Four elements inspired me to
write “Folds in Life and Death”: 1. the IWSG anthology contest, 2. the Curse of
Tippecanoe, 3. my fascination with origami and paper magic, and 4. the grief I
felt by the on-the-air deaths of Allison Parker and Adam Ward.
Despite insecurities, I couldn’t
pass up the chance to submit a story. The genre of alternate history spurred me
to think up ideas. The perfect one hit me while showering.
In fifth grade, I learned of the
Curse of Tippecanoe. According to legend, Tecumseh had his brother place a
curse against Harrison and future presidents elected in years with the same
number as Harrison (1840). The curse ended when Reagan survived an
assassination attempt, but my mind whispered an intriguing question: What if
Reagan had died and what would happen to the new president elected in 2000?
From an early age, I’ve been
fascinated by the art of paper folding. Paper planes fly. Paper frogs hop, and
paper cranes’ wings flap. A simple piece of paper could transform into anything.
The idea of paper magic isn’t new, but I enjoyed putting my spin on it in
another short story (“Paper Lanterns” from the anthology Mayhem in the Air), and I revisited its world for “Folds in Life
and Death.”
On August 26, 2015, WDBJ7 news
reporter Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were gunned down on live TV. I
never had the honor of meeting them, but I have met people who’ve worked for
WDBJ7 because it’s one of my hometown TV stations. Some events hit you harder,
and this story gave me a chance to work through my emotions.
Without one of the four, the
story wouldn’t have been the same. It’s interesting how these things work out.
COMING MAY 3, 2016
Tagline: In 2001, the Curse of Tippecanoe strikes again.
Story Description: Allyson Moore loves using her gift of paper
magics. With precise folds and an incantation, she brings paper creatures to
life.
But being a Paperist has its
downsides too. She sees spirits, but she can’t revive them. She folds paper
lanterns to release souls, but she can’t stomach sending another family member
from this earthly realm.
The Curse of Tippecanoe,
conceived nearly two centuries before, claims her brother, the President of the
United States. She must journey to Washington, DC to be with her orphaned niece
and nephew, but nothing—not even magic—can prepare her to see the brother she
hasn’t spoken to in two years and release his soul to the sky.
Website | Blog | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
Congratulations, Cherie!
Love the premise.
Have you ever used an alternate history to write your stories?
Will you now?
