Challenge 382 Response

“The Corridor”

by Tabaré Alvarez

I was over at Challenge 382 and noticed the expanded question 1.a. for “The Corridor.”

Thank you for the work and time you put into these questions. I find them very interesting, as their premise speaks to the premise of the story as a whole, and it's always fun for me to compare how I thought a given aspect might be received (the BDSM in this case) to how it's actually received.

And thank you for the kind note, Tabaré. The Challenges are a lot of fun for me. They keep me thinking about what Bewildering Stories is actually doing, and they let our contributors know that at least one “real person” has actually read their works. Of course, I cheerfully snaffle up any likely-looking questions that the Review Editors propose in the course of our discussions.

Everyone — especially the authors themselves — is invited to send Challenge responses. We’ve had lively and interesting discussions in recent issues, and one of them is due to continue in issue 383, time permitting.

It would be interesting to hear how you intended the bondage and dominance theme in “The Corridor,” Tabaré. You may not change our own interpretation, and you never know where a discussion may lead. Suffice it to say at this point that we at Bewildering Stories are big fans of Dutch and Mrs. Medina, and we’re sure you would never do anything to hurt them.

That’s why I allude to the horse and rider premise in Connie Willis’ Lincoln’s Dreams. In her novel, there is no suggestion of dominance, let alone “S&M”; Connie Willis depicts a noble partnership.

Keep up the good work, Tabaré!

Don