Shelly Oria, "Beginnings"

It’s December 1. To kick off the 2019 Short Story Advent Calendar, here’s a story about kicking things off from the author of New York 1, Tel Aviv 0.

How would you describe your story?

SHELLY ORIA: Hmm. The story of an affair between a (married) writer and an editor, told in twenty-two sections? A commentary on nonlinear time, the violence inherent in the editorial process, and the inescapable subjectivity of the human experience? It would really depend on who’s asking.

When did you write it, and how did the writing process compare to your other work?

SO: Oh, this story tortured me for years. I’d come back to it every few months trying to get the structure right—move stuff around, take stuff out—fail, and let the thing breathe again. At first it was called “The Editor’s Undoing” and was altogether bad. At some point later, the sections were numbered but not titled, because I tried to capture the narrative’s cyclical nature “organically” (it didn’t work). Once I workshopped the story in Bulgaria. The only real trick is to keep showing up.

As to how the process compared: I’d say some stories have a mean streak. Or maybe they’re just demanding, or even lost. Either way: they come into our world in a way that requires more attention and time. I love them just the same.

What kind of research went into this story?

SO: Well, I had to cheat on multiple people, and for data credibility I had to find a new editor to cheat with each time, so it was no small task; I was running out of editors. I also had to become an editor myself briefly and ask my then-partner to cheat on me, so I could gain insight into both main characters. But it was all worth it in the end.

What, to you, makes the short story a special form? What can it do that other kinds of writing can’t?

SO: Short fiction is one of the biggest loves of my life. I'm not being facetious this time; this answer is genuine. Short stories are so unforgiving, so rigid: mess up in even the smallest way and they give up on you. But get it right? You'll know real magic.

Where should people go to learn more about you and your work?

SO: Here. And also here. 

What's the best gift you've ever been given?

SO: Many years ago, a novel written by one of my favorite playwrights with a Post-it Note attached that read You don't have to choose; I'd been torturing myself trying to decide if I wanted to be a playwright or a fiction writer. 

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What did you think of today's story? Use the hashtag #ssac2019 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to check in with your fellow advent calendarians.