[stylist] Schmanta Claus

[Jacqueline Williams]

Chris,
I apologize for  critiquing your work on the basis of an emotional reaction,
and not on the basis of the quality of your writing. There is no excuse for
my having written a mini-bio to try to portray myself as unprejudiced
because of an unusual background. Then I preceded to show prejudice in what
I wrote you.
You have several excellent critiques of your story which address the many
strengths of characterization and nuances of it. I do agree with them. 
I listened to the story several more times, and I now realize, it is true
that for Irving, his advice to the boy could be considered as selfless and
intended to help the boy face the season with some optimism.
I was also able to isolate the  words that triggered my unreasonable
reaction. The Krishna's in the airport. I thought, "What has the Hindu deity
got to do with this?" And my mind went right to the Sikh who was killed
several years ago in Mesa. He owned a gas station here, it was after 9-11,
and he wore a turban. Then my mind jumpted to Tororo, Uganda, where out bus
driver was our beloved Sikh.  Talk about an emotional reaction to one or two
words and how they can traverse the mind.  

No, I don't want to talk theology, and again, I apologize for that side
trip. I promise to study the critiques given here-in on fiction work, and do
better in the future.
Also, please do not cut down on your so-called "dark" writings. I have an
affinity for reading such things. Triggers are my own problem.

I might still look toward a sequel: "The Redemption of Irving." As Bridget
would say, "Smile."
Jackie
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Chris Kuell
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 5:57 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Schmanta Claus

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
 


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site:
http://www.nfb-writers-division.net <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>

stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/jackieleepoet%40cox.net