Thank you to everyone who downloaded a copy during my book launch. And THANK YOU! to those who shared my announcement. If you missed the launch, the book is still available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VQRF2ZB
John Arthur Lee
Words & Snapshots
The Writer and Artist's Website and Blog.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
my latest...
Thank you to everyone who downloaded a copy during my book launch. And THANK YOU! to those who shared my announcement. If you missed the launch, the book is still available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VQRF2ZB
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
...
As a writer, I'm constantly thinking about the power (and potential destructiveness) of words--I can't help it. These are some thoughts that have been eddying together for a while (first draft).
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Friday, November 19, 2021
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Saturday, November 13, 2021
Friday, October 29, 2021
Birdwatching... Paused to enjoy the tree.
I was trying to snap some shots of a wonderfully musical mockingbird, when I realized how beautiful the tree itself was.
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Friday, February 12, 2021
Friday, January 22, 2021
Now available...
I'm Not a Kung Fu Badass, the ebook, can now be purchased.
CLICK HERE to go to Amazon.
Book Description:
I’m Not a Kung Fu Badass is John’s first poetry chapbook, 30 poems exploring the issues and forces that shaped him—love, race, mental health, and art. Often told from the viewpoint of a Chinese-American longing for acceptance, I’m Not a Kung Fu Badass offers an engaging journey thanks to John’s storytelling style, creative metaphors, and unguarded sincerity. Example poems below.
64 Colors
innocence.
pure human goodness.
without a defender,
a mentor,
or artistic expression,
the hopeful idealism
of a 64-color childhood
dims to gray
one broken crayon
at a time.
“dash” American
When I was born
my family lived
above a laundry.
Our last name, Lee,
was just like Mr. Lee,
a ridiculous character
in a Calgon commercial.
Back then,
people like me
were labeled “Chinese.”
No one bothered adding
“-American” at the end.
Maybe if they had,
more people
would have treated us
like we belonged.
Friday, November 27, 2020
...
My manual typing skills need some work, but I wanted to capture this one using an actual Underwood No. 5 (1929).
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Monday, November 9, 2020
My camera may have a tiny painter hiding inside it.
I saw this Bulgarian ship on Lake Erie from miles away, too far for my point-and-shoot camera. But it's neat how the fully-zoomed shot looks like an oil painting.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
...
Typed on an Olivetti Lettera 36 (electric), thanks to the kindness of a stranger, Marilyn, who gave me the wonderful machine so it would see use again. Thank you, Marilyn!
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Monday, July 27, 2020
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
...
the doctor's solemn nod.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Now available...

Whether we want them to or not, movies shape our expectations. Take dating, relationships, and love, for example. We expect unrealistic bliss from each of these because we have watched and enjoyed countless happily-ever-after endings.
But Marc, the narrator of this short story, learned to see right through Hollywood’s false promises and myths. Or so he thought.
When a pair of wondrous, blue eyes stare at him for the first time, his cynical armor crumbles and his life changes in ways that even the most seasoned Hollywood storyteller could not predict.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Friday, February 7, 2020
Friday, January 17, 2020
Scratched-lens landscape
Postcards for a Songbird, an AMAZING book.
Rather than craft a much-too-long review, I'll just list the words, phrases, and incomplete sentences I jotted down when thinking about how to describe this book to my friends. Here goes: 1) characters so well developed that you get a physical urge to hug them, 2) sincere and intimate, yet simultaneously surreal, 3) makes you believe that the highest levels of love, admiration, and imagination truly exist, 4) artistry unmatched, 5) inspiring, 6) moving--no, soul shaking, 7) unlike ANYTHING I've ever read. And, finally, 8) contains wonderful extended metaphors that soar and land so gracefully.
Full disclosure: I do NOT know this author, but if I ever cross paths with her, I will definitely go out of my way to congratulate her. I think this book is AMAZING.
Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Postcards-Songbird-Rebekah-Crane-ebook/dp/B07HQHJFZ3
Thursday, January 2, 2020
I replaced the glass over my cellphone camera.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
...
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
My last open-water paddle.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
...
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Progress: Bound to Eve, Part Three
So, with both of the above in mind, I'd like to share the following:
I recently completed another pass through the manuscript for Bound to Eve, Part Three!
Yes, there is a lot to be done yet, but I think the story is great and the details are taking shape nicely. In other words, I'm over the tallest hill now and picking up speed.
More updates will follow. And I'd like to thank everyone who keeps asking about the final book of the series; your interest keeps me inspired, especially when things get difficult.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Mackinac Bridge
https://www.mackinacbridge.org/about-the-bridge/frequently-asked-questions/
Monday, August 19, 2019
Penn's Cave (near Penn State).
This photo is very snapshot-ish, I know. But it's not easy taking a photo in the dark while bobbing in a boat (and simultaneously worrying about bashing your head on stalactites). It sounds frightening, but it wasn't. It was amazing.
Monday, July 29, 2019
Reclaimed by Nature
I would have gotten closer and taken a sharper photo, but this beautiful greenhouse was on the grounds of an operational prison--Rockview state prison (PA). I already felt like I was pressing my luck when I pulled off the road and walked toward it a bit.
I have since learned that a museum bought the Victorian structure and will be moving it and restoring it.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
...
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Now Available...
What will the world be like when advances in science and technology allow us to instantly remove all of our bodily imperfections, even our limited lifespans? And what will cheating nature cost us?
This short story explores that future with the help of a wrinkled old man, his faithful Border Collie, and two young women who worry about their “imperfections.”