Tomas Baiza, director of Academic Advising and Support, published two new short stories, “Adelante” and “Extra-Large for the Lord,” in the literary journals Peatsmoke and The Good Life Review, respectively.
“Even though they are very different stories, I wrote the main characters as different sides of the same coin—one naive and eager for change, the other more cynical, less self-aware, and less prepared for the revelation he will experience,” Baiza said. “They’re basically alternate-universe versions of the same character.”
In “Adelante,” I wanted to focus on that very particular moment when a young person begins a journey into the unknown, with the context here being the transition from high school to college.
“Extra-Large For The Lord” is taken from a real event in Baiza’s life – a deliberate cultural faux pas was the catalyst for a moment of wonder in a large group of people. Listen to an interview with Baiza on this piece here.