Possibilities: Ten short stories complete the cycle

by Jeff Layton

196 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2023

About the author

I have done and experienced lots of things in my life. To stay relevant to writing, after I completed my six-year commitment in the military. I went to college on the GI bill. I started out in liberal arts with a focus on becoming a writer. I really enjoyed my English and literature classes. I changed course after about a year realizing I might want to earn a living financially with my degree. I focused on horticulture my second interest and finished with a degree in Landscape Horticulture.
As years went on, I would enroll in community college and audit creative writing classes. I enjoyed this. In doing so I also fell in love with visual arts—painting and went on to have ten professional one-man shows in art galleries, and gain recognition in that endeavor.
My activities of interest: Hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada, raced my bicycle across the United States, fell in love with windsurfing, and opened a shop—from there living fives years in Maui, Hawaii where I taught windsurfing, and then go on to Kiteboarding. I am a fly fisherman and open a shop. I have created many videos of my fishing endeavors in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia…and it goes on.
I have had some spiritual experiences along the way. Some garnered through near-death in big surf, car accident, and spiritual journey deep into British Columbia where I have gone through some smokehouse sessions and a journey to the light experience that I still reflect upon today. So, I have returned to writing and will paint with words through metaphors my experiences, and thoughts of existence.

Reviews

[Literary Titan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words have the transformative power to shape thoughts, influence emotions, and drive actions. Jeff Layton's Possibilities: Ten Short Stories Complete the Cycle stands as a testament to this belief. This collection is an amalgamation of short stories, musings, and reflective pieces, each drawing upon the author's inspirations and observations.

Layton’s work is steeped in magical realism, exploring themes of life, nature, and psychology with a keen eye. The prose is rich and thoughtful, making each story in the collection a showcase of creativity and insight into the human condition. The stories bring to life a world where the mundane intertwines with the extraordinary, allowing nature to emerge as a vivid character. Forests whisper secrets, and the ordinary becomes magical, highlighting Layton’s prowess in storytelling.

While the book delves deeply into philosophical themes, offering a richly textured reading experience, its prose is lush and evocative, occasionally embracing an indulgent style that adds to its unique character. Layton’s use of elaborate descriptions and metaphors enhances the atmospheric quality of the tales but might not align with preferences for a more straightforward narrative style. This delicate balance between poetic language and clear storytelling sometimes tips in favor of the former. Among the stories, "The Song of Trees" stands out for its remarkable imagery, exemplifying Layton's ability to portray the beauty in everyday life with elegance and subtlety. This story, in particular, captures the essence of Layton's skillful narrative craft.

For readers who are drawn to surreal and philosophical explorations, Possibilities offers a rich, thought-provoking journey. It serves as a compelling reference for those who appreciate the intertwining of the real with the magical, presented through a lens of deep introspection.