"Simply Walking Around and Talking to Myself: Catching Up with Christian Barragan" by Khristian Osuna

In the diverse landscape of contemporary literature, Christian Barragan emerges as a dynamic figure, evolving with each narrative he writes to reflect personal growth and changing thematic concerns. His first publication with MORIA was back in April of 2021, “Yours Is a Short Story.” In this piece, Barragan crafts a strong narrative in which the protagonist, Doran, grapples with the uncertainty of his life as if it’s a story form, with a “genre” and stylized elements. Through surreal twists and introspective moments, the writer explores themes of identity, existentialism, and the creative process. This self-reflective storytelling style showcases the author's experimentation with narrative form and their ability to weave together elements of multiple genres to convey deeper philosophical insights.
Barragan is a graduate from California State University, Northridge. Raised in Riverside, CA, he aims to become a novelist or editor in the near future and currently reads submissions for Flash Fiction Magazine. He has had his work featured in the Raven Review, Coffin Bell, and the Frogmore Papers, among others. In the second piece he published with MORIA, “You Never Leave the Stage,” he delves into the complex psyche of a character who struggles with identity and connection through the lens of theatrical performance. The narrative explores themes of self-discovery, manipulation, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. Through nuanced character interactions and introspective monologue, Barragan skillfully crafts a tale that challenges perceptions of authenticity and the lengths one may go to in pursuit of artistic fulfillment.
Since this publication in MORIA in December 2022, Barragan's journey has been marked by a blend of continuity and transformation. While some elements of his life remain familiar, such as his commitment to writing, others have undergone significant shifts, reflecting an ongoing process of self-discovery and artistic exploration: “In some ways, my life isn't very different from back then, in other ways its extremely different. At that time, several issues from 2020 were trailing behind me that I've since moved further away from and into a healthier state of mind.” More recent developments in Barragan’s life include a return to the classroom environment, a decision motivated by a longing to engage more directly with the publishing world. Even though he completed his BA in Cinema and Television Arts at CSUN in 2021, Barragan seized the opportunity to enroll in a class at a local community college, reigniting his passion for literary works and hands-on involvement in the field: “It had been a long time since I had any experience with publishing from the inside, and I deeply longed to take part in it again.” Additionally, he embarked on a new venture as a remote reader for Flash Fiction Magazine, which aligned with a continuing focus on short-form storytelling.
However, Barragan has also completed the first draft of a novel after nearly two years of dedication, signaling a shift towards longer narratives, alongside his ongoing exploration of flash fiction: “I am trying to devote more effort to familiarizing myelf with long narratives. A long-term goal of mine is to start publishing novels.” Despite facing some setbacks in his applications to creative writing MFA programs, he remains steadfast in his desire to pursue further education and artistic growth, planning to refine his materials for future application cycles.
In terms of creative output, Barragan has recently diversified his portfolio with a collection of flash fiction, exploring themes ranging from science fiction to soft horror. Experimentation with form is evident in his foray into pseudo-essays, which blur the lines between fiction and nonfiction to explore the complexities of inspiration and creativity. Reflecting on the evolution of his work since 2021, Barragan notes a shift towards premise-based genre narratives, a departure from the more abstract writing of his pre-pandemic period.
However, his recent stories continue to draw from personal experiences, weaving themes of loneliness and isolation into imaginative settings and supernatural elements. When it comes to inspiration, Barragan looks outward to his surroundings, where daily life offers impactful learning opportunities at every turn: “Simply walking around and talking to myself about recent events or anything I feel strongly about is often a good source of inspiration. Ideas can come from anywhere, from books and films to songs and conversation,” he says.
Looking ahead, Barragan sets his sights on several ambitious goals. He plans to outline and revise his recently completed novel while exploring new forms and subject matter in his short stories. Furthermore, he harbors aspirations of getting into an MFA program, viewing it as an opportunity to hone his craft and connect with fellow writers on a deeper level. In essence, Barragan's journey embodies the resilience and creative strength that is essential to navigating the ever-changing journey of literary expression. MORIA is thrilled to be publishing Barragan once again in our current issue. “Typecast” is the sort of short story that we have come to expect from Barragan — heavy with surrealist details. It explores a sense of alienation, to the point of panic, that we may associate with the contemporary moment, while also offering a critique of the artistic enterprise — in this case, theater. We are happy to see him pushing the aesthetic boundaries of short fiction once again.

KHRISTIAN OSUNA

Khristian is the Technical Editor for MORIA’s Issue 13 and a 4th-year Graphic Design student at Woodbury University. He currently works as a costume designer / prop builder and hopes to work in the film industry. Art is a huge part of his life, whether it's sketching, building, designing, etc.