Episode 14: The Bridge Back to Home

Episode 14: The Bridge Back to Home. It's Steven J. McDermott coming to you from the Panic Room with the Winter of Different Directions podcast. This week's story is "The Bridge Back to Home."



"The events that precipitated my return to Boston involved acts of cowardice I can scarcely admit to myself. I had just turned twenty that summer and left Boston for Craigspittle, a small Scottish village on the cusp of the highlands, from where I hoped to escape my family’s traditional occupation. A year later, my decision to return home was made while standing on an old stone bridge. The same bridge the men of Craigspittle—who also were facing an uncertain future—had marched over in 1314 as they left town to join Robert The Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn. . . . "

Listen to the episode: download the mp3 (22:35 mins 15.5 mb)
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In addition to the podcast, I've posted commentary on the story over in the Storyglossia litblog. In a feature I'm calling "The Story Behind the Story" I give you some history on where the story came from, why I wrote it, how it changed in its various revisions, as well as discuss—in true Storyglossia fashion—some of the craft issues I was working on in the story. So check it out after you listen to "The Bridge Back to Home."

Next up, in episode 15, I'll be reading "Gas Money."

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