Twenty-One Years
This fictional short story, published in 2022, focuses on a twenty-one year old man grappling with the sudden, unexpected death of his best friend. As he prepares to give a eulogy at the funeral, the memories of his friend illuminate new truths.
Written in 2020-2022, Published in the Ivy Leaves Journal 2022 Digital Peristyle. Fun Fact: This is the First Piece I've Ever Had Published.
Authorial Growth
(Spoilers Ahead)
1
Present Moment
One of the biggest critiques I received for "Twenty-One Years" is its lack of action in the present moment. Much of the story is told through flashback, and Bec's epiphany—the story's point of change—happens as a result of these flashbacks that took an instant. My later pieces are much more present-driven, but I still wonder about how more action in the present would have affected this piece's impact.
2
Time Shifting
Because this piece is narrated largely through flashback, it's important for my readers to understand when they're shifting from past to present and vice versa. I tried to make these jumps clear through visual clues (a horizontal line) as well as textual clues that would ease the reader into the time and space currently being discussed.
3
Truthful Ending
I've had people ask me why Finn was never brought back to life. If he was, that would have erased the purpose of the entire story. Sometimes, we lose what we love, and absolutely nothing we do can bring it back. It's gut-wrenching. It sucks. We feel all the things. But we don't die with the dead. We find a way, gasping for air, treading water, to keep living.
Writing Spot Highlight
Blackbird Comics and Coffeehouse
500 E Horatio Avenue, Unit 3, Maitland, FL
The perfect place for any sort of nerd (myself included), Blackbird has unique drinks, board games, fandom merchandise, comics, and so much more. A tiny spot with limited parking, it truly is a hidden Orlando gem. Its warm lighting, eclectic atmosphere, and artistic following give it a very community-oriented feel, and its craft coffees (you could even get a mystery drink, if you wanted to) rarely disappoint. It's perfect for book clubs, game nights, conversations with friends, or solo writing, and it's a wonderful option if you'd prefer to go local and support small businesses. Check out their Instagram at the link below:
