Writing workshops present a mixed bag. Out of many submissions, a few might be worthwhile. It must be similar to what creative writing professors experience in every seminar or class. The good ones will shine and collecting stories for an anthology gives the editor the leeway to make the cuts.
Since this collection comes from GenPRIDE, “a non-profit organization in Seattle that promotes the health and well-being of older LGBTQIA+ adults,” one would expect the stories to be thematically geared toward issues surrounding sexual orientation. They do but sometimes only in incidental ways. Aging, health, family and societal obstacles are more of the focus.
Though varied, one story certainly stood out. “Twenty-Third Street” by Nancy Kiefer, captures so much in a relatively brief essay that it made me wish she would write a full-length memoir. As a young woman, she became pregnant, was basically coerced into marriage, then shipped off on a train to Yakima. The family dynamics are raw. Fairly quickly, it is evident that the marriage was a mistake. Through what must have been a difficult struggle, she finds her path to a different life and raises her son. The family ties remain frayed for years. Kiefer is an excellent writer and the skill with which she details her own awakening and the dynamics of her family, shows real writing talent.
As with most of these collections, the subject matter, and quality of the writing, vary. Another story of note was Steven Knipp’s “A Journey Without You” is a heartfelt telling of his partner choosing to end his life before the inevitable horror of the final stages of illness. Shayla Marie’s “The Drive,” a bleak tale of a sober partner at the end of her rope in dealing with a heroin-addicted partner. Though not as frightening, “The Long Goodbye” by Eric Pierre Carter, tells of a gay, Black man who moves his mother (suffering from Alzheimer’s) to Seattle. It is familiar to those of us whose parent(s) may have lived long enough to eventually face the same situation.
As stated before, the stories cover more universal themes of aging, regardless of orientation. Health does become the all-consuming subject for many of us. As my friend says, “here we go with the organ recital, again!” Orientation does shape how we view and respond to life’s eventualities. Sadness is a given but a dose of humor is welcome.
I had less patience for the stories that view some nominal spiritual quest as worthy of attention. It might be very important to you and your circle. If so, they will eat it up. For many others, it will induce yawns among those less inclined to be interested. Perhaps that is the inconvenient truth about our personal stories. They hold enormous meaning to us but might not be that remarkable or interesting. Given that, I will still listen to or read these stories. It is part of our continuing education to find the best path forward, despite life’s obstacles.
| Unmuted: Stories of Courage and Resilience from the GenPRIDE Community : Order HERE |
REVIEW: STEPHEN COYQueerguru Contributor STEPHEN COY has been an avid reader all his (very long) life ? and is finally putting his skills to good use. He lives in Provincetown full time with his husband Jim, having finally given up the bright lights of Boston and now haunts the streets mumbling to himself that no one reads anymore
Labels: 2020, book review, GenPRIDE, Stephen Coy
