To whom it may concern:

I'll try to keep this brief since there's not much you really need to know about me in order to enjoy my work. However, I've always found that understanding where a writer comes from and who he or she is as a person brings the writing into sharper focus.

So I'll begin with me. I'm a self-diagnosed perfectionist, decidedly OCD, things are rarely black and white to me, and I like to think outside the box. I'm definitely a graphic realist, somewhat intrigued by post-modern thinking, and although I like to discuss and understand modern philosophy, I can't necessarily say that I agree with much of it. Unfortunately I'm also very self-centered, I worry too much about what everyone else thinks, and I've got an incredibly odd sense of humor. As for my literary inspiration, I would have to say that my biggest influences (in no particular order) have been Michael Stackpole, Stephen King, Stephani Danelle Perry, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Arthur Miller, Edgar Allen Poe, and H. P. Lovecraft. I'm pretty much a buffet writer: I take bits and pieces of whatever I like from all over and apply those things to my own writing. I've most likely read more than the average American in terms of current and classic literature, so I definitely have a leg-up in that respect. As for "Kenny's Friend", I have an awesome friend named Kenny.

Enough said.

By far the most important thing about me - really the only worthwhile part about me - is my faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are a few things I'd like to unravel here about the Christian "religion" just for the sake of clarification, but no one's twisting your arm here. Click "back" if you're so inclined or skip down to the bottom of the page for my stuff. However, the following is immensely important to me and it concerns everyone. I'd be a liar and a hypocrite not to share it.

First of all, there's a key difference between being a "religious" and an "ethnic" Christian: many claim the title "Christian" as a way to distinguish themselves from Islam or Judaism. Hitler and Nazi Germany, for example, called themselves a "Christian" people simply because they were antisemitic. Hitler based his genocide on Christ's rejection of the Jews as a people, and therefore took that as his opportunity to slay millions. Likewise, countless atrocities have been committed throughout the world's history in the name of Jesus Christ.

Second, "Christian" is also an umbrella term for the numerous denominations plaguing the modern American Church era. Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, etcetera and etcetera. "Denomination" is just a nice way to say "separatist", really. Christian peoples can't decide on how to interpret the Scriptures (usually issues arise over relatively unimportant matters like speaking in tongues) and so they form sects. We as modern-era Christians are far too concerned with our personal preferences and cultural ideals when we should be actively remembering that we have a common identity in Christ. I don't believe in denominations for that reason: everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their savior will ultimately be together in Heaven someday - in perfect unity, I might add. As for me, my use of the title "Christian" constitutes more than religious prejudice, an excuse for radical acts of violence, or a way to publicly declare my beliefs on the raising of hands during worship. As a matter of fact, I tend to avoid using the title altogether - not because I'm ashamed of what I am, but because I don't want to give the wrong impression. I simply say that I live by the Bible because it means exactly the same thing without the negative connotation that I'm "all religious" or a hypocrite.

Thirdly, people accuse Christians of being the intolerant zealots, because we claim that our way is the only way. I'll just go ahead and apologize right now for all the Christians in the world who treat nonbelievers like inferiors because they're absolutely wrong to do so. In God's eyes, we're all equal. However, for the sake of clarity, let me reassure you that I DO believe - as do all true believers - that things such as homosexuality and abortion are explicitly wrong. But that doesn't make me "intolerant". I'm not going to judge you or treat you any differently because you believe the opposite, and neither will my Savior: anyone and everyone is invited to embrace Him. None who repent from their sin and truly seek Him will be turned away. However, I'm not going to deny the facts just so I don't "offend" you: Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. The Bible is very clear about that, and the Bible is the source of absolute truth. If you choose to believe something else, that's your choice to make, and so long as you're not as intolerant as you consider me to be, we can still be friends. Far be it from me to cram religion down your throat, because only the Holy Spirit can work change in people's hearts.

Fourthly, I want to tell you up front that it’s no picnic being a Christian, despite the fact that many so-called believers promise that it will be. The prosperity doctrine is a load of crap because God absolutely does not want us to be rich and materialistic, nor does He want us to take it easy or be "happy". The Bible says that the suffering true believers endure for God's name is something for which to be thankful - something in which to be joyful. It's something that proves us, grows us, and becomes an honor to bear. After all, the word "joyful" isn't synonymous with "happy": certainly joy is something that exists within happiness, but it also transcends happiness. Joy also exists in suffering because hardships are absolutely worth going through in the long run. Let's just think about that concept from a purely logical standpoint for a moment: when have you not gone through a hard time where you've learned something valuable from that suffering? Sure, it sucks to endure pain, sure it's devastating to lose a loved one. We've all been there. You're not alone. And best yet, there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

So here's the message I bear to you, whether or not you choose to accept it. God loves you, whether or not you return the adoration, and He will not give up on you. Christ - God's only Son, a radical Himself - came to earth and willingly gave up His life so that you and I might live anew. He was the only one who could accomplish the work of salvation, because we have all sinned, but He did not. And with His resurrection, we who believe can have new life. All you have to do is accept that gift of grace, understanding that in and of yourself, you can do nothing to fix your sinful condition. I can't put it any better than the Scriptures do. Romans 10:9 says: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." In John 11:25, Christ spoke to comfort Martha at the death of her brother, Lazarus: "I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in me, though he is dead, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." Later, in John 14:6, Christ reveals the only way to know God and enjoy His fellowship: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but through me." The process is simple, even if humbling ourselves to the point of acknowledging our helplessness is not: admit, believe, and receive. Rest assured that our God is patient, and He loves us unerringly. From 1 John 1:9, we have this comfort: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I find myself riveted by this statement from John Piper's book, Desiring God: "...how will we ever point them (non-believers) to Christ's infinite worth if we are not driven, in all we do, by the longing to have more of Him?" (p. 195) Complacent believers who are merely going through the motions tend to think that as Christians we first and foremost should do right things, try our best to exhibit the fruits of the spirit, and keep from being hypocritical, and then everything else will fall into place. Agreed, these things are extremely important, but they are secondary. They are a product, not a factor. The driving component of our lives needs to be our visible, insatiable desire for God. That alone is what will draw people to Christ, not the method by which we present the gospel, not how many commandments we keep. Our love for God should be contagious. And then everything else will fall into place - obedience, purity, consistence, and a Galatians chapter 5 lifestyle. The power of the gospel will work in individuals' hearts regardless of who we are, but it is our responsibility as followers of Christ to truly live what we believe. As Christians, we should always exemplify love, compassion, and transparency, and - most importantly - never quench the overwhelming desire in our hearts for God.

Take it or leave it, folks.

Now. Bearing all these things in mind, be ye warned all readers: I do use profanity and the occasional sexual reference in my stories, depending upon the characters, situation, and plot. Understand that I use these things not to compromise my faith in God in any way, but rather to accurately depict human reality which is sinful in every way. Please don’t be offended by what you read here. Understand that I am depicting graphic realism and nothing more. I do not condone the things the characters in my stories say and do. The argument has been posed to me that by writing about such carnal themes I fail to glorify God with my abilities. However, I beg to differ. As stated above, glorifying God is not simply a verbal thing: it's a lifestyle. I do my best to live out my salvation every second of every day. When I write, I do so in such a way as to paint the world the way I see it. I'm not going to sugarcoat reality or portray unrealistic characters for the sake of being unoffensive. And by revealing sin as what it is (so addictive and fun in the moment, yet ultimately destructive) I can better point to the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Well. If you've read down this far, I applaud your patience and sincerely appreciate your time. If time allows, do me and (hopefully) yourself a favor and read something I've written, and be sure to drop me a comment.

Thanks, all.
Justin Carlton ~ "Ken"

FanFiction account:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/821926/

Original music:
http://www.myspace.com/experiencesynaesthesia
http://www.myspace.com/wingsofseraphim

Maps for Secrets:
Full map: http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z304/thecarltonboy/FullMap.jpg
Closeup of S. Elfland: http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z304/thecarltonboy/SElfland.jpg