I love arguing about irony with my students. They always mix up real irony with mere coincidence. Although irony in literature is fun, I love real world irony even more.
Here's a situation that skirts the boundary between irony and coincidence:
John Joseph Adams was a sponsor of the zombie caption contest over at Tor.com. On the day I found out I had won, I received a rejection in the mail from Fantasy and Science Fiction signed by John Joseph Adams.
Now if that doesn't put the universe in balance, I don't know what does. Is it ironic? Go ask Alanis Morissette; I'm too tired.
15 comments:
She tried to be ironic by filling a song with awful coincidences and referring to them as ironic, confusing the hell out of even more kids who didn't get the irony. I think this makes her an agent of the devil, officially.
Then again, kids these days were probably never subjected to the horrors of Alanis. I got nothing.
That is indeed a strange balancing of the universal scales, though. Nice loot, let us know how you like it!
I just thought it was a pretty funny coincidence.
I use Alanis's song to teach what isn't ironic. That, in itself, is a little ironic.
I should shut up now.
He was using some of that I-punched you-because-I-care-style trailer park tough love on you.
I love coincidences.
And hey John Joseph Adams signed your rejection - I'm sure that's good. My rejection was by an assistant editor, so I'm almost certain your story journeyed higher up the food chain.
Yeah man, that's ironic. Just like raaaaain on your wedding day. Or a freeeee ride when you've already paid. And I got one hand in my pocket and...oh whoops, wrong song.
I'd love to think it's ironic. Certainly it's funny. And it's a lot better than 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife.
Jeremy - that's the best kind of love
Cate - I wouldn't be so sure...
Barry - thanks for the ear worm
KC - stupid spoons
What does it mean that I keep accidently sending an editor personal emails? Before AND after my poem was accepted : P
You won! Awesome!
Alot of writers experience strange coincidences in their lives. Perhaps because we have our fingers on the pulse of the world.
Yeah, I'm gonna go with that explanation and feel superior for a few minutes.
Cheers!
You won! Awesome!
Alot of writers experience strange coincidences in their lives. Perhaps because we have our fingers on the pulse of the world.
Yeah, I'm gonna go with that explanation and feel superior for a few minutes.
Cheers!
Natalie - maybe you just believe in full disclosure.
Bobbie - thanks (I'm as shocked as anyone)
That is a pretty good coincidence and your story really must have gotten pretty far up the editorial ladder to get his signature on it.
To be perfectly honest - I probably wouldn't have even noticed the signature...
I don't know if it's ironic, but is sure is damned funny.
The Boy Band got rejected today : (
I'm going to submit it to "Reflections Edge" later today, but let me know if you want to pick another story!
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