On short stories and miracles
I received an email today from the instructor for a class I begin next week. I’ve enrolled in two classes this summer through the UCLA extension writer’s program. One is a course about writing a drama pilot for television. The other is a creative writing course on short stories. The latter is the course that begins next week and the one I received an email about. The instructor was looking for three volunteers to make copies of their short story for the class to read on the first day. My first thought was, “holy crap, our stories will be read out loud?” My second thought was, “holy crap, am I supposed to have a completed story already?” My final thought was, “holy crap, I haven’t even read a short story in months. What was I thinking?!”
After glancing at the class refund deadline date and calming down a bit, I looked through the course description again and realized that I didn’t actually have to have a story already finished. That was a relief, but I do know that whenever I do complete one this summer, it’s going to be read by the entire class. A little intimidating, but I’m sure it’ll be a huge help in the long run as I try to branch out from screenwriting. I’m excited to get one down on paper, because I’ve tossed a few ideas around, but haven’t actually written a short story since high school.
As for the reading aspect, I know that’s a vital component to being a better writer. I’ve tried to be a better reader of scripts lately (I read Good Will Hunting two days ago), but I’ve been a terrible reader of fiction. If I’m not reading a script, I’m reading about the film industry, the craft of writing and directing, or trying to stay up on current events. That doesn’t leave much room for fiction, but I’ll have to try and make time now.
So I decided to do the good thing and start prepping for the class. Just earlier today, Violet bought The Best American Non-Required Reading 2008 at Borders because it was on clearance. How can you say no to a cool little book like that for $4? Violet also has a few other short story books already, but this one had a cool cover so I opened it first.
I flipped through it, looking for a random story to choose, and then I saw it: Stephen King. I didn’t think I’d see a name I recognized in the book, and I’m a fan of King’s so I had to read that one. It was the story about a miracle tied to a death. A single touch from one sick person to another leads to a miracle recovery, and a responsibility. I found it very touching, and a wonderfully written story overall. It flowed nicely, and had a subtle, mysterious sense to the whole thing. I connected with it, for many reasons. I know he had an accident of his own years ago. I don’t know how much of his experience went into this story, but I feel like it had to play a part.
One of the first books I read after my accident was his, On Writing and it left a lasting impression for me. I just find it at once strange and exciting that I would happen upon a story like this, written by him, at a time when I’m preparing to push myself as a writer more than I ever have before. Maybe there is a little something more than coincidence at play in situations sometimes. I like to think there is.