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Straight
Novella by Jennifer Verdieu
"Straight" is a layered and intentional title that carries a multi-dimensional definition touching upon various aspects, including art therapy, as it relates to emotional and creative expression. It explores: the literal sexual orientation pivot, the timeline cultural context, the artistic and emotional journey, and the spiritual/frequency alignment.
Straight (title meaning)
Literal – In everyday terms, straight refers to heterosexuality. In the story, it marks the starting point of the characters’ romantic identities before they begin exploring same-sex relationships. It is both a label and a limitation they will confront.
Directional – Straight also means moving forward in a clear, unbending path. For artists in 1980’s New York, during an era of both creative explosion and economic hardship, "going straight" can mean trying to follow the expected, stable path—only to find that life’s curves, detours, and contradictions are inevitable. This reflects their journey as they seek "In Search of My Heart" amidst the chaos.
Emotional Honesty – To be straight with someone means to be truthful. In the novella, it becomes about confronting one’s truths: about art, love, self-worth, and survival in a city that demands both grit and vulnerability. This emotional honesty can often be a form of art therapy, allowing characters to unpack complex feelings.
Energetic Alignment – In a spiritual or frequency-based sense, to "get straight" is to bring one’s energy into harmony—finding inner stability amid external chaos. For the characters, it’s about learning to tune into their own frequency and make peace with it.
Era Reference – In the 1980’s cultural lexicon, "straight" also played into music, fashion, and underground slang—sometimes meaning "sober," "serious," or "mainstream" in contrast to the flamboyant, queer, or avant-garde scenes that thrived in the city’s underbelly. This duality mirrors the characters’ navigation between the mainstream art world and the raw, authentic street culture of the time.
