General Archives - Page 75 of 81 - Ellen Morris Prewitt

We Got Plenty of Time

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on November 1, 2012. Posted in General. No Comments on We Got Plenty of Time

It’s six o’clock. The cab was supposed to be here at six o’clock. I call. “This is Ellen Prewitt? Y’all were sending a cab?” “You’re in Harbor Town, right?” “Yes’m.” “We’ve got someone coming.” I stuff the phone in my back pocket. Two seconds later the phone rings. “I’m coming to get you. You’re in Harbor Town, right? I’m on Park. I’ll be there...

Obvious Things I’ve Learned While Reading My Stories Aloud

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 31, 2012. Posted in General. 2 Comments on Obvious Things I’ve Learned While Reading My Stories Aloud

The Story Tittle Matters The title does so much of the initial work of the story. Not only does it establish the tone, it provides the reader with subliminal clues, such as the setting, the plot’s main conundrum, etc. I’ve always known my titles encapsulate the meaning of the story—if you didn’t get the title, I haven’t written the story well...

Leaving the Station

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 28, 2012. Posted in General. 2 Comments on Leaving the Station

We slowly roll from the platform, green metal tankers absorb the golden sun. Where does the red in the light come from? Why does the end of the day bring clarity? The buttery light loves the iron couplings the grey stained concrete, and slicks against the surface close as morning toast. The broken windows of the Good Samaritan Center flash orange...

“Buck Up, You Fool!” or Crying at Your Own Writing

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 26, 2012. Posted in General. No Comments on “Buck Up, You Fool!” or Crying at Your Own Writing

I’d been working on the short story for years. An early version was workshopped in Richard Bausch’s Moss Group. Later, the story received an Honorable Mention in the Memphis Magazine Short Fiction Contest. But I’d never successfully placed the story for publication anywhere. That’s because it wasn’t right. “Ain’t No Commies ‘Round Here,”...

Why I Have Decided to Podcast My Short Stories

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 22, 2012. Posted in General. No Comments on Why I Have Decided to Podcast My Short Stories

In filing new query letters for my short story collection, I came across an old document. The year was 2007. The list identified agents who asked for stories or the entire manuscript. There were many. I chose one. The agent I picked was not good for me. I piddled around with him for four years, only to ultimately part ways, my fiction unsold. I’m...

Don Chickote: Or the Strange Adventures of Lucinda Mae Watkins on the Train

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 11, 2012. Posted in General. 2 Comments on Don Chickote: Or the Strange Adventures of Lucinda Mae Watkins on the Train

As irrefutable proof of my ingrained belief that the problem must be mine, I retained the title, description, and target audience given to me by a former agent whom an editor said was not marketing my novel correctly. That period is over. Old Title: Trouble at Big Daddy’s Chicken Palace Emporium New title: Don Chickote: Or the Strange Adventures...

Are You Still With Me?

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 8, 2012. Posted in General, GRIEF. No Comments on Are You Still With Me?

When I was three years old, my daddy died. That’s quite a sad thing to happen, losing one’s father at such a young age, particularly when he was so young himself. Worse, he died suddenly, violently. His car was hit by a train, at a crossing that had a red light, but no warning arm to descend protectively across the track. He likely didn’t see...

Questions Begging for Answers (I’m serious – let me know)

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on September 20, 2012. Posted in General. 2 Comments on Questions Begging for Answers (I’m serious – let me know)

* Are filberts even nuts? * What the hell color is fawn? * Did all those spam emails from my friends originate w/me? * Can William tell when I don’t understand him? * Why am I always talking about how the brain works? * Can I erase and start over? * Can Thomas J. write a crossword puzzle w/out “spa” as an answer? * Is orange...

Terrible in its Sorrow

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on July 26, 2012. Posted in General. 1 Comment on Terrible in its Sorrow

Sometimes I read what I’ve written and I think, how could you do that? The Bone Trench novel is pocked with very brief flashbacks of the deaths of the bones in the trenches. Despite their brevity, they are intense. When I re-read them, I wonder how I could write scenes filled with such sorrow. I’ve just finished revising a short story...

The Land Behind Pickwick Lake

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on July 25, 2012. Posted in General. No Comments on The Land Behind Pickwick Lake

One novel is under consideration by two publishers and an agent. Another is with a final set of readers. I’m revising my first set of interlocking short stories. Suddenly, I’m running like a well-oiled writing machine. These very early short stories are good. Their problems lie mostly in mechanics. Too many words to describe simple movements....