Authors Speak, Cryptid Bits
To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries. ~ A.C. Grayling Authors Speak This Succeed and Soar series invites writers to answer questions about their artforms and special inspirations. Welcome Jess Simms “Ascending, Mt. Ararat,” Photo [c] 2014, Sandra Gould Ford, Route 30, Pennsylvania Visit Sandra’s Fine Art America Collections Jess, what phrase inspires your writing and life? I don’t believe in being serious about anything. I think life is too serious to be taken seriously. – Ray Bradbury How have Bradbury’s words helped your writing, your life? I find that my best writing comes out of a place of joy and fun. This quote is an excellent reminder that sometimes the best way to approach a serious subject is to find a place to inject something light—even if it’s in the form of gallows humor, or even if it’s just a small moment of levity in the midst of something heavy. I also find this quote helpful in a broader, life sense. There’s no shortage of serious things happening on a daily basis, from the personal to the global level. If I let myself take all of them seriously all the time, I end up so drained of motivation and energy that it’s hard to keep moving forward. How these words inspired Cryptid Bits When I set out to write Cryptid Bits I wanted it to be fun, first and foremost. My main inspiration was to play with the thought experiment of “modern society plus fantasy creatures.” Using the modern world as my starting point inevitably meant I would have some serious topics at play, but by tweaking the world to include things like brownies and bigfoot, I could treat these real-life details with a wink instead of tackling them straight-faced. Sample Text: It must have been a full moon last Saturday because I ran into a werewolf at the night market. He was at one of the produce booths, a bag of arugula hanging from his right foreclaw and a head of romaine in his left palm. He was comparing the greens as though his paws were scales. Reedsy Review Purchase Here About Jess Simms Jess Simms is a co-founder of Scribble House and the managing editor of After Happy Hour Review. They’re the author of the micro-chapbook Shapeshifter Diaries (Rinky Dink Press, 2023) and their short fiction can be found in MockingOwl Roost, The Oakland Review, and HOOT!, among other publications. They live in an old house in Pittsburgh with two humans and four cats. Web Site: https://www.jesssimms.com/ Keep in mind, Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary. – Jim Rohn Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. NEXT WEEK: Heroic Hearts On Saturday, September 7, LaToya Ruby Frazier’s Monuments of Solidarity show ends at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. Her awesome exhibition includes special selections from several of her works, including “The Last Cruze,” “Flint is Family,” and “On the Making of Steel Genesis,” which presents my artistic life. Here’s a 2-minute video. The Museum of Modern Art is offering some complimentary admissions. My “Steel Genesis” tour and conversation starts at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 7. To join the Guest List, RSVP here. I’m delighted to share this precious experience with you. Sandra Gould Ford
Writing Ghost Stories
Consider Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win. – Stephen King, The Shining Several times a year, Succeed and Soar offers Wordsmith Stars, which provides insights and information for those write and enjoy reading. Each year, the Associated Writing Programs’ conference offers fantastic, carefully curated panels and workshops. Several years ago, I attended one titled, “Writing About Ghosts and The Undead.” Phantoms, ghouls and things that ‘go bump in the night’ had never been of interest until I learned they could be frightening in ways I hadn’t expected. Here are my notes about the ways spooks and spirits can be haunting: Writing about ghosts can be hopeful because the stories suggest that there is something more Ghosts are spirits without bodies. The zombie is a body without a spirit. [Can ghosts resume physical form? What happens if zombies receive souls?] The ghost can serve as a metaphor for loss [something lost] There are times when a loss haunts The death the ghost represents could be of an idea or culture These stories can present a crossroads, a choice of direction I did watch an episode of Ghosts, and found the show adorable. Plus, the programs provides a great example of how variety [different types of personalities] makes the character interactions more interesting. But I have not watched the show enough to understand the characters as metaphors. Perhaps, they’re merely entertainment. What do you think? I also hope you’re thinking of writing a ghost story. If so, here are six tips for writing modern ghost stories, which include deciding what your ghost looks like and what they can do. What fun! See more. Best of all, magazines exist that will pay for these stories. Here are ten. Worth considering are these words from Laurie Halse Anderson’s Wintergirls, “In one aspect, yes, I believe in ghosts, but we create them. We haunt ourselves.” Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Shower Curtains As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more The high quality and unique Shower Curtains by Fine Art America: Are made of 100% polyester fabric Include 12 holes at top for ease in hanging Dimensions 71” wide, 74” tall Cost: $68 to $78 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this shower curtain View All Shower Curtains Shop All Art and Collections HERE. Thanks for your support!