Excellent story! It reminds me of one my favorite episodes of the original The Twilight Zone series -- the one with the boy who can send people to "the cornfield" at will, never to return.
Thank you, John! There is a similar story, I think from the miniseries Amazing Stories in the 80s, where a boy discovers he has god like powers and wreaks havoc on his family. Only the love of a mother figure ends up getting him to stop. Thanks for reading!
Reminds me of "Magical Thinking" in children - a concept that goes in and out of fashion. Since my father was a magician, I tended to like the idea. Still it can have untended consequences - as you deftly demonstrate in this story. Thanks for the great read!
That's a really interesting concept. I had never heard of magical thinking, but looked it up, and now I'm more intrigued! Thanks for sharing and reading, Robert!
Thanks, Claire! This one comes from my long-ago experience as a middle schooler. One of my good friends at the time had a younger cousin who played this very game, although he didn't call it a game, and I think it was more about him processing death. It drove us mad, him asking "what would you do" questions constantly. Alas, I got a story out of it!
That's awesome! I always want to turn real life experiences into stories, but I haven't quite got the hang of it. You, on the other hand, are great at it!
What an excellent and imaginative story, Brian! I loved all of the specific details, and I truly felt grounded in the story. While reading, I felt like I could almost sense how much fun it was for you to write! Those are the best.
Thanks, Justin, it was fun to write! Stories that I get to tell that are a little less traditional, and more like we're sitting around a campfire are the best. Thanks for reading!
I would go to sleep or take a walk to get the inanity of it al out of my system. The main a writers does, is supposed to do is write. There are many very fine writers out there. You sign up for it then expect rejection especially in a world where mat reany publishers big or small either cant make up their minds about what they want or dont give a dam beause they are abou tht making money and even there they are never sure what will sell or not. ] Of course if yu are not in it for the money or the fame or both, then why are you here? Many say "I write for myself." These are the people who moan and groan the most.
the main thingis that of lot f people who write now mainly want to have a book with their name on it. they dont reach a whole lot of people.. I dons think you can become a better writer if you dont read. Also, what's the point of writing about having a cucumber sandwich with your husband or wife or mom, and being happy in the cucumber taste bud. Like, so what? Also, some people are saying that writing "is not so hard'
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't. I can remember my first book, I Looked Over Jordan And Other Stories. Eight stories. In at least two, I was tearing my hair out. They seemed too thick, clumsy. But there was a reason. In one story I had FIVE important characters. And I had been told by the few creative writing teachers i took classes from that you cant have more than two maybe three characters in a short story. My storiies took place in an understaffed public hospital. The story "A Slap In The Face" involved two RNS (both white), two nurses aides (both black( and me, a white ward clerk (some hospitals call us"unit clerks"). My challenge was to distinguish the two RNS and the two nurses aides. Itultimately worked out but it took me HOURS on about ten different days.
but on the other hand, I wrote one of the book/s best stories in two weeks working about 16 hours a day, sometimes more. I ate to refuel . I was in what I call THE ZONE Whenever Im down or discouraged i recall that time. It helps immensely
Excellent story! It reminds me of one my favorite episodes of the original The Twilight Zone series -- the one with the boy who can send people to "the cornfield" at will, never to return.
Thank you, John! There is a similar story, I think from the miniseries Amazing Stories in the 80s, where a boy discovers he has god like powers and wreaks havoc on his family. Only the love of a mother figure ends up getting him to stop. Thanks for reading!
I thought of the same thing! I still remember his name. Anthony 😱.
I would gather a team together and we’d Assemble to save humanity!
I love the way you think, Winston! That adds a whole new dynamic to the story.
Reminds me of "Magical Thinking" in children - a concept that goes in and out of fashion. Since my father was a magician, I tended to like the idea. Still it can have untended consequences - as you deftly demonstrate in this story. Thanks for the great read!
That's a really interesting concept. I had never heard of magical thinking, but looked it up, and now I'm more intrigued! Thanks for sharing and reading, Robert!
Great job Brian. One of the best stories I have read from you. Loved how you wove interesting characters into the tale.
Thank you, Scott! It was a fun one to write and spilled out onto the page quickly. Thanks for reading!
So fun! Where do you get your ideas??
Thanks, Claire! This one comes from my long-ago experience as a middle schooler. One of my good friends at the time had a younger cousin who played this very game, although he didn't call it a game, and I think it was more about him processing death. It drove us mad, him asking "what would you do" questions constantly. Alas, I got a story out of it!
That's awesome! I always want to turn real life experiences into stories, but I haven't quite got the hang of it. You, on the other hand, are great at it!
Thanks, Claire! I would say to give it a whirl. I'm sure you can come up with a doozy. 😁
fun stuff!
Thanks, Tom! It was great to see you at the meeting last night. It's fun to discover new writers and I look forward to reading your stories.
Likewise, Brian, thanks! I had a good time, and learned a lot. Still a lot to catch on to!
Quite a story. I enjoyed it.
Papa
Thanks Dad, next Thanksgiving I'm bringing over dino meat instead of turkey. Hope you're ready for a large meal! 😉
Thus is a great story, Brian!
Thank you, David!
There is Life out there in this big universe. Another good read Brian.
Thank you! The workings of the universe are vast and largely unknown, so it's great to imagine.
What an excellent and imaginative story, Brian! I loved all of the specific details, and I truly felt grounded in the story. While reading, I felt like I could almost sense how much fun it was for you to write! Those are the best.
Thanks, Justin, it was fun to write! Stories that I get to tell that are a little less traditional, and more like we're sitting around a campfire are the best. Thanks for reading!
I would go to sleep or take a walk to get the inanity of it al out of my system. The main a writers does, is supposed to do is write. There are many very fine writers out there. You sign up for it then expect rejection especially in a world where mat reany publishers big or small either cant make up their minds about what they want or dont give a dam beause they are abou tht making money and even there they are never sure what will sell or not. ] Of course if yu are not in it for the money or the fame or both, then why are you here? Many say "I write for myself." These are the people who moan and groan the most.
the main thingis that of lot f people who write now mainly want to have a book with their name on it. they dont reach a whole lot of people.. I dons think you can become a better writer if you dont read. Also, what's the point of writing about having a cucumber sandwich with your husband or wife or mom, and being happy in the cucumber taste bud. Like, so what? Also, some people are saying that writing "is not so hard'
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't. I can remember my first book, I Looked Over Jordan And Other Stories. Eight stories. In at least two, I was tearing my hair out. They seemed too thick, clumsy. But there was a reason. In one story I had FIVE important characters. And I had been told by the few creative writing teachers i took classes from that you cant have more than two maybe three characters in a short story. My storiies took place in an understaffed public hospital. The story "A Slap In The Face" involved two RNS (both white), two nurses aides (both black( and me, a white ward clerk (some hospitals call us"unit clerks"). My challenge was to distinguish the two RNS and the two nurses aides. Itultimately worked out but it took me HOURS on about ten different days.
but on the other hand, I wrote one of the book/s best stories in two weeks working about 16 hours a day, sometimes more. I ate to refuel . I was in what I call THE ZONE Whenever Im down or discouraged i recall that time. It helps immensely