 Short Stories: October 13, 2010 Issue [#4012] |
  Short Stories
This week: "My Name Is Roger, and I'm an addict." Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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Recently I was fortunate enough to spend an entire week at the lake--no cell service, no internet access, no interruptions. Four miles down the road from Woodhead Park there's a little tackle shop where you can buy bait, a urinal with a secure twist-on lid, order lunch, and fill your thermos with coffee that'll do in a pinch. One afternoon I sat reading a book over my plate of chicken strips and fries when I overheard a man and woman discussing their personal demons:
Woman: "You need smokes today, Roger?"
Man: "Quit."
Woman: "Wow, good for you! I'm still trying. Just can't seem to kick the damn things."
Man: "Chantix."
Woman: "Chantix, huh? Yeah, I heard that stuff works pretty good. Did it make you all crazy or anything?"
Man: "Nauseated some, 'bout all."
Woman: "Maybe I'll ask the doc next time I go."
Man: "Expensive."
Woman: "How much?"
Man: "$169.00."
Woman: "$169.00! Lord have mercy, I can't afford that."
Man: "Six, one half dozen, or the other."
Woman: "I suppose that's true. Alright, anything else for you today?"
Man: "Oughta do it."
Woman: "Okay, that'll be $32.89."
Okay, so not the most exciting conversation in the world, but I did gather two things from it: 1. Roger is quite the conversationalist, and 2. everyone is struggling with something, whether it be addiction, obesity, depression, jealousy, phobia, insecurity, abuse ... each of us has something we wish we could overcome.
What haunts your character? What keeps him up at night? Does he muddle through, ashamed, isolated, alone, or does he expose his secret and rely on his family, friends, and fellow sufferers for support? Pretending something doesn't exist won't make it disappear, but talking about it removes its power. In addition, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.
Give your characters a flaw, an obstacle, a weakness that affects their daily lives. Not only will it humanize them, it'll make them more interesting, and your readers will cheer them on as they empathize from the sidelines.
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