Writing

The Sax Healer
and Other Stories
by
Tom Flanders

A collection of short stories exploring the what-ifs of life.
The title story explores one man's attempt to bring musical comfort to his mentally ill wife.

Now available at Amazon

Also available at Create Space

You can now search the contents of the book at Google Books

Contact me for info on bulk sales. For bookstores or schools or really rabid fans. (Hey, it could happen.)

Notes on Stories
The Sax Healer Originally published in the Winter 2005 edition of GRAPHITE. For a long time I wanted to write a story about my schizophrenic neighbor and her eternally sad husband. Then I noticed how the subway musicians worked the crowds and combined the two ideas. The heroin addict part is based on an old co-worker of mine who I found lying on the sidewalk one day. My Lunch With Legba This is what I call a �What If� story. I took some real events and exaggerated them and explored what might have happened. The Singer Got the idea when I was waiting for my RV to get smogged. The radio in the waiting room was playing opera. The Glory of Finding Things One day at the beach I saw a young couple trying to get an old woman to hurry, so I made up this story about them. Things To Do The main character is a combination of several people I know. The "What If" part is an exploration of people's attitudes towards each other. Cubicle Head A severe exaggeration of how I was feeling at the time.	Racing a Blue Galaxie Another What If. Mostly a juvenile fantasy. Grape Woman A what-if about a woman on the train who was carrying a case of grapes. Ted Fled Another story set in the bus terminal. This one takes place in my favorite room which is also the scariest. This is kind of my tribute to the Twilight Zone. Empathy Developed from the attitudes of some co-workers towards a beggar we passed one lunchtime. Bus Terminal Originally published Nov 2002 on CherryBleeds.com What If two serial killers targeted each other? The bus terminal in San Francisco is one of the coolest buildings I know. I've written several stories located there. Plenty of Free Parking This is a combination of a couple of my old stand up comedy routines. The basketball team at my college wasn't as bad as I describe here, but they were close. I Fought the Law, and the Cab Won Another true story.

Notes on Stories

The Sax Healer: Originally published in the Winter 2005 edition of GRAPHITE. For a long time I wanted to write a story about my schizophrenic neighbor and her eternally sad husband. Then I noticed how the subway musicians worked the crowds and combined the two ideas. The heroin addict part is based on an old co-worker of mine who I found lying on the sidewalk one day.
My Lunch With Legba: This is what I call a �What If� story. I took some real events and exaggerated them and explored what might have happened.
The Singer: Got the idea when I was waiting for my RV to get smogged. The radio in the waiting room was playing opera.
The Glory of Finding Things: One day at the beach I saw a young couple trying to get an old woman to hurry, so I made up this story about them.
Things To Do: The main character is a combination of several people I know. The "What If" part is an exploration of people's attitudes towards each other.
Cubicle Head: A severe exaggeration of how I was feeling at the time.

Racing a Blue Galaxie: Another What If. Mostly a juvenile fantasy.
Grape Woman: A what-if about a woman on the train who was carrying a case of grapes.
Ted Fled: Another story set in the bus terminal. This one takes place in my favorite room which is also the scariest. This is kind of my tribute to the Twilight Zone.
Empathy: Developed from the attitudes of some co-workers towards a beggar we passed one lunchtime.
Bus Terminal: Originally published Nov 2002 on CherryBleeds.com
What If two serial killers targeted each other? The bus terminal in San Francisco is one of the coolest buildings I know. I've written several stories located there.
Plenty of Free Parking: This is a combination of a couple of my old stand up comedy routines. The basketball team at my college wasn't as bad as I describe here, but they were close.
I Fought the Law, and the Cab Won: Another true story.

This book is destined to be an underground cult classic. At least that's what Tom tells me.
Myunee Buscheck