Letter From The Founder
Romance. A subject that can be either saccharine or cynical if not handled with the proper care, reverence and respect. It’s so easy to mess it up, to hit a false note, to make a sneering joke of it in order to avoid the risk that comes with exposing your beating heart to a possibly uncaring audience. This is what is meant by vulnerability.
Romance is one of the big topics, the big themes, one of those that require the writer to step up and truly say something.
Which I am proud to say is exactly what the writers who have met the challenge of this months topic have done. Unsurprisingly, the majority of this month’s issue consists of poetry and fiction- the ideal mediums for tackling matters of the heart. But what is surprising to me is how well our essayists have been able to turn their hands to romance, bending and warping the potentially dry medium of the essay into something that can give a fair reflection of the various facets of romance.
There is a lot of beauty in this month’s issue, of course. There are sentences and images and ideas that for my money stand equal with the best stuff being put out anywhere today. Online or off. Perhaps this is what happens when a group of great (and sadly under-appreciated) creators of all ages, nationalities, genders and backgrounds are given a platform to freely express themselves and are encouraged by camaraderie and a little friendly intra-group competition to reach new heights. Or perhaps I’m just a simple romantic.
In any case: enjoy.
Essays
The romantic life of the book reviewer by Terry
As always Terry takes the surface idea that these Symposium prompts can generate and then completely skewers them. So rather than discussing ‘romance’ in the sunsets and fluttering heart sense he instead uses this essay to dissect the romantic notions that people hold about the ideas of being a writer and reviewer. A fascinating inside look here with Terry’s usual wit and clear-eyed good sense.
Giving up on Love in This Sexy, Lusty World by Norman
Sadly I think the sentiments in this are becoming increasingly prevalent and I was happy to give Norman here the space to vent. There’s a real honesty in this one and therefore a courage too.
Recite, Rewind, Repeat by Barbara
I absolutely adore Barbara’s in-depth discussions of Old Hollywood cinema. They always have a way of making me watch an old black and white gem after I have read them. And the accompanying pictures and Tinseltown GIFs are just the icing on the cake. Barbara is easily one of the most interesting and enjoyable reads among our Symposium regulars each month.
Entiendo, pero no entiendo. Amo y, no amo. by Trilety
How can I possibly top how Victor (see below) described this piece in it’s comment section?
The poetic sounds of Spanish and the poetic sounds of your writing come together for me as a romantic celebration of life mingled with the touching remembrance of loss that leaves us both thankful and wistful.
Poetry this piece is. It’s beautiful.
Fiction
Quantum Crush by Vanya
In a world where love is ruled by the heart, Felix Futzbucker finds himself governed by the laws of physics.
The always thought Vanya has even been kind enough to include a logline for this story, which means less work for me. He’s shaping up to be the heir to the STSC throne when I abdicate/mysteriously disappear/retire to a palatial villa with all of my future Substack millions.
Starbright Over and Out by Minna
Would you say Bella and Juan loved each other less or more after he got the smartbrain?
This is one of those that will stay with you. Great conceit and fantastic execution.
The Machines by D.B.
It’s all in the details. D.B. has got that cinematic way of moving the story along and giving the reader specific little details and gestures and thoughts that make the reader paint the whole vivid scene in their minds. He should direct films or something.
Love Has Brought Me Here by G K Gaius
It’s amazing how much emotion and punch G K has compressed into such a short space here. This is the power that the short story as a medium can have.
An Odd Time Melody From Above by Victor
And she says let’s take a class together and that sounds good so they enroll in How To Fix A Buick and before long they’re both up to their old armpits in sweat and grease but feeling younger and more like rolling in the hay despite the smell.
The popular imagination takes romance to be a matter of youth and lust but there is much more to it than that. Victor captures something real and too seldom used in storytelling in this one. Incredible work.
The Romance of Art by Clint
I suspect that at one point the relationship between the creator and the Muse was the theme of many a work of fiction. But we live in more rational and thus more disenchanted times. Which is a shame. However Clint’s story reminds us of the romance of this romantic way of seeing the creative act. Show, don’t tell.
A Love Trinity Denied by Edward
I’ve said it before but our man Edward is creating whole universes here, spanning eons. There’s no one else like him out here. The vastness is dizzying, in the best possible way.
Poetry
Facing the Abyss by Yardena
Getting a little sultry with this month's Symposium piece
Indeed. It’s the confidence of this piece, the knowing smirk, that sells it. Really captures a mood.
Why I Prefer to Read Mysteries by Jeanne
*This is really prose with line breaks, not a poem.
However it’s really good so we’ll let you off. And a Princess Bride reference will surely win over even the most hard-hearted of poetry sticklers for the rules.
What Romance Requires: by Ann
This was absolutely beautiful. You must stop whatever you are doing and slowly read this amazing work. Print it out and hold it in your hands if you have to.
So that was the STSC symposium on Romance. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for your support with these projects we share, thank you for reading them and thanks for all of your comments, feedback and notes. Thank you for taking the time to share them and pass on the word.
And of course above all thanks to all of the contributors and those who help keep the STSC going via their kind support, especially those who keep a low profile, I hope we will be able to coax more of you into taking the plunge and participating in future issues.
Cheers.
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