A couple of months ago I came across a call for submissions for an anthology. It had two requirements:
- The story must take place in Toronto
- And it must have a dark theme
I have no problems with the second point; I love dark themes. However, point one had me stumped, and I'm not sure why.
I'd like to think I know Toronto inside out, that I know where the dangerous neighbourhoods are, the clubs, the rich parts. And yet, I couldn't come up with a believable premise for a dark story that took place in Toronto.
I walked around asking people I know what makes them afraid, hoping to find that spark, but it never came.
And so one day, while checking back on the page for the Toronto story, I found out that the call for submissions had been suspended.
A part of me felt free to write again. In fact, I've written the first draft for a new story, called El entierro (The burial). I've looked inwards for inspiration and so it's a story based on something that may or may not have happened to my great-grand-parents in their youth.
I haven't found the cure for writer's block, and one day I intend to write a great story that takes place in Toronto. You'll be the first to know when I do.
H. J. Chacon