“A Narcoleptic’s Guide to Romance”

 by

Vivian Darkbloom

Reviewed

by

Brigit M. Morgan

 

I think every writer has this one place inside of them that they should make a point to seek out and find. Maybe it has a name, something rooted strongly in Latin, maybe Greek¾I don’t know. The more you write, the more you start to feel it out (or in) there. You intuit it, catch its shadow, its influence¾but rarely if ever, catch a glimpse.

 

Perhaps in time, you begin to have a general idea where it might be. So, like some later-day Columbus of the soul, you point yourself at it and go. That’s probably when the fear sets in¾when you start to realize just what we’re dealing with here. You end up tracing its contour, tarrying¾for here (to press the tired metaphor a little further) there be monsters.

 

One way I would describe this place is that it is your “voice” free of the filters of influence and fear. Another way is it is a place where you are naked without the cloaks of pretension, sentiment, artifice (a place I definitely avoided when I wrote that sentence…) It’s the Source¾the place where all the shit is pure. The writing from here pours out honest, beautiful, painful¾often full of contradictions, but therefore full of Life (yes, with a capital L.) It does this because it comes straight outta you. Scary, huh? Definitely one ass-ugly, chilling thought…

 

I don’t think you have to reach this place to write. I think many writers (some of the greats) have never reached this place. Perhaps if one wanted to be successful in their lifetime, one would do well to avoid such a place, but I believe that the best writing comes from here.

 

By the end of “A Narcoleptic’s Guide…” it becomes pretty clear that Vivian Darkbloom has found this place and planted her freak flag all over it. Ms. Darkbloom’s entire canon is essential reading for any Xenites¾but I present “A Narcoleptic’s Guide…” as my personal recommendation, my personal favorite (if I had to pick) and an example of just what fiction (fan or otherwise) is all about.

 

Known for her piss-take at staid Uber clichés in the hilarious “White Trash” series, “A Narcoleptic’s Guide…” is also a diametric departure from your usual Uber. But while in “White Trash” Darkbloom presented hilarious cartoon caricatures as an alternative to standard Uber fare, this story’s strength is the two incredibly damaged, believable, wonderfully rendered characters it effortlessly presents¾and it does it all in just under 5000 words. Short, evocative, bittersweet¾this story is without equal in its ability to create such sublimely human characters¾a rare thing in the Uber (or any) genre.

 

I’m full of impressions whenever I finish reading the story. I’m left with the impression that of all her stories, this one has the most Vivian in it. I’m not calling it autobiographical in any way¾just more honest, closer to a real place, a raw spot, brave. I keep thinking about that place I wrote about earlier¾a place that I’ve never found, but am now inspired to discover.

 

Narcoleptic's Guide to Romance