"When I woke up this morning I had a good idea for a story. It did not come to me in a dream as they sometimes do, but popped into my head as I was squinting into a shaft of sunlight piercing the blind that did not quite cover the window..." (p. 32, "Uncle Hiram")
I liked this short story about how Uncle Hiram replaced the story the writer had in mind and helped create a new story with his usual question,
"What'cha writing about?"
The writer lied to deflect Uncle Hiram's usual criticisms and said,
" A dog's head and a cat's head on the same body." (p. 34)
But Uncle Hiram liked the idea and asked a few more pointed questions to show his interest. The lie then truly became a good idea - the cat and the dog in an argument, about the auto industry for one.
In the end, the author says, "I knew that Uncle Hiram was going to love this story." (p. 35)
These quotes are from "Uncle Hiram," one of 24 short stories and 27 poems in Thomas A. Hauck's new book, PUBLIC IMAGE: stories and poems, published 2009 by Avanti Literary, in association with Booklocker, Inc.
Publisher's description:
"Revealing the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary situations, (the stories and poems)...examine the human experience.
Thomas Hauck is also author of Pistonhead, a contemporaty novel about how rock guitar player Charlie Sinclair finds success." More information at www.thomasahauck.net
Thanks to the author for review copies.
