Cameron Gordon

I wanted to be an historian, became an economist, and all the way through have been a writer. I have had three careers thus far: (1) as an economist, policy researcher, analyst and report writer in government (in the US); (2) as an academic lecturer and researcher (in the US, Australia, China, Singapore, Russia, Spain and the UK); (3) and now as a roving creative writer. That last phrase is a rather pompous term to be sure. But for me it simply refers to my innate need to express things in words, knowing that words are artifices but using them to point to a more fundamental truth and beauty.

For a long time I used words in service of my larger professional imperatives, and I still engage in working on themes of a life's work. Now, however, I am more devoted to the craft itself, putting it first, and giving it form on a regular and daily basis.

I write both poetry (haiku in the beginning and now other forms as well), short stories, novellas and novels, and plays. I also write creative non-fiction. My non-fiction themes tend to focus on two major things: the life of cities and the tension between humanity and mechanization. But, of course, I cover a wide range of topics, as most people do as they live a daily life and the days accumulate into experience.