Over the Edge Again by Samuel Durr


We did it again. My writers critique group here in Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago has released an anthology. It shows off the high skill level of the members I’m lucky enough to critique with — and the range of our imaginations.

“As Fast as You Can,” by Julie Danvers, takes a hard look at corruption in the Fairy Kingdom. Who murdered Humpty Dumpty?

“Sport,” by Z Jeffries, examines an ugly divorce through the tender eyes of a boy fixated on comic books. Could Batman fail?

“R/truthseekers,” by Briana Shucart, narrates the pathetic implosion of a Reddit online conspiracy group.

“Milk Cow Standing in Field #48,” by Nate Currier, studies art and its meaning in an authoritarian society, using an absurdist angle. Nominated for a Pushcart prize.

“Maleficium,” by Edward Pionke, takes the point of view of an oppressor without taking his side.

“Let Me Stop You There,” by Edward Pionke, could have been titled “Am I the Asshole?” If you have to ask, the answer is yes.

“Catch and Release Protocols,” by Coleman Gailloreto, accomplishes that rare feat in science fiction: humor.

“In the Weeds,” by Sue Burke. I destroy humanity, but with a dash of marvel.

“Wild Heart,” by Samuel Durr, who also edited the anthology (thanks!), uses his experience as a hunter to explore the relationship between two people who didn’t seek each others’ company.

These nine stories have no theme besides short works that we’re proud of. By the way, new members in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood are always welcome. You can find us on Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/edgywriters/



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The Difficult Loves of Maria Makiling by Wayne Santos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like to read books I could never have written. In this case, I don’t know Filipino or Canadian culture from the inside out. I also don’t write a lot of humor, especially not the zany, snappy wit that makes this novella a delight.

A young woman falls in love, and a pattern seems to be emerging that she can’t entirely recall until she has to save her lover from being murdered by a demon. Then Maria realizes she is the goddess of Mount Makiling in the Philippines. And we get dialogue like this:

“Got an errand to run,” Maria said. “I gotta see a horse about a man.”

It’s fast and fun, it has magic swords, and (are you listening, Hollywood?) it would make a great summer movie.


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True story. Almost 25 years ago, when my now-husband and I were planning our wedding, we thought it would be good if our parents met ahead of time. We invited them to come to our home for dinner.

I knew my parents and my future in-laws well. The men would do whatever their wives told them to do — but the women had very different ideas about punctuality. So I told my mother to come at 6:30 p.m., and I told my future mother-in-law to come at 4:30 p.m.

Everyone arrived, as expected, at 5:30 on the dot.

Creativity tends to be associated with imaginative artistic creation like writing a novel or song, or painting a picture, but I think that’s much too narrow.

Raising children requires creativity: a parent may be called upon to solve the problems and fulfil the needs of a three-year-old with whatever is on hand (three-year-olds have little patience), using a lot of imagination and improvisation. A business owner faces unpredictable frustrations and opportunities. Cooks, teachers, and engineers, among other workers, have to innovate in tiny and huge ways all the time to create new products and outcomes and re-create old products and outcomes out of changing resources. These roles and many others demand creativity.

We can create beauty, justice, order, value, love, and solutions. Creating anything takes effort and brings joy. The process of creation also changes who you are as a person, maybe a little, maybe a lot. It reveals life.

How will you create today?

Overall, I see pretty well. I use glasses, but even without them I could manage to read or walk down the street if I had to.

However, the vision in my right eye is a little poorer than the left eye due to minor age-related problems with the vitreous humor (the jelly-like substance inside the eyeballs) and a cataract. I can see well, but the difference is noticeable.

Despite that, I see better and more clearly with both eyes than with just the left eye alone. The right eye still has something worthwhile to give — proof again that contributions of smaller size or lesser quality can be valuable. It all adds up.