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LocalLit is newsletter that connects local authors with local readers. Each week a new short story by a local author – or a review of a book written by a local author – is sent directly to subscribers email.
Next week's short story is by Kevin Trusty of Joliet, Trusty said in a 2018 Herald-News story that he loves the art of storytelling: the escapism, the stress relief and submerging himself in the process.
Recently Trusty spoke via email with Herald-News features editor Denise M. Baran-Unland.
Baran-Unland How has your writing improved?
Trusty: I feel I've become better at exposition and pacing, and branching out into different styles and thematic approaches. I'm still working on dialogue and the always-elusive endings - both are constant works in progress. As writers, we continually strive to improve every facet, but if you notice that one or more areas are better than they used to be, that's a great start.
Baran-Unland: What advice would you give for writers?
Trusty: Just write! It doesn't matter what subject or genre. Just write something - a lot of somethings. I look back at pieces I wrote two/10/20 years ago, and often cringe. But if I never started writing in the first place, I wouldn't have been able to hone my skills - and certainly wouldn't have the passion for it that I do. In Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, he talks about the biggest self-imposed challenge writers have is resistance; a hindrance from within. But often times, just starting to write something can break that lock. Writers write.
Baran-Unland Give a one-line summary about your featured short story.
Trusty: "It's Only Iowa, Chappie" is derived from a rather well-known story. (It'll be obvious where the source material comes from for those who have read W.P. Kinsella's amazing book, or seen a certain popular Kevin Costner film.) I thought it'd be fun to take a look at that story from a unique insider's perspective. I'm breaking my own rule here - usually I think what you don't know can be more interesting, but in this case, let's change that.
Baran-Unland: Tell us about your current work-in-progress and/or future works.
Trusty: It's the 100th anniversary of the infamous 1919 World Series - the Black Sox Scandal - so I have written some recent stuff for my baseball history blog, with more on the way, on that subject. I have a few more interesting baseball-related projects in the pipeline as well. I'm also finishing a handful of short fiction pieces that I plan to compile into a small self-published book, and doing some guest posting on different websites. Always writing something!
Baran-Unland: Where can people find more information about you?
Trusty: My baseball history blog at radbournsrevenant.com and ktwriting.com.
KNOW MORE
Each week LocalLit will deliver an original short and family-friendly story by a local author – or a review of a book written by a local author – to the newsletter's subscribers.
Authors with a connection to our readership area may submit. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Stories should be edited and between 1,000 words and 7,500 words.
Featured authors will be spotlighted in publications before the newsletter runs so readers have time to sign up.
To submit a story or book for review, contact Denise M. Baran-Unland at 815-280-4122 ordunland@shawmedia.com. To sign up for the newsletter and read Trusty's story on Tuesday, visittheherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/#//.