[stylist] Schmanta Claus

[Chris Kuell]

Jacqie,

Sorry you didn't care for my story. I'm sure you're not alone, and I have a 
fat folder full of rejection letters to prove it (not including several 
nasty notes from my mother).

I have a warped, often dark, sense of humor. To me, the irony of a Jew 
playing Santa, his drinking and curmudgeonly comments, the smoking elf, the 
mall who overlooks things in the name of profit--these things strike me as 
funny. It's not a story about theology, or about embracing people's 
differences, it's a story about a Jewish Santa who has had a crappy day 
reaching out to a troubled kid and making him feel better.

In my fiction, I always create characters who have both flaws and good 
points, because that's the way I see the human species. Everyone is 
beautiful, and everyone is ugly, depending on the day and the situation. My 
mother used to ask me, when I used to show her my work--why can't you ever 
write something happy? I just can't. I don't believe in happy-ever-after, I 
believe we are dealt a hand of cards and we do the best we can with the 
cards we've been dealt. Some days good things happen, other days bad things 
happen. Things could be better, but they could also be worse. Much worse. 
These are my personal views on life, and if I am to write honestly, which is 
the only way I wish to write, this is reflected in my work.

Don't worry, 'Schmanta Claus' is a stand alone story--there won't be a 
sequel. I'm currently working on a chapter in a novel that coincidentally 
takes place on Christmas, and I was thinking of sharing that. I also had 
another idea and drafted a story about a lonely man visiting his 
psychiatrist about his holiday blues, but I'm thinking it will be too dark 
for this group.

I'm more than willing to discuss spirituality/theology if you'd like, but 
this list isn't the place for it. Feel free to write me off list any time.

Peace,

chris