from: The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald
edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli (Scribners, 1989)Pages 25-47
(original artwork from the Saturday Evening Post)Originally published in 1920, I wasn't sure what to expect from this story--I knew it was one of F. Scott's most read/discussed and just the title alone makes me think of flappers, short hair, and prohibition.
You too?
Well, it turned out to be fantastically accurate in the "game" of womanhood. (unfortunately) Think Mean Girls (or Heathers or any other coming-of-age story where the girls carve each other up).
I can't reveal the end, but it's good--and I didn't see it coming...
Marjorie made no answer but gazed pensively at her own image in the mirror.
"You're a peach to help me," continued Bernice.
Still Marjorie did not answer, and Bernice thought she had seemed too grateful.
"I know you don't like sentiment," she said timidly.
Marjorie turned to her quickly.
"Oh, I wasn't thinking about that. I was considering whether we hadn't better bob your hair."
Bernice collapsed backward upon the bed.
Oh yes, there will be scissors...especially since a boy is involved (Warren), but I am very curious about the 3,000 words F. Scott reportedly removed from the story in order to get it published.
Which makes me think of my own work and what I submitted to several creative writing programs in hopes of being accepted. This line of thinking is not related to story specifically, except for the art of editing.
I guess you just "know" what to cut and not to cut? (pun intended).
~~J
I never have any idea. When I first started this MFA program, I was so panicky about what the others thought of my writing that I would edit until the poem was an ugly stump.
ReplyDeleteNow, I just try to write, give myself some time, and then try to go back and get an idea of what the overarching theme of the poem is and remove everything that's irrelevant.
Right now, I have a publication at the Los Angeles Review that's pending as long as I remove from stuff they suggested and change the title.
Oh, the world of art.
Oh geez!
ReplyDeleteThat's a super tough call--I was sitting Cary Holladay's office and she was kind enough to let me look over an actual typewritten letter from the Editor of a journal she's been trying to get published in for years.
They had some questioned/wanted her to change the name of one of the characters (a horse) and maybe the title--send it back for review.
She appreciated the comments and was going to look at it again--which is what it seems we are "learning"--not "how to write," but how to "edit."
If it doesn't kill the integrity of your piece--consider it, right?
Keep me posted.
~~J