12th
Literary magazines are pretty sweet
Since I decided to write and publish short stories I’ve been in full-blown short story mode. Usually this would entail buying a heap of lengthy anthologies and reading only a few of the stories.
But, as I said, I quit my job at Starbucks. That, in conjunction with the dumpy economy and the even dumpier publishing outlook, has made me pinch my pennies. The library and I have become best friends.
I checked out the “Writer’s Market” book, and looked through it, hoping and dreaming. This dreaming was tempered by my revisions of fairly stubborn stories, but do not fear. The dreams remain alive and well.
In an attempt at better understanding certain publications, I went to a bookstore to read some of them.
I expected very much to use my analytical skills to discern which magazines I should pursue. This did not happen. I’m still a little confused, in fact. What did happen was this: inspiration.
I really didn’t expect to find good writing between those pages, mostly because my mind was focused on something completely different. I really liked the surprising mix of formality and casualness that many of the stories had.
Nearly all of the stories held me fast in my chair and took me to an emotion or a moment or a person. It was strange to be effortlessly pushed around like that. Strange in a good way.
I suppose the stories didn’t touch me on a deep, emotional level, but it’s good to know that there are people out there doing good work. It gives me a healthy standard, and I’m inspired to be better.
