is not wholly about what it was to be bullied — it’s also a celebration of a game that saved my life and made me the person I am today.

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Purvis

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Dungeons and Dragons dice - "Purvis"In 1984, a Dungeon Master struggles with keeping the few friendships he has together, all while dealing with a vicious bully. When Dungeons and Dragons is your only reprieve from the cruelties of life, the game becomes much more than recreation: it becomes a place of salvation.

Content Advisory: This story is rough. It contains swearing, alcoholism, child abuse, teasing, bullying, obsession, depression, misogyny, violence (classroom fighting and a brutal fight at the end), and the death of the protagonist.

It is also my favorite ending of anything I’ve ever written.

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Chad Crouch

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund

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Behind the Cut – Episode 11: Shadow Dancers

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Shadows - Behind the Cut – Episode 11: Shadow DancersAs far as I can remember, “Shadow Dancers” was the first story I wrote around the time I was 20 and decided to make writing a serious pursuit.

I talk about those early days of writing and how this is one of the few stories my father read before he died. He wasn’t keen on the idea of my giving up studying biology to write, but this story changed his mind.

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