Not About Lumberjacks

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In the Margins

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A secret passage behind a wall of filled bookcases. Text reads: In the Margins. Written by: Christopher Gronlund. Narrated by: Cynthia Griffith.

When Kenna Baynes discovers a strange book in her college library, she finds something in the margins that changes her life forever…

Content Advisory: “In the Margins” almost doesn’t merit a content advisory. There are a couple moments of light suspense and mention of college debt. There’s no swearing, but the tale does allude to a word many find offensive.

Links mentioned in the intro:

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Adriel Fair, Trevor Kowalski, and Many Moons Ago, all licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story: Christopher Gronlund.

Narration: Cynthia Griffith.

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Godspeed, Crazy Mike

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A low, bright sun shines through a blurred background and stalks of wild grass in the foreground. Text reads: Godspeed, Crazy Mike Written and Narrated by: Christopher Gronlund

Crazy Mike is dead behind the maintenance barn and the quaking bog man is missing. It’s up to detectives Gary Vandiver and Beatrice Mule to figure out what happened in this mystery set in a bog in northern Illinois.

Content Advisory: “Godspeed, Crazy Mike” deals with murder, speculation of suicide, divorce (including a custody battle), fraud, theft, tobacco and alcohol use, and Tourette syndrome (I only mention this because, if you’re like me and have Tourette syndrome, one of the character’s tics might set off some of your tics). Oh, and there is—of course—swearing. (But really: not that much this time around.)

Links mentioned in the intro:

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Music licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

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Behind the Cut – Gerald’s Grail

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Left Side of Image: a cross section of a cut tree on grass. Text over the tree rings reads "Behind the Cut - The Not About Lumberjacks Companion. Right Side of Image: A ceramic chalice full of Dungeons and Dragons dice. Dungeons and Dragons books, maps, miniatures, and more dice are spread across a table. In the background, a glass Mountain Dew bottle. Text reads: Gerald's Grail - Commentary By: Christopher Gronlund.

At 10,308 words, “Gerald’s Grail” is the longest Not About Lumberjacks story to date! (And will likely hold the record, ’cause DANG…that was quite a thing to edit!)

I’ll let you in on a little secret: “Gerald’s Grail” could easily be a novel. (And trust me, I’ve given it some thought.) But…it’s not the only Not About Lumberjacks story I’ve considered making longer.

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest tale, I talk about other Not About Lumberjacks stories I could turn into longer works…if I weren’t so busy working on the show.

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Gerald’s Grail

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A faintly glowing clay chalice full of Dungeons and Dragons dice. A graph paper map and Dungeons and Dragons books are scattered around the table, along with other dice, pewter miniatures, and a glass Mountain Dew bottle. Text: Gerald's Grail Written and Narrated by: Christopher Gronlund

While knocking around an antique shop with his grandmother, a teenage geek finds something that changes his life in a most curious way…

Content Advisory: Bullying, violence (including passing mention of the Cambodian genocide of the 70s), teen tobacco and alcohol use, and — of course — swearing.

And if you’re so inclined, be sure to check out the Not About Lumberjacks Patreon. For as little as a dollar a month, all patron content is unlocked.

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Lupus Nocte, Rocking for Decades, Ludvig Moulin, Christopher Moe Ditvelsen, Jon Bjork, Philip Ayers, and Cercles Nouvelles, licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

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Behind the Cut – Revisions

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Left side of image: cross section of a cut tree stump. Text reads "Behind the Cut - The Not About Lumberjacks Companion." Right side of image: Books on a table in front of a window. Text reads "Revisions - Commentary by: Christopher Gronlund."

It’s not uncommon for people to assume stories are a reflection of the author — especially stories in which an author features a writer as a protagonist. “Revisions” is about a writer who was raised by a single mother. Some people who know me mentioned they felt it was heavily influenced by my mother.

I discuss where my life is similar to the protagonist in the story and…how our situations and views greatly differ.

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Revisions

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Piles of open books in front of an interior window looking out to greenery. Text: Revisions Written by: Christopher Gronlund Narrated by: Cynthia Griffith

An author tries to finish construction on her recently-deceased mother’s home while writing her second novel — the follow up to a New York Times Best Seller.

Content Advisory: Death of a parent and struggles with self doubt. (For once, no swearing!)

And if you’re so inclined to pitch in and help the farm animal sanctuary I mention in the intro, check out The Farm Micro Sanctuary on Patreon, or on their Facebook or Instagram accounts.

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Johannes Bornlöf, licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story: Christopher Gronlund.

Narration: Cynthia Griffith.

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Christmas Miscellany 5

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A gold glitter Christmas tree ornament hangs from a branch. Blurred background. Text: Christmas Miscellany 5. Written by: Christopher Gronlund. Narrated by: Christopher Gronlund and Cynthia Griffith.

Four stories, most of which take place during the holiday season…

  • “Stories of Fine Taste”: The stories behind two recipes (“Grandma’s Olive Loaf” – Something wicked is back in Kirkland’s Holler) and (“Fred’s English Muffin Garbage Pizzas” – A young boy finds out what’s behind a mysterious door).
  • “Reply All”: Cheryl’s not standing for office gossip about her and a co-worker.
  • “Drifted”: A character from the second Christmas episode ends up stranded on a mountain with something more naughty than him… (Listen to the last story of this episode if you need a reminder of a naughty little boy…)

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Frizz Oli, Earle Belo, Golden Fern, Howard Harper-Barnes, Martin Landström, and pär licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story: Christopher Gronlund

Narration: Christopher Gronlund. and Cynthia Griffith.

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Behind the Cut – In Cypress Slough

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Left side: A cross section of a tree in grass. Text: Behind the Cut - The Not About Lumberjacks Companion. Right side: A painting of an ivory-billed woodpecker. Text: In Cypress Slough - Commentary By Christopher Gronlund

“In Cypress Slough” includes two gay characters, but it’s not a story about being gay in East Texas.

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about representation, the stories I’d never write (and why), and how I approach writing disenfranchised characters who have experienced lives I can only imagine.

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Links to some people and things mentioned in this episode:

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