These stories comprise my portfolio for my Fall '03 semester fiction workshop. I'm quite happy with two out of the three, but I've posted all three for your delectation. All of the pieces are in Microsoft Word format, but I'm happy to make them available in other formats if you, gentle reader, so request. Although I generally believe in offering HTML, it seemed like more trouble than it was worth in this case; if you'd like me to provide an HTML version of any of these stories, please ask and I'll post them here.
Similarly, I haven't posted the original drafts submitted to class, but I'm happy to make those available to the morbidly curious. I have made available the writer's statements that I was required to submit with the final portfolio, though I'm not sure what interest these would hold for the casual reader.
The first story, I still get pictures from him sometime. (it's a title and an opening line!) was written specifically for the class, as the assignment was to write a short-short story, and I didn't have any on hand. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. If you'd like it demystified, you can check out my Writer's Statement for this story.
I began the second story, Lodestar in the summer, before class began. I think that it may be the single best short story I've written to date, though surely it is still flawed in any number of respects. Here's the Writer's Statement, though I don't think it says anything too important.
The third story, Water Cycle was an experiment, one which is at least a partial failure. I'm not entirely happy with it, but I think that in important respects it's beyond salvage. While I still find a lot to like in the story, especially in some of the language and some of the backstory, which I may re-use, you'll probably want the Writer's Statement to help you navigate it as an experiment. (I'd still read it first before resorting to the cheat-sheet; my initial outline for the story is included.
I'm interested in any sort of feedback that anyone would like to offer. I don't consider these to be entirely finished, and nothing is sacred. On the other hand, I also reserve the right to ignore every stupid thing you say if I so choose.
Enjoy!