Blog Entry #6: Taking Perspective

"One of the aspects of short stories I value the most is the ability to relate so much detail into a piece of writing that says more than meets the eye. You read the a short story, it only takes a few minutes, yet if you're able to get the readers to connect to the character's, immerse them into the setting and settle themselves into the tension, then I believe you have mastered a short story. And with the subjects I tend to write, take lesbianism and feminism for example, why be blunt when you can make the readers interpret what your putting across, using metaphors that shouldn't correspond with the subject matter yet manage to weave themselves quite nicely.

"Dumpling Child," is a short ditty of mine that has the initial impression of being about a child who has a tendency to indulge themselves in the savory taste of dumplings, when it's truly about likening lesbian sex to different types of foods. Some may pick up on this aspect, others may not, it's all about interpretation. I even think about a class I took about feminist theory, taught by my friend, mentor and fellow author Bertha Harris. She told me to be honest and fearless, especially when writing about lesbianism. And how much more fearless can you get than writing a metaphorical piece of work about lesbian sex? 

Reminiscing about my upbringing, the abuse I suffered and the broken home I grew up in, wallowing in it for years until I finally forced myself to leave, the strongest stories come from the heart. The more realistic, the more captivating. Write what you know, or at least research a little bit before taking on such a task. Then you'll see, you'll understand the power within realism, within whatever genre you wish to take on."