Lost in Hair Trigger

By self diagnosis, I'm a reader by default. And every so often I undergo a tedious search for fresh material. This weeks assignment gave me that opportunity within the realm of Columbia College publication. However from a students perspective, I was a bit skeptical. I've read other publications that Columbia has done like the newspaper, Echo, Demo, and occasionally I browse the theatrical journals in the library (possibly done by graduate students) but I wondered if I'd really be able to enjoy something I knew absolutely nothing about. So because I wasn't to familiar with any other Columbia publications, I focused my attention on one of the suggested publications listed on the assignment sheet, specifically Hair Trigger. Its name didn't ring any bell and it sounded odd enough that it definitely deserved being investigated. Going in I had one preconception, that it wasn't a magazine, because if it were I would have caught notice by now and another that it's very possible that its a collection of graduate student work but either way I still had burning curiosity.

My search began in our schools library 600 South Michigan. Through the main entrance the library is a straight shot past the elevators. The environment inside was like a graveyard, vacant computers, empty coffee stand and resting printers. I wasn't too surprised, seeing as it was a Saturday morning. But unlike the practically desolate library, the staff were all to eager to help. My journey lead me to the fifth floor, section 810.8H153, where I found a collection of Hair trigger issues. I picked up the oldest book, it had to be issue 11 or older. My first instinct was to flip through the pages so I fed into that urge effortlessly. Wordy, was the initial reaction. No pictures included in this issue, and for people that tend to be more visual, this may not be their type of literature. But for the folks who enjoy a bit of meat added to there reading diets no complaints here, it's definitely something that one should look into. But for the sake of the other breed of reader, I practically went through the entire assortment of Hair Trigger issues until I found one that had literally a pinch of visual among the endless words. These eight images go from black and white to color and each conveys a different story. Its a lot like illustration in a way, each significant yet in some ways abstract in meaning or purpose. These stories aren't always as clear and concrete as writing.

Hair Trigger unlike other Columbia publications is the Colleges' fiction writing department's anthology of student writing. Its a collection of prose fiction and creative nonfiction all done by both undergraduate and graduate students, at all levels of study. While reading issue 29 I also discovered that these works come from core courses like Intro to Fiction, Fiction writing (I, II) Prose forms, Advanced Fiction, and Advanced Prose forms. Fiction seminars are included, even story work shops, critical reading and writing classes, playwriting and these works can be of any genre. Hair Trigger is no stranger to award winning, racking up First place prizes in national competitions from the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, the Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines and the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association. Plus within the preface it speaks of students actually building successful careers. And even winning their own individual awards.

From first glance this looks like your typical short story book but its a community of writing that's actually being done within the college. The cover of issue 29 is a black and white photograph with children playing in water from a fire hydrant( most likely on a hot day). There's wear to this book which adds even more realness to this issue and its material. The writers are both male and female, and the chapters are arranged according to class. The titles are off the wall as well but there are certain read between the line aspects to them. My favorite was "Strange Transit" by Emily Gindleparger. Its not as long as the other stories but I could definitely connect to the character in a uneven kind of way. And it wasn't written in the usual restrictions that writing has often imposed. Which is the story behind all the other writing in this issue of Hair Trigger.There are other stories like the Photography Essays Welcome to New York: A Visitor's Guide by Matt Nighswander and then Johnathan Gitelson's "What Does it all Mean?" Chelsea Laine Wells story Grit was another story I found intriguing, it was so different from any literature that I'm use to. "Breaking ground," by Jon T. Tarack was another story I enjoyed.

The writing and even the few images in issue 29 of Hair trigger from what I've read all have this wholesome sweetness to them, while others are raw and even a bit gritty. Its a nice assortment of short stories that could get anyone in the mood for reading. Plus its student work, and how often do we get to read the thoughts of other students, so uncensored (not in a bad way). Its a chance to actually get to read something published by someone who was probably just as lost as we are. Or for that matter just as sure of themselves as we are. Although there aren't many pictures in Hair Trigger and its lengthiness may frighten, it still has a bit of everything for any type of reader, what ever your preference. It may not be for everyone but there are stories that are worth reading.