Monthly Archives: April 2008

WRITING: Where it goes, I shall follow

Posted on April 13, 2008 by Susan

Odd indeed, the way a story rolls itself out. The scene could have been from battle, though I vaguely thought it could have been a camping trip gone bad.  Instead, the beginning of the ending–which is told at the beginning–seems … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REALITY?: Unreal Reality

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Susan

I love the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond, and it’s even funnier the second or third time around, but I think there was one I hadn’t seen and I’m glad I caught it tonight.  It’s up there with the Mary … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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WRITING: Getting a Job

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Susan

Appropriately coming right after Carver’s Cathedral and our discussion of the blind man, we find we can take heart that in this audio-visual world of today’s story, there are still new possibilities open for the lowly writer: Porn for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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WRITING: Walking

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Susan

Here’s the story developing: The night rumbled as if dark was a sound.  A slight breeze blew from no particular direction.  It carried a pale scent of smoke.  A wood fire sort of smoke.  He forced himself onward through the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REALITY?: Et al

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Susan

I have to write a short story, place some press releases, plaster a town with meeting notices, write up a dignified brief bio (cramming sixty years of achievement into a three sentence of most stellar successes), reread two essays, clean … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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CLASS NOTES: 4/9/08

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Susan

Rather a dismal opening to the class last night with confessions that will hopefully turn into good news for all eventually.  It seems the smaller the group, the more intimate and the more willing we are to relate, admit, open … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REALITY?: Happy Signs!

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Susan

Saw three bluebirds this morning!  A nesting pair that are checking out the bluebird box.  Unfortunately, I think it needs repair or replacement because last year we had them but they abandoned the nest and we’ve forgotten to fix whatever … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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WRITING: Confession

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Susan

You’ve got to understand, those were hard times.  So yes, I did kill my husband, but there was a reason why it happened as it did. Continue reading →

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REVIEWS: Cathedral – Finale

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Susan

I’m afraid I’ve gotten caught up in close-reading this story as a literary critique rather than focusing mainly on the aspect as a lesson in writing so I thought I’d end this series with that alone. Written in first person … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REALITY?: Opening the Door for Big Brother

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Susan

If government at the local level can enact laws that tell us what we can and cannot eat, whilst overlooking alcohol and tobacco (heavily taxed), what other rights is it seeking to recover from us, and why are we so … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REVIEWS: Cathedral – The Change in Character

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Susan

This final scenario, that of the narrator allowing Robert to lead him in drawing an image of the cathedral signals a dawning realization upon the narrator to open up to experience and allow learning and understanding beyond his own self. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REVIEWS: Cathedral – Character Revelation

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Susan

It seems I can’t read through two pages–or often just a single one–without finding something… The narrator finds himself woefully unable to describe the cathedral to Robert.  In his attempts, he brings in religion: "They’re really big," I said.  They’re … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REVIEWS: Cathedral – Transitioning & Props

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Susan

Been wondering why the title of the story is Cathedral?  Well we’re about to find out. With Robert and the narrator mellowed by food, drink, and pot and  "listening" to the TV, we are given the setting up of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REVIEWS: Cathedral – Turning Point

Posted on April 8, 2008 by Susan

Some notes first.  Robert takes to calling the narrator "bub" which is common, but also could be a power play.  In any event, names (labels?) are an important theme in this story. When the wife comes back down, she smokes … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REVIEWS: Cathedral – Interaction

Posted on April 8, 2008 by Susan

I know, I said that these pages weren’t necessary to story…but they’re so good that they do indeed add to it. The narrator assumes his duties as host, offering Robert a drink.  Here they attempt a tentative social bonding over … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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