The hotel discount scene is the one that got me. Knowing you're being an asshole and being sort of sorry but not sorry enough to stop. That's grief doing what grief actually does. It doesn't make you noble. It makes you petty and honest at the same time. Really well crafted, James. Beautiful piece.
thanks so much, John, this is incredibly kind. i loved writing that scene, i worked retail for years and had so many customer interactions like that one where i just had to wonder what the person had going on in their life to make them act that way. so glad you enjoyed the story.(:
I really loved this, James. The anti-utopianism of the queer mentor/mentee relationship is both so inspiring and realist. It gives James Baldwin and Beauford Delaney.
Also, the light though significant touch you apply to race and gender 👌
you’re such a close reader, Brenden, I always enjoy seeing what you pick up on in my work. thanks so much for reading, sharing, commenting, it means a lot.<3
You caught me by surprise with unexpected nostalgia for a long-neglected memory of mine, then dragged me into moments that you made personal to me, even they were not, and finally, you made me meet and *feel* Barry as if he was my long-lost friend too. You, master, I bow to you.
Barry is everyone’s friend<3 thank you so much for these thoughtful words, SL. I’m so appreciative to have your attentive reading and so glad this connected.<3
So fucking good! How all these characters, squirrel included, reflected each other in interesting ways - layers of hardship and grace. Also, liked how long you were able to pull me along without any details about whose funeral it was. This is one of those stories I’ll be thinking about for a while - like what is Barry’s backstory? (got just a hint, but it’s got this mysterious richness that I’ll never know or could ever really understand - the unfathomable depths of another human life) 👏👏
wow, thank you, Trevor!! that's absolutely what i was going for. just a little peek into this guy's life, the feeling that maybe we could have known more if we'd spent more time with him while he was still alive, etc. so glad to hear that came across. thank you for the comment and the kindness, it is so appreciated(:
Your characters are so realistic and honest, James. The writing is confident so that it’s easy to go with you wherever. You have a deft hand with psychological nuances. Really lovely.
levels are absolutely the goal, i’m so pleased to hear they hit. you’re one in a million, Cedar, I appreciate you reading and dropping some kind words<3
Also really good technical writing throughout. I love good sentence structure so I need to call it out when I come across it. The story moves so smoothly from start to finish.
The hotel discount scene is the one that got me. Knowing you're being an asshole and being sort of sorry but not sorry enough to stop. That's grief doing what grief actually does. It doesn't make you noble. It makes you petty and honest at the same time. Really well crafted, James. Beautiful piece.
thanks so much, John, this is incredibly kind. i loved writing that scene, i worked retail for years and had so many customer interactions like that one where i just had to wonder what the person had going on in their life to make them act that way. so glad you enjoyed the story.(:
I also found this scene moving and funny and real, like this line: …”I left with a spring in my step, having accomplished something very stupid.”
Bang on.
JW has done it again 🩷 most emotionally resonant writer on the dang platform
far too kind. appreciate you endlessly, MA<3
💯
I really loved this, James. The anti-utopianism of the queer mentor/mentee relationship is both so inspiring and realist. It gives James Baldwin and Beauford Delaney.
Also, the light though significant touch you apply to race and gender 👌
you’re such a close reader, Brenden, I always enjoy seeing what you pick up on in my work. thanks so much for reading, sharing, commenting, it means a lot.<3
You caught me by surprise with unexpected nostalgia for a long-neglected memory of mine, then dragged me into moments that you made personal to me, even they were not, and finally, you made me meet and *feel* Barry as if he was my long-lost friend too. You, master, I bow to you.
Barry is everyone’s friend<3 thank you so much for these thoughtful words, SL. I’m so appreciative to have your attentive reading and so glad this connected.<3
So fucking good! How all these characters, squirrel included, reflected each other in interesting ways - layers of hardship and grace. Also, liked how long you were able to pull me along without any details about whose funeral it was. This is one of those stories I’ll be thinking about for a while - like what is Barry’s backstory? (got just a hint, but it’s got this mysterious richness that I’ll never know or could ever really understand - the unfathomable depths of another human life) 👏👏
wow, thank you, Trevor!! that's absolutely what i was going for. just a little peek into this guy's life, the feeling that maybe we could have known more if we'd spent more time with him while he was still alive, etc. so glad to hear that came across. thank you for the comment and the kindness, it is so appreciated(:
Your characters are so realistic and honest, James. The writing is confident so that it’s easy to go with you wherever. You have a deft hand with psychological nuances. Really lovely.
this is so reassuring to hear, thank you, Stephanie!!(:
now that's good work right there James. nice one.
thanks so much daisy, appreciate you reading(:
Really strong. It’s impressive how little Barry is in the actual story — a reflection of Barry being in the story through the his affect on the MC
thanks so much, Keith(:
finally fathoming the collage after reading... shit is powerful. we're sooo back.
Chekhov’s chin turn, hello? Adored this!
thank you, Lee! you caught something i hadn’t even noticed myself, but i’m going to call is subconsciously intentional lol
Seldom am I moved to a series of levels while reading at 6am, but damn it you've done it James Worth. Well done. Gonna need to order that book now.
levels are absolutely the goal, i’m so pleased to hear they hit. you’re one in a million, Cedar, I appreciate you reading and dropping some kind words<3
Marvelous ... the man does it again! 🥰🥰🥰
sad, funny, beautiful, real, honest and hopeful.
I keep saying it cos its true...you transmit real emotion with your words. you make it look easy but it isn't.
funnily, i was just mulling a scene with a bird of prey and you summoned one up at rhe finish. its a sign!
you’re too kind as always, Nick. appreciate your thoughtful words so much.
and a sign is always a sign. write that scene!!!!!!
it was about being attacked by a bird of prey while sitting in the fertility clinic carpark…
This was sweet, James! I liked the flow of the narrator's thoughts.
That last paragraph was just perfect!!
Also really good technical writing throughout. I love good sentence structure so I need to call it out when I come across it. The story moves so smoothly from start to finish.
James 👏 Worth 👏 Wednesday 👏
Lovely piece, the hotel discount seen got me