In April 2015, B.K. Stevens debuted the blog series “The First Two Pages,” hosting craft essays by short story writers and novelists analyzing the openings of their own work. The series continued until just after her death in August 2017, and the full archive of those essays can be found at Bonnie’s website. In November 2017, the blog series relocated to my website, and the archive of this second stage of the series can be found here.
This week continues a series of essays by contributors to the new anthology Heartbreaks and Half-Truths, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk and to be published later this week (available for pre-order here now). Contributors to the new anthology include Blair Keetch, Buzz Dixon, Chris Wheatley, Christine Eskilson, Edward Lodi, Gustavo Bondoni, J A Henderson, James Blakey, James Lincoln Warren, John M. Floyd, Joseph S. Walker, Judy Penz Sheluk, Kate Flora, KM Rockwood, Paula Gail Benson, Peggy Rothschild, Rhonda Eikamp, Robb T. White, Sharon Hart Addy, Steve Liskow, Susan Daly, and Tracy Falenwolfe—and I’m pleased to host Christine Eskilson today, talking about her story “For Elizabeth.”
Christine’s stories have appeared in several anthologies from Level Best Books—Blood Moon, Rogue Wave, Red Dawn and Landfall—as well as in Pick Your Poison, Creatures of Habitat, Over My Dead Body, and Why? and through the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable.
I hope you enjoy her essay on her newest short story here!
Please use the arrows and controls at the bottom of the embedded PDF to navigate through the essay. You can also download the essay to read off-line.
Eskilson-Heartbreaks
Pingback: The First Two Pages: “Tongor of the Elephants” by Buzz Dixon – Art Taylor
Fun insights. Thanks, Peggy!
I loved his leaping over the counter and spraying strawberry bits everywhere.
Looking forward to reading your story!
Thank you, Art, for your support and thank you, Christine, for sharing the story behind the story.