New story

I wrote a new story the other day, completely unrelated to my serial project. It's just a bit of flash, something I wrote almost entirely on notecards as I was walking around. There was a discussion on a writers' forum about dramatic monologues, so I decided to give one a try (not the first one I've done, now that I think of it, since I did one that's similar in some ways about a year and a half ago--but that one was more whimsical and light than this one).

When I think of dramatic monologues, I think of Browning's "My Last Duchess," so that was my jumping off point. I ended up with a genocidal psychopath who appreciates the art of all the peoples he's destroyed. But then when I looked back at it...I had this vague sense that I'd read something similar before. Or maybe just read a review for a similar story. I'm not worried if it's just vaguely similar to something else, but with how short it is, I'd be a bit worried if the central conceit of the character revealing his past atrocities while showing off an art collection is the same as something else.

Ring any bells?

Comments

Joe said…
Not quite a sociopath, but it reminds me of Thrawn from the Timothy Zahn Star Wars novels. He learns about his enemies by their art and has an extensive rare art collection.

I feel like such a nerd now. Excuse me while I go do something cool.
Daniel Ausema said…
Interesting--I'm sure that's not what I would have been thinking of (if it existed, it was a short story of some sort), but I like the idea there. Thanks :)
Elliot said…
Hey, I remember Thrawn's art collection...

Reminds me a bit of the game in Oryx & Crake, where all the great artistic achievements of the world are weighed up against the genocides and wars, to see if humanity is really worth it or not.

Also, I haven't read it, and I don't know what it's about, but didn't Charles Stross come out with a book called "The Atrocity Archives?" Though yours would be a bit more like "The Atrocity Art Museum." Could be shaped as a fun parody/pastiche/response...?
Joe said…
The Atrocity Archives is a supernatural spy thriller, though there may have been an art museum in the book somewhere.