“Why I Write” by Mort Laitner
Why do I spend countless hours tapping on these keys?
Writing—deleting—writing—deleting.
Searching for the prefect verb or phrase.
Looking for similes and metaphors.
Waiting for that inspirational moment.
“Now that would make a great story!”
The answer my friend is not blowing in the wind.
I reckon it’s found on my computer screen or in my inner ear.
When the owner of Books & Books writes,”Thank you for your lovely poem and your kind words.”
When a gentleman, in Middletown, New York (who I have never met) reads my online story and calls me an “artist.”
When a Toastmaster on Facebook says,”I will be presenting from the Interpretive Reading advanced manual, project #1, Read a Story. Not your usual speech format.
I selected the short story “Happy Endings” by Mort Laitner. If you’re a Vietnam War Veteran, a student during the 60’s and 70’s….or, know one….or, have been affected by it… or, simply curious about the author’s message.. then, come and listen as I hone my speaking skills and make the story come alive through: vocal variety, tempo, rhythm, inflection, volume, pitch, and pause.
When a Florida reader tells me that my short stories usually end with a bang.
When a fellow writer gives my story three—ha ha ha.
When readers on Amazon or Good Reads comment:
“A real page turner, easy to read, Will pass it on to a friend;
“I recommend this book. Anyone who reads it will learn so much and be touched;”
“I felt as if I could pinpoint the author’s emotions and I was also experiencing them while reading the stories;”
At first, I thought the writer jumped around too much, but then I appreciated the funny chapters in between the more dramatic chapters, 5 stars, for sure.
Well, I answered my own question.
I write for these readers.
This essay was published in the December issue of the South Florida Writers’ Associations publication—The Authors’ Voice.
