Wherein we discuss the plot structure of a short story I like to call “The Handoff,” as opposed to a “Simple Ideal,” which I contrast. Much narrative is geeked throughout 😊

Mechanics lessons referenced are linked in the cards (see below)

Links to “The Vault”:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/AN7kiCc2FnA
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/136SQbPLEeKX52hxjN3FeG
Substack (Full Text): https://perowe.substack.com/p/the-vault

https://www.rowelit.com/support

The companion book for the Mechanics series containing lecture notes and exercises is tailored to sharpen the skills covered in each lesson and is available through my online bookstore:

https://www.amazon.com/author/p.e.rowe

Navigate the series: https://www.rowelit.com/mechanics-of-fiction


“Simple Ideal” Stories:

Edgar Allan Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado”: https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/147/the-works-of-edgar-allan-poe/5245/the-cask-of-amontillado/ (Revenge)

Rick Bass, “Fires”: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Zb4utGPdc01yU8TeF15gS (Sex/Romance)

Philip Roth, “Defender of the Faith”: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1959/03/14/defender-of-the-faith (Dilemma)

John Cheever, “The Country Husband”: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1954/11/20/the-country-husband (Transgression)

Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Roger Malvin’s Burial”: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Hawthorne_RogerMalvine.pdf (Transgression)


Handoff Stories:

Anthony Doerr, “The Shell Collector”: https://www.anthonydoerr.com/books/the-shell-collector

Heidi Julavits, “Marry the One Who Gets There First”: http://classic.esquire.com/marry-the-one-who-gets-there-first/

Lauren Groff, “Delicate Edible Birds”: https://laurengroff.com/book/delicate-edible-birds/


A huge thank you to Lofi Records and the amazing artists who make their work available there!

https://www.youtube.com/@LofiRecords

Music in this video:

1. Blue Wednesday – Dots
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bsOzH6jLdI
• Blue Wednesday – ...
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/AfterHoursEp

2. Hevi x Kurt Stewart x S N U G – Imaginary
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUbBn7My_Mo
• Hevi x Kurt Stewart x S N U G
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/BeforeItsLate

3. softy x Lucid Green - Lazy Afternoon
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGcO8r15Rak
• softy x Lucid Green
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/OvernightEP

4. Hoogway x WYS - Favorite Band
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyoSIfq9p-M
• Hoogway x WYS - F...
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/ThinLines

5. Dimension 32 - Floating Island
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQwv-bVJtLY
• Dimension 32 x TA...
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/Aeolia

6. xander. x Carrick - Numb
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtkD5mLhiXY
• xander. x Carrick...
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/ForestOfDreams

7. Sátyr x Drxnk x Living Room – Lucid Dreamin’
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WvtJheNmT8
• Sátyr x Drxnk x Living Room
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/ArgoEP

8. No Spirit x Jhove - We Are Going To Be Ok
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PpAYTAPtNY
• No Spirit x Jhove
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/HappyMoments

9. Hoogway - Found You
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR_JZzQR9hc
• Hoogway - Found You
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/EquationOfTime

10. Krynoze (ft. Goson) - Companion
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZjv7BoWPs
• Krynoze (ft. Goson) - Companion
- Download/Stream: https://fanlink.to/Pawmises

11. Squeeda – Lost World
- Provided by Lofi Records
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDK2KJ8k-cs
• Squeeda – Lost World
- Listen: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rgPemi3mvhFTP6R5nQ2tt

Thanks for watching!