New C. S. Friedman short story available online

Just found out about this on Friedman's Facebook page:

In May of 2011 I volunteered to teach a writing workshop in a juvenile correctional facility in Sacramento. In order to encourage my students to engage with me, I invited them to join me in crafting a science fiction story. They could contribute whatever plot elements they wanted, and I would help them weave it all into a single narrative. And it was okay if the elements were a bit crazy, I said, becaise this was science fiction; I wanted them to have fun with it.

Oops.

So we wound up with a First Contact story in which aliens chose a junkie drug dealer for their first human contact. Because, you see, the aliens needed to buy some meth.

When I heard that the day after my workshop all the kids were abuzz with delight over having helped create a story in which a drug dealer was responsible for an alien invasion of Earth, I decided to write it up for them. It turned out kinda cute, so I thought I'd share it with ya'll
.

Follow this link to read it! =)

4 commentaires:

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to say.

I mean I appreciate the invention and the quality of writing.

Jesus though.

I don't think this helped out those kids at all. Now it's even cooler to smoke and deal dope because the aliens are coming to buy. You too could save the world from an alien invasion (yeah right, fucking crackhead). Or, you know, have an extraterrestrial general on your buyers list.

Roland said...

This reminds me a little of the Tool song Rosetta Stoned... :)

Nolan Giesbrecht said...

I don't think this helped out those kids at all. Now it's even cooler to smoke and deal dope because the aliens are coming to buy. You too could save the world from an alien invasion (yeah right, fucking crackhead). Or, you know, have an extraterrestrial general on your buyers list.

And what makes you think that you would have even a clue if this exercise helped the kids? Have you spoken to them? I know that having an adult take an interest in their lives, taking the time to lead them in a creative process which they are integral to could be a big deal in a kid's life.

Second, did you even read the story? The meth dealer doesn't save earth, but acts like an idiot, loses a fortune and condemns earth to an alien invasion. Sounds like the youth focused on de-glamorizing drug dealers.

Mike said...

I have to agree with Nolan.

I think "Anonymous" doesn't realize the impact that having an adult actually care about a creative sentiment in a child has.

I've got teaching experience, and sometimes the smallest interest can make the biggest difference in a child's happiness and well being.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of those kids get inspired to spend their time writing or pursuing other creative endeavors instead of whatever got them in J-V because of Ms. Friedman's workshop.