Here it is, Week 523 which follows on from last weeks 522! Not much of a surprise!
First off, Leila made me realise something, I’ve lost an old skill. She mentioned a song of a favourite Rock Group of mine, ‘Rainbow’ and I realised that I didn’t know it. I was pleased (For my own sanity) that I’d never owned the album it came from. That was what made me think. If you love music and are of a certain age, albums and their included songs came to you hand in hand. This happened in a split second. As soon as someone mentioned a song you blinked and in that time you saw yourself opening the album cover and taking out the record. You then would state:
‘This Night’? – That’d be Billy Joel’s ‘Innocent Man Album.’
‘Spread Your Wings’? – That’d be Queen’s ‘News Of The World’ album’
‘Dirty Water’? – That’d be ‘The Quo’s ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’ Album’
Those three came to me and there would be a lot more but there is probably double that amount that I’d not know when at one time I did.
I blame Alexa!!
Instead of us getting up off our arses and putting a CD, Tape or Record on, we repeat a request for Alexa to play a genre of music, an artist or a mix, very seldom is it for a specific album.
It’s sad when you stay in a hotel room and you don’t hear the usual noises from the next bedroom – All you here is someone instructing or arguing, voice getting louder and louder until they scream, ‘Alexa, play my fucking Coldplay mix!!’
…That’s the time to chap their door and punch them!!!
I was so saddened last week to hear of the death of Gene Hackman. It’s a travesty what has happened to him, his wife and his dog. I hope the Police find out if anyone is accountable.
Hackman was in so many great movies but for me I would say the three that stand out are; ‘The Unforgiven’, ‘Mississippi Burning’ and of course, ‘Young Frankenstein’
In the Mel Brooks film he really did look as if he was having fun, there was an extra twinkle in his eyes, which I believe he was doing ironically as he played a blind man!!!
This may sound stupid but forgetting about the visual comedy, the way he enthused ‘Ceeegars’ and ‘Don’t go, I’ve got Espresso!’ had the comic timing of Groucho Marx!!!
He was an acting legend and a pleasure to watch.
I’ve been thinking on compliment / criticism on writing this week and the way the writer may perceive the readers / editors’ comments. Many of them can be taken both ways for entirely different reasons:
– ‘Your character is shite.’
That sounds negative but if you wrote the character that way and that was spotted, that is a compliment.
– If you write Erotic Fiction (Don’t! This is just an example!) and you receive the comment – ‘I’m glad I finished’ – Well you could take that as a huge compliment and not the negative it seems!!
– ‘The punctuation is interesting’ – That could be a compliment but more than likely not!!
– ‘We can see the work you have put in.’ – Again if you are a glass half full type person, that could be good.
On the other-hand it is a bit of an obvious statement, that says little more.
– ‘Your spelling is excellent.’ – That is a compliment. On the negative side, maybe that was the ONLY good thing that the story had going for it.
– ‘The colloquialisms in your work are astounding’ – That could mean from someone from a different part of the world, ‘I never understood a fucking word!’
Or from someone who is local to you, ‘Wow!! You got the dialogue spot on!’
– ‘The violence and detailed description regarding the murders, the mutilation and the hiding of the bodies are so realistic!’ – Huge compliment surely??
Maybe not so much if the reader is tipping off the Police due to their concern!
There are probably loads more but I shall move on.
Okay onto this week’s stories.
We had only one new writer, three under tenners (You know what I mean!) and someone who has hit the site twenty times.
As always, our initial comments follow.
First up was Susan DeFelice. This was Susan’s sixth story for us and it was entitled,’Love Handles.’
– ‘The MC was a grandiose fool.’
– ‘This paints a picture.’
– ‘A recognisable patron of many a bar.’
Coincidentally, our second story of the week was also Graham Mort’s second story for us!
‘Swordfish’ was published on Tuesday.
– ‘Quite mad!’
– ‘This is so very readable.’
– A clever piece of writing.’
Our new writer, Kip Knott’ began his story telling on Wednesday with ‘The Weight Of Nothing.’
We welcome Kip and hope that he has fun on the site.
– ‘That fear and dread of sunset is a real thing!’
– ‘This drew me in.’
– ‘The way he lied to his dying mother will resonate.’
Not only does Mick Bloor have twenty stories in the bag, he has many historical pieces and specials published, check them out, his knowledge and love for the subjects are infectious.
‘The VW Starter Motor Catastrophe’ was next on Thursday.
– ‘A bit corny, a bit obvious but a helluva lot of fun!’
– ‘Mick shows his writing and story-telling skill yet again!’
– ‘This made me smile.’
And we completed the week with Christopher Ananias. ‘Girl On A Trampoline’ was Christophers fifth outing for us.
– ‘A voyeur of sorts.’
– ‘Torn between the now and death.’
– ‘Enthralling and sad.’
That’s another week done and dusted.
The comments and reading numbers are doing very well so please continue if you do and have a go if you don’t!
Just to finish, I’d like to give you a Billy Connolly quote. (Oh I better give a warning for our sensitive souls – Please be aware this is adult content of a sexual nature…If you don’t fancy it – Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised!!!!)
I don’t know what tour it was that he came up with this gem when talking about a religious instruction:
‘It’s all pish and wind.
But I need to thank the catholic church for me being here.
…Only a celibate could come up with the line, ‘At the point of ejaculation, withdraw.’
Let me tell you something – At the point of ejaculation, there isn’t a herd of wild horses that could pull my arse in the other direction!
I’ve just realised that the title of the music for today could be a metaphor for that very thought!!!!
literally stories 
Hi Hugh
Excellent tribute to Gene. It’s even more awful for his wife to go at an early age, and always for a pet.
Something must be up there, hopefully the law enforcement is smarter than they are coming off. They say it is suspicious but suspect no foul play at the same time. That does not make sense, nothing can be ruled out until all the information is gathered. They need Holmes.
Back in the old days (80’s that is), when humans wrote playlists, a DJ at Seattle’s KISW fell in love with that Rainbow song, even though I don’t think it was a single. It became a local hit. I miss that out of radio! Algorithms (sp)don’t fall in love. Brilliant EJ clip.
Leila
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I forgot to mention Hackman was best ever Lex Luthor!
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Hi Leila,
With what I’ve read lately, it is even more heart-breaking. This is horrific to think but it sounds as if Gene went the same way as his dog.
Christ!! That is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is something to be said for getting hit with a bus…But that’s unfair on the driver.
Don’t know if this is a real thing in Britain or anywhere else but I was told that a train driver would retire with full pension if he was involved with three suicide jumpers????
Anyhoo – Thanks as always. I don’t think that Elton John song was a single – It was just of one of those that I heard on a late-night radio show and it took me a while to find it.
I also have a Del Amitri album track that I’ve heard twice but still don’t know what it was!! That must be twenty years plus now I’ve been listening out for it!!
Thanks for everything Leila!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugh
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Hi again Hugh
I forgot to opine on comment/criticism. I take the algebraic approach
R=(D+N)-U
that’s rejection equals different and nice reduced to atoms by unfortunately.
Still awaiting my Nobel.
Leila
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Hi Hugh
Gene H. was great! I forgot about him in “Young Frankenstein” he was hilarious as the blind priest. “Hoosiers” might be my all time favorite. So many to choose from, “The Royal Tenenbaums” borrowed from Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey.” I had to look that up real fast. I love the internet and when people say they would like to go back in time before it. I’m like “Not me.” I remember being bored to death flipping between three TV stations. Now it seems I live most of my life on here, which might not be so great for the health.
I can relate to handling either criticism or praise in writing. Funny how I said criticism first…
I engage in the positives. I’ll take that any day if someone appreciates something I write. I thank them. They deserve that, because it means a great deal. It’s a reaffirming feeling. Like wow, maybe I can do something with this craft… I don’t understand when writers ignore these readers… But maybe they are too busy, or something backfired? They once opened up a can of worms or a lawsuit when they said, “Thank you.” On this site, I tend to skip leaving comments if a writer doesn’t reciprocate a word of thanks. It’s an issue with manners.
The negative criticisms… I’ve gotten a knock here or there. I’ve learned it comes with “the job” sometimes people just don’t like what you write. And it’s a waste of time to convince them otherwise. So spout off, take your shot.
But if it’s something constructive that’s a different story. That’s worthwhile. I remember an editor telling me you switched tenses. I really struggled with that and they were spot on. Another said something about a story turning into a slapstick comedy. They were not impressed. Yep. Another said an ending I wrote had nothing to do with the story, but they liked it up until that point. Right again. I love getting feedback from editors. It helps gauge where the writing might be going. This can also be subjective, one person says this another says that… But if two say the same thing…
Christopher
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Hi Christopher,
Thanks as always!!
Your input is valued and appreciated.
Criticism has never bothered me. I’ve been used to it from an early age. My gran was a vicious. cold individual who was in the extreme when she was drunk…Maybe my mum should never have asked her to babysit!!!!
HAH! Some of that isn’t quite true. That’s what I love about writing, it’s the 90-10 ratio. Sometimes ninety percent is true and sometimes ten percent is true, the trick is to make sure the reader is never quite sure which is which!!!
I am a Scottish person and praise is something we can’t handle very well.
There was a brilliant comedy called ‘Rab C Nesbitt’ (Apart from the last two!) and there was a situation where Rab and his wife were going out. Mary had got all dressed up and she asked Rab, ‘Do I look alright?’ And he replied, ‘You look better than that, you look, no bad!’
That sums up our asking and giving of compliments.
Hope all is well with you and yours my fine friend.
Hugh
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Good post. Sounds like the Hackmans deaths were from natural causes, though that makes them no less tragic. He was a compelling actor.
I like those comments that can be taken for better or worse. A couple more might be: “Now that’s a story.” Or “This leaves me speechless.”
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Hi Dave,
Yep, the ‘This makes me speechless’ is a gem that any of us would need some clarification.
I think when a comment isn’t added to then, unfortunately, we can assume it is of the negative variety!!
HAH! That reminds me of a line in ‘Carry On Screaming.
‘It was something unspeakable!’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It never said a thing!’
Thanks as always, it’s a continual pleasure to see you around the site.
All the very best my fine friend.
Hugh
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Hugh
You’re right, Hackman was awesome in Unforgiven. He was so mean and nasty in that film I almost came to believe he must’ve been a mean and nasty person in real life, his performance was so real, even though I know that wasn’t true. It sounds like he had advanced Alzheimer’s, which can likely mean he even had no notion that the end was nigh as it came close to him (or didn’t much care). We spend so much time worrying about death and the moment of death and what will happen, and yet at least half of us or more probably won’t even know what hit us when the time comes. It’s that thing of worrying about the future and things that aren’t happening now, and maybe never will. Death will happen to all of us, for sure. Seeing it coming will be another matter – some do, and very very many do not. So why worry about it so much?
Hackman was also great in the film Bonnie and Clyde (in a supporting role). That film wasn’t really about the real Bonnie and Clyde, they were the Hollywood version of course, and yet it really captures something about the real life of the outlaw. Also, the love affair between Bonnie and Clyde as portrayed in that film is one of the most realistic screen love affairs I’ve ever seen.
Elton John is great, much like Hackman in the sense that I know I’ve seen Gene in many a film but can’t even remember off the top of my head what a lot of them are, he was that present in the culture. Same with Elton John’s voice. It goes back so far, and is so much “everywhere” in many ways, that its familiarity can be uncanny. I remember when he rewrote his song about Marilyn for Princess Diana and played it at her funeral. It gave me the chills.
Stephen King called writing “telepathy,” and a more pedestrian word for that might be “dialogue.” I agree with Christopher’s comment/s above, I don’t quite understand how writers can receive comments from other writers, whether long or short, whether good or bad, and respond with nothing more, nor less, than the resounding silence. My fiction is my life (but I never lie, I only exaggerate sometimes so’s I can tell the truth) and when I write, it tends to come out as “nonfiction,” or sometimes poetry, than what we usually know of as “fiction.” I think many writers believe that “real” writing is only fiction. They don’t bother to respond to what others say about their writing because they think it’s beneath them somehow and not worth the effort. There are always exceptions, but in general I don’t believe that is the way in which the BEST writers respond to this situation. If you can’t think of ANYTHING to say to someone who’s taken the time to respond to your writing in writing, it says a lot about where your priorities are, in my humble opinion. One is looking for something that isn’t there when one does, or does not, respond in that way. Don’t ignore what’s right in front of you while looking beyond it at a specter or chimera that will NEVER materialize.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “He who writes for the wise never writes for large numbers at any one time, because there aren’t many wise people alive at any one time.” But things get passed on into the future, because while the wise aren’t in huge numbers ever, they also never disappear. And they know where to look for the best that has been said and done, and also the best that is being said and done RIGHT NOW. LS is by far the best Writing site I’m aware of. Number two is so far below it there’s no comparison.
Thomas Paine, an Englishman who very much helped inspire the American Revolution through his writings, and who did very much write for the masses as well, said this:
“In the early ages of the world…there were no kings…the consequence of which was there were no wars…the exalting of one man so much above the rest CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED by nature…” I’m throwing this out there because so many in America right now seem to want a new king…The worst thing about the media right now is how they exalt and pander to not the best, but the worst, among us. As Leila has pointed out, LS is great because of its HUMANITY.
Thanks, Hugh!
Dale
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Thanks, Hugh. R.I.P. Gene Hackman, a fine actor. Hadn’t realised he was the blind hermit in Young Frankenstein – makes you wonder what he could’ve done with more comic roles. Er, polo-neck? Mick
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Hi Dale,
A quick story about my dad which makes me laugh and cry all at the same time. This is in response to your comment on most of us not knowing when the end is nye. (Is that how you spell that?) I agree with that, but sadly my dad knew, well for a few weeks anyway before the morphine kicked in and the bodies processing of death made him sleep more than you should when you know that!
You see, when we, including my dad were told that he had weeks, not months to live, you can imagine, the emotion was a tad extensive. Just after that, he had to see a consultant, regarding a drug that they were giving him. He asked how long that they would administer the drug and they stated that it would only be for three months. He broke down. He had actually shut off the weeks rather than months comment and believed he had three months. I told the doctor what I reckoned had happened and to be fair to him, he was devastated. But I told him not to beat himself up, nothing mattered, time wise anymore.
I don’t mean to sound insensitive but in Britain, they harp on about helping with your mental health and I think to myself – For those couple of weeks that he wasn’t out of it, what the fuck was that poor souls mental health like????
Ah Diana – HAH! Hope we don’t fall out about this, but I suppose me and Diane have had a few differences of opinions on the royal questions. I hate them all!!! And that Thomas Paine quote touches on one of the reasons…I have many more!!
But what really got me about Elton’s song (I adore Elton John bar that and all that Disney Lion King nonsense!) He wrote that about an icon. I find it insulting that the reasoning for his initial writing was forgotten simply to fawn to the masses. That wasn’t anything other than an advert changing the words to a well known song to sell something. Oh and I don’t say that out of any feeling apart from disgust at the idea that some things should be left alone!
I will leave this with the quote that you, well quoted. All I would add is that ‘With King’s came politicians’ but the message is still very accurate!!
All the best my fine friend – We appreciate all that you do!!!!
Hugh
“In the early ages of the world…there were no kings…the consequence of which was there were no wars…the exalting of one man so much above the rest CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED by nature…”
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Dear Hugh
Thanks for sharing this about your father. I offer the deepest condolences possible, and there is nothing harder to go through on this earth than what you described. You have a great heart, truly. Very few among us can face down and describe this kind of thing the way you do. It takes a great heart, not to mention a large talent with words. Thank you for sharing this kind of searing personal detail. It means the world; it shows that humans are still humans, too, which could not be more important right now. The Scottish people are a very great people, and YOU are a very great example of that historically great crowd!
Regarding the royal folks, I can say that I don’t even know who any of them are, really, including the king. (I do know what he looks like but I’m not even sure of his name off the top of my head.) I do make exceptions for some folks. Diana always reminded me of someone I knew. (Someone I knew extremely well, as in living with part-time for a year and a half and who also has a staggering collection of personality disorders not unlike Diana. They also look alike.)
But I do know what you mean now that you point it out. It was probably rather cheap of good old Elton to turn his song around and suddenly pretend it was about someone else instead. He’s a great artist though, despite all that. Maybe it was indeed one of his weaker moments. I can say this though. When I heard the song in that context, I was not just thinking of Diana, and not predominantly thinking of her either. I was thinking more of all the beautiful people she reminded me of, from Marilyn to the beautiful girl (woman), a theater actress in Chicago, who I lived with for 18 months (on and off) before she almost killed me one time and I had to draw the line.
Bob Dylan has a very great, and very little known, song called “Death Is Not the End.” I played this song endlessly around the time my mother passed on around fourteen years ago. Nick Cave also has an extremely great version of this song. It couldn’t be more comforting, no matter the truth, or the not-truth, of the sentiments expressed. After my mother died, I started believing it was the truth, and the song definitely reinforced that notion. (In other words, for me Dylan is much like Scripture – not much like – he IS; Leonard Cohen the same.)
Thank you, Hugh!
Dale
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Hi Mick,
Now that you know that, watch it again and you’ll see the mischievousness in his eyes!
Polo-Necks!!!
Awww!!! You’ve made me think on them again. Those sweaters that choke you, make you itch, choke you somemore and make you want to kill your mother for putting the sodding thing on you!!!! Turtle-Necks some folks call them. Hackman had one on all through the Poseidon Adventure.
…Not only that – It was bloody wet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLEUUURRRGHHH!!!!
…I think I have a phobia!!!
Thanks as always my fine friend.
Hugh
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What a fine & warming read. And hear-hear with regard to the great Hackman, an actor never less than riveting to watch, one who could bring shine to even the dullest movie. Unforgettable as Little Bill in Unforgiven & utterly extraordinary as drifter Max in the 1973 film Scarecrow.
Geraint
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Hi Geraint,
Thanks as always fro your time and your comments.
They are much appreciated!
It’s strange that all those who have commented haven’t mentioned the iconic character of ‘Popeye Doyle’ I think that shows the range of the man – That wasn’t what he was all about!!
Thanks again my fine friend.
I hope all is well with you and yours.
Hugh
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Another great round up post and I know you’ve been up against it a bit lately so Thank you. the stories still swirl around Gene Hackman and his wife and it could be that we’ll never really know, but what a sad end. I hope wherever they are now they are together if they want to be and having a laugh at the furore they’ve left.
If it’s possible I always try to thank anyone who comments on my stuff, even if the comment is not complimentary. I think, well they read it at least. I think we all have delicate egos when it comes to our work, I certainly do. The only comments I find annoying are the ones which show that the reader isn’t even talking about your work. I had one recently which talked about characters that weren’t in my book, and one brilliant one that said ‘this dress was the wrong colour’ ! and of course, you can’t respond – I do wish them a verruca though!
thanks again, Hugh – dd
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Hi Diane,
I agree with the comment for a comment, it’s only manners.
I just think back to when I was a kid and both my gran and mum would come out with that well known phrase:
‘What do you say??’
It was always said with menace as in ‘I dare you not to say anything or say something stupid!’
You normally said ‘Thanks’ but ducked anyway!!!!
I’ve never had a verruca, corns nip a bit though!!
Thanks as always for all your help and support.
Hugh
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About critiques – I wrote what I wanted to write and probably won’t change because of the criticism unless it about accuracy or grammar. The worst for me is quoting the rules – we found and adverb and there was expositition. You didn’t notice there was a story there?
“We won’t be publishing your story” works for me. Move on, somebody will.
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Hi Doug,
It’s a fair way to look at things.
Their opinion won’t change and you won’t change their opinion, then it’s a moot point getting into a discussion about it.
Hope all is well with you and Sharon my interesting friend!!
Hugh
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Gwen – Sharon and I are good CONSIDERING. Just had an exchange with a longtime Jewish friend in New York. Didn’t know there was a fire on Long Island because he quit all media. I’m not a believer, but as people have wondered for a couple of thousand years, is it the end times? Good time to be old, won’t have to go through a lot more of this. In the US millions are believing in a Dark One.
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Hi Dale,
Hope you see this.
HAH!!! I think you are the first person who has ever said I had a good heart!!
I had a lovely workmate called Katie Sivewright who creased when we were talking to a total opera singer (MeMeMe!!) and he was pissed off cause life and thrown him a few lemons. The prick was privileged and always had mummy and daddy to bail him out. He had decided to rebel and go through the Homeless system. Trust me, I ain’t being insensitive you could spot the ‘Dramatics’ a mile away!! Anyhow he told us a story about him being in a Night-Club and him being him bombed out by some lassie – He cried. I only raised my eyebrows at Katie and she had to walk away due to tears of laughter. (You probably had to be there!!!!)
He went to his room…Oh I should have mentioned for sympathy sake, that a wee arsehole fiend lassie had tried to set him on fire and his hands were all bandaged (Not sure if they should have done that for a burn????…I think that girl is dead now???)
Katie came back still laughing and said to me, ‘That Dick was sharing his soul, and you, you, Black-Hearted Bastard took all that away with one look!!’
That should have been one of my most embarrassing moments but it wasn’t!! I felt proud cause the guy was a bell-end. Some folks I worked with were at the end of their end…That tit was simply that…A tit!!!!
Cheers ma friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugh
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Completely get what you’re saying about what the likes of Alexa and Google are doing to our brains. I’ve returned to collecting vinyl in the last few years and the joy not only of the physical process, but listening to whole albums rather than shuffled compilations is something I love. Also, when trying to recall a name of someone or something famous I insist on racking my brains to get it rather than giving in to the ease of searching it.
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