Not About Lumberjacks

Be mighty, and keep your axes sharp!

In Cypress Slough

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Painting of an ivory-billed woodpecker head. Text reads: In Cypress Slough Written and Narrated by: Christopher Gronlund

Two deadhead loggers find something remarkable in the Piney Woods of East Texas, putting them at odds with a large timber company.

Content Advisory: In Cypress Slough deals with bullying, violence (including gun violence), homophobia, the destruction of wildlife and habitat, structure fires, mention of suicide, and swearing. Also, if you’re driving: be aware there’s a scene with approaching emergency sirens and one LOUD jump-scare (a gunshot).

Mitch Todd’s Andromeda Factory trailer.

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Credits:

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

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

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Behind the Cut – Milkboy

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Left side of image: Rings of a cut tree in grass. Text on the tree rings reads: "Behind the Cut. The Not About Lumberjacks Companion." Right side of image: A pour of milk missing a glass and splattering all about. Text: "Milkboy. Commentary by: Christopher Gronlund."

While “Milkboy” is based on a true story, it definitely ends up a work of fiction. When I started the story, I had no idea where to take it. Discovering what to do with the story led to a ridiculous and heartfelt tale of friendship that is one of my favorite stories on the site.

I talk about that — and much more — in this behind-the-scenes look at the latest episode of Not About Lumberjacks.

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Milkboy

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A pour of milk missing the glass scatters around the image. Text: Milkboy Written an Narrated by: Christopher Gronlund

Milkboy is based on a true story…

When two friends use a bulletin board system to create an online persona to tease their best friend, they get more than they have coming to them for their deception.

Content Advisory: Milkboy deals with emotional manipulation, stressful working conditions, infected food, passing mention of a grizzly death, demonic possession, and cartoonish violence. And, of course, there’s plenty of swearing. (A bit more than usual, in fact.)

Also, if you’re driving: be aware that anytime you hear characters in a vehicle after the mention of Yummy’s Greek Restaurant in Denton, Texas…there will be yelling, squealing tires, and even a collision. Really, from that point on…just expect the story to get louder and more ridiculous with each new paragraph.

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Birdies, licensed from Epidemic Sound. Hellish soundscape licensed from Michaël Ghelfi. Check out Michaels ambient compositions at his YouTube channel, website, or on Bandcamp.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

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Behind the Cut – Calling Out of Time

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Left side of image: Rings of a cut tree in grass. Text on the tree rings reads: "Behind the Cut. The Not About Lumberjacks Companion." Right side of image: A glowing phone booth on a quiet city street at night. Text: "Calling Out of Time. Commentary by: Christopher Gronlund."

“Calling Out of Time” started with a tweet. Without a random thing I saw on Twitter, it’s unlikely this story would exist.

Ideas are everywhere if you’re open to them, but it’s not as easy as picking them out of the air — it helps to know which ideas are worth working through vs. those best ignored.

While there is an effort involved in writing any story, ideas aren’t so hard when you know the one simple test I talk about in this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story…

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Calling Out of Time

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A glowing phone booth on a city side street at night. Text: Calling Out of Time Written and Narrated By: Christopher Gronlund

What would you do if you could call back in time and leave a message to your younger self?

When Amir discovers a phone booth that seems to magically appear on the corner in his neighborhood, he does everything he can to change the worst thing that ever happened to him and his family…

Also, I mentioned that I’d leave a link to Jennifer Moss’s novel, TOWN RED. Here it is!

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Credits:

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

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

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Behind the Cut – A Deathly Mistake

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“A Deathly Mistake” ended up becoming one of my favorite episodes of Not About Lumberjacks.

In this behind-the-scenes look, I discuss how it was a bit of a departure from other stories I’ve written for the show. I also talk about fears faced in recording “A Deathly Mistake”…and close with a request to everyone who listens.

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A Deathly Mistake

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IMAGE: Death with his head in his hands. A word balloon reads, "Whoops!" TEXT: A Deathly Mistake Written and Narrated by: Christopher Gronlund

When Death mistakenly harvests the soul of the wrong John Smith, John’s life–and After Life–are forever changed.

Also, I mentioned that I’d leave a link to Jennifer Moss’s mighty novel, Town Red. Here it is!

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story/Bloopers – Jerry Lacey (Story) and Timothy Lewis (Bloopers), licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

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New Year’s Eve 2020

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At 6:45 on this New Year’s Eve, I thought, “Well, Cynthia has shuffled off to bed, and I want to stay up a little longer, so…I should go sit down in front of the microphone and record some thoughts with no idea about what to say…”

(Yes, we go to bed early…even on New Year’s Eve.)

This is what came out: some reflections on the year that was…and what lies ahead…

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Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 4

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This year’s annual Christmas episode was anchored by a story based on real life. But what is “real life” when it comes to stories — even those claiming to be true? I discuss how fiction and truth have a way of coming together to create even greater truths in the process of their mingling.

Also, I chat a bit about 2021 plans for Not About Lumberjacks…

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