Places to Lie: Stories

Abstract

This thesis presents a collection of three short stories written or revised during my graduate tenure at Texas A&M University. Thus, what follows offers a solid example of the creative writing and literary knowledge obtained through creative writing coursework and support from English departmental faculty. In order to review my research methodology, I have provided an introduction to discuss each story?s development and literary influences. These stories, entitled ?Imagine a King,? ?Bleach Everything,? and ?Dotting the Iris,? explore themes of sacrifice, the incompatibility of happiness and truth, and the benefits and dangers of silence. However, the overarching theme revolves around the injurious treatment of things that should be considered sacred, namely self, family, and history.