Behind my reasons for being a writer is an unquenchable desire to understand life, death, good, evil and my purpose here on earth. Reading Tom Morris' "Philosophy for Dummies" has been an excellent process for defining these important subjects.
Not that my writing is filled with philosophical concepts, peak experiences or deep religious visions. No, I inject humor, romance, irony and everyday experiences to explain why the world works as it does. I'd like to refer you to a few quotes from authors and editors (see below)
I'm not just blowing my own horn here (wish I had learned the horn, could have been in a marching band on a college scholarship), no I post these reviews to explain why I write.
There's my look at old age in "Preheat the Microwave.Com", inspired by my mom with a heart of gold. Many of my stories have to do with lost love, a theme I have unfortunately experienced first hand. (Thank God for Nancy).
My philosophy of life includes Woody Allen, Jerry Seinfeld and the Far Side cartoons. Amidst this absurd environment we call living, there is love, happiness and grace from our Savior. (I know that's the only way I'm getting into heaven)
My ultimate goal is to write something of great substance, something that will elevate others and inspire them to good works and compassion for the less fortunate. "The Social Justice Experiment" talks about this as does my signature work "The Devil's Orchestra" with a quote from Shelley.
"No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks."
Mary Shelley
When I examine my slips of righteousness, I recognize that I am seeking happiness through evil, but recognizing it is the first step towards changing it.
Life is a series of choices. Our choices determine our destiny. All of our choices bring us closer to or farther away from truth, goodness and righteousness. "Choose carefully", as the knight in Indiana Jones said.
So when you are reading my stories, keep this in mind. I have an agenda! To make you a better person. Someday I hope to see you all on the other side (but not yet).
Jerry :)
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“50
Italian Pastries is a short story reader’s culinary delight. Jerry Guarino’s 50 slice of life pieces
are filled with delightful takes on people, places and things that make America
great. He infuses his stories with
life’s delights: good food, great music, fine drink, and the emotional roller
coaster of interpersonal relationships.
I found his work honest and filled with delightful irony. He is a keen observer of the human
condition and a writer of obvious talent.
He is a master at mirroring to his readers all their foibles, their
fantasies and their forever quest to understand why the wheel of life turns as
it does. Café Stories is short
story telling at its best.”
Wayne
C. Long (author of Eye Candy, Flash in the Hand and Stories
from the Edges)
“Jerry Guarino's sends
his readers on a merry chase through a wild array of micro/flash
fiction--humor, satire, and pathos. He artfully captures gentle souls and slick
cons, the high brows and their unsuspecting victims in characters that step
from the page to engage the reader. He finds the tiniest trait that creates
zany folks the reader wants to protect or strangle. Often at the same time.
Prepare for the surprise twist at the end. He gets you every time.”
Myra
H. McIlvain (author of Legacy)
“The stories in the
collection are tightly told tales with engaging storylines and interesting
characters. There are plenty of twists and turns, and plenty of characters to
delight in (and some to despise).”
Nathaniel
Tower (Pushcart Prize nominated author and editor of Bartleby Scopes
literary magazine)
“Guarino’s style is
simple and consistently powerful, his storytelling a triumph of art over
artifice.”
Ben
Price (editor at Zouch Magazine and Miscellany (Canada)
“Jerry’s writing is
consistently fresh and inventive.
His stories grab from the beginning, and then hurl the reader into
surprising and powerful endings.
Definitely a must-read. The
Rich are Going to Hell, The Devil's Orchestra and The Grand Poobah are some of
my favorite Guarino pieces. Always
inventive, Jerry Guarino is one of my favorite short story writers. His work
hooks you from the first sentence and doesn't let go until you reach the end,
making this one writer you won't forget.”
Earl
Wynn (editor of Weirdyear, Daily Love and Yesteryear Fiction)
“I found myself
intertwined in the lives of each character, not knowing until the end that
every one of them held a magical piece to the puzzle we call human nature; the
larger picture of which only became clear after reading the final word. This
collection of shorts is something that avid fans of storytelling should go out
of their way to find."
Jim
Idema (screenwriter and author)
“Jerry Guarino’s
writing reminds me of the late, but great, Jose Saramago’s. His structure is both unique and
compelling, always leading the reader to places that they never see coming.”
Weeb
Heinrich (editor of Writing Raw)
“Jerry Guarino’s
stories are a real treat for the reader.
Each story is well crafted with the natural elegance of a natural
writer. The Fringe Magazine
has enjoyed his short stories and has had the pleasure of publishing these gems
for the past year.”
Scott
Wilson (editor of The Fringe Magazine (Australia)
“The beauty in Jerry’s
work is the ease with which he breaks that serious concentration without
sacrificing quality. Preheat
the Microwave.Com has a relevant, poignant subject at its heart but it is
delivered to the reader with eloquent comedy.”
Jenny
Catlin (editor of Scissors and Spackle)
“Jerry Guarino takes
the nuances of everyday, places it on its head, and then tilts it slightly to
the left. His comical spin on life
will make you wheeze with mirth and leave you wanting more.”
Daniel
Poole (editor of Larks Fiction Magazine)
“I loved Jerry's short
stories and his choice of words. These little tales are great! He has a way
with words and pulling you into the story, wanting more! My one and only
complaint was when the book ended. I wanted there to be 50 more short stories.”
Reyna Hawk (author of Angels
and Arrows and Looking Through Blind Eyes)
“Jerry Guarino has a
knack for looking past the social illusions that poison our world.”
Sand
Pilarski (managing editor of The Piker Press)
“Jerry Guarino’s
writing is refreshing and authentic.
His storytelling grasps the nuances of life, leading the reader into
expertly crafted moments of intimacy, humor, thoughtfulness, and surprise. Read one story and you’re hooked. "50 Italian Pastries" is a
delicious read! He knows how to
tell a story and with this collection, one finds bite-sized nuggets that
heartily fulfill any reader's palate for variety! Guarino is a connoisseur with
words, flavoring his stories with the seasonings of life, including laughter,
loss, revelation, insight and wisdom. Go ahead, dig in. You'll enjoy every
bite, I mean, story.”
Sheila
Pierson (author of Steak and Potatoes)
“What James Beard was
to cooking, Jerry Guarino is to modern fiction.”
Paul
Soderberg (author of The Elephant Queen)
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