Coming of "Middle" Age

How overwhelming.....the idea of finding a literary journal has been a whole new world for me. Thankfully, we received some advice from Jane Friedman:

“For literary writers—especially those focused on poetry and short stories—consistently submitting to and being published in literary journals can be a crucial step in being taken more seriously by book publishers.“

BE CONSISTENT AND KEEP SUBMITTTING!!

As a beginner I think I was given great advice from L.L. Asher in my OLC who offers the proper format that publications want to see when reviewing material.

https://www.shunn.net/format/classic/

I plan to take my final draft and put it into this format before I submit. 

Here is my short bio:  Michelle Humbard is a MALS candidate at Clayton State University where she works as an Academic Advisor. She has a BS in Advertising from the University of Florida and resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and kids. This is her first work of published fiction.

The letter that I write to accompany my submission will be tailored to the publication that I am submitting to. 

The revision process for me was three times longer then writing my draft. I broke down my story into 9 sections. In each section I tried to be mindful of the elements to include: conflict, dialogue, narration, exposition and interiority (Kardos, 90). The balance of dialogue versus narration was a particular struggle. It seems easier if I narrate a scene to move the story along. Also, I tried carefully not have my dialogue sound flat.

“Dialogue is an important took in scene-writing--in fact, it’s the most immediate tool we have in fiction.” (Kardos, 75) Readers gain access directly to the characters without mediation. I wrote several scenes heavy on dialogue, hoping they work :)

Part of the struggle in my story was how to pair the two characters, Parker and Melanie, where their stakes align. It felt contrived and cliché. I thought a lot about how to make these characters merge their plan in a way the reader could engage. Then one day, on my long quarantine walk it hit me. I flipped the script and made Parker initiate the artificial insemination, rather then have Melanie ask a sick young man to help her have a baby. This seemed to work so much better!!

Finally, I would like to discuss the workshop with Madhavi. She and I had a great TEAMS meeting and talked through our stories one evening. She gave me great insight and I hope I helped her as well. I incorporated several of her suggestions. Thanks Madhavi!!

Also, I sent my story to two other people that are writers and they offered other great suggestions that helped me to revise my story. I think this is important since you are getting feedback from readers who can show you areas that they want more/ less and areas that make sense/ do not make sense.

A plot is what happens in a story-usually meaningful events of a casual nature. (Kardos) A plot must have structure or the reader loses interest in the story. In my short story I was writing everything that came to mind with the strategy that it would offer many ideas to edit. After reading chapter 6: Organizing your story, I see the necessity to follow a structure and move the story along. I edited many superfluous dialogue as well as summary detail that did not add to my story.

It is important to introduce conflict in fiction in order to see how your main character develops throughout the story. If they do not have any struggles how can we develop a deep understanding of their character? “Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them-in order that the reader may see what they are made of” (Vonnegut)

In my story the main character is dying, so I think that I am a sadist. I wanted to show an extreme circumstance that would make my character evaluate his existence. However, other than the main plot of cancer, I am having a hard time interjecting other new avenues of conflict. This has caused me to rewrite many times as I don’t want to fall into cliche writing.

In Chapter 7, writing a compelling story, Kardos explains the “high stakes” that is necessary for a compelling story. When discussing the stories he chose for his anthology he reminds us that although stories are very different they have a common thread. “As diverse as they are, the stories in the book’s anthology all feature characters who experience their problems urgently.” (Kardos)

I introduce my other main character, Dr. Melanie Thomas. She is extremely important to the story since she urgently wants a baby, and circumstances have changed her life. She is sensible and has thought about this for some time, NOW she is ready. Because of her age she is considering artificial insemination to achieve this goal. 

As a scientist, she has studied this process and is completely familiar with all of the concepts of the procedure. But what about the emotional implications??? She discovers a whole new side of herself when she journeys down this road. I also introduce her best friend who is the antithesis of her to add balance to the story. I researched how many women get pregnant who go through this proces

Artificial insemination success rates The percent of couples that become pregnant after one cycle of IUI ranges from 10 to 20 percent. However, different factors can affect these success rates, including fertility problems for men and women as well as age.

IUI success rates with fertility drugs If your doctor suspects female infertility problems, he or she may prescribe a round of fertility drugs before you begin a round of artificial insemination. This fertility drug process, known as ovulation induction or superovulation, encourages your body to release more eggs in preparation for an IUI. Ovulation induction increases IUI success rates for women over 35. Here are success rates by age for women that use superovulation and IUI.

https://attainfertility.com/understanding-fertility/artificial-insemination/artificial-insemination-success-rates/

In the short story “Tandolfo the Great” by Richard Bausch, he uses the Limited Omniscient POV to narrate his story. We not only see the exterior world of Rodney/Tandolfo, but get a glimpse at his feelings and thoughts in the story. We learn that Tandolfo is prepared to risk everything to express his love for his co-worker, with whom he is friends with. The catalyst is her note that she is engaged and Tandolfo must go to extreme measures to “win” her over and devises a plan where he purchases a large wedding cake and takes it to her house.

The entire perspective is narrated in one day and encompasses his thoughts and feelings in this small time frame. His perspective begins as he looks in the mirror and insults himself while getting ready. We learn that he is life’s loser but still a romantic. He is sad but wants to win friends by doing magic tricks.

The stakes for my character Parker is a living legacy since he is terminally ill.

My narration will by Omniscient POV. I will zip between characters and not stay in the same character perspective for long. Parker has a love interest (sort of) named Melanie that I will narrate and share her perspective and inner thoughts and feelings. 

The setting of my story is Atlanta in the fall, my favorite so I discuss the leaves and the crisp weather that I hope will put my readers in the setting that I create. The location is Emory University and I try to describe the look of the traditional building and the moss that is on the concrete steps. Again, a little visual where the reader can conjure up a picture in their heads, like this one.

This is Emory School of medicine where Parker my character is attending and conducting research. He is also a native of Atlanta so I also create a setting that includes his home and his family interacting in the kitchen with relevant details to include drinks, looking through books and even petting his family dog. This should create sensory details that help to visualize the character and enrich who he is.

To begin my story about a young man in medical school I had to get a timeline on how much school is involved in the process and where I wanted my character to begin. 

Degree LevelM.D. (medical doctor) or D.O (doctor of osteopathic medicine) Degree Field(s)Pre-med (bachelor's degree) then medical school License/CertificationAll states require licensure; certifications available Experience3-7 year residency (required for licensure)

I wanted Parker my main character to be planning to graduate medical school at Emory and embarking on his prestigious residency. A quick Google search and I was able to get this information

How old is the average doctor that graduates medical school and finishes their residency? In the US, it is typically at least 30: High school graduation at age 18. 4years of medical school means you are 26. How old is the average doctor that graduates medical school and ...www.quora.com › How-old-is-the-average-doctor-that-graduates-medic..

I learned a lot about the process and also was able to develop a deeper understanding of the hard work and dedication I would need to consider to develop my story. Parker is the top in his class and will need a tremendous internal drive. The story will of course be about his “conflict” and the temperament he will need to approach his adversaries.

I think that the identity and characteristics of the protagonist help to drive the story. We need to create a deep and complex character with qualities and flaws that have a “stake” in the story’s ending. My main character is a young doctor, but while things may appear perfect at first the conflict will reveal many different turns allowing for a “hopefully” interesting narrative.