FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK. . .

THE LITSNACK PHILOSOPHY

• Great poems explode like fireworks
  
• Great stories explore change--specifically in people, places, or ideas. There must be transformation!
  
• In great language, syntax is lean, word choice economical
  
• Use specific nouns and strong verbs
  
• Kill adjectives and adverbs
• Great stories use all of the traditional plot points (exposition, inciting moment, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion)
• Or, if not, they at least answer all of their own questions (that's Chekhov, baby!)
  
• In poems, create emotion through imagery, figurative language, and specific, evocative details
• Same for stories, except add strong characters and vivid setting
  
• Do the above, and theme takes care of itself
• In short, good literature doesn't have to be long
• Our motto at LITSNACK: "Easy in. Easy out. Nobody gets hurt."
  

See ya at the watering hole.

--Ed.