Articles by jts-admin

by D. Shapiro and J. Shapiro

Goal (2013)

One day before Christmas, with the lofty, ethereal, whitish red dome of the San Juan Mission behind us, and after a breakfast of “make your own Omelet” and a chocolate chip pancake, we began our meandering walk along the historical mission district’s small Carmelesque shops.

J’s comment:

8/8 In terms of Goal, which I love, it could be considered something called factual narration, which presents facts in a story form.  I agree it’s not fiction, but it’s a fictionalized version of what was observed in that there is narrative “smoothing.” It’s like a haiku that meticulously observes a piece of water on a leaf – that is “factual,” but it is also art.  Same for Goal.  It’s not the same as The Last Harbor which is clearly fiction.   Anyway, you could call the section factual narratives, or..  Either sounds good to me! Love, love, J

Read the Story

by D Shapiro

Fernando is an old man (89) who sings personally at each table at Olemendi’s, a Mexican restaurant we frequent. He slowly approaches the table and each time we see him (for the past thirty years), we have to take a breath. It’s not our style. We like to be out in public (and then create a private aura around us).

Johanna’s comment: A  really touching story, about the singer, and about the writer – and his growth in kindness and self-awareness. I love the old man thinking his purpose was to sing – and your purpose was to listen (kindly, and maybe with one or two degrees more kindness than initially mustered).  This story is a perfect example of creative nonfiction.

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