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Fixing the Endling

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In gymnastics they call it “sticking the landing.” Meaning: coming up with a solid finale to the piece, a culmination of all the bits and parts of plot, dialogue, and character. Hopefully, leaving the reader with a hmm instead of a huh?. The taste left in the mouth at the end of a great meal, the bit that stays with you. In my critique group I rely on Tim to help me stick the landings. Like it ends here or here is the last line. But, sometimes, all he says is it isn’t working or needs more and doesn’t tell me how to do it. When all I want is a story fairy godmother to swope in and fix it. Mostly, I want to live in denial and think everyone in my critique group is wrong. It’s hard to buckle down and see exactly how to end it. I mean I can end it, but what is the secret sauce the piece needs to really bring it together in that profound pondering way that feels like magic. I have a couple of examples. I had a short story about 7,000 words called “Museum of the Mall” (Spring 201...
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Booking stand-up at a homeless shelter

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I once invited a comedian to perform at a homeless shelter. There were several factors at the time that went into this decision. One) Everyone appreciates a little humor Two) Those starting out need a little help and feedback ie they need an audience Three) At the shelter day program you have a built-in audience ie they aren’t going anywhere, they love the extra attention, and, sometimes, participation is mandatory In Chicago I was part of an artist resource network and occasionally there were on-line notices from up-and-coming comedians working on a schtick looking for feedback, bookings, etc. I contacted one of them to see if they were interested. Thus, I booked someone I’ll call Frank. Frank arrived in the alley separating the two across-the-street shelters. I found him nervously smoking a cigarette. It’s gonna be fine, I said. To be honest, Frank wasn’t great. His routine needed a lot of work and polishing. But the guys were generous with their laughter and, at times,...
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The Hiding Place

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World Wide Pictures is a film studio/production run out of the Billy Graham Association. Cue “Thief in the Night.” A movie most Christian teenagers remember seeing and responding to the “altar” call. I mean who wants to get left behind (another infamous film and book title). I remember being freaked out by the movie: Wait! What’s going to happen?! The Hiding Place based upon the writings of Corrie Ten Boom ( Tramp for the Lord , etc) is a memoir of sorts, before there was even a thing called memoir. It is the story of how Corrie, a middle-aged woman, and her older spinster sister, and their elderly father Casper Ten Boom a watch/clock repairman are inspired to help Dutch Jews hide and escape from the occupied Netherlands during World War II. The movie came out in 1975. As a kid, I remember it being very Jesus-y. As a young adult entering street mission work in the inner-city of Chicago, I remember the maxim that God gives us what we need at the right time, based upon Casper’s father...
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Smashword eBook sale, 50% off my titles

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  Search Jane Hertenstein and select a title eBooks are 50% off until the end of July
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The Things We Never Say, a review

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The Things We Never Say Elizabeth Strout Viking, 2026 Elizabeth Strout’s new book is out, The Things We Never Say , and I read it over one week. Am I an Elizabeth Strout fan? I don’t know, but I’ve read everything. Why? Because they hold my attention. The writing is such that I can easily enter the heads of the characters while at the same time nothing is spelled out. We are allowed to interpret: Was that conversation a bit off? Did she just dismiss him? Now what are they supposed to do? Basically, they are basic. The stuff we humans endure. Secrets, inner pain, frustration with relationships. Laundry. Jobs that do not satisfy. Unfulfilled dreams. Why? Because they are dreams, destined to stay that way. The order of things. I was struck while reading The Things We Never Say how similar this book is to the writing of Kent Haruf*, a novelist who wrote about a fictious town on the eastern plains of Colorado. An area called the Front Range. In the town of Holt where nothing much happ...
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