For half a century Zacharias O’Bryan has captured his listeners’ imaginations with stage plays, fireside tales and songs of adventure. The grass-grown, tumbled-stone castles of Ireland, the dark-chambered Toltec tombs of southern Mexico, the Anasazi cliff dwellings of the American Southwest—these are lands that speak to O’Bryan.
And now, rafting into a parallel universe via the roadless river canyons of Southern Oregon, you would be wise to believe his words: The greatest story of all time taps at our window. It begs us to participate.
For decades Mr. O'Bryan has kayaked and hiked the wilderness rivers of the West. Who better to lead us on a fantasy adventure in this untamed land?
(Stepson, Daric Lucero of "A" Street Financial, Inc. in Ashland, OR; Daughter, Brenda Frink of Stanford University; Son, Ken Frink, Artist in Albuquerque http://kenfrink.com
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Influences/Inspirations:
Writers: Robertson Davies, Hermann Hesse, Homer, John Irving, Franz Kafka, C.S. Lewis, Phillip Pullman, Robertson Davies, J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Teachers: Robert Zach, Reinhard Lettau, Con Sellers, Robert Miner.
Favorite Writers and Artists:
Musicians and Songwriters: Turloch O'Carolan, John Hoban, Jimmy Buffet, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Kris Kristofferson.
Current Projects:
Mr. O'Bryan has undertaken the web publishing of "Spirit Thorn, A Tale of Parallel Worlds" a multi-media project involving literature, visual art, songs and science & links. The internet represents an unexplored world where every idea, place and sensory experience is just a click away. Why not use stories as a link-map to the far corners of the mind, such as String Theory, Relativity, the Big Bang and the biological sciences? "Science-IN-Fiction;" it's a new land of fantasy brought to life.
Interests:
Since his early years, O'Bryan has believed it the duty of each human being to leave the world a better or more beautiful place -- a tough assignment, given the fact that all organisms consume their surroundings. Still, if one is a musician, one may add music. If one is a fine parent, one may add kindness and creativity via one's children. Mr O'Bryan hopes that his imagination, brought to life in his stories and songs, will bring some thought and joy to others.
Family:
Mr. O'Bryan's wife, Diane Schaffer, is a retired university professor currently engaged in writing a mystery novel. His daughter, Brenda Frink, is engaged in post-doctoral work in history at Stanford University. His son, Kenneth Frink, is a New Mexico oil painter; and his stepson, Daric Lucero, has recently taken over responsibilities at O'Bryan's former financial advisory business, "A" Street Financial Advisors Inc, in Ashland Oregon.
University Affiliations:
Zacharias O'Bryan graduated magna cum laude, with a degree in Creative Writing from the University of California in 1972. This was followed by nearly forty years as a successful small-town business owner in Southern Oregon, a time during which he taught several seminars and extension courses through Southern Oregon State College, now Southern Oregon University.
Contact Information:
Mr. O'Bryan is always pleased to hear from both friends and readers. Indeed, many of the improvements in successive editions of the "Spirit Thorn" project have come from thoughtful readers. He can be reached via his publisher, VeraVoz LLC. Send eLetters to: publishers (at) veravoz (dot) com, attention Zacharias O'Bryan. He invites you to bring thoughts and comments to the "Spirit Thorn" blog: http://veravoz.com/spiritthorn/blog01.html.
Charities/Causes:
Among the thousands of constructively good causes in this world, O'Bryan champions these two:
1) Planned Parenthood for its excellent work in preparing young people to enter the parenting years in hope, wisdom and joy ... rather than in desperation, and
2) Camelot Theatre in Southern Oregon, both for their excellent live stage productions and for their work in building confidence and talent among the young. Visit Camelot at http://www.camelottheatre.org.