Peter J. Maida

Pete is a retired software engineer. In 1985 Pete created the computer game "Facing the Empire." He realized he enjoyed creating the short story for the game more than he enjoyed writing the game. Since then, Pete has written eight novels, two children's books, a play, and many short stories and poems. He loves the science fiction and fantasy genres, but he has also written real-life dramas and the play is a comedy.

Here is a poem that expresses Pete's feeling about writing.

I must tell you a story, cause it has to be said.

How did this all come about?

That there would be people and places in my head.

Demanding to be let out.

Did you ever go to Tau Ceti Two, 

or Beta Agurus Three?

These names may sound odd to you,

but they're like home to me.

Do you ever see a light flux in space,

or watch three moons rise?

From my view I see a place,

where dragons rule the skies.

Millions of souls march in a ring of despair,

only freed when a woman shows that all of their pain she a share.

A misunderstanding between a boy and his dad,

makes him want to take his own life.

A young man acts on the dreams that he's had,

will he choose between them an his wife?

On and on the stories go,

running around in my head.

I've got get them out for these lives to grow,

 I've got to get these stories read.

If you see people in your mind,

people and places both old and new.

If things have to be said, they you will find,

that you're a writer too.

I must tell you a story on paper so clean.

You must tell me a story cause, you know what I mean.

The computer screen beckons and we must not fuss.

For we did not choose writing, writing chose us.