Performed by Hugh Ritchie
Get to know the writer:
What is your short story about?
A naïve young man does not realize that his girlfriend is trying to get him to break up with her. She has most likely cheated on him, but his passivity is also to blame for their problems.
Why should this story be read by people?
It is a mainstream flash fiction story.
How would you describe this story in two words?
Paralytic naivety
What movie have you seen the most in your life?
I love the Fisher King. With Jeff Bridges as a shock jock trying to find redemption and Robin Williams as a homeless person on a quest to find the Holy Grail, it is packed with humor and dramatic scenes.
How long have you been working on this story?
This is a story I wrote 20 years ago. Every so often I pull it out and change something small.
Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Absolutely! I love Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. His humor and timing is just so great. It is a meticulously plotted story.
What motivated you to write this story?
A breakup of my own.
What artist would you love to have dinner with?
I would most like to have dinner with William Shakespeare. I almost picked Leonardo Da Vinci except I do not speak Italian.
And while I believe in the adage that you should not meet your heroes, there are so many questions about Shakespeare I would like to know. I would love to have a first hand account of how Shakespeare wrote and how he spent his days at The Globe.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am passionate about working with children with Autism. They have a unique, honest take on the world around us.
What influenced you to enter your short story to get performed?
This is a unique, interesting project. I love that it brings together to different forms of art and thought that the performer could add another dimension to my story.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
My advice is to be part of a writing community and support the writing in your community. This includes spreading the word and reviewing other authors.
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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Novel Writing Festival 