BLAIR WITCH CAMPGROUNDS: POSTSCRIPT You probably have a few questions. I think I know what they are, and will answer as best I can, in a moment. But first I want to thank everyone for following along as I posted this story in installments over the course of our 3 week car camping Odyssey across the Great Southwest. For me, it was a little like being a war correspondent. Always on the move, life chaotic and unpredictable, the one recurring activity being the ritual of finding an hour everyday to step out of the fray into what ever makeshift sanctuary could be arranged with lap-top on knees, to report back to you. Of course, like war correspondents everywhere, I didn’t know who you were, or if you were even really there. So the ritual was one of faith. You tell the story, you post it, and you trust that it will arrive and be appreciated. Your ‘comments’ and ‘likes’ became the lifeblood of my creative process, giving me sustenance and renewing my resolve. It started out as just another of my regular postings about the trip, this time having to do with a trying day and difficult place. But there was something about the experience that called out for more, and I felt inspired to stretch out and write about it. One of the books I brought along to read was Steven King’s ‘On Writing’ - his guide to the aspiring writer. Not a bad read, and actually very helpful. Two of his points, the importance of story and the importance of dialogue, hit home and I decided I’d use the developing ‘Blair Witch Campgrounds’ story as a writing exercise to practice what he was preaching. Most of my prior writing has been about sharing observations and getting ideas across, not telling a story. I’ve done almost no dialogue before. At 9,000 words this was more than four times longer than my typical expositional piece. And - although this piece started out as non-fiction, it ended up being fiction, and that’s a first for me too. So, no, there was no big bang, no crop circle, no aliens in the sky, and most importantly, dear sweet Effie is just fine. What was true? Starr Springs is there, and I’d stay away if I were you. It really does have a disturbing vibe, as does the whole area around the Unknown Mountains. Strange Marie? You betcha. Bombshell? Yep. Desert Storm? I still have his card. The after-hours, stealth vehicle? Absolutely. And, yes, the Anasazi really did disappear and no one knows why. Finally, and this may be my favorite; Effie really did say ‘I know where the big knife is’! Signing off for now - Art
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 00:34:12 +0000
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