My Short Story and its "Problems"

"There's always someone around even if you can't see them."

That's a quote from my short story "Rodney."  I thought about offering it up here for 99 cents as an experiment in self-publishing.  It wouldn't matter if no one bought it.  I'm more interested in the process of getting a story ready for sale on Amazon than anything else.

The problem is I had it critiqued two more times and both times the story was shot down as having problems so I've set it aside and focused on other projects.  I'll work on the story later but this brings to mind how difficult it can be to hear other people's comments about your work.

People keep telling me my character is too emotional.  Hrrumph.  Under normal circumstances I would say fuck it and post it here but I feel like if I really want to do this experiment and offer it for 99 cents then the damn thing better not have "problems."

I had an interesting conversation with one of my friends at a recent writing group.  She said she was no longer interested in making money off her writing and finds satisfaction in sharing.  I have to agree with her.  There is something nice about having a small readership who looks forward to your stories.

I keep thinking I should work on "Rodney" and make it less...problematic so I can get on with the experiment but I love the way it is even if my character is too "emotional."  The first time I had the story critiqued, I got great feedback that made the story way better than when I'd drafted it.  Subsequent critiques have been close to useless.

A couple of weekends ago I had an enlightening conversation with my Mom where we talked about this short story and its "problems."  I read it to her a while back and she thought it was fine even the parts that were gory.  Still, talking it through with her was helpful.  It made me see that perhaps there were things in the story I needed to bring out more.  For example, the early part of the story is gory but it's not clear to the reader why the story has to be that way.

As it is, I have other fish to fry but this story remains on my radar.  Maybe I'll try something radical like do a podcast reading of the story as it is and then redraft it and offer that version up for 99 cents.  We'll see.

City Life: A Quick Post about Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park

I got a Nikon 1 for Christmas, a sexy little white camera with small interchangeable lenses.  I'm still learning how it works, definitely have to do some more shooting.  The pictures below are just a sampling I did after I got the camera.  The light was fading and it was a foggy afternoon.  Even with these limitations, I wanted to see what the camera could do.

Strybing Arboretum is located in Golden Gate Park right near the entrance at Lincoln and 9th Avenue.  It's a lovely contemplative stroll and a wonderful way to take a break.  This expanse of lawn and trees is right near the Arboretum entrance.

I had to push my way through some bushes and and branches to take this shot.  You can see the effects of the fading light and fog in how muted the colors are in these pictures.

"Rocky" and his friends are very friendly.  They run right up to you expecting a treat.  I had fun watching them run and leap around me while I tried for a decent shot.

I like the grayed edges of these leaves.  In bright sunlight they would probably look like they're on fire but everything was soft and quiet that day.

Macro (or so someone told me).  I was trying to get as close as possible to this plant.  The water drops are from the increasing fog billowing in.  It was getting to the point where I was worried there would be drops on my camera lens.  I like how silvery this plant looks.  So ordinary and unassuming until you get really close.

I would have stayed longer but the light was almost gone by the time I made my way back to the entrance.  The camera shoots very well in low light.  I didn't have to use the flash at all.

I'll do another post about the camera after I've played with it some more.

Unfold me, I am small...

Uploaded by AmandaReaBoyd on Oct 28, 2008

Breathe me by sia with lyrics

By the way, this song is spectacular in the finale of "Six Feet Under."