One of the hardest things about writing is digging so deep into your memory banks that you're almost bleeding the darkest secrets of your soul on the page. As writers we seek truth, not the truth as the world views it, but the truth as we see it.
And no, not every writer does this every time they put pen to paper. Sometimes it's too painful to dig that deep and we just write a story to entertain. Is one better than the other? No, some stories are written just for their entertainment value but the ones that usually stick with the reader both entertain and touch some part of them so they'll remember the story long after they've closed the book.
What put these thoughts in my head? A couple of essays I read this morning. the first was "The Brutality of Truth" by Christopher G. Moore http://cgmoore.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/the-brutality-of-truth From there I clicked onto this essay in the LA Times, "Will Facebook Kill Literature's 'leave the past behind' themes?" http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-caw-off-the-shelf24-2009may24,0,3349310.story
If you click on the Editors Unleashed link in the Links column to the left you'll find an interview with Dave Clapper, the editor and founder of Smokelong Quarterly, where he explains what he's looking for in the flash stories he publishes and why he doesn't like twist endings. Great stuff! And the Flash Fiction 40 contest at Editors Unleashed has already launched if you're of a mind to enter. The guidelines are on the site.
Over at Book Spot Central they're giving away two signed copies of Claude Lalumiere's short story anthology "Objects of Worship". You may remember Mr. Lalumiere from his interview that was included in the "Interview with the Bookless" series that was featured at BSC recently. You will find the information on how to enter the contest here http://www.bscreview.com/2009/05/contest-objects-of-worship-by-claude-lalumiere-signed-limited-edition While you're there you might want to check out some of the other book giveaway contest that are going on. They're giving away copies of "The Wolverine Files" and "The Strain" just to name two.
And for the sci-fi writers in our midst, Shine Anthology is open for submissions until July 1. They're looking for near future sci-fi stories up to 10,000 words with a 5 cents a word payday. I wish I were a better sci-fi writer, sigh. Here's the url to the guidelines http://shineanthology.wordpress.com/shine-anthology-guidelines/ They have a pretty interesting site there if you care to take the time to give it a look.
2 comments:
I think that even in the most obvious 'eneratinment' the dirt footprints of the past show, just not so obviously. Stephen King is a good example of that and for me it's much better than emotional pollution.
I'd have to agree with you, Paul. I think every writer whether writing the "emotional pollution" or just a good old storytelling ride puts a part of their life into the story. I like it either way.
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