A Story Of A Story
I have a favorite prose piece that I wrote a number of years ago. In a way, it’s one of the most personal pieces I’ve written, drawing loosely on what was probably my most unpleasant year of high school. An unpleasant but very formative year, as that was the year I first became interested in theatre, an interest that in many ways led me to where I am today.
Of all the short stories I’ve written, I’ve always felt this one to be the closest to publication quality. However, it’s a highly experimental story, which made it difficult to find suitable markets to submit to. Although to be honest, I never put a huge amount of effort into the search.
I just found out that the person reflected in that story, the person who inadvertently drew me into theater, someone I had first met back in second grade, passed away almost two years ago. Unfortunately, I can’t say he was a friend. Probably more of a symbol in my life than anything. I doubt he had any idea what an impact he had on me. Quite frankly, he probably wouldn’t have cared very much.
But I think I’m going to start looking for a market for that story again. And this time, I’m REALLY going to look.