 Short Stories: March 27, 2013 Issue [#5573] |
  Short Stories
This week: Crisis Acute Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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I recently finished reading Earth Abides, a post-apocalyptic classic set in and around 1940s San Francisco. In the novel college student Isherwood (Ish) Williams returns from a two-week camping trip in the woods to find the surrounding towns completely devoid of people. Nothing looks disturbed; every thing appears as it did two weeks prior, but it's as if every human being has simply vanished off the face of the earth.
There are many notable things about this novel, the first being that it should be on everyone's "Books to Read Before I Die" list. It really is exceptional. The second thing that stood out is you'd never know the book was written in the 40s. Sure, there were a few words that dated the read (like referring to sofas as davenports, for instance), but if someone who didn't know the book was published in 1949 happened to pick it up and start reading he'd think it was a modern write. I was also a little surprised by the fact that although 64 years have come and gone since the book was published, people really haven't changed all that much.
There was no such thing as "political correctness" in 1949 when the book was published, and I was intrigued by what was perceived to be controversial subject matter back then (Ish, the book's white protagonist, "marries" Emma, a black woman ten years his senior) and what is still controversial today (labeling the "feeble-minded" female member of the group, Evie, as "taboo" or "off limits" so the boys aren't tempted to touch her, thus decreasing the potential for more "feeble-minded children"). It was interesting to read the author's vision of what an utter breakdown of society would look like, and I don't think it differs much from what modern-day writers imagine. How would a lack of governmental oversight/law enforcement affect people? Would even the "best" people resort to cold-blooded murder if they deemed it necessary to protect "the tribe"?
This got me thinking about my own characters and what they are or aren't willing to do in crisis situations. Is he the kind of man who could survive such an event? How far would she go to maintain the status quo? Would he maintain his humanity? Would she be willing to lie, cheat, steal, or even kill to protect herself and her own? Do others look to him for guidance and leadership, or does he crumble under pressure?
Earth Abides is as much a character study as it is a timeless science fiction novel. Author George R. Stewart demonstrates that by presenting our characters with increasingly stressful and chaotic situations we can see how their minds work, learn how they reason and rationalize, and ultimately discover what they're made of.
Thank you for reading.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
|  | Lost (18+)
A man on a verge of losing everything, as he desperately tries to explain an anomaly.
#1901084 by robertwriter  |
| | Anna (18+)
A Short Story. Looking for feedback please.
#1919389 by hope75 |
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The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (February 26, 2013)" :
Red Writing Hood <3  says, "Great newsletter!" Thank you, Red! I'm glad you liked it. 
Quick-Quill  says, "Please refer to the newsletter titled 'TRAGEDY'. What you describe seems to fit both newsletters. What a different way of looking at the same topic." Yes! Thank you for reading and commenting. 
embe says,
"Hello Shannon.
Thank you for writing about this difficult subject.
Herewith my short poem to share, only if you agree.
embe in appreciation.
Scarlet dreams to die
carry me to my grave
away from this life
no memories here
in sorrow,
seeing my family there
cursing my doorbell
alone to love me
reaching out
searching.
Hearing my filthy words
swearing in confusion
angry doped eyes
red in madness
I'd rather die,
switch off all the lights
with a whore in my bed
begging mercy
raped again
a bitch.
Scarred forever more
can God save me?
Answer please
return call
these lies,
Savior Jesus on a cross
caring to die today
angels with you
my family
never.
Singing those holy hymns
if I return home again
with you in church
a second birth
what for?"
Thank you for this beautiful poem, embe. 
Ladyoz says, "Thank you for featuring my little story :)" You're very welcome! It was my pleasure. 
Seamus Leo says, "A great campbellian breakdown of how to operate a character in a story. I have to say pretty dead on about addicts. However your first mistake when trying to understand an addict is they're an addict and you might not be. People want to get [messed] up for a thousand reasons. So do people who want to be sober for a thousand reasons. The real cool ones are the ones you find between them. They are characters indeed." Unfortunately I know this all too well, and I guess it's because I'm not an addict that I don't understand it. Thank you for reading! 
Happy Spring says, "Thank you Shannon for your newsletter. I can identify with your article. Having an alcoholic brother-in-law, who is now in his 60's, things haven't changed. My husband takes care of him and his mother, an 89-year old enabler. It's horrible and nothing will ever change. No,Shannon, there is no redemption and 'they' will never see the error of their ways. Do you know why? They don't think they have a problem, while they are draining the last drop of blood out of their families and friends. It's too sad." Yes, it really is sad. And it's exhausting in every way a thing can be exhausting. Thank you for sharing your personal story with our readers. 
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