A month ago, I asked people to identify stories they loved, from authors who haven’t posted in a long while. I received some great recommendations, and I’ve been working my way through them. So, thanks!
But I have another question to ask our authors, which came out of a conversation I had with the amazing Andrea Lena. Let’s say you are on a flight with all of your short stories along, as your children. The airbags deploy, and you dutifully put yours on first before turning to help your “children.” But now comes the moment of truth. Which child do you help first? If you can save only one, which will it be?
You’re gonna want to cheat — I know you! You’ll say it depends on your mood — the child who’s sitting next to you in that moment. But play along — you can get to all of them, but you can only be sure of saving one. Which will it be?
I’ll start. Since my longer works are safe at home and in bed and only my short stories are with me, the first story I save is Tenebrae.
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/95845/tenebrae
Hugs,
Emma
Comments
Ah! Reading incomprehension on my part.
So...
I write novels in the main, because my stuff is character driven, and those folk need room to dance. Short stories? I have some favourites.
Sunlight and Shade was my attempt to write a 'simple love story', and I am very fond of it.
Dark Night of the Soul was written at a bleak time for me, and it draws from real experiences. It was the seed for A Longer War, so it can't go.
Playtime and Hard Memory were my tries at horror/SF. HM was a deliberate play at writing an entire cast of arseholes, and I think it works well. Playtime, though, has what I feel is my best 'hook' ever, in the first two sentences.
A Place By The Sea was written in anger, once more from reality, and yes, that anger shows.
As said, I am a novelist, but there are some shorts for you.
Sentimental Favorite
The story that I'd save is 16K words long. It's called Body and Soul. It's longer than a short story, but I'd save it for sentimental reasons. I think the person who helped me with it is no longer with us. I've lost touch with her and I fear the worst.
Here's a link to the story: Body and Soul
- Terry
I would expect no less
A sentimental choice suits you, Terry-of-the-parakeets. You are such a wonderfully warm person. Of course, you also have a madcap, antic sense of humor, and I was half expecting to see that. But your choice was very different, thought-provoking and, in the end, hopeful. Thank you for the recommendation.
As for it being longer than a short story . . . you came in way lower on the word-count than many other responders!!!
Emma
At this point I think I'd just let them all burn
And maybe jump in after them. The political climate and sheer hate
directed at trans people has me unable to write or even read
transgender fiction. I'm just not seeing any happy endings.
~sorry to be a bummer, Veronica
What borders on pure insanity?
Canada and Mexico.
.
I think we need TG fiction more than ever
if only to remind ourselves we are alive, and we will endure.
Huggles, hon. hold on, we need you with us
Laika - Why Are You So Concerned???
There are millions of us. We just need to unite and use our political power to vote out the few bad apples.
Oh. . .there are more than a few. Okay, then we just need to work harder on getting out the vote.
Oh. . .FOX is telling people that elections don't work and what we need is a civil war. That's just FOX. They've been proven to be an unreliable source of information by having to pay $787 million in a settlement with Dominion.
Oh. . .FOX' influence is still strong and has helped Trump to lead Biden in some polls. Polls this far ahead of the election are meaningless.
Oh. . .Polls do have a strong influence on contributors, small and large. But. . .Trump will certainly lose one if not all of the court cases against him based on overwhelming evidence.
Oh. . .Trump's lawyers are trying every avenue to get a motion to dismiss to the Supreme Court. Arrghh!
Yikes . . . Laika, you're not a bummer, the world is.
Although your story about Fred Phelps, God Hates the Warners, is certainly one of my favorites and should be mentioned in this thread.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
All I needed to know
Actually all I needed to confirm my fears...
successfully fought for transgender rights in her high school.
Jackie (RIGHT), is an International Singing star,.
Jackie performed at the Inauguration on January 20, 2017 at the request of the electee. Jackie agreed in no small part because he had given her assurances that he would follow through with his campaign promises to protect the rights of transgender Americans. The day after the ianuguration every lpro in-general LGBTQ+ and specific transgender resources link on the White House website was removed!
Subsequent statements and information feature the same man referring to gender affirming care for kids as "Chemical Castration;' likening the treatment to that of rapists. Ideologues with just enough of a majority in Statehouses across the country have passed anti-transgender care for kids despite the APA, the AMA, and the American Board of Pediatrics assurances that gender care for kids is not only safe, but vital to the safety and well- being of trans kids. But never mind the science - Candidates insist that THEIR decisions indicate they love out trans kids. It's a betrayal.
The absolutely heartbreaking irony is that Juliet was unable to witness her sister that morning honor her COUNTRY because she was sitting in a hospital bed in Philadelphia, recovering from her GRS just after turning 18.
we are witnessing a twisted version of Neville Chamberlain; telling the trans community, "I bring you peace in our times." I desperately urge everyone to recall with grave concern how that turned out.
Field Mice for Barn Owls, 2024
I'd scream this but right now allI can do is cry.
Love, Andrea Lena
When the night creeps in, so hollow . . . .
When the night creeps in so hollow,
When the silence makes you scream,
When you're so damned scared of failure,
When the world's burned out its saviors,
When you're feeling to vulnerable to dream,
It's then you've got to hold on, to what you believe in,
Hold on, don't let it fade!
Still, you've got to be strong,
Find yourself a reason.
You'll never change the world, but just the same,
You've got to hold on to yourself, or else you'll fade.
-- Dan Hill
I can't say it much better than that, Veronica. We do not know each other well, but your comments on my stories have always been a joy to read, and I know you have lifted the hearts of many people in this community. The world has gone mad, just now. But all of us still have each other. Hold on.
Emma
For me it would have to be
For me it would have to be the Womanly stories. I had the most fun writing them. To tell the truth they practically wrote themselves. lol
I can see why . . .
. . . they wrote themselves! Just walk a mile in someone else's moccasins. Or stilettos, I suppose!
Thanks for sharing your choice, Lesley! Here's the link: https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/60005/womanly
Emma
The first one
The first one is always very special. But my choice of most loved child is Memories.
Thoughtful and touching
I really enjoyed this, and understand why it remains your "favorite child." I loved the fierce protectiveness with which Diane and Chloe surrounded J in school. Diane's inability to forgive herself for words that were overheard and taken out of context was heart-wrenching, but the resolution of her pain could not have been better. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story!
Emma
Tenebrae
I haven't written as many as most but Golfing with Mom brings tears to my face whenever I reread it.
With your comment about Tenebrae, I went back to reread that story and read the comments. Tenebrae affected me so strongly at the time and it directly affected my personal conviction that I was on the right track to transition, even at an advanced age.
Your stories are so thought provoking and for me, emotionally cleansing.
Dee
DeeDee
A completely positive story!
Dee, you are such a beautiful and gentle soul, and it shines through in your writing. I know your life has not been so easy, but you take all of that and give us a world where people are free to explore “boys” and “girls” activities without the world roaring its disapproval. It is a very welcome respite. Here's the link: https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/84773/golfing-with-mom
Thank you for your kind words about Tenebrae. I think you helped to answer the question the fair mermaid raised above. What is the point? Why keep writing? Or reading?
For each other. For our sisters, who need us.
Emma
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