Recently, I got my proof copy for my story that’s coming out in the Spring issue of Santa Monica review. The printing is forthcoming. I’m supposed to turn in a mailing list probably some time this week, so if you’d like to be on it, send me your address (barringon99 at gmail dot com). If … Read more
It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday in April and this blog is officially neglected. The problem with neglecting something — like your student loans or cleaning the kitchen junk drawer— is that the longer you leave it, the more daunting it feels to come back to it, which makes it take even longer – so when … Read more
A couple of 2020 bright spots as we round out the year. I think it’s okay to mention, as rumors of Season 3 have been public since June. Paul and I got to do this: We wrote in the fall and have heard that the shoot actually happened in December in Atlanta, making this our … Read more
EPISODE 06: “Superman Falling”To save his marriage, a New York advertising exec reluctantly accompanies his wife to the Midwest. Superman Falling lives near to my heart, first because it came from an emotional place, and second, because it I learned so much working on it. The emotional origin was years ago. I was recovering from … Read more
EPISODE 05: “How to Write Your Own Biography”When her best friend is diagnosed with cancer an empty-nester takes a road trip, leaving her husband at home. This past Thursday, I came home to the treat of this copy of Chariton Review in my mailbox. (Lest you be misled by the 2018 date on the cover, … Read more
EPISODE 3: “Monster Leaves Dog”(After the Storms, Part 3) As a long-married couple prepares to part ways, the husband tries to convince his wife to change her mind. This story is the third of three interrelated stories called After the Storms.As with “Room” this story originated with a prompt: Two characters part ways forever. We were … Read more
EPISODE 02: “Tribe” (After the Storms, Part 2) SUMMARY: In a dystopian future, a woman juggles memories of her former life with her growing feelings for someone new as she and her nomadic tribe face a dwindling water supply in the desert. NOTES:This story was first published in an anthology, *Turning Points: Stories About Choice … Read more
The other day, I was asked to give notes on a short script that had an interesting premise and main character and cool settings, but felt lacking in dramatic dramatic tension. In my notes I talked about obstacles and stakes, which are elements that come up commonly enough with clients or students, that I thought … Read more
EPISODE 01: “Room”(After the Storms, Part 1) SUMMARY: In a near-future dystopia, two people check into a hotel room knowing only one will check out. NOTES:This story was first published in Devilfish Review (where you can still read it). It stands alone, but is the first part of a trilogy of stories called “After the … Read more
In upcoming weeks, you’ll be seeing a new tab on this website. I’ve had the plan for awhile to make a landing page with some of my short stories and essays, but had been dragging my feet. Or maybe not dragging my feet, I was just running around in different directions — but it was … Read more