Sydney Avey
Dynamic Woman — Changing Times
365 Short Stories (yearning)–Week Twenty-five
Yearning motivates most characters in stories. What does the protagonist want? In these stories, the main characters want relevance, love, escape, recognition, connection, and more.
- “Mother of Hope”, by Laurie Baker, NarrativeMagazine.com
The teaching experience becomes a learning experience for a newly minted college graduate grappling with the entrenched cultural values of a religious community and a third world country.
“Mostly I was just bent on making myself relevant—interesting and beloved…
Didn’t happen.
- “The Silver Twinkie”, by Nancy Klann-Moren, Huff Post Featured Fifty Fiction
Rosy yearns to get away as fast as she can from Yvonne. In this your-worst-nightmare story the details are telling, the language is delightful, and we are truly horrified by the situation Rosy falls into when she looks up an old friend.
- “Untitled Number 20”, by Suzanne Feldman, NarrativeMagazine.com
An artist who fancies herself a feminist yearns to show her work to the women’s community, not revealing her desire to be counted among the men as well and comprising her artistic vision.
- “The Rock”, by Ann Beattie, Huff Post Books, June 16, 2013
Charlotte hangs with a desultory party crowd in the Florida Keys. Everyone needs a rock–to feel connected and special in someone eyes. One boyfriend wanders off in this story because he doesn’t want to be the only man at table, made to feel “like an acorn on the ground with no tree nearby”.
- “In Between Days”, by Andrew Porter, NarrativeMagazine.com
This novel excerpt portrays Cadence (well named) “on the couch” with Dr. Peterson avoiding all talk about her husband. She gives her therapist nothing to work with. What she feels is regret, but it’s hard to say what she wants. I imagine the novel explores her motivation. Next month I will take a workshop from Andrew at the Iowa Summer Writers Festival. I’ll ask him!
A Paris Adventure
This short story has not been written yet. I’m falling short on my story count this week, taking the weekend off–flying to Paris with my girls to tour the sights, see the lights and sample great bites of French cuisine. Next week, I will feature guest writers in this space who will tell you about their stories.
À bientôt!
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