Comments on: An Obligation in Kalamazoo by Piper Davenport http://www.backhandstories.com/fiction/an-obligation-in-kalamazoo-by-piper-davenport/ Backhand Stories is a creative writing blog that supports new writing and the writing community by publishing new short story fiction, creative writing, short non-fiction stories and essays by new and unpublished writers Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:15:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/ By: Ivor Griffiths http://www.backhandstories.com/fiction/an-obligation-in-kalamazoo-by-piper-davenport/#comment-213 Ivor Griffiths Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:01:54 +0000 http://www.backhandstories.com/fiction/an-obligation-in-kalamazoo-by-piper-davenport/#comment-213 I enjoyed the story. The language had a voice that I did noot enjoy. It just seemed a little too rooted in the time period in which the piece was set. That having been said it may appear logical to do so. However if you read Toni Morrison whilst the dialogue of the characters is in the vernacular the voice of the narrator is mainly contemporary with the odd turn of phrase to remind us, now and again, of the period. Cheers Ivor Griffiths I enjoyed the story. The language had a voice that I did noot enjoy. It just seemed a little too rooted in the time period in which the piece was set. That having been said it may appear logical to do so. However if you read Toni Morrison whilst the dialogue of the characters is in the vernacular the voice of the narrator is mainly contemporary with the odd turn of phrase to remind us, now and again, of the period.

Cheers
Ivor Griffiths

]]> By: Piper Davenport http://www.backhandstories.com/fiction/an-obligation-in-kalamazoo-by-piper-davenport/#comment-187 Piper Davenport Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:38:14 +0000 http://www.backhandstories.com/fiction/an-obligation-in-kalamazoo-by-piper-davenport/#comment-187 Author's Note: The year 2005 was a milestone for me. I moved from an absolutely dreadful city (IMO) Philadelphia back to my home state of Michigan. Whereas I was grateful for employment, I longed to pursue my first passion, writing. In my pursuit of writing, I came across two graduate programs that moved me to want to be a part of their programs. During the time when I was applying to the first program, I thought that my first novel was going to take place immediately after the American Civil War. I've alwaysbeen fascinated by turbulent time periods in history. However, I later learned that writing such a novel was going to involve more time and research than I was able to give at the time, so that novel and those ideas have been placed on the back burner. However, I came across some really fascinating details about Michigan in the 1860's that I just came out of me one night in the form of this story. Certain pejorative details and language thatmmay be offensive to some have been left in the story in order to authenticate the time period. History can often be controversial and even painful but I believe that it is important to remember history as it was in order to learn and keep with us the lessons that we have learned. I believe in artistic expression and I apologize in advance if anyone is offended by this story. In these sensitive times, sometimes it is necessary to include a disclaimer in order to understand where the author is coming from. Thanks! Sincerely, Piper Davenport 01/29/2008 9:34pm Author’s Note: The year 2005 was a milestone for me. I moved from an absolutely dreadful city (IMO) Philadelphia back to my home state of Michigan. Whereas I was grateful for employment, I longed to pursue my first passion, writing. In my pursuit of writing, I came across two graduate programs that moved me to want to be a part of their programs.

During the time when I was applying to the first program, I thought that my first novel was going to take place immediately after the American Civil War. I’ve alwaysbeen fascinated by turbulent time periods in history. However, I later learned that writing such a novel was going to involve more time and research than I was able to give at the time, so that novel and those ideas have been placed on the back burner.
However, I came across some really fascinating details about Michigan in the 1860’s that I just came out of me one night in the form of this story. Certain pejorative details and language thatmmay be offensive to some have been left in the story in order to authenticate the time period. History can often be controversial and even painful but I believe that it is important to remember history as it was in order to learn and keep with us the lessons that we have learned. I believe in artistic expression and I apologize in advance if anyone is offended by this story. In these sensitive times, sometimes it is necessary to include a disclaimer in order to understand where the author is coming from.

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Piper Davenport
01/29/2008
9:34pm

]]>