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Week 371 – Glued Wimps, ‘DNR’ For Bjorn And A Miniscule Fud As 007!

If we go by past weeks, Leila will be doing the post next week, which means, I want to mention something this week, that, if I was doing this post next week, I would have mentioned it then.

Easter is creeping up on us, just like that crazy cat Judas did to a Roman before he whispered into his ear. I don’t think he won ‘Friend of the year’ that year. Anyhow it has struck me how there aren’t many religious things in the shops. There are plenty of tacky bonnets to put on your poor old demented granny. (I still believe that should be classed as a form of abuse!) And there are loads of ‘Easter toys’ which have fuck all to do with Easter. Now-a-days, wee Johnny and Jeannie don’t get a Jesus action figure that when his side is squeezed, he bleeds from his hands and feet (Red syrup not included) they get a Paw Patrol or Peppa Pig play centre…How very Christian!

I’m thinking on organising a market stall and going to The Philippines next week to see if I can sell any of that job lot of ‘No More Nails’ that I acquired, just in case those Snowflake Millennials want a go.

…Supply and demand guys!

Anyhow onto this week’s posting number 371.

You don’t really need courage to take on some subjects, you just need to be true to the subject.

In these times of ‘Trigger Warnings’ that become a fecking half page list, the PC brigade and The Enraged, I reckon a lot of writers fear what subjects they take on. Do you know that ‘The Enraged’ get sexually aroused when they see that there will be plenty for them to be enraged about after they have read every word!

I’m not too clear if they realise what being sexually aroused is. Well not with other people.

If you have ever had this fear after writing a story my simple piece of advice is don’t be!!

If the attitudes, opinions and situations are all about the characters then you have no need to worry.

I’ve mentioned this before and we had a discussion a few weeks back that has made me re-think this. I did and am still happy with that sort of reasoning.

In one of the hostels where I worked, there was a trainer who really did know his onions. He was a Mental Health Professional and was probably one of the most knowledgeable, genuine and level headed guys that I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. He insisted that we all have our bigotries, hidden or otherwise. We all have our preferences, hidden or otherwise and we all have our fears and insecurities, hidden or otherwise. He stated that this is what makes us human and what makes us a good person is knowing how to manage these.

I know that a helluva lot of folks would be outraged at that statement and would deny any of their own shortcomings but the guy had a point and a huge set of balls for constantly saying it.

No-one should fear what they write due to us all now becoming (??) or striving to be (??) completely tolerant and perfect Human Beings.

…’Perfect’, ‘completely tolerant’ and ‘Human Beings’ are words that will never be truthful if put together and stated as fact.

A word of warning, if you’re ever tempted to write a perfect character with no prejudices from your perfect point of view, it will only be believed by a Unicorn who is in a coma after a rainbow sherbet overdose.

Okay onto this week’s stories. Two new writers, two long time friends and one of our lovely editors had their stories published over the last five days.

As always our initial comments follow.

We have a weekly constant at the moment and that is a tale from Tom Sheehan.

A Saddle In The Desert‘ was our first story of the week.

‘Reminds me of those old cowboy films.’

‘This held me all the way through.’

‘It flowed very well and I know this is one of those that Tom loves to write.’

On Tuesday, the imaginative and enigmatic Leila Allison privileged us with her pen.

The Good News Club‘ was her latest story for us.

‘Great pace.’

‘Wonderfully enthralling.’

‘The ending was solid and satisfactory.’

Our first new writer was Serenity Marshall. We welcome her and hope that she has fun on the site.

Waiting For Daddy‘ was next up.

‘Authentic.’

‘Serenity conveys a culture without telling us, that is well done!’

‘Poignant but the middle section with the vision of the future lifted this to something special.’

A.J. Lyndon was next up with ‘The Seventh Wave’.

We extend the same welcome to our second new writer and we hope to see more stories from both of them.

‘Not my favourite genre but this was very well done. I enjoyed it!’

‘The style suited the MC.’

‘The subject has weight.’

We completed the week with one of our most interesting writers. Tim Frank is always worth a read!

The Peephole‘ was published on Friday.

‘Odd! But odd in a very good way!!’

‘Loved the sentence, ‘He was a virgin, a fact he didn’t hide from his mind.’

‘Weird – But I enjoyed this!’

That’s us for another week.

Please keep / start commenting!

Is there anyone out there that would like a shot at The Sunday Re-Run – Anyone? Helllooo? Is there anyone there???

We know you read it, we can see the viewing figures so come on, give yourself a showcase to write a spiel and ask some questions on an older story that you’ve enjoyed!

Just to finish off, I have a confession to make – I haven’t read much Dickens but I’m aware of the times he wrote about.

This came to me as I was reading what our Chancellor, Richie Rishi Sunak was ‘helping’ our poorest people with. In true Scrooge McDuck style, the little arrogant’ out of touch’ millionaire two hundred times over’ wealthy fuckwit’ handed folks pennies when the economy is taking back pounds.

I have no problem with anyone being wealthy (I wish I was myself!!) but the fucking hypocrisy in that man doing a job where he is making decisions regarding the lowest earners is nothing but a fucking insult!!!

…And for the little snottery nosed, over privileged twat not to see this, is an arrogance only a British Cabinet Minister is happy to live with.

Hugh

I just remembered something regarding our completely in-touch with the poor prick of a chancellor.

There was an episode of ‘Question Time’ where the panel were asked what Politician would make a good Bond and some sycophantic fuck stated, ‘I think my boss, Rishi Sunak’ would make a great Bond.’

I was nearly sick and just prayed for some audience member to shout out,

‘James Bond?? More like Pussy Galore!’

…I would have happily chipped in for their bail!!!!

Image: – Google Images

11 thoughts on “Week 371 – Glued Wimps, ‘DNR’ For Bjorn And A Miniscule Fud As 007!”

  1. Hugh- Great post.

    I sense the increased use of “seems” in writing as a verbal cringe. Trouble is the preponderance of the Easily Offended (aka, “Stupid People”). It’s really better to say it loud than whisper. “Seem’seemed” wasn’t designed to be used as a buffer, but it SEEMS that way now.

    My optometrist told me I had an astigmatism. I asked if that meant I’d bleed from my hands at Easter or see the Virgin in my pizza. He smiled and shook his head yes. It occurred to me that maybe he had heard something like that before, and often–like the time I asked the elevator repairman if his job had its ups and downs. But at least I don’t whisper the stupid things I say.

    Leila

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trigger warning – bad pun followed by crude self-promotion followed by obvious stuff attempting to be passed on as wisdom. No spell check.

      Hugh nailed this week’s roundup?

      I’ve been following Hugh’s advice since 2014. Any idiotic thing I think of, I’ll write that turd and send it out into the world unpolished. There are people who spend an hour thinking of the right word. Wow. With a possible couple of exceptions, they all found a home somewhere (smart car found eight homes – I’ll have to try it on LS sometime). “Cat’s Religion” took fifteen tries and a new ending. You inspired me to send a bunch your way. “Good Demons”, which revisits succubi and incubi sounds about right.

      Some of you experts out there might have a better handle on this. Without checking I believe Sargon who predated Jesus by hundreds or thousands of years was said to be reborn. In some versions of King Arthur he never dies or will come back to life when Britain needs him (how about now?). I suspect that the idea of coming back from the dead is modeled on the seasonal cycle – birth in spring, death in winter, rebirth next spring. Are we all being reborn now? South Americans and Australians in six months.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Doug,
        I’ve always wondered about thinking about the perfect word for a day or so??
        I’ve never spent that much time on a story never mind a word!
        The only time I use a thesaurus is if I have a repetition and I can’t think of an alternative. Sometimes I need to change the whole dam phrase!
        Thanks as always my fine friend.
        Hugh

        Like

    2. Hi Leila,
      Thanks as always.
      Auld Fly Mary does get around. A piece of toast here a cheeseburger there and the odd blancmange, she seems (HAH!) to have a fondness for appearing in food.
      I prefer a Buddhist Pizza with a choice of toppings, I have it every afternoon at one with everything.
      Hugh

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  2. I couldn’t resist that image. I laugh every time I think of the idea of No More Nails as an Easter gift – I know I shouldn’t but what can you do – if it’s funny it’s funny. Great post and Leila you really might need to find a new optician and maybe one on the ground floor – just in case!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Diane,
      Thanks so much for finding the perfect image once again.
      I wonder if someone would complain if they fell off a cross after coming un-stuck??
      These are the questions that make life interesting.!
      Thanks again!
      Hugh

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi David,
      Thanks as always.
      You may have given me an idea for a posting on the best advice to give or to receive??
      Maybe one of these days.
      Hugh

      Like

  3. I attended a zoom workshop about “how language changes, what we can do to stay current, and how this balancing act impacts our ability to get published.” This sounds very benign, but … no. The theme was “get with the new language changes, or else,” and it was advised that we send our manuscripts to “inclusive writing editors” to make sure we were writing correct language.

    Like

  4. Hi Harrison,
    Well, I don’t think I’m that current!
    I think that is twats advice – Surely any artistic vision is open to interpretation in WHATEVER way it is done.
    When arseholes start to dictate, they are missing the point!!
    Well apart from them emphasising that they are arseholes!!
    I’m so glad for the likes of you, Fred, Dave, James, Leila, Dave, Rachel, Adam, L’Erin, A. Elizabeth, Tom, Diane, Nik, Stephen etc who write in a way that is real and is believable. They NEVER restrict themselves to any fucking PC shit – They all simply tell the story as is!!!!!
    And by fuck, that is only the way to do it!!!!
    Find the instigator of that workshop and punch them sore.
    Hugh

    Like

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