LIFE HAPPENS

by

Heather Seanor

A Creative Writing Project

Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

through English Literature and Creative Writing

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

the Degree of Master of Arts at the

University of Windsor

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

2002

© 2002 Heather Seanor

APPROVED BY:

___________________________________

Name [outside department reader]

Program

___________________________________

Name

Program

___________________________________

Name, Advisor

___________________________________

Name, Chair of defense [program chair or delegate]

ABSTRACT

The collection of short stories that appears in Life Happens is not candy-coated. These stories depict teenage life as many teenagers live life. Included are drugs, happiness, alcohol, answers to questions, success, hormones, sex, timidity, death, contention, humor, confusion, friendship...life. The characters are from diverse backgrounds and encounter life's obstacles in different ways. Adolescence should not be black-flagged; it should be embraced as a stepping stone to adulthood. And many times, certain kids need some guidance over those stones. Therefore, it is the hope of the author that teenagers read these stories, think about the characters, their desires, actions, and mistakes, and make good decisions in their own lives.

DEDICATION

Writing is hard, so I want to dedicate this collection of short stories to everyone who has given me even the tiniest bit of criticism, advice, encouragement, and hope. I never gave up.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT	iii

DEDICATION	iv

The Crazy That Happens	1

Journal Essay: May 4, 2001	9

Leo Capistrano Tells Last Week's Tale	14

The Summer My Life Ended	26

www.chat.com	43

Saxophone	69

Hot & Cold	81

Girl Talk	88

No Time to Run	101

Ain't Gonna Cry	114

VITA AUCTORIS	126