Abstract
This short fiction collection focuses on some of the darker aspects of the human psyche; the ways we notice life, the ways we deal with life, and the impact these dealings have on our lives as a whole. The introductory essay discusses the author’s inspiration for the pieces included in the work; additionally he examines the writing process and provides instructive summaries for the stories which comprise the project. The first story “The Weigh Down” explores the subtleties of a person pulled towards the edge, and what must happen in order to pull them back. “Signs of Madness” delves into the realm of the fantastical, as we follow a character who continues to see out-of-place road signs that end up leading him, unknowingly, away from a fate he would never wish. The third and final story of this collection, entitled “Wearing Thin” follows the story of a man who, after coming to the conclusion that his only escape from the difficulty of life is suicide, must face three increasingly challenging trials that seem real to him, but may only be taking place in his mind.
Author’s Note - This thesis collection has been a large part of my life for quite a while now, and has become an extremely personal endeavor.
