Descent

Origins: The bunker has had some extensive repair since I was there. I have no doubt it’s perfectly safe now. Even so, bring your cellphone. And a sweater.

Number of drafts: 4-6. Immediately after the events described, I made sketches of the bunker and the path I took down there, as best I could, because I wanted to retain the physical details of the place. The relationship narrative came later.

I tried this as third-person omniscient, and also had several scenes I deleted after workshopping. The structure was rearranged several times before the final draft, with the “darkness” narrative braided throughout the overarching narrative. The unusual opening in the published version was suggested by E. The story went through at least four different name changes. The version in I Would For You is also a little different from the december narrative.

Published in: december (as “Crossing the Rubicon”)

Rejections: 4. All four were higher tier. Because december does not allow simultaneous submissions, I did not send this anywhere else while it was under review.

Length of time between submission and acceptance: 84 days.

Music: Kabát, “Dej mi víc své lásky”

Nick Cave, “Loverman”

Timber Timbre, “Bad Ritual”

DeVotchka, “Viens Avec Moi”

Firewater, “This Is My Life”

Poor Man’s Poison, “Devil’s Price”

Tom Waits, “How’s It Going to End?”