Blog #124; Notes on—Historical Fiction; the writing process; short v. long form; Hemingway’s The Old Man an

Blog #124; Notes on—Historical Fiction; the writing process; short v. long form; Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea;

 

“History is a nightmare from which I am struggling to wake from”—James Joyce

 

The above quote has the challenge implicit in every thoughtful historical fiction work: how to make old questions fresh for the present generation.  As a high-level staff officer in Gen. Patton’s 3^rd Army in 1945, Hyrum Fratelli (and we as readers) will be given a front row seat to the discoveries of the atrocities of Hitler and his death camps.  As a novelist in media res creating A Contrite Spirit, I am still searching for guidance in how to proceed here.  If only Willie appeared to me as the author.  But no.  Willie is Hyrum’s fictional spirit counselor and that is probably how I will go forward.  What light can Willie shed on the situation, if any?  How will Hyrum, and subsequently, the rest of the Fratellis react?  Time will tell.

 

Short Fiction and Poems

The late award-winning short story writer and poet Philip Deaver (Silent Retreats, Forty Martyrs) once told me the short forms of the short story and poem and the making of them had much more in common with each other than the longer fictional works.  As I get older, and ripen as I grow as a writer, I see this is true.  And I think in the balance of these two (three?) forms, I have found my own solution to the potential for writer’s block.

 

Publication so far this year:

See the below list of links for poetry and short fiction I have published this year.

https://irreantum.associationmormonletters.org/_21-1-pilgrimage-along-montparnasse/

https://www.poetryformentalhealth.org/featured-poetry---september-2024

https://militaryexperience.org/as-you-were-the-military-review-vol-20/no-more-tragic-kingdoms/

 

New Reading Horizons

After the most recent Harlan Coben thriller (Think Twice) I think I will re-read one of my all-time favorites: Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.

Blog 123; Harlan Coben Thinks Twice

In his latest Myron Bolitar installment, I believe that Harlan Coben has reached new heights as an author of suspense/mystery fiction. One thing that always kept me from being “all in” with his writing and novels was the general “clunkiness” of the prose, and a certain ham-handedness that betrayed a lack of fully developed writing style. Some people find that kind of clunk writing endearing, or even relatable, but I prefer my pop Grisham with a dash of classic Hemingway, thank you. And this is what I got with Think Twice. As a reader, I can really appreciate the care and extra time Coben put into the artful crafting of the novel and its key characters. You can tell, unlike with some other suspense authors, that Coben really feels for his characters, even the minor ones. Even from the serial killer’s point of view. He paints the killer as a sadly doomed kind of adrenaline addict who can’t stop the killing, despite best efforts. It is a poignant reminder that the author sees his characters as real, oftentimes frail, people. And this warmth and compassion comes across in a story that is propelled by heart. Good guys, bad guys, regular guys and gals. Makes no difference. Harlan Coben is fast becoming that rare breed of author who started out in the trenches of the mass market world only to find himself a creative author out to break your heart. I won’t give away any spoilers in this review, but suffice it to say Coben pulls away from some potentially devastating punches at the very ending to my dismay. Compassionate, yes. But there are a few heart-stopping scenes toward the end where everything slows down and is on the line and then the book becomes a study in premeditated violence, a tense, edge of your seat, true blue thriller. I wanted to say this is his best work yet, and it is close, but I am not totally sure after the overall ending. I can think of a few other novels that had stronger plotting even if lighter character development. But as an accomplished literary artist, Harlan Coben has raised the bar for everyone and is reaching the height of his powers thusfar. I believe in time, his novels may end up with an even longer shelf life than anyone would be able to predict in today’s rough and tumble fiction market. An old friend in the writing world with a philosophical bent once told me: “The excellent becomes the permanent.” I believe with Think Twice, Harlan Coben has crossed into the realm of the truly excellent creative artist with heart.

Blog 122; Publication Update; Two Poems in Poetry for Mental Health; Upcoming article and fiction story in SwimSwam

 I have two poems recently published on mental health-related themes, in Poetry for Mental Health, and my final article on recovering from heart disease is upcoming in SwimSwam.  Also, in November, be ready for an extra-special fictional story in SwimSwam set in a fictional future Olympic Games.

Take care,

Chris

https://www.poetryformentalhealth.org/featured-poetry---september-2024

Blog #121; Free Digital Swimming Themed Book and Other Give-Aways, Sept. 15 through 17!

 For those of you readers who have not dipped into (pun intended) my swimming stories yet, I am offering free copies of the Swimming Among the Olympians collection I wrote a while back.  A mixture of both fiction and factual writing, it is sure to entertain those of us who at one time or another have made a home of the pool!

Also, don't forget my debut novel, In Love and War, which so far has been getting great reviews.  A bitter-sweet heartwarmer!  It is going to be given away at the same time.

Finally, Physician, Heal Thyself, my best collection of short stories so far, has been getting some great positive attention in the Mormon book review community out here in Utah!   The subject of the Covid vacs has caused a dust-up, to say the least. I am also giving that one away, same days as the others.

Those of you who have followed my writing career are familiar with my close association with SwimSwam, the publication of record for all things about competitive swimming.  Well, soon, I will announce it here first, my culminating update of my recovery from heart disease and my triumphant (kind of) return to the pool, will soon appear in SwimSwam to close out a long and fruitful series.

Also, something quite unusual and exciting in the works for later on in November of this year.  A rare fictional story especially for SwimSwam readers.  More on that as it develops!

Take care, keep your head above water, and read on!

Chris

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