On Wednesday, the world lost a great writer. Kurt Vonnegut is best known for his anti-war novel, Slaughterhouse-Five. It is a fictional book based on the fire-bombing of Dresden, a series of air-strikes that Vonnegut himself witnessed as an American soldier in Germany during World War II. The novel's main character, Billy Pilgrim, lives through the horrors of those few days over and over again, as he remains unstuck in time.

On hearing of the recent author's passing, Joel Bleifuss, editor of In These Times said that Vonnegut was "a man who combined a wicked sense of humor and sort of steady moral compass, who was always sort of looking at the big picture of the things that were most important."

I have read about half of Vonnegut's extensive and impressive collection of science fiction novels. It's nice to know that, even though the writer may be gone, we can always visit with his alter-ego, Kilgore Trout.

A few quotes from the late Kurt Vonnegut:

Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter can be said to remedy anything. - KV

A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved. - KV

I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, "The Beatles did." - KV

All time is all time. It does not change. It does not lend itself to warnings or explanations. It simply is. Take it moment by moment, and you will find that we are all, as I've said before, bugs in amber. - Slaughterhouse-Five

I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over.  Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center... Big, undreamed-of things -- the people on the edge see them first. - Player Piano

New knowledge is the most valuable commodity on earth. The more truth we have to work with, the richer we become. - Breakfast of Champions

...and so it goes.

The runner-up in our Take Me Away! contest (Senior Fiction category) is Andi Malisheski. Andi's story is entitled, "Songs".

Here is what our guest judge, Ursula K. Le Guin, had to say about it:

"Songs" is a lyrical picture of the yearning spirit of youth, when you can be homesick even when you're home, with a suggestion of spiritual experiences and adventures yet to come.

Andi is turning 15 this weekend! Happy birthday, Andi!

   When we asked her how long she has been writing, Andi told us that she's been writing ever since she was able to read! "In fact, when I was in second grade, I wrote a kid's book on Egyptology. Thankfully, it's packed away in a box that will never see daylight again!"

   When asked about the genre of fantasy, Andi replied, "With fantasy, there are very few limits to what you can imagine--your words don't have to conform to any of the same rules as if you were writing about this world. Everything--histories, cultures, characters--is entirely your own."

   "Anyone can write. The hard part is learning to write well. For me, the characters that make the story must be so genuine that you can see them stepping off the page and out into the world. Flaws and all."

  
Flaws definitely keep characters interesting, Andi. No flaws in your story though!

Congratulations on being Take Me Away's runner-up!

Click HERE to read "Songs," a story by Andi Malisheski ... and check out her cool art, too!

The runner-up in our Take Me Away! contest (Junior Fiction category) is Kevin Valente. Kevin's story is entitled "The Mystery of the Shadow".

Kevin is 14 and has been writing for about 2 years now. He likes brainstorming different topics and then writes in spurts when he is sufficiently inspired. When we asked Kevin what inspired him to write "The Mystery of the Shadow," he told us that his grandfather in Italy is a sculptor and has shipped them many statues. Kevin's yard is filled with inspiration!

   "The Mystery of the Shadow" may mean many things to you, but to Kevin it is about finding answers and facing your fears.

Not all writing can make that claim. But yours certianly can, Kevin. Yours can.

Click HERE to read "The Mystery of the Shadow," a story by Kevin Valente.

The runner-up in our Take Me Away! contest (Senior Poetry category) is Melody Hughes. Melody's poem is entitled "Auromorphis".

Auromorphis is a gritty portrayal of greed that starts out leaving dust and a lack of air and moisture in our mouths. It is only by journeying with these alchemists through to the end that we find what they really desire is not gold but something much more substantial. This is truly one poem of unmeasurable worth.

Melody is 15 and has been writing since she was in the 2nd grade. "Writing for me is based on spontaneous inspiration and not habit," Melody told us. "My inspiration for Auromorphis came mostly from science class, where I learned what alchemy is and became fascinated by the subject."
   "I like the fantasy genre because you can get so creative with setting and characters. However, fantasy can be written poorly with many cliches, weak plots, and stereotyped characters."

Maybe that is so in some cases. But not yours, Melody. Not yours.

Click HERE to read "Auromorphis," a poem by Melody Hughes.