So tomorrow, Nate is coming to visit.

A couple of months ago I spotted a piece of flash fiction called Almost Christmas on Night Train that took my breath, it was so good. I read over it a couple of times; then saved the link. It struck me that the story scene the author created was truly a ‘world unto itself’. That it said in a few words what the lives of the people inhabiting the story were all about, and probably always would be, even if, and maybe precisely because, they would never be able to see themselves clearly enough to know that all they were as human beings had been absolutely encapsulated in a few hundred words. Now, I know these are characters in a story, but the transfer potential to what passes for real life – to me, it was a good kind of a telling:

http://www.nighttrainmagazine.com/contents/graziano2_fb.php


Several days ago, I was looking around again at the short list of my favorite places to go and read excellent stuff, checked out the author list on Thieves Jargon and saw that Nathan Graziano was on there – the same guy who’d written Almost Christmas.

I read his poem: http://www.thievesjargon.com/workview.php?work=1152

Then, I did something I’m pretty sure I’ve never done before.
I wrote a fan letter. It was easy, because I noticed Thieves Jargon puts author’s emails underneath their names, inviting notes and comments.

Anyway, I didn’t expect much, maybe a simple ‘thanks’; I did mention that if he had time, it would be great if he could talk to my friends about writing and getting published.

I was happily amazed when Nate wrote back and said ‘sure’.

Here’s his blog (he likes baseball, and as you know, I know nothing about sports other than golf, except whether said sport has tight enough pants on its players than I can have myself a good watch, and actually enjoy it – but even though he likes baseball, he’s all right. Kind of reminds me of that Troll guy we all know and love).

http://www.nathangraziano.blogspot.com/

Anyway, Nate is gonna be our guest blogger here tomorrow. He’ll have a post for us comment on and under, so please get your questions ready about whatever – process, publication trials and tribulations, growing as a writer, wherever you are right now with your own questions on ‘what to do next’ or whatever, and pop them to him in the comments of the post that will go up tomorrow.

Nate is doing author tours and readings, so he won’t be around here on the weekend, as he will be traveling, so have at it with the discussion on Wednesday and Thursday, you all!

And thanks again for visiting with us, Nate!