In Praise of Friends -- Erik Burnham
The question has been raised from time to time as to whether or not it is possible to really become friends with people you meet online. Other people may ask that, but not me. I've gotten to know a few people well as friends primarily, or even exclusively, through online interactions.
Erik Burnham is one of those for me.
I got to know Erik through interactions on the message board maintained by comic book writer Chuck Dixon. At first I was just interested in the witty quips and observations from the poster simply known (then) as "E". He was a young man dealing with some harsh knocks in life. Yet, his sense of humor was both sardonic and smart. He was obviously coping with challenges that would have daunted many other folks. He, however, faced them, and watched out for his younger siblings.
Over the years, we became colleagues in moderating the Dixonverse board, and in working on a comic book project. Erik was one of the participants in the Shooting Star Anthology.
I don't mean this to be a complete history of our friendship, though.
Erik has a quick mind, solid intelligence, and a wonderful sense of humor (especially for one so chronically pessimistic). I like chatting with him when the chance presents itself, so the list of phone calls between LA and Minnesota is long. He's just plain fun to talk to.
But on top of that, he is one of the best brainstormers for story ideas that I know. His off-beat outlook might toss out some seemingly improbable idea for a project. But he can follow it up with how to make it less improbable. I've often gone from laughing "Oh, no! That couldn't work!" to solid appreciation for his participation in the story-forming.
He is intelligent, wonderfully humorous, talented (both as a writer and an artist) and impressively loyal. He's been (from what I can tell of his situation) an excellent Big Brother. He downplays his talents often (for which deprication his friends chastise him). But his talent is on display to a small degree at HIS OWN WEBSITE.
I can't help but wish him the best in life - especially the opportunities to get his work in front of ever-growing audiences.
His insight, inspiration, ideas and humor have been a big help to me. And one of these days, we may actually meet face-to-face.
Erik Burnham is one of those for me.
I got to know Erik through interactions on the message board maintained by comic book writer Chuck Dixon. At first I was just interested in the witty quips and observations from the poster simply known (then) as "E". He was a young man dealing with some harsh knocks in life. Yet, his sense of humor was both sardonic and smart. He was obviously coping with challenges that would have daunted many other folks. He, however, faced them, and watched out for his younger siblings.
Over the years, we became colleagues in moderating the Dixonverse board, and in working on a comic book project. Erik was one of the participants in the Shooting Star Anthology.
I don't mean this to be a complete history of our friendship, though.
Erik has a quick mind, solid intelligence, and a wonderful sense of humor (especially for one so chronically pessimistic). I like chatting with him when the chance presents itself, so the list of phone calls between LA and Minnesota is long. He's just plain fun to talk to.
But on top of that, he is one of the best brainstormers for story ideas that I know. His off-beat outlook might toss out some seemingly improbable idea for a project. But he can follow it up with how to make it less improbable. I've often gone from laughing "Oh, no! That couldn't work!" to solid appreciation for his participation in the story-forming.
He is intelligent, wonderfully humorous, talented (both as a writer and an artist) and impressively loyal. He's been (from what I can tell of his situation) an excellent Big Brother. He downplays his talents often (for which deprication his friends chastise him). But his talent is on display to a small degree at HIS OWN WEBSITE.
I can't help but wish him the best in life - especially the opportunities to get his work in front of ever-growing audiences.
His insight, inspiration, ideas and humor have been a big help to me. And one of these days, we may actually meet face-to-face.