A good idea is a good idea, period. Right? Yes!
When I first wrote a number of short stories and plays, the impetus for writing them was that they represented truth as I knew it. Now, I reread them and find that the development of the idea seems weak. I did a fairly decent job, but today it’s not flying. I’m older and wiser, or something. So, I go at it again on the same terrain. And voila! The basic idea is the same but the stories are better. I present for your delectation: Baghdad on the Wabash, And Other Plays and Stories.
The Featured Story in the Collection
Baghdad on the Wabash is a full length play, and is the major work in this collection of stories and plays. It tells the story of the Beach family assembling on the banks of the Wabash River in Illinois to receive the remains of Jim Beach who was missing in action in the Vietnam War until his remains were discovered years after the conflict is over. Like the country as whole, the Beach family is divided on the issue of the war. Into this troubled reunion steps Sydney, the 15 year old daughter of the fallen soldier with her irreverent prickliness and questioning attitude that helps the family find a way to do the right thing.
The Short Stories
Two short stories are the first entries in this collection. In Learning Something, a young man spends a week in New York as a part of his training for job in the brokerage business. A Pig For Love tells of Billy and Mila going to the Roosevelt Hotel Ball Room in celebration of their tenth wedding anniversary, and finding themselves replaying an old record.
The Short Plays
Four ten-minute plays follow. In Smoke, a marital separation encourages an old friend to try to rekindle romance. A Little More Connecticut brings married veteran actors together with an ambitious young director to rehearse a made for TV movie, with hilarious consequences. Aiming Off finds Alma and Brandon getting together at a forest preserve to negotiate the terrain of their brittle relationship. Chicken Tonight explores how an unlikely friendship can develop in a supermarket.
Look for Baghdad on the Wabash and Other Plays and Stories on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and Itunes.
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It’s good to see you digging into your archives to breathe fresh life into existing works. I did the same for my short story collection. I am curious if there are many collections that combine plays and short stories?
I haven’t seen a collection of stories that included plays, yet I have to believe there are a lot of crossover efforts going on. To me, if the story is paramount (and I believe it is) then the method of telling it shouldn’t matter that much. Having said that, I still believe it is harder for a reader to cope with the conventions of theater scripts.
I will add this to my reading list. I would like to check out some of your plays.
I have done what you are doing but with my most recent work. I find I have the very same reaction. I hear myself saying things like “what were you thinking?”. I’m positive your stuff is way better then mine for sure. I really enjoyed your story lines and will be back for more. 🙂
Hi Susan – I’m wrestling with the question ‘what makes a story’? And I don’t seem to be getting any closer to the answer. I’ve been doing some studying of published short plays to try to discover what is considered good. I’ll be doing more blogging on this subject. Pulling old stuff out of mothballs for a revision seems a good way to go. Maybe just finding a better answer to the big question through revision is a good strategy.
Sounds like a great collection Larry. I found the plot of Wabash immediately enticing. I hope it comes to fruition soon. keep us posted. It’s strange to revisit old project and realize life can be successfully breathed into them – sometimes at least. Well done on persevering,