aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 29, 2012 - 11:34am
Well, I definitely think you all have done an amazing job or I wouldn't have chosen your stories. Like I said I am trying to find that delicate balance between being respectful and entertaining. I mean that's why I admired your story so much Becky because you are a feminist and were able to write from the perspective of a male rapist in a convincing way without demonizing him to the point of caricature. Not everyone could do that. Not to mention Jessica writing about a mother with no emotional affection for her baby and knowing she's a mother, I'm sure that was challenging for her too. I would like to think everyone challenged themselves in some way to try harder and do better. Jason's story really doesn't get that graphic until towards the end. It is fascinating though and based on a real mental disorder, two of them in fact. Personally I am more disturbed reading graphic horror stories of blood and guts and rape with no irony attached, where you can just tell the writer is getting off on their torture porn. I'm pretty sure Jason isn't into amputee porn but you never know lol
@Jason--that doesn't sound silly at all. When I first got published in an anthology I was elated. I felt like a real writer for the first time. When I actually got paid 250 dollars for a short story, I felt like "Wow, someone really likes my writing". What's funny is that was for a website and it was a satirical zombie story I wrote ten years ago and I don't even think it is that good now. I remember the first line was, "The world was ending but all Zack Peterson cared about was whether or not his hair looked cool."
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJanuary 29, 2012 - 12:41pm
@Jason: Danny forwarded your story to me and I thought it was very successful. The thing I liked about it was the fact that when it started out I quickly formed these preconceived notions of where I thought the story was going to go--a parallel to the real life challenges amputees face; that people see them and assume they are a certain way without ever taking the time to get to know them.
There was some great misdirection there. Then it surprised me. The pivotal conflict; the fulcrum that trajected the story in a whole new direction. The thing is, it didn't really matter if there were so-called grotesque elements, because the story was so strong that it propelled the reader (at least me) into a new place. And I think that is what storytelling is all about. That new place. That transformation. It also served as a solid metaphor. That on the outside amputees might appear to be freaks when they are just as much human as everyone else and their need for love is no different.
My grandfather was an amputee. He lost his right leg after a wood-chopping accident at the age of 40. But he was still the same person, the same grandfather. The thing about Jason's story is that it succeeded in humanizing the condition. So one would think that I might be offended by this story. To the contrary. And I think my grandfather would have found it highly entertaining.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 29, 2012 - 1:44pm
@aylee, exactly. It's just how I'm not a pedophile, and Jessica won't kill her baby, and bek isn't an angry rapist (Well, strictly speaking, I did have consensual sex when i was 15 with a 14 year old, so I am, but...)
Nick Wilczynski
from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. MartinJanuary 29, 2012 - 2:46pm
I haven't even made the initial preparations to kill myself in years.
-
I agree with Bek about not getting ahead of ourselves, I'm sure medical anomolies (it's all lupus, though, if I learned anything from house the answer is probably lupus) are fun and whatnot, but well, let's take this one step at a time.
I'm more interested in how the publisher hunt is going.
-
I've been meaning to read Jason's story, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe this evening. I need to eat before I read it though, because I'm hungry and I'm worried about this story living up to the hype.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 29, 2012 - 4:03pm
Well, I promised Bree Ogden I would show her the finished project before I started submitting it to publishers, she is a literary agent and taught the graphic novel class here on Litreactor so I'm waiting until it's done. Charles is also helping me put final edits on all the stories and make sure they are in proper format.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 29, 2012 - 4:12pm
@nk - "if I learned anything from house the answer is probably lupus"
I'd like to order a tee shirt with this on it, plesae.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 29, 2012 - 4:17pm
All I learned from House is that if someone has a cold even, you must drill their brain open and they might have cancer but then oh no they don't, they have this strange rare bizarre condition that no one has heard of, oh wait, no it's this! All while he insults the family and makes wisecracks about how their son or daughter is going to die.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJanuary 29, 2012 - 4:36pm
...and tries to track down some more Oxies.
Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsJanuary 29, 2012 - 5:10pm
Well thank you Chester that is high praise indeed. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 29, 2012 - 6:38pm
It's NEVER Lupus. Why do you think he keeps his vics in the lupus book? Because it never gets opened. C'mon, I haven't watched House in years and I know that!!
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJanuary 29, 2012 - 8:07pm
@aliensoul77 - Bree? that's awesome, she's top notch for sure.
jl85
from originally East Tennessee now Southern California is reading everything I canJanuary 31, 2012 - 12:50am
I've been off the map for a while (down in Florida for a three month avionics course). But after trying to do a fucking rewrite at least a dozen times I think I've got something that will transition to a final draft soon. My story's up in the Workshop for review. Have at it people.
Also, I listened to the song Woman Like a Man by Damien Rice pretty much the whole time I was doing my rewrite (not that the lyrics had as much to do with the story as did the tempo of the music itself.)
@Danny I'm trying to stay productive man, but when I get done doing a story or a rewrite I always feel pretty fucking drained for a few days, but once I get some peer reviews I'll have a final draft to send to you very soon!
Raelyn
from California is reading The Liars' ClubJanuary 31, 2012 - 1:18am
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 7:43am
I believe in you all! Raelyn, are you still going to rewrite yours? We have a lot of good stories. A lot are ready to go but there are some that need a rewrite. Again, if anyone needs until the end of the month to finish I am willing to extend the deadline for you if you are already on the list as one of my contributers. No Litreactor left behind! I am getting some good submissions from outside sources lately but many of them also need work so if I don't watch out, this antho is going to end up at least 400 pages. So if anyone for any reason doesn't think they are going to be able to finish their story or they want to back out of the project, let me know now instead of waiting until the last minute. Thanks!
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 31, 2012 - 7:47am
I'm out!
Nah, not really.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 8:13am
Actually out of everyone, I'm worried about Jami because I haven't heard anything. I know Utah, Liana, Josef (just posted a rewrite), Renee, Raelyn, Cristiana are all working on rewrites. I just finished my last rewrite which I will be posting soon. I believe I addressed everyone's concerns in it. I feel proud of it now. Becky is also working on an awesome art show flier based on my character for my story. Here are some of the newer acceptances. Some of theme are going thorugh rewrites too and as always if anyone wants to read them, let me know.
24. Phantom Pains by Jason Van Horn
25. Silence by Tessa Yelton
26. The Frequent Flyer by Jamesey Lefebure
27. Wake by Robert Thomas
28. Numb by Winnie Ferree
29. Dear Baby Doll by Scott Carver
Many of these are 1500 words or less which really helps even out some of the longer pieces. Scott wrote a story about a woman in love with a serial killer on death row like I wanted. Anyone who might want to get a last piece in there who hasn't written anything, here are some more weird ass disorders like clinical lycanthropy to erotomania, wendigo psychosis and people who believe they are living in a computer game.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 8:20am
Oh and I think Garrett is working on pica and Jack Joslin Capras. And his brother Jay on Trumanism. Yes, we have brothers in this antho! Any newbies with stories under 1500 words that are well told have a greater likelihood of being published at this point. Especially if someone can get me a good clinical lycanthropy story, I love werewolves. lol
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJanuary 31, 2012 - 9:07am
I used to think I lived in a computer game but then I couldn't level fast enough and keep up with my guild so I exited the computer game.
Danny I am actually working right now on the revision. I'll post very soon.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 9:21am
Yay, I believe in you all. WE HAVE THE POWER!!! (He-Man voice)
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 31, 2012 - 10:41am
aylee, should i rewrite mine?
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 10:50am
No, I think it's fine unless you want to change the ending twist to his father being the one abusing the boy and that's why he was so open to sexual intercourse with his Uncle. I just felt like there could have been one more scene before the murder. I didn't feel like we really got to see the Uncle seduce the kid, pedophiles are usually pretty manipulative, he would want to make him feel like he was the most important person in his entire life. Maybe that's when the boy could confess that his father was molesting him and then the narrator could justify his own behavior thinking, my brother is just like me. Again, it's up to you.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 10:52am
Or you could even twist it entirely, make it a love story, the uncle basically seduces his nephew and when he finds out that his brother is molesting him, together they decide to murder the boy's mother and father and then they run away together. Now that would be a twisted fucking ending.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 31, 2012 - 11:15am
So i turn the rape into an epiphany?
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 11:34am
I was thinking no rape, the kid has sex with him willingly then reveals that his father abuses him and then they decide to kill his parents together. The nephew wouldn't think that sex with an older man was abnormal if his own father did it to him but at the same time he would hate his father because his father he sees as a hypocrite and rapist. While your main character sees this revelation as an epiphany or rather an excuse to finally kill the brother he despises so much. The wife/his mother is just collateral damage. I'm not saying to glamourize pedophilia but children who are sexually abused are sometimes manipulated by the adults they are with to think this is normal behavior. Plus the uncle seems like he is mentally stilted for a college student, he is caught in a childish mindset because of the abuse his brother did to him as a child too. So in his mind, him and the boy are really the same emotional age. He may even believe that him and the boy are "in love".
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 11:41am
we could take this conversation into pm if you want, I didn't mean to dissect your story in a public forum. I was just giving you ideas. I mean, I kind of wish for a different ending to your story. When I think about it, it just feels like an aimless ending without any clear resolution. If you turned it into a twisted love story/murder plot, it would give it a gross edge. Especially after you showed the Uncle expressing such affection for the boy in that one scene, it does seem out of character that he would just kill him out of nowhere later on. Pedophiles aren't necessarily violent, sometimes they are very passive, they can be very charming, that's how they get children to feel safe around them. Yet I feel like the Uncle isn't a true pedophile, I think he is just fucked up and emotionally stunted like I said. I think in his head he still feels 14 years old. Perhaps he is so in love with his nephew/the kid that he decides to go along with the murder plot but it is really the idea of the 14 year old.
I promise I'm not pulling this all out of my ass. I watch a lot of true crime stories and documentaries, my wife studies criminal justice so I do understand how the criminal mind works to an extent. After all, no one ever sees themselves as evil. Many psychopaths see themselves as victims of life, which helps them justify all their actions. They will even blame their victims for making it "so easy" to hurt them.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 11:46am
I'm actually reading this book about serial killers right now, this guy wrote all these serial killers in prison and they wrote back to him and told him all their secrets because they are on death row and basically don't give a fuck anymore. These are real letters in this book. It's insane. The most common victims are prostitutes because serial killers see them as easy prey because they are often runaways or have no connections to their family so they can just disappear and no one notices. Yet what's hilarious and sad is, the author asks this question to each serial killer..."How do you want to be remembered?"
None of them ever say a monster or a killer. They say things like, "as a good husband and father, a good son, a man who just lost his way". My favorite one was from Susan Smith, the lady who drowned her two children in the car, she said she wants to be remembered as, "A good Catholic woman". LMAO. I was like, good luck with that one, bitch.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 31, 2012 - 1:55pm
@aylee, ^_^
A reader did say, though, that she felt that Aubry kind of liked Jamie, and so wouldn't hurt her. I'll start a rewrite soon.
JameseyLefebure
from Liverpool, Uk is reading The Gunslinger- Stephen KingJanuary 31, 2012 - 2:06pm
I was jsut wondering if you needed me to rewrite mine - also if you dont mind it I'd love to take a try at the living in a computer game mental illess (got a vision of final fantasy meets grand theft auto) :)
James
xx
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 31, 2012 - 3:22pm
Danny mentinoed the flyer I was working on for this story. Here it is, in all its "aged" glory:
Thus far, nobody else has come forward with ideas or suggestions on the "scrapbook piece" I could do for their story. So again, it's something to think about. A coworker of mine recently had an unexpected baby this past week, so I can rest my eyes for a bit and crochet her something instead of spending hours in front of the computer.
So come on up! PM me with your ideas.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 3:37pm
Awesome, Becky. You are the best as always. The only other story I can think of an idea for is a story I got recently about a woman who is writing to a guy on death row because she is in love with him. There is a name for that particular dementia. Anyway, I was thinking maybe you could take like the first letter she writes him and replicate it and make it look like a real handwritten letter. I would have to send you the story though. Some of the stories don't lend themselves easily to scrapbook ideas. Unless you want to start writing realistic looking police reports, death certificates and hospital admittance forms lol We should make it so that every story has a "totem", one defining physical characteristic that represents it.
@Jamesy--If you want to write a different story that you think is better than the other one, go for it. :)
.
January 31, 2012 - 3:38pm
I'm doing a Live Reading to promote the anthology and my other short fiction. Some special guests will be reading poetry and short stories as well. Hosted by me at Forest Edge Winery. I'm going to be reading my short story "Jump" from Psychosis. Just wanted to make sure that was cool with everyone. It's going to be on the 16th of February so I'll post pictures.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 31, 2012 - 3:44pm
Well, a police murder report would be nice for mine, or alternatively, a page from Aubry's textbook with angry red pen all over it. Or even a photo of Aubry and Cam, with Cam's face crossed out or a heart over his head or something. (That is, if you can convince a ~20 and a ~13 year old to pose with each other) ^_^
If you could, that'd be awesome.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 31, 2012 - 4:12pm
That's cool, Dakota. You could direct anyone who might still be interested in submitting to our website. Becky's or mine: vertigoschism77.wordpress.com. Or you could even give them my email if they don't look like a total weirdo: dangrn77@hotmail.com. I still want a few more submissions but I need to be discreet about how I do it, I was going to put an ad on this one website but I was afraid I would get too many submissions when the project is about 65% done pending rewrites.
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJanuary 31, 2012 - 9:12pm
Posted my first review. I'd like to know if it works better.... or possibly worse?
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.February 1, 2012 - 11:29am
Becky, I found some John Wayne Gacy art online if you wanted to put it on the website.
Even creepier here is one of him as a clown.
Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsFebruary 1, 2012 - 11:51am
See why would anybody think he could do what he did? He looks like such a friendly clown...like Pennywise from 'It'
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.February 1, 2012 - 12:24pm
Hey Jason, I know I still owe you a detailed edit. I will get that to you soon.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceFebruary 1, 2012 - 3:57pm
@Jason
WE all know who pennywise is. =_=
バカ〜!!
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.February 1, 2012 - 4:29pm
How is the rewrite going, Sam?
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigFebruary 1, 2012 - 7:05pm
So I have a confession. This final rewrite is giving me a headache. I'm feeling the pressure to make this as awesome as everything else I am seeing and it is a little brain bending. Not complaining, or saying it won't be in by the 15th, just an update as to where I am and why I am absent in this thread. I am trying to sit down and focus, so I am staying away (now to stay away from everything else).
Nathan
from Louisiana (South of New Orleans) is reading Re-reading The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyn Kiste, The Bone Weaver's Orchard by Sarah ReadFebruary 1, 2012 - 7:32pm
Someone should reach out to Jami if they know how. I never got to know her beyond a couple of intensives I took with her, but she's a great writer. Was always impressed with her stories. Her characters especially.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.February 1, 2012 - 8:31pm
I like Jami's story but I have no idea how to contact her either outside of PM'ing her here.
@Renee-it's cool. I shouldn't even be on this website rite now. I should be reading and writing but you know how it goes.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterFebruary 1, 2012 - 9:01pm
I just messaged her on FB.
Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsFebruary 2, 2012 - 6:17am
Well you never can be sure. Maybe someone would've thought I was talking about the band when I said Pennywise. :P
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazFebruary 2, 2012 - 10:29am
Yeah, don't worry about Jami, she has probably locked herself in her writing closet to make that thing as awesome as possible.
@Renee: Love to hear that kind of commitment.
I wish I could figure out how to shoot framing nails and be online at the same time without killing myself.
@Danny: This thing is shaping up to be a Tome.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.February 2, 2012 - 10:33am
I know I just need a few more thorns and my crown will be finished. Publication is crucifixtion? How did I end up with a Jesus metaphor.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceFebruary 2, 2012 - 10:38am
going well, aylee ^_^ started writing a creepy sex scene in the middle of a phyiscs lesson.
Tessa
from Florida is reading The Painted Boy by Charles de LintFebruary 2, 2012 - 12:39pm
Sorry if this has been asked before, but will the book state which disorder(s) each story is about? I don't say within my story, and the majority of readers will, like the characters in the story, recognize this as "extreme shyness" rather than specific, named mental disorders.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.February 2, 2012 - 2:25pm
You can state it in your author statement at the end of the book, how is the rewrite going?
Tessa
from Florida is reading The Painted Boy by Charles de LintFebruary 2, 2012 - 2:55pm
I think it's going well. I paid for the workshop this morning, so I'll post it there soon. :)
Well, I definitely think you all have done an amazing job or I wouldn't have chosen your stories. Like I said I am trying to find that delicate balance between being respectful and entertaining. I mean that's why I admired your story so much Becky because you are a feminist and were able to write from the perspective of a male rapist in a convincing way without demonizing him to the point of caricature. Not everyone could do that. Not to mention Jessica writing about a mother with no emotional affection for her baby and knowing she's a mother, I'm sure that was challenging for her too. I would like to think everyone challenged themselves in some way to try harder and do better. Jason's story really doesn't get that graphic until towards the end. It is fascinating though and based on a real mental disorder, two of them in fact. Personally I am more disturbed reading graphic horror stories of blood and guts and rape with no irony attached, where you can just tell the writer is getting off on their torture porn. I'm pretty sure Jason isn't into amputee porn but you never know lol
@Jason--that doesn't sound silly at all. When I first got published in an anthology I was elated. I felt like a real writer for the first time. When I actually got paid 250 dollars for a short story, I felt like "Wow, someone really likes my writing". What's funny is that was for a website and it was a satirical zombie story I wrote ten years ago and I don't even think it is that good now. I remember the first line was, "The world was ending but all Zack Peterson cared about was whether or not his hair looked cool."
@Jason: Danny forwarded your story to me and I thought it was very successful. The thing I liked about it was the fact that when it started out I quickly formed these preconceived notions of where I thought the story was going to go--a parallel to the real life challenges amputees face; that people see them and assume they are a certain way without ever taking the time to get to know them.
There was some great misdirection there. Then it surprised me. The pivotal conflict; the fulcrum that trajected the story in a whole new direction. The thing is, it didn't really matter if there were so-called grotesque elements, because the story was so strong that it propelled the reader (at least me) into a new place. And I think that is what storytelling is all about. That new place. That transformation. It also served as a solid metaphor. That on the outside amputees might appear to be freaks when they are just as much human as everyone else and their need for love is no different.
My grandfather was an amputee. He lost his right leg after a wood-chopping accident at the age of 40. But he was still the same person, the same grandfather. The thing about Jason's story is that it succeeded in humanizing the condition. So one would think that I might be offended by this story. To the contrary. And I think my grandfather would have found it highly entertaining.
@aylee, exactly. It's just how I'm not a pedophile, and Jessica won't kill her baby, and bek isn't an angry rapist (Well, strictly speaking, I did have consensual sex when i was 15 with a 14 year old, so I am, but...)
I haven't even made the initial preparations to kill myself in years.
-
I agree with Bek about not getting ahead of ourselves, I'm sure medical anomolies (it's all lupus, though, if I learned anything from house the answer is probably lupus) are fun and whatnot, but well, let's take this one step at a time.
I'm more interested in how the publisher hunt is going.
-
I've been meaning to read Jason's story, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe this evening. I need to eat before I read it though, because I'm hungry and I'm worried about this story living up to the hype.
Well, I promised Bree Ogden I would show her the finished project before I started submitting it to publishers, she is a literary agent and taught the graphic novel class here on Litreactor so I'm waiting until it's done. Charles is also helping me put final edits on all the stories and make sure they are in proper format.
@nk - "if I learned anything from house the answer is probably lupus"
I'd like to order a tee shirt with this on it, plesae.
All I learned from House is that if someone has a cold even, you must drill their brain open and they might have cancer but then oh no they don't, they have this strange rare bizarre condition that no one has heard of, oh wait, no it's this! All while he insults the family and makes wisecracks about how their son or daughter is going to die.
...and tries to track down some more Oxies.
Well thank you Chester that is high praise indeed. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
It's NEVER Lupus. Why do you think he keeps his vics in the lupus book? Because it never gets opened. C'mon, I haven't watched House in years and I know that!!
@aliensoul77 - Bree? that's awesome, she's top notch for sure.
I've been off the map for a while (down in Florida for a three month avionics course). But after trying to do a fucking rewrite at least a dozen times I think I've got something that will transition to a final draft soon. My story's up in the Workshop for review. Have at it people.
Also, I listened to the song Woman Like a Man by Damien Rice pretty much the whole time I was doing my rewrite (not that the lyrics had as much to do with the story as did the tempo of the music itself.)
@Danny I'm trying to stay productive man, but when I get done doing a story or a rewrite I always feel pretty fucking drained for a few days, but once I get some peer reviews I'll have a final draft to send to you very soon!
It's not lupus.
It's always sarcoidosis.
I believe in you all! Raelyn, are you still going to rewrite yours? We have a lot of good stories. A lot are ready to go but there are some that need a rewrite. Again, if anyone needs until the end of the month to finish I am willing to extend the deadline for you if you are already on the list as one of my contributers. No Litreactor left behind! I am getting some good submissions from outside sources lately but many of them also need work so if I don't watch out, this antho is going to end up at least 400 pages. So if anyone for any reason doesn't think they are going to be able to finish their story or they want to back out of the project, let me know now instead of waiting until the last minute. Thanks!
I'm out!
Nah, not really.
Actually out of everyone, I'm worried about Jami because I haven't heard anything. I know Utah, Liana, Josef (just posted a rewrite), Renee, Raelyn, Cristiana are all working on rewrites. I just finished my last rewrite which I will be posting soon. I believe I addressed everyone's concerns in it. I feel proud of it now. Becky is also working on an awesome art show flier based on my character for my story. Here are some of the newer acceptances. Some of theme are going thorugh rewrites too and as always if anyone wants to read them, let me know.
24. Phantom Pains by Jason Van Horn
25. Silence by Tessa Yelton
26. The Frequent Flyer by Jamesey Lefebure
27. Wake by Robert Thomas
28. Numb by Winnie Ferree
29. Dear Baby Doll by Scott Carver
Many of these are 1500 words or less which really helps even out some of the longer pieces. Scott wrote a story about a woman in love with a serial killer on death row like I wanted. Anyone who might want to get a last piece in there who hasn't written anything, here are some more weird ass disorders like clinical lycanthropy to erotomania, wendigo psychosis and people who believe they are living in a computer game.
http://www.smashinglists.com/10-strange-mental-conditions/
Oh and I think Garrett is working on pica and Jack Joslin Capras. And his brother Jay on Trumanism. Yes, we have brothers in this antho! Any newbies with stories under 1500 words that are well told have a greater likelihood of being published at this point. Especially if someone can get me a good clinical lycanthropy story, I love werewolves. lol
I used to think I lived in a computer game but then I couldn't level fast enough and keep up with my guild so I exited the computer game.
Danny I am actually working right now on the revision. I'll post very soon.
Yay, I believe in you all. WE HAVE THE POWER!!! (He-Man voice)
aylee, should i rewrite mine?
No, I think it's fine unless you want to change the ending twist to his father being the one abusing the boy and that's why he was so open to sexual intercourse with his Uncle. I just felt like there could have been one more scene before the murder. I didn't feel like we really got to see the Uncle seduce the kid, pedophiles are usually pretty manipulative, he would want to make him feel like he was the most important person in his entire life. Maybe that's when the boy could confess that his father was molesting him and then the narrator could justify his own behavior thinking, my brother is just like me. Again, it's up to you.
Or you could even twist it entirely, make it a love story, the uncle basically seduces his nephew and when he finds out that his brother is molesting him, together they decide to murder the boy's mother and father and then they run away together. Now that would be a twisted fucking ending.
So i turn the rape into an epiphany?
I was thinking no rape, the kid has sex with him willingly then reveals that his father abuses him and then they decide to kill his parents together. The nephew wouldn't think that sex with an older man was abnormal if his own father did it to him but at the same time he would hate his father because his father he sees as a hypocrite and rapist. While your main character sees this revelation as an epiphany or rather an excuse to finally kill the brother he despises so much. The wife/his mother is just collateral damage. I'm not saying to glamourize pedophilia but children who are sexually abused are sometimes manipulated by the adults they are with to think this is normal behavior. Plus the uncle seems like he is mentally stilted for a college student, he is caught in a childish mindset because of the abuse his brother did to him as a child too. So in his mind, him and the boy are really the same emotional age. He may even believe that him and the boy are "in love".
we could take this conversation into pm if you want, I didn't mean to dissect your story in a public forum. I was just giving you ideas. I mean, I kind of wish for a different ending to your story. When I think about it, it just feels like an aimless ending without any clear resolution. If you turned it into a twisted love story/murder plot, it would give it a gross edge. Especially after you showed the Uncle expressing such affection for the boy in that one scene, it does seem out of character that he would just kill him out of nowhere later on. Pedophiles aren't necessarily violent, sometimes they are very passive, they can be very charming, that's how they get children to feel safe around them. Yet I feel like the Uncle isn't a true pedophile, I think he is just fucked up and emotionally stunted like I said. I think in his head he still feels 14 years old. Perhaps he is so in love with his nephew/the kid that he decides to go along with the murder plot but it is really the idea of the 14 year old.
I promise I'm not pulling this all out of my ass. I watch a lot of true crime stories and documentaries, my wife studies criminal justice so I do understand how the criminal mind works to an extent. After all, no one ever sees themselves as evil. Many psychopaths see themselves as victims of life, which helps them justify all their actions. They will even blame their victims for making it "so easy" to hurt them.
I'm actually reading this book about serial killers right now, this guy wrote all these serial killers in prison and they wrote back to him and told him all their secrets because they are on death row and basically don't give a fuck anymore. These are real letters in this book. It's insane. The most common victims are prostitutes because serial killers see them as easy prey because they are often runaways or have no connections to their family so they can just disappear and no one notices. Yet what's hilarious and sad is, the author asks this question to each serial killer..."How do you want to be remembered?"
None of them ever say a monster or a killer. They say things like, "as a good husband and father, a good son, a man who just lost his way". My favorite one was from Susan Smith, the lady who drowned her two children in the car, she said she wants to be remembered as, "A good Catholic woman". LMAO. I was like, good luck with that one, bitch.
@aylee, ^_^
A reader did say, though, that she felt that Aubry kind of liked Jamie, and so wouldn't hurt her. I'll start a rewrite soon.
I was jsut wondering if you needed me to rewrite mine - also if you dont mind it I'd love to take a try at the living in a computer game mental illess (got a vision of final fantasy meets grand theft auto) :)
James
xx
Danny mentinoed the flyer I was working on for this story. Here it is, in all its "aged" glory:
Thus far, nobody else has come forward with ideas or suggestions on the "scrapbook piece" I could do for their story. So again, it's something to think about. A coworker of mine recently had an unexpected baby this past week, so I can rest my eyes for a bit and crochet her something instead of spending hours in front of the computer.
So come on up! PM me with your ideas.
Awesome, Becky. You are the best as always. The only other story I can think of an idea for is a story I got recently about a woman who is writing to a guy on death row because she is in love with him. There is a name for that particular dementia. Anyway, I was thinking maybe you could take like the first letter she writes him and replicate it and make it look like a real handwritten letter. I would have to send you the story though. Some of the stories don't lend themselves easily to scrapbook ideas. Unless you want to start writing realistic looking police reports, death certificates and hospital admittance forms lol We should make it so that every story has a "totem", one defining physical characteristic that represents it.
@Jamesy--If you want to write a different story that you think is better than the other one, go for it. :)
I'm doing a Live Reading to promote the anthology and my other short fiction. Some special guests will be reading poetry and short stories as well. Hosted by me at Forest Edge Winery. I'm going to be reading my short story "Jump" from Psychosis. Just wanted to make sure that was cool with everyone. It's going to be on the 16th of February so I'll post pictures.
Well, a police murder report would be nice for mine, or alternatively, a page from Aubry's textbook with angry red pen all over it. Or even a photo of Aubry and Cam, with Cam's face crossed out or a heart over his head or something. (That is, if you can convince a ~20 and a ~13 year old to pose with each other) ^_^
If you could, that'd be awesome.
That's cool, Dakota. You could direct anyone who might still be interested in submitting to our website. Becky's or mine: vertigoschism77.wordpress.com. Or you could even give them my email if they don't look like a total weirdo: dangrn77@hotmail.com. I still want a few more submissions but I need to be discreet about how I do it, I was going to put an ad on this one website but I was afraid I would get too many submissions when the project is about 65% done pending rewrites.
Posted my first review. I'd like to know if it works better.... or possibly worse?
Becky, I found some John Wayne Gacy art online if you wanted to put it on the website.
Even creepier here is one of him as a clown.
See why would anybody think he could do what he did? He looks like such a friendly clown...like Pennywise from 'It'
Hey Jason, I know I still owe you a detailed edit. I will get that to you soon.
@Jason
WE all know who pennywise is. =_=
バカ〜!!How is the rewrite going, Sam?
So I have a confession. This final rewrite is giving me a headache. I'm feeling the pressure to make this as awesome as everything else I am seeing and it is a little brain bending. Not complaining, or saying it won't be in by the 15th, just an update as to where I am and why I am absent in this thread. I am trying to sit down and focus, so I am staying away (now to stay away from everything else).
Someone should reach out to Jami if they know how. I never got to know her beyond a couple of intensives I took with her, but she's a great writer. Was always impressed with her stories. Her characters especially.
I like Jami's story but I have no idea how to contact her either outside of PM'ing her here.
@Renee-it's cool. I shouldn't even be on this website rite now. I should be reading and writing but you know how it goes.
I just messaged her on FB.
Well you never can be sure. Maybe someone would've thought I was talking about the band when I said Pennywise. :P
Yeah, don't worry about Jami, she has probably locked herself in her writing closet to make that thing as awesome as possible.
@Renee: Love to hear that kind of commitment.
I wish I could figure out how to shoot framing nails and be online at the same time without killing myself.
@Danny: This thing is shaping up to be a Tome.
I know I just need a few more thorns and my crown will be finished. Publication is crucifixtion? How did I end up with a Jesus metaphor.
going well, aylee ^_^ started writing a creepy sex scene in the middle of a phyiscs lesson.
Sorry if this has been asked before, but will the book state which disorder(s) each story is about? I don't say within my story, and the majority of readers will, like the characters in the story, recognize this as "extreme shyness" rather than specific, named mental disorders.
You can state it in your author statement at the end of the book, how is the rewrite going?
I think it's going well. I paid for the workshop this morning, so I'll post it there soon. :)