Shiloh: story idea that Elkin praised as 'Kafkaesque' may end up as a novella

Aug. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- ROCKFORD, Illinois - The storyline that was put together under pressure in a matter of moments during a 1985 Bread Loaf Writers' Conference workshop session at Middlebury College in Vermont may become a novella titled "The Scarecrow Dance", Doug Shiloh said.

During that crucial workshop, Shiloh put together a synopsis of a story that had three characters, set in the 1940s and faced the jury of one of the conference's biggest literary names: Stanley Elkin, who passed away in 1995 from a heart attack.

"I think he appreciated humor with a twist of darkness. "George Mills" shows that. The synopsis I came up to tell him and the group cut to the heart of the matter. Just look at how rich his works can be summed up."

What was Elkin's reaction to the story idea?

"It reminded him of Kafka," Shiloh added. "He said it was a compliment."

Kafka is recognized as one of the 20th century's most unique literary voices, with stories like "The Hunger Artist" and "Metamorphosis." According to Wikipedia.org, Kafka's work shows "... apparent hopelessness and absurdity that seem to permeate his works are considered emblematic of existentialism." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafka]

With the 2010 session of Bread Loaf begins next week, Shiloh is reminiscing about an experience full of memories and lessons that remain with him. Shiloh says he was infused with the power of story and feels that 21st century books "can't ever forget the story or the reader."

Currently, Shiloh is seeking a publisher.

"After this new novel ["Waiting for the End"] I may switch and do a trio of novellas, like Jim Harrison did with the magnificent "Legends of the Fall." But I can see "The Scarecrow Dance" being set in the near distant future, instead of the 40's. It has a very contemporary theme. I can easily see it as a film, with the hint of sci-fi. No matter if it's about wizards or vampires, space ships or anything else, it's about people in the end."

Shiloh is dedicating his new in-progress September 11th novel "Waiting for the End" to Elkin, who was a mentor at Bread Loaf. His first novel "Pookoo", a satire of celebrity, is available at Amazon.com or as a PDF book for free from http://www.dlshiloh.com.

"He was a master of the scenario, with books like or "The Magic Kingdom", which was just published back then. Hollywood would die over Elkin's story lines - they would be classic log lines. I am amazed that only one of his works have made it to the big screen. But it's still early."

Point in case with Elkin's "The Magic Kingdom." In it, a father of a terminally ill child starts a British "Make-A-Wish" like program for other ill children but in true Elkin style, all goes wrong like a freak snowstorm and a run-in with Mickey Mouse.


THE MAGIC KINGDOM at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-American-Literature-Dalkey-...

THE DICK GIBSON SHOW at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-American-Literature-Dalkey-Archive/dp/1564781984/ref=pd_cp_b_1

POOKOO:
http://www.pookoo.net

WAITING FOR THE END:
http://www.911novel.com

Related article on PRLOG:
http://www.prlog.org/10830370-bread-loaf-writers-conference-mentor-elkin-inspired-shiloh.html

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