Committee Chair

Einstein, Sarah

Committee Member

Baker, Sybil; Jordan, Joseph P., 1976-

Department

Dept. of English

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This thesis consists of six pieces of short speculative fiction, along with a short craft essay titled, “Affect and Interiority: Tools of Characterization in Speculative Fiction.” The short stories are rooted within an individual character’s encounter with the spectacular, specifically focusing on how individualized characterization drives the plot forward. The stories range from a young girl coughing up a star, to a young man’s heart exploding in the middle of a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. The six stories of this collection demonstrate the power of character interiority and affect, honing in on their ability to create the peculiar tones expected of speculative fiction. The craft paper focuses on this method of characterization as a craft tool within character-driven speculative fiction, analyzing how a character’s interiority and affect can be utilized within the narrative. When effectively implemented, these character elements enhance the surreal narratives within the collection, driving their developing plots forward.

Acknowledgments

There are dozens of people I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to, but I think the best place to start is with my community inside the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s English Department. Without their unwavering support, hours long conversations, and consistent guidance, I would not be where I am today. I would also like to thank my wonderful committee members: Professor Sybil Baker, who knew me as an undergraduate student and has stayed a constant presence throughout my time in this program; Dr. Joseph Jordan, who continues to remind me that I am capable and that revision is a powerful tool; and Dr. Sarah Einstein, who I met during my first semester of graduate school and believed in me from the start. I am also forever grateful to my mother, who has always supported my dreams and never let me think that my disabilities make me less than; my stepfather, Adrian, who was originally scared of my stories and loved them anyways; my godparents, Beth and David Randolf, who have helped me flourish no matter the season I am in; and my grandmother, who took a chance on herself as a young woman in the 1960s. Her choices have allowed me to not only be here today, but have also given me the generational strength required to accomplish this work. I would also be remiss not to mention my friends, as they are my strength on the days I have nothing left inside me to give. A big thank you to Belle Arp, Lauren Graves, Alex Hershberg, Aiden Lopez, Aiden Payne, Scar Pardue, and Beau and Cas Supernova. Your never-ending love and support for my work will never leave me. Most of all, I would like to thank my wonderful partner, Owen Peterson, who simultaneously lifts me up and keeps me grounded while I peruse my passions. They are a true magician, and I am so thankful I will never know a life where I did this work without them by my side.

Degree

M. A.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts.

Date

8-2026

Subject

Appalachian Region--Fiction; Characters and characteristics in literature; Fantasy literature, American; Horror tales, American; Speculative fiction, American

Keyword

Appalachian Gothic; Short Fiction; Horror; Queer

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

viii; 63 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Date Available

5-31-2029

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Available for download on Thursday, May 31, 2029

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