Steven A. Barben

Though currently my wife, Kerly, and I reside in a mid-sized city, my youth was experienced in an opposite setting  of rural America, southern Utah, near the town of Marysvale as one of a family of thirteen individuals; father, mother, seven brothers and three sisters. Living ten miles from the nearest town (Marysvale) and five from our nearest neighbors, my family and I experienced a unique lifestyle. We were taught high moral and ethical values. We lived free, and carefree. Our environment was quiet and peaceful with very few distractions. 

I have loved writing since youth, especially writing for constructive thinking. I write in support of strengthening common principles of good honorable living held among most religions and civil societies. I do not write to excite and entertain, lift one's pride, or motivate to worldly success. Instead, I write to broaden the perspective of the reader through thoughtful contemplation, which quite often includes self evaluation, and even self criticism. In my own opinion, I write to: open the heart, clear the mind, and inspire the soul. Depending on interpretation, however, the opinions of readers may differ.

My writing is often symbolic. Many of my tales are not literally about what they're written about. I do not interpret my own writing, or at least try very hard not to, as I do not wish for the reader to settle upon any one interpretation or meaning. Most of the stories I write have multiple potential interpretations, relationships, and applications; and I want for each reader to discover how each tale, through his/her own interpretation, relates or applies beneficially to his/her own life. Wisdom is a thing that cannot be given; we can all help each other in the search, but it must be discovered individually.