K. Marvin Bruce

My my recent story published, “As Nature Directs,” (it can be read here ) just appeared in The Fable Online .  This was a story inspired by Poe and, as I mentioned to the editors, was primarily about setting the tone. It’s a creepy story that originally had somewhat religious undertones.  The source of the tension is that the protagonist doesn’t know who he really is.  Do any of us know who we really are? Riding a horse, I told my writing partner Elizabeth, always reminds me of Poe.  I have to admit a couple things here: I haven’t ridden a horse since I was in college (I was a summer counselor at horse camp), and the reason I associate horses with Poe is the opening of “The Fall of the House of Usher.”   “The Fall of the House of Usher” is my favorite short story.  It was firmly in mind when I wrote “As Nature Directs.”  There’s nothing inherently supernatural about the tale.  It’s suggested, but not explicit. The wonders ...

There are weeks, as a writer, many weeks in fact, when I don’t submit anything for publication.  I have a backlog of stories, and even of novels, but putting yourself out for possible rejection never comes easily.  On the uplift from an acceptance, my ebullience leads me to submit others. This has been a week of Yes and No.  I was pleased to hear on Wednesday that The Fable Online has accepted my story, “As Nature Directs,” for publication.  The acceptance note kept me happy, even through work. Thursday Liminal Stories turned down my effort entitled “Fire Everlasting.”  The editors said that the writing was good but the fit was not.  That’s something I can understand.  I really should be better about matching content and container.  It’s a growth area. Having editors say the writing is good always provides a boost.  It was one of the readers’ comments on “As Nature Directs” that stayed with me.  The reader noted that the s...