I read most "Stories of the Week" and have not yet written a comment. I can't keep silent after reading Carey's beautiful story. Every word is finely tuned. "Great Plains" will remain with readers long after finishing the last word.
Carey's story touched me as well. I love her economy of words and her punchy, daring dialogue. Some of her philosophical paragraphs utterly blew me away! The paragraph about what it is like to raise a kid versus a baby, for example. Hilarious! I also really like that she chose to not disclose who had the affair. This is brilliant in the landscape of emotions since most readers will want to make assumptions and blame and such. She kept this from happening by forcing the reader to care about both Alan and the protagonist. Perhaps all stories should do this. I like Carey's mentality. Mature writing.
"Great Plains" makes me want to write a story as simple and as real as Elea Carey has done. I long to finely hone words to their living tissue and bone. Well done, and uplifting, with a down-to-earth human touch that soars into hope and healing.
Writing this wonderful seems so natural, smooth, and easy. As a writer myself, I always marvel at such a fantastically natural and economic piece with an unanticipated conculsion. I also can't remember any time in years that I've been inspired to comment on the weekly stories. Touché, Elea!
Marlene Samuels replied on Mon, 12/13/2010 - 02:06pm
I almost bailed on the story when the writer refused to divulge the identity of the culprit. I'm glad I finished. A well-written and succinct tale. Delicate, yet moving.
As a new reader of Narrative, I was so pleased to find Elea's story that reflected the kind of emotional simplicity and clarity that I seek in my own writing.
Cynthia Close replied on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 07:25am
About Middle America: "Plus, we’d raise a family somewhere wholesome, away from the crossfire of politics and high-achieving snobbery." We have moved often, lived in big cities and very small towns. I have plenty of anecdotal evidence that there are pockets of political absurdity, long-held grudges, elitism, and snobbery from California, through Ohio, down to Georgia. I think that difficult people are sprinkled everywhere, only a few in every place, or we'd think we were being invaded.
I read most "Stories of the Week" and have not yet written a comment. I can't keep silent after reading Carey's beautiful story. Every word is finely tuned. "Great Plains" will remain with readers long after finishing the last word.
Carey's story touched me as well. I love her economy of words and her punchy, daring dialogue. Some of her philosophical paragraphs utterly blew me away! The paragraph about what it is like to raise a kid versus a baby, for example. Hilarious! I also really like that she chose to not disclose who had the affair. This is brilliant in the landscape of emotions since most readers will want to make assumptions and blame and such. She kept this from happening by forcing the reader to care about both Alan and the protagonist. Perhaps all stories should do this. I like Carey's mentality. Mature writing.
"Great Plains" makes me want to write a story as simple and as real as Elea Carey has done. I long to finely hone words to their living tissue and bone. Well done, and uplifting, with a down-to-earth human touch that soars into hope and healing.
"Great Plains" was just about perfect. It was finely crafted and brought tears to my eyes.
Economical, yes, and unexpected use of language. Lovely.
My favorite line: I had only the one meal to offer . . . . More Elea, please.
Writing this wonderful seems so natural, smooth, and easy. As a writer myself, I always marvel at such a fantastically natural and economic piece with an unanticipated conculsion. I also can't remember any time in years that I've been inspired to comment on the weekly stories. Touché, Elea!
I almost bailed on the story when the writer refused to divulge the identity of the culprit. I'm glad I finished. A well-written and succinct tale. Delicate, yet moving.
As a new reader of Narrative, I was so pleased to find Elea's story that reflected the kind of emotional simplicity and clarity that I seek in my own writing.
You have become a writer.
About Middle America: "Plus, we’d raise a family somewhere wholesome, away from the crossfire of politics and high-achieving snobbery." We have moved often, lived in big cities and very small towns. I have plenty of anecdotal evidence that there are pockets of political absurdity, long-held grudges, elitism, and snobbery from California, through Ohio, down to Georgia. I think that difficult people are sprinkled everywhere, only a few in every place, or we'd think we were being invaded.