A Friend
Dear Readers
Before we start this week’s silliness, I must relate the news of the passing of Tom Sheehan, who died 16 October, at age 97. Tom holds the site record of 228 stories. He and I coincidentally debuted on LS in August 2015, and Tom nearly doubled my output in less time, even though he was thirty-one years my senior. I doubt anyone will catch him.
But more importantly, Tom was a fine human being: A husband, father, grandfather, historian of Saugus, Massachusetts and a veteran of the Korean War. It is not my object to create sadness because 97 is a damn good run and Tom was still writing till the end. His final submission, an acceptance, of course, The Decoration occurred this past spring.
We will be running a far more fitting tribute to our friend in times ahead, so please keep an eye open.
Leila, Diane, Hugh
Genre
I am not powerfully educated nor will my pride allow me to google every little mystery, but I feel that I have a fairly clear-minded grasp of genre.
I hear the word and Western, Science Fiction, Fantasy (not just impossible S.F.), Crime (or CMT), Mystery and so on pop into mind. In that regard “genre” is a useful list of things, and I highly approve of lists.
But trouble brews when some writers (a flighty bunch to start with) see submission guidelines and are stumped for a label to stick to their story. Instead of giving up and selecting the handy catchall “general” (which, when you think about it, is not a genre at all, and is there only for a handy cop out), some writers will panic like a Sparrow caught in the house. This is when stuff like “humorous crime, horrorishly inclined” rears its deformed It Should Not Be visage. Now, I made that mishmash example up because it is not my object to embarrass anyone, but it is very close to what we see.
Fortunately we have plenty of open windows, which allow Sparrows swift escape from the genre enclosure. “General” is the second largest, ignoring the item, as steady veterans know to do, is by far the easiest solution. But if a person wants something specific, like a Horror tag/category, selecting a clear, simple genre is perhaps a nice idea. Getting weird and messy will do nothing to help.
I, however, understand the need to apply a label, even when there is nothing that fits. But it might be a good thing to have the “type” of tale you have written be elusive to its creator; it might add to the awesome majesty of your legend. Still, we are a species of label gluer-onners, of such instincts we seem unable to help ourselves.
Nor am I able to create a smooth segue to save my soul…
Yet looking through the fine creations from the Week That Was/Is words such as “Excellent” come as close to landing a definitive genre as I can come.
Perhaps “handy” should come to mind, as in a segue into another fine week that is.
This past Sunday, Geraint Jonathan presented The Shakespeareance of a Lifetime (Or Two). We feature some remarkably well-read souls on this site (Geraint, Dale, Michael are among the others) and Geraint has a particular talent of combining the classics with a quality I do not want to label (that word again) “quirky” because that word unfairly infers dizziness. But rest assured Geraint displays tremendous skill and fearlessness in his work.
Evelyn Wall debuted with Retrieving Johanna this week. This one messes with the reader in pleasing ways and you have to keep your wits or she will easily fool you. Evelyn dives into a wildly divergent mind and gives the reader understanding of “Gayle”–through her eyes. It takes tremendous talent to pull this sort of thing off, therefore we hope to see more from Evelyn soon.
There is pain in the world so vast that it can be described only a little bit at a time. So it is true about The Broken Piece of Me by Doyin Ajayi. I could go on and on about the heartbreak and even sweetness to it, but really, check it out if you haven’t yet. It really is top shelf writing. (And never before has an award been so keenly possessed as the MC’s medal.)
Christopher J Ananias returned Wednesday. Few writers get on the hot streak CJA is on, and his Death on a Full Stomach is another example of his work. To take such bleakness and make it interesting requires remarkable skill. Christopher is able to enter the right moment in wrong situations and present clear minded work. Stay tuned for more.
The ever inimitable Adam Kluger has been on something like an eleven year hot streak with LS. Thursday’s Men Without Women is Adam’s way to gain a hold on the bigger things in life by breaking the thing down piece by piece. That right there is a common thread in this week’s collection–the successful examination of life one atom at a time. However you look at it Adam is someone to admire.
We closed shop this week with Unlucky by Gareth Vieira. When irony, darkness and wry humour combine the result is usually very attractive, which is exactly what happens in this tale. It is a strange world, which is fortunate for writers. But maybe not so for the persons on the wrong side of the luck game.
There we have them, six more fine human beings who write right without a genre to define them.
Today I present a list of Ten Books Worth reading. All are known, but it is still a good thing to keep saying their names. We have a way of forgetting when we do not refresh the labels.
- The Diary of a Young Girl–Anne Frank (Justin Bieber embarrassed himself claiming that Anne would be a fan of his while signing the guest book at her museum. That she should die of typhus in a Nazi camp just weeks shy of safety, while he makes zillions being a conceited little asshole adds strength to the atheist argument.)
- Manchild in the Promised Land–Claude Brown (lots of wrong headed thinking involving misogyny, The Nation of Islam and cocaine being “natural” and non addictive. But it also captures 1940’s-50’s Harlem with startling brilliance)
- For Whom the Bell Tolls-Hemingway (For those who claim Brett from The Sun Also Rises as Hemingway’s best female character, overlook the brilliant Pilar in this great novel.)
- Bleak House-Dickens. (Epic capturing of the sheer rottenness of both the English class and legal systems. Also a wonderful and well deserved bit of Human combustion)
- Agnes Grey-Anne Bronte (Although not a classic, this uncommonly good work by the most overlooked B. sister is worthy of a place in Memory.)
- And Then There Were None-Agatha Christie (my mother’s all time favorite book)
- The Stand-Stephen King (In my opinion clearly his best. A great story but I much prefer the original 900-page “short version”)
- We Have Always Lived in a Castle-Shirley Jackson (beware of girls named Merricat)
- A Confederacy of Dunces-John Kennedy Toole (beware of fellas named Ignatius)
- Breakfast of Champions– Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (Kurt shows up in the book himself, toward the end, to aid the project. Great little drawings.)
Leila
In order to enhance the scandalous shortcomings of my education, I get highbrow today and present a poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley, recited by Sir John Gielgud
One more: Happy 100th Birthday to Dick Van Dyke!
literally stories 
Mr. Sheehan enriched our lives with his writings. You, the LS folks, had the additional privilege of some direct contact with him, albeit, I assume, electronically. Thanks for sharing the reading of Ozymandias. Time always wins.
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Hi David
Although it was only via email I feel I got to know Tom while helping set up his Western Day Post about three years ago. He was a gentleman always.
Toward the end he fought back against age, disease and blindness and kept writing. Even when discussing his pains he never bitched. That is a hell of a good way to be remembered.
I like to think Ozymandias won. He went out on top. I believe he is based on Ramses II, whose name has just popped up again now!
I hope you are well
Leila
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Sad to learn of Tom Sheehan’s death. His Western stories are the very best I’ve ever read. It was pleasing to read what I’d already intuited: that he was a truly good man.
Re Ozymandias: that was the name of an old Ford van of mine, because I looked upon his works and despaired.
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Hi Mick
Thank you. I think we all (non-silver spoon types) have that early car. Your nickname is classier than “Battlecar Gallactica” which seemed to describe a hideous yello Dodge Polara, my first vehicle. Had to place a pan beneath it to catch leaking transmission fluid.
Leila
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Hi Leila
This genre business has been a bit taxing over the years, submitting stories. Spamming the inbox of different publications. lol.
I think a writer after a while will figure out what they are good at writing. This might take a long time, though. If a person is good at sci-fi, fantasy, or horror then it’s fairly clear which area their story (if it is a story) falls under.
The gray areas, where the surreal pops up and brings out suggestions of the supernatural even horror maybe an actual monster in a mirage, complicates the issue of genre.
Good writing will find a home eventually. Someone else said that.
I think education is overrated. I’m starting to wonder once you are able to read and do some basic math. You could use the Internet to educate yourself.
In the writing game, besides degrees in literature and English, self educating oneself by reading is the way to go.
The best teachers are other authors.
For Whom the Bell Tolls, was a book that I found the tactile magic in writing. E.H.’s descriptions of “cool skin to the touch and warmth underneath” always stuck with me. Who and Whom are tough–always a grey or gray area for me.
The Stand, King’s Magnum Opus Is one that I’ve read, watched, read, watched, listened to, saw it practically come true, and dreamed about it.
RIP T.S.
CJA
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Hello CJA (I do like the way that sounds, I think Dale began it)
Yes The Stand was the first long novel I ever read. From 1979 until, I think 90, it was only avaiable in the “short” version, which I got used to. But I know I would still like it plenty if the longer one came first.
Who v whom and which v that were two mysteries that I solved by purchasing an English textbook designed for elementary school children. I highly suggest such for persons like myself, whose formal education was brief and long ago.
Thanks again
Leila
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Hi Leila
Yes indeed Dale has a cool way about himself.
I just read The Stand again last year. Now that I think about it I don’t think I’ve listened to it on audio.
Those grammar books are helpful. I should have tried harder in those classes. I didn’t know there was a writer hiding under my skin.
It’s kind of hard to find a free editor that covers grammar and sentence fragments. Saw v Seen had me on the ropes. Run vs ran too. My ex wife still gets me on those.
People don’t speak well but they know everything. lol.
CJA
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Hi again CJA
I believe I will go to the urn without defeating headed/heading. No matter how many times I look it up the information fails to stick. It is as though I have a hole in my head that is the perfect size for it only to escape.
Leila
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Hi Leila
Good way to put it, lol. I hear what you are saying some of this grammar, that I sometimes want to spell grammer, is hard to stick. I think we learn wrong ways our whole life from people around us like a dialect. The double negative, can’t hardly is another one.
Writing fiction and my former wife have been my best teachers and a willingness to learn.
CJA
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PS: Great article, like always. You know how to spark the audience!
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Leila
My favorite genre story: a writer friend who was having trouble getting started was told by an editor to put a ghost in her story. Today she is a relatively successful Faery Tale author of simply awful garbage. — Gerry
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Hi Gerry
I often wonder how people can become successful by producing the “right kind” of junk. It shouldn’t be possible, yet we have stuff like the ” vegematic” making millions and comic books earning billions telling the same basic story.
That sort of thing probably led to the invention of ale and public houses (if so, then at least there is an upside).
Thanks for stopping by!
Leila
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Hi Leila,
That was an excellent tribute to Tom.
He was a superb writer and a total gentleman!!
…
If we ever see, ‘Hilarious Romancing Historical Fantasy’ I’m sure that will be the time to give up or seek out the writer and hurt them in many ways!
Regarding Mr Dyke, reaching one hundred is some achievement. I wonder if he is still trying to perfect his cockney accent!!
The book that I’d like to suggest is ‘The Grey Man’ by S.R. Crockett. It intermingles the factual feud of the two Kennedy Clans with the legend of Sawney Bean.
Excellent as always!!
Hugh
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Good morning Hugh (well it is five AM here at the Puget Sound).
I agree about Tom. I will miss him, and it was missing him that caused me to make a search I did not want to begin.(For those seeking the obituary, please google: Tom Sheehan Saugus Mass.)
Excellent choice. I was going to add Irvine Welsh but couldn’t choose, which is a compliment to him.
You know, I think I once saw a genre description verrry close to the one you shared.
Take care
Leila
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I hope Tom is with his wife and other family members now but whatever it was an honour to know him just a little bit.
I love that poem – One of my favourites among many I have to say.
My copy of The Stand is very bedraggled, it was passed around the whole family and we all left a mark on it. It’s the original version. I think my dad summed it up best when he said ‘I’m glad I’ve read it but I wish I hadn’t’
thanks for this and for the really well handled tribute to our absent friend. dd
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Hi Diane
I would like that to somehow be for Tom. A pleasant Saturday in 1965. I hope it can be that way.
Yes, Shelley had a great knack for memorable poems.
Leila
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Leila
RIP Tom. A truly impressive writer whose humanity shone through his works and words. I think the best thing anyone can do for a writer at this stage is to return to his or her work, and go deeper.
Anne Frank was Jesus nailed to the cross, head bowed, as will we all be (or have been), one day or another, one way or another. I think that’s why this symbol has become so universal. It was already universal BEFORE it became a symbol. Hundreds of thousands of years before, and more.
Shelley was one of the best. During his lifetime, he was most popular with the working classes in England because of all the things he wrote on their behalf, even though he himself was an aristocrat and didn’t need to fight the fight. Unlike his pal Byron, he was not widely known, but he had an underground reputation as a radical on the side of the insulted and injured. Shelley and Byron proved for all time that the rich are not always evil.
Ten more books worth looking at (for the first time or again).
THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, by Stephen Crane. America, rethink the civil war that’s coming and that’s already here. It won’t be like the first time, but there’s time to stop it now – still and even though.
A JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR, by Daniel Defoe. American, rethink your attack on science. RFK Jr., ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Charles Dickens. It’s not sentimental.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. Dr. Seuss. Not just for kids.
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, by Boswell. The greatest biography of all time. There is NO SECOND compared to this thing.
KUBLA KHAN, OR, A VISION IN A DREAM: A FRAGMENT, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A short poem with the power and reach of many thousand-page novels.
FICCIONES, by Jorge Luis Borges. Redefines the short story for all time.
JOHN BARLEYCORN, by Jack London. Rethink your alcoholism IF it’s getting you down.
THE BEAR, by William Faulkner. A tale of Native American wisdom, the spiritual horrors of US slavery, and the lost wilderness. The greatest bear character of all time.
KRAPP’S LAST TAPE, by Samuel Beckett. A single-character, one-act play with the power and reach of a hundred “normal” full-length plays (or more).
The very aging character says at the end: “All those wasted years. But I wouldn’t want them back. NOT WITH THE FIRE IN ME NOW.”
Thank you Leila!
Dale
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Hello Dale
Tremendous points you made about Anne. I have two copies of her book (one has a foreword by Eleanor Roosevelt) and the other has four pictures taken of her a year or so before they went into the secret annex. Wonderful expressions on her face, somthing holy about her.
Crane was on my list too (there are hundreds of great books, not such a high number upon considering millions have been written). His book was possibly the only trutful one written of the war for a very long time.
Your list contains worthy books. The Borges and Beckett titles (but not tge authors) are new to me.
Thank you for shining the light!
Leila
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So sad to hear of Tom’s passing – a true gent and a talented writer. Incredible legacy on LS that I suspect will never be surpassed. Hell of an innings and glad he could pursue what he loved until the end.
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Hello Nik
Thank you for coming by. Tom was one of the last good writers who remembered being in the Great Depression and WWII. Although it sounds trite, he left a great record of times during those events.
Only Providence knows how many publishing credits he rang up (and with reruns, not even Death, can stop his total from increasin). 228 at LS and over 400 with a western site, just for starters. It must be four figures and I seriously doubt the first number is a one.
Thanks again!
Leila
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I looked up Tom’s bio a few years back and was amazed someone that much old than I (currently growing tentacles as an octogenarian) was consistenly turning out good writing. A fond farewell and a fine life.
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Hello Mr M.
Well said. Herman Wouk was still writing novels at nearly 100, Chuck Berry still recorded at 90, Dick Van Dyke has out lived Rose Marie and Mel Brooks might become the 2000 year old man. Rolling Keith should be impossible. Just gotta keep amoving.
Thanks again
Leila
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Very sad to hear of Tom’s passing. A truly fine writer who I’ve enjoyed reading on here immensely – and thank you to you great folks at LS there is an archive of so much of his work.
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Hi Paul
Thank you for stopping by. Tom will still be present in what must be over a thousand stories and books all over. Prolific in all ways!
Leila
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Sorry to hear about Tom Sheehan’s passing. I enjoyed his short stories over the years, about Saugus, Korea, and the old West. Time and place were big in these stories, and characters that could only have come out of those places and times. Now that the people of his generation have almost all passed, he leaves a mighty story record, the town of Saugus in his day memorialized. He reminds me somewhat of Canadian writers Morley Callaghan or Hugh Garner. A man of his times.
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Thank you Harrison,
Well said. On 3 January we will be running five of Tom’s stories as a tribute.
Thanks again
Leila
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