I only hope that we can go a few months without looking at the weeks events with sadness. More tragedy in Orlando with two horrific incidents. Our thoughts are with all involved.
Continue reading “Week 78 – Polls, Slim Whitman And Sloths.”
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Week 77 – Legend.
There is only one subject that I could write about for this posting, the heart-breaking news this week of the death of the legend that was Muhammad Ali. Life can be cruel and ironic by reducing a giant to frailty. However, his memory and legacy are as powerful as anything that he ever achieved. His skill, bravery and humanity have all been superbly documented by the world’s press over the last few days.
Week 76 – Pen Names, Nicknames And Shame
I was wondering about protocol with pen names this week. If there is contact from an author to us regarding writing, should we refer to the person by their pen name? I’m honestly not sure. Historically most people had a pen name because their gender was getting in the way. Now-a-days you would hope that isn’t an issue. I suppose something that is politically loaded or against a hierarchy, you could understand the person wanting to be obscure. But let’s be honest, it is difficult to hide, not only your views in this day and age but you, yourself. There is a camera, a microphone or some twat on Facebook who is always willing to spill the beans.
Week 72 – Transition
This week I mentioned to my twenty-two year old gaffer something about Irvine Welsh’s book ‘Trainspotting’. She hadn’t a Scooby. I thought about it and realised that I wasn’t mentioning something ‘Hip and Happening’. There was no ‘Respect’ or ‘Bringing It On’. The only thing that was there, was me, an old git mentioning a book that I thought was ‘Street’ and bang up to date, when the actual fact was that it’s twenty-three years old! This got me thinking on the books that I have read, when I read them and the difference between them and short stories.
Week 71 – A Bit Sad.
Why do we feel a loss when it isn’t connected to us? And I don’t meant those mutants that are in tears and can’t eat just because some boy band member has decided to leave his talentless mates. It is strange when a celebrity dies. It can also give us a good laugh. There was a Conservative MP who died years ago while indulging in a solo sex game and he was dressed in a rather memorable outfit with some attachments attached and inserted. There was a bit of a hoo-hah as the details were released a bit too quickly. I have my own theory. I think whoever found him, called all and sundry and stated, ‘You’ve just got to see this!!’
Week 70 – Memories
Ok we are on week 70! What has that number inspired in me? Well it reminds me of the 70s. Now I know that we are a worldwide community but unless I look on the web I can only say what the seventies meant to me as a very young Scottish person. I loved the music. I loved the freedom of flares although I lost my wee Yorkshire Terrier under them on so many occasions. I thought I had hit puberty early but eventually realised that it wasn’t my legs sprouting hair, just the dog hiding! I especially appreciated not having to iron my cheesecloth shirt. But polo necks (Turtle-necks) they were something quite different. They were positively evil. My mother’s sadism knew no bounds as she insisted that I wear these elbows of the devil. Even now the thought of a wet neck and one of those jumpers makes me shudder! I feel positively ill watching The Poseidon Adventure with Gene Hackmen wearing one of those things. And to cap it all, he is soaking wet all through the film!!
Week 69 – Sharing
Even though nothing was said. Nothing was mentioned. I am still sure that my fellow editors were sniggering in the corner when I agreed to write this…Thanks guys!
I can be mature without a second thought! It’s not a problem! I can be serious and focused straight off the bat…So here is my 417th version of this posting.
Week 68 – A Wee Bit Different
Hi folks!
Just like trying banana on toast with pepper, flat sausage with beetroot and salad cream and of course, tuna, egg mayonnaise and a touch of red sauce, we are doing something a bit different this week for one day only. No, we haven’t diversified into a food site. (Doesn’t ‘Diversifying’ and ‘For one day only’ sound like the demise of Woolworth or a desperation concert from an old singing has-been?)
Anyway, for any avid readers of the site, you will know that Mr Fred Foote has given us many a wonderful tale. Please check out his back catalogue. In fact, check out as many back catalogues as you can, it keeps the stories breathing and the authors proud!!
So just for a change, on Monday, we are going to publish a revision to his ‘Author Part 2’ story. Fred sent this into us and we felt that it was a very clever and satisfying conclusion to his previous version and we wanted to give you all the chance to read it.
With that in mind I thought I would use revision as the inspiration for this post.
I met an old fellow years ago and he told me that he was a writer. Now to be clear, I am not sure if this was true or not. You see, I have met many people who have claimed that they were professional footballers, hitmen, spacemen, artists, famous chefs etc. This doesn’t mean that I am a sophisticated man about town who draws the interesting and beautiful people to me…It just means that I have met some moon units in my time. I hope the old guy wasn’t one! He stated that he had some writing success and he also told me that he was updating some fairy tales with a Scottish slant. That in itself was interesting. If fairy tales aren’t mad enough, having the characters out their faces on Super Lager or heroin would make Mr Disney spin in his grave. Oh, that was the same Mr Disney who made the Brothers Grimm spin in their graves!
Sorry I am getting off point. I was talking to this old fellow and I told him that I couldn’t look back at any of my stories without tinkering. I asked him when you should stop. He told me that anyone who writes stories or poetry would always tinker. He said that perfection was an arrogance that a writer should never have the luxury of. He went onto talk about leaving as is but always expecting to see something no matter when you went back to it. His idea of a deadline was to accept the completion, only to look at it later and want to change the damn thing yet again!
So it is interesting to think that no matter what, once we have got a story to the end, it is the nature of writing that will never allow you to accept that it is finished. I have the same thoughts with a bottle of whisky…I can never accept that it is finished…It makes me sad!!
Now whether or not the fellow was a moon unit was besides the point, I think what he said had some merit and it is something I think on when looking back!
As always, we have had a diverse mix of subjects this week from our growing list of talented authors. Topics such as stages of life, childhood, acceptance, cancer and assassination were all covered in these five excellent stories.
I still haven’t embarrassed any of my fellow editors by publishing their initial thoughts, so here’s hoping for this week!!
Chris Wight sent us his thought provoking, ‘Wake Up Jerry’ which we published on Monday.
‘A really simple story premise but very neatly done.’
‘The style / voice is recognisable / distinct. This is the hardest skill to do in writing.’
On Tuesday we had Steve Sibra’s very memorable, ‘The Dope Shack’.
The story will invade your thoughts every time you have a bottle of beer!
‘A strange coming of age story.’
‘Quirky ideas done in an age appropriate voice’
Jack Coey was next up on Wednesday with his minimalistic stylish offering, ‘Oblique Lines’.
‘It sucked me in and kept me hooked.’
‘I think the style is excellent’
Thursday gave us the very emotional and touching ‘Can I still Work One Day A Week’ from J.W Kash.
‘I think this story will instigate thoughts in whoever reads and these thoughts may be a hundred different points of view.’
‘Briefly told but different enough to tick a bunch of boxes for me.’
And that was just about us. We had the return of an old friend for Friday’s offering. It was so good to see dm gillis back on site. He gave us an action packed story with some very sharp observations in his tale, ‘Little Rules Of Engagement’.
‘Very strong, satirical and sharp.’
‘Great description and good set pieces.’
We thank all these authors for their input.
Well my friends, that is us for Week 68. We are already reading and deciding for Week 69. It is a pleasure and we hope to continually hear from new writers as well as our supportive old guard.
So eat something weird and send us that piece of perfection that you will want to change again and again and again and…
Hugh
Week 66 – While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
We live in a sick world. No amount of our writing imagination could come up with such a sickness. From all of us here at Literally Stories we would like to pass on our thoughts to everyone affected by the events of the last few days. Just one observation when looking for blame…Only blame the bastards with the bombs!
Now folks…Week 66! Is that two thirds of the evil number 666? Or would that be 444? Or 44? I’m not sure! I have never attended a Christening in my life but if I had, I would have loved to write 666 on the kiddy’s head before the Minister / Priest got a hold of them…I don’t think 444 would have had the same effect!
Today I was pondering Bucket Lists as well as felt tip pens, tattooing babies and freaking out Vicars.
Literally Stories – Week 65 – Getting Nowhere
The grass needs cut and I’ve returned to work after a week off. I hate gardening and I especially hate working. So I apologise for the depression that is oozing from my pen. I have watched Bambi’s mother being shot fourteen times in a row to try to cheer me up. It just made me hungry. But that soon stopped when I remembered I was heading to work. It takes the notion of food away from me. It also takes away any thoughts on being sociable, helpful, understanding and committed. I don’t think I like working with the public.
Anyway, I thought about what to write. It came to a choice between this posting and a suicide note!
Continue reading “Literally Stories – Week 65 – Getting Nowhere”
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