I wrote this flash initially for an Israeli flash site that went belly up, required simple English, and a word count of 300 or less. As I tend to write far longer pieces and be overwordy, particularly with description, and as I have a tendency to wax lyrical in my prose, I thought this would be a good exercise.
While it is not my intent to sound self-deprecating, I do not consider this particularly good writing nor particularly representative of my style--though the Jewish-related subject matter and seemingly contradictory optimism is certainly consistent with my other work.
But, hey, it sold. So I should stop kvetching.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
[This message has been edited by History (edited March 01, 2011).]
posted
That is a wonderful story. Don't apologize for the writing (there is no need, it communicates well). I am afraid too many people get caught up in the writing aspect of being a writer and neglect the story. This is a story that needed to be told.
I liked reading about the Wart & the Rabbi, and esp. your bio line :-)
It reminded me a lot of Jon Muth's Zen Shorts. If you're not familiar with him, he's a talented children's illustrator and in this book, the protagonist, a giant panda, addresses the concept of 'good vs. bad luck.' Your view about the wart is similar.
posted
Thank you all for the warm congratulations and kind words.
At the request of the editor, an audio version of THE WART AND THE RABBI will be available for free in the near future. And, no, it will not be voiced by me, but a friend who is a professional voice artist--a fine young woman of Egyptian Christian descent who likes to play the role of Pharaoh at our Passover seder each year, and who has a mezuzah on the doorpost of her new home (sure to give her Arab father in Cairo coniptions if he knew). There's another non-fiction vignette in this, perhaps. Some day.
I have another longer (999 word) flash piece derived from my early medical career along similar lines (i.e. Jewish "wisdom tales") that I'll be submitting. I don't know if it is kosher to attempt publication in two consecutive issues of any literary journal, but the tale is done and the journal is there, so why not toss it on the water and see if it floats?
posted
Thank you for the other Muth books. I'm a library rat and will check these next time.
The Muth books I own are The Three Questions based on Tolstoy's story, a tale which you are likely familiar with. The Zen shorts and Caroline Kennedy's collection of poems.
Greyhog, you will find the other Muth books (as artist) under Graphic novels--i.e. comics. They may not be in your library, but may possibly be in your local Borders or Barnes & Noble.
I checked out your link. Moonshadow -- that's some heavy stuff and only available from 'these sellers' now. I realize I'm the reading customer of a more popular genre. Here's a link to 3 ?s
posted
I listened to the story. Sounds professional. Was it written in first person? Since it's non-fiction, can I assume Hannah's your daughter?
Powerful.
I like the journal and you inspired me to pen my own flash non-fiction yesterday. There's no end to the material in my life. I think the title is half the battle and yours is intriguing.
Did you serve in the First Gulf War? My brothers, on both sides, went - we're a military family. I missed it but had a grand time when I was stationed in Germany.
posted
Shireen is a professional voice actor and my wife's best friend. She did a good job.
The story is told in the first person as it is a conversation I observed between my daughter and mother-in-law.
flashquake is an interesting journal, and one of the few that actually pay for flash writing (fiction, non-fiction, and poetry). I find writing this length (<1000 words) a challenge, but fun. Good luck with your submission.
I served as a physician during the First Gulf War at Letterman Army Medical Center but did not see combat.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
[This message has been edited by History (edited March 24, 2011).]
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