Writer's Work Speaks for Itself at Santa Barbara's Speaking of Stories
Melinda Palacio -- February 21, 2009
Santa Barbara writer Susan Chiavelli has had an incredible winning streak with her short stories. She's won three first place prizes for her fiction and non fiction work. In February Speaking of Stories will feature her essay, "Death, Another Country," winner of the Chattahoochee Review's Lamar York Prize for Nonfiction in 2008. She's more than thrilled her story will be performed on stage, alongside works by Tobias Wolff, David Sedaris, and Tennessee Williams. "It's an incredible honor," says Chiavelli, "but also surreal to see my name next to authors I have admired for so long."
Susan Chiavelli made a splash on the literary scene in 2008 when she won the New Millenium Writings Short Fiction prize for "Winter Oranges," the title story of her novel-in-reverse, followed by "Girls Life: A How-to-Manual," taking the Tonka Grand Fiction Prize at Minnetonka Review, and "Death, Another Country," winning in the Non-fiction category at the Chattahoochee Review. Chiavelli was already on her way to becoming a successful writer in this dreary era of vanishing publishing houses, editors, and champions of books and the written word. In 2007, she won first place for her story, "Greasy Pink" from 580 Split and her short story, "Slow Dancing with Joey D" was published as an indivdual chapbook by Lunch Hour Stories . The seattle-born author is very humble about her winnings, but finds some satisfaction in the recognition.
"It is always gratifying to have work published, and obviously awards add extra affirmation. I like to keep it all in perspective. Some of the stories that won had also been rejected elsewhere. Writers need encouragement to move onward, and writing awards are a little like the paper heart, or the diploma and the medal for bravery that the Wizard of Oz hands out. They give us courage."
The former nurse of 20 years is a careful observer and listener. Santa Barbara's kind-hearted and courageous writer has had the pleasure of hearing her work read at Speaking of Stories three times. This thrice time she won't be so nervous and might take a moment to take in the reaction of the audience and hear the ringing of applause at the end, a thrilling moment for someone who never imagined her writing would be read on stage. Her success has much to do with her meticulous attention to revision. Each story she submits has been rewritten and polished to exhaustion.
Speaking of Stories became a Santa Barbara institution in 1995 when Steven Gilbar decided to put on the first show at the Center Stage Theatre. Chiavelli became an instant fan because of her love for listening to NPR's Selected Shorts on the radio.
"I had a tradition of listening to Selected Shorts every Sunday evening while I prepared dinner. I loved feeling the rhythm of the stories as I assembled my meals, and I noticed that my chopping fell into a cadence that mirrored the reading. It's very beneficial for writers to listen to stories read aloud, to feel them in a visceral manner."
SoS Creative Director Maggie Mixsell, has chosen and condensed "Death, Another Country," for Monday's performance at the Lobero Theatre. "Death, Another Country," is a memoir about the experiences surrounding Susan's sister's death, and the insights she finally gained about her sister's Asperger's Syndrome. "This essay was emotionallly cathartic," says Susan. "I had scattered writing, poems, journal notes, etc, and one day I simply sat down and cobbled all the pieces together." Actresss Meredith McMinn will read the essay at Speaking of Stories, Monday, February 23, at 7:30 pm at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara,CA 93101, 805- 963-0761.
Neither being a nurse or having lost her mother five years ago to a sudden heart attack prepared Chiavelli for the death of her sister Nancy. "I don't think anything, but the experience itself can prepare us for dealing with the loss of a parent, sibling or loved one," says Chiavelli. "That is why I titled my essay, "Death, Another Country." A full copy of this story is available at the Chatahoochee Review.
The theme for February's show is Stories of Life, a topic Chiavelli is at home with. However, the essay form is a departure for the poet and fiction writer. The essay has also brought a new level of understanding between Chiavelli and her father. Susan's father has proudly displayed the essay to many people, even though he doesn't agree with Susans' perceptions of her sister Nancy, also a gifted artist who painted fairy tale scenes and had an appreciation for people who didn't fit in.
What's next for the busy author? She's working a new novel, new stories, new poems, and her agent is pitching Winter Oranges. These new projects will all be written in the hayloft of the barn her husband Dennis is building for her. Although she jokes about her low-tech sensibilites and lack of a website, samples of her work may be purchased online.