Brian Evenson’s names
I thought I’d do something different this time around. I recently read Jeremy Robert Johnson’s story collection “Angeldust Apocalypse” (which is absolutely amazing); with it JRJ does something unique. At the end of the collection he as a section called Author’s Notes, which are a series of anecdotal behind-the-scenes snippets on each story. Here’s hoping it catches on.
So, with my newest publication I figure I would do the same. Present Magazine has just posted my story “Dry Dot.” Here’s the thoughts:
At every rain I wonder—though the drop patterns are likely random—if there is a single spot somewhere within the downpour where no drop falls; where the concrete remains dry. Give water’s tendency to pool together, could there be an untouched dot? Further, how would we explain it? Science? Maybe, but wouldn’t that argument just be destroyed by politics? Global warming, anyone? It seems even the earth is subject to abiding by the party with the most supporters.
Also, the strangeness of the name Durzenkya, I think satisfies both the parable-like nature of the story and my Evensonian obsession with crazy character names.
Click here to read the story. Please enjoy.
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Present Magazine is a Kansas City area arts publication focused on bringing the area’s best creative talents to the forefront. Also, they bring people like me to the forefront. |
In today’s “extra features”-obsessed culture, I could see where that might catch on. Depending on the subject matter, though, I could also see it as a bit of a demystifying spoiler, the way some music videos are to their respective songs. For example, when I read your story I saw it as an allegory for political positioning during wartime. And now I feel “wrong” (even though I understand the interpretive nature of art).
Actually, you’re not wrong at all. The rain thing was really just an impetus to the “pen to paper” stage. After that, it became political very quickly. I suppose ‘Author’s Notes’ should either be subverted as much as possible, or fully frontal with all the angles covered. Considering the latter is impossible, ‘Author’s Notes’ might best be kept as a spice, not a true ingredient.