Fun Fiction

A friend gave me a copy of a university-published "literary magazine." It's all short stories and poems. I've been reading it on the john. Most of the stuff is pretty good, though honestly, I'm not a big fan of the poetry. Some of it is obscure, even deliberately obfuscating, and that puts me off. But I liked a couple of poems in the magazine, and most of the short stories are well written.

The stories, even the poorly written ones, have one thing in common. It's as though the professor said, "Write about your most miserable experience. Child abuse, drug addiction, and/or rape will get you an A plus. And remember, no laughs!"

There are a few famous literary magazines that every writer wants to get into. I've tried to read them. I can't get through them. Too depressing. I don't know if all literary magazines are this way, just the ones I've read.

In fiction, a main character has to go through trauma. He has to have a strong need or we won't follow him. But I can't endure fiction that has absolutely no light in it whatsoever. It's one of the reasons I wrote Camelot & Vine. I like to learn when I read. I like to have to look up a word or check out a reference. But when I read I also want to enjoy myself.

It's not like I haven't experienced trauma. But I've already had therapy and I don't want to write about it.

In Camelot & Vine, you know from the beginning that Casey has problems. She's sleeping with a married man, she's failing in her work, and she has no relationship with her one surviving parent. Her history explains how she has become this person. Then she's thrust into an adventure she doesn't comprehend but must, in order to survive it. And it's dangerous and it's romantic and it's fun. At least, I think so.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with dire fiction, or highbrow poetry. These works require talent and perseverance to create, and they have an audience. I'm just not that audience.

So I did what I suspect a lot of authors do. I wrote the book I wanted to read.

*****

And now for something completely different!

FREE CONCERTS IN THE PARK ANNOUNCED THROUGHOUT SUMMER SEASON

Ann Erdman, Pasadena's former Public Information Officer, apparently can't just sit back and enjoy being (or drinking) a Lady of Leisure. She's helping the Pasadena Senior Center spread the word about free concerts:

You don’t have to be a senior citizen to attend free, family-friendly concerts at Pasadena’s Memorial Park band shell Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. this summer, sponsored by the Pasadena Senior Center.

 * July 16 – The Salty Suites present a blend of toe-tapping Americana, bluegrass and folk music.

 * July 23 – Tumbleweed Rob and the Southwest Junction performs traditional western cowboy music with a country twist.

 * July 30 – Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra performs historic and contemporary classical music.

 * Aug. 6 – The Folk Collection presents Americana music at its best, with songs made famous by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and other greats.

 * Aug. 13 – The Perfect Gentlemen combine a cappella harmonies with humor to keep the tradition of Vaudeville alive.

 * Aug. 20 – Lisa Haley and the Zydekats is a Grammy Award-winning group that performs lively Cajun Zydeco music.

 * Aug. 27 – The Rock Bottom Boys present rock and roll hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s with a fun, hillbilly twist.

 * Sept. 3 – The Great American Swing Band will round out the summer concert series with the sounds of Big Band, standards, swing, rhythm and blues, jazz and Dixieland.

Bring a picnic or purchase food at the BBQ snack bar. Memorial Park is on Raymond Avenue between Walnut and Holly streets in Pasadena.

 For more information visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call (626) 795-4331.

A Brilliant Idea

The Dena Magazine has got something going on. These guys started small and kept going, bridging gaps, and they haven't stopped. Sometimes they write about things other Pasadena publications either gloss over or never mention at all. I think their progress is well worth watching.

On May 19th, from 10am-3pm, The Dena Magazine brings us The Dena Community Business and Arts Expo at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly Street. I have no idea what it'll be like but my guess tells me it will be diverse and interesting, with young businesses and new faces. When we attend at the Convention Center ten years from now we can say we were at the first one.

"Einstein and Beyond," the 1998 mural on the south side of the Senior Center, is by southern California artist Gifford Myers. The mural is part of Pasadena Public Art Walking Tour #3.