Book Brouhaha

Summary: Noah awoke in a casket. The casket was on display in a funeral parlor. He awoke several times more in the same casket and each time had a conversation with the funeral services practitioner, a strange man named Jeremy Black. During these exchanges, he became aware that his memory was seriously impaired. Each time, however, he learned a little bit more about his past through a reliving of the last desperate few days. He also learned that the recovery of his memory would lead to his death. Problem was: It might already be too late. Review: As I read this story it reminded me a little of a compressed version of the 1985 movie  Clue , what with its elements of mystery, humor and mayhem. I can almost picture Tim Curry as the undertaker. “Coffin Humor” is both entertaining and a bit bizarre, venturing almost into “zany” territory thanks to the quick pace. What starts off as an offbeat piece of realistic fiction develops quickly into into a mystery, and ...

Summary: When Marge Harper decides to host a Special Olympian for the weekend, she knows only that he is somehow handicapped and is an avid skier. Despite her own infirmities--which are significant--she is sure she will be able to help her Olympian—until he turns the tables and changes how she sees the world. Review: In this story, Brinling’s portrayal of the emotional and physical hardships those with  disabilities face is both compelling and honest. The compression of so many emotions into a story that spans just over twelve pages feels overwhelming at times. The main character oscillates wildly between self-doubt, self-loathing, fear and joy. However, the emotions feel genuine and the reader is left feeling satisfied at the end that things are looking up for all the characters. Brinling’s writing is smooth and easy to read. The author is fond of employing  metaphors, which, though not always spot on for the situation, are entertaining. The d...

How did you become interested in short stories? I’ve always liked short stories since I first read Poe. As an author, do you think writing short stories is worthwhile? Why? I write short stories as a break from my larger works or when I feel the need to put something down on paper as a result of something I've seen or heard that affected me. What types of short story promotion have worked for you? I've used my short stories as a means to promote my name recognition, not as an income generator. His First Kill is available free on Smashwords, and I have done well with it. I’ve recently made my two other shorts free, since I’m interested in reaching new readers more than making any money on them. The titles of these two stories is: A Whale Of A Myth and A Memorable Weekend. Do you consider 99 cents to be a fair price for a standalone short story? Why or why not? I think it’s fair, but there seems to be resistance to paying...