FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK. . .

MICRO-FICTION'S FIRST COUSIN


As your editor, I am always on the look out for new cultural experiences that will enrich your lives. My most recent discovery is a website that provides what is essentially literature's newest version of creative non-fiction, albeit of the micro-variety.

The website is called JamsBio and the link to my page can be found at www.jamsbio.com/user/dtricarico.

If you've ever been listening to music and said, "I love that song. . .it reminds me of the time. . ." then JamsBio is for you. They ask participants to write up their memories concerning various songs, artists, and albums. The site is still open and anyone can join.

The opportunity to write about music and my memories and the discipline needed to do it in a short space was a very powerful combination. Each piece is like a compelling little story about the writer's life and their connection--usually emotional--to the music they have listened to throughout their lives.

There's some good reading here. And some good memories.

Check it out.

We will return you to your regularly scheduled LITSNACK in a few days. Thanks and remember, at LITSNACK, it's "Easy in. Easy out. Nobody gets hurt."

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK. . .

LITSNACK GOES ON HIATUS. . .

Litsnack will be going on hiatus until early January to celebrate the remainder of the holiday season.

But when we come back in 2008, look for stories from Andy Henion and Spencer Troxell, as well as poetry from Andy Riverbed and more from James Lineberger.

Feel free to continue submitting throughout our hiatus, however. We'll need something to do in the new year!

And remember: at Litsnack, our motto is: Easy in. Easy out. Nobody gets hurt!

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.