Dale Williams Barrigar has been a blessing to every writer on the site since his arrival last summer. I dare anyone to find more sincere comments or an even more learned mind on the subject of literature on the site (although Gerry Coleman satisfies that condition as well!) Thus it is fitting that a painting The Old Guitarist should have at least partially inspired Dale’s first site story, today’s rerun.
Anyone who has yet to check out Dale’s impressive collection of Sunday essays, should do so. He has a talent for making what some might consider “school work” interesting and entertaining due to his sincerity.
We leave you to Dale to share his thoughts on his story.
***
The line between so-called fiction and reality is a very thin one for some of us. For some of us, great fictional characters we’ve absorbed in the past have more reality than many of the actual living people who move and have their shadowy being around us. For me, Raskolnikov from Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and “Ishmael” from Melville’s Moby Dick are not akin to real people, they ARE real people. At the same time, when I read anything journalistic by Dr. Hunter S. Thompson or Norman Mailer, I often wonder what part of it is made up and which aspects can be called “real.” And yet, this isn’t lying, more like “a lie which tells the truth.”
Such is the case with The Old Guitarist. He is an actual real person from the real place I actually saw him in, and yet the influence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings is also strong on this character.
I also realized that my brain had played tricks on itself one day when it started remembering that the end of the story had really happened.
The end is pure invention.
Picasso’s fictionally realistic, or realistically fictional, painting The Old Guitarist lends its title (and more) to this story I at one point had to resist destroying (i.e. deleting in a fit of frustrated rage).
literally stories 
Dale
A (obviously) copy of the Picasso painting is on my wall, he has been there for years. And although the guitarist in the tale is his own man both share the virtue of being works of art.
Excellent comments.
Leila
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Thank you, Leila!
Another thing I like about this tale is that I might have forgotten about this (living) character by now if it hadn’t (somehow) gotten written down. Thanks for understanding people like the Old Guitarist and the (my) fallible verbal attempts to give them an element of timelessness.
the drifter
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I think I like this even more the second time around. The descriptions themselves tell a story, and the ending strums the right chord! Well done, Dale.
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David
One reason (in theory) this relies on the descriptions is because it’s attempt to paint a portrait in words, with story elements implied in the fact that this guy is going somewhere and no one but him appears to know where (or care). Glad it stands up on a second reading. And thanks for reading!
Dale
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I remember this from its first appearance. Dont know why I’d didn’t comment then. Lovely mysterious piece, enhanced by the open ending. mick
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Hi Mick
For me it doesn’t get better than lovely and mysterious, so thanks for reading, understanding, and for so generously applying these superlatives – much appreciated!
Dale
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Such an engaging character study – you really want to know more but further detail would be extraneous. Perfectly done!
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Hi Steven
Character study is a great term to describe (and clarify) this piece, and I tried hard to have this tale say more (much more) than the words actually do say. Thanks for calling this perfect – I’m sure it isn’t true but it’s wonderful to hear it!
Dale
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Hey Dale
Congratulations on “The Old Guitarist” appearing again. I thought this was an excellent piece!
Christopher
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Thanks to all the LITERALLY editors for “reprinting” (or re-screening) this piece and for doing other great things lately too, like publishing 100 of Frederick’s pieces (or the most recent 5) and for honoring Tom literarily and literally. Noble work that is literally some of the best stuff around these days.
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Hi Dale,
First off, I’d like to reiterate Leila’s introduction, not so much of the story but what you mean to anyone you have commented on.
You are an absolute asset to the site and for those who read and write. (Apologies for the unintentional bad rhyming!)
I read Stephen’s comments regarding character study. Some folks think this is an easy part of writing. It isn’t. There has to be a perception, empathy and reasoning of any person at any TIME. We all change like the wind so for a writer being able to nail that and put it across, it says as much about their understanding of individual humanity than anything else!
Brilliant my fine friend.
All the very best for The New Year.
Hugh
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