Excerpt from the novel-in-progress Failure Finds its Happy End

. I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out how I might start an art movement. In general, people seemed to feel starting a new art movement was not possible, if they thought about it at all. It was something that occurred in the past, during the twentieth century and before, and was now no longer viable. When I can’t figure out how to do something in real life, the next best thing is to write a novel about it. But I don’t just want it to be a novel, I also want it to be a fable. Many art movements I’ve read about over the years followed a fairly specific pattern that greatly interests me. There is an extended period in which a group of artists – friends living or hanging out in the same neighborhood with cheap rent – work in relative obscurity, often spending a great deal of time together drinking to excess. During this time they debate artistic questions, share influences and resources, while each individually continuing to make work and develop their practice. Through such…