As much shit as I talk about auto-fiction, this story is properly matured and cared for. It has gravitas
My experience on substack has been inundated with bratty reveling in poor impulse control because it's cute and fun haha, replete with edgy metaphors, or worse, tone-deaf tales of jet setting coachella-slut adventures. And worse, they think their TMI is the same thing as honesty, when really they're leaning back on the hot-mess aesthetic to mask their self-loathing
Oh, well, if you're looking for his best caliber scribe work, you'd have to soldier through all 7 volumes of The Dark Tower series. Short of that commitment? You're definitely going to find much of his gold in his short story collections, particularly Skeleton Crew, Different Seasons, and Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Also must read lit fiction King: The Long Walk, Hearts in Atlantis, The Stand, The Talisman (w/Peter Straub), and Lisey's Story. If you're not a big fan of crime fiction (like me), you'd skip his recent endeavors for the most part, he's gotten into the crime genre these last 20 years. But seriously....the Dark Tower is pretty much Lord of the Rings for Gen X, with a definitive, decades-long character study in some of the best fiction ever put to paper. Honest. I'm not even really one of his 'constant readers.' If you're looking for a shorter sample, though, try The Long Walk and Skeleton Crew. :)
Sudana… your writing is refreshing. Alive with conversation and butcher knives : ) Slice away it did. Caused a memory to pop out. Took me right back to the elderly gentleman in his wheelchair on a day trip to the retail store I worked at as a teen. He was in his late 90's. Alive and kicking. Going strong. Outrageous flirt too with all the women in the store. LOL!! Far out he had stories to share! It was really cool that people took time to simply sit and listen. Thank you for sharing and slicing into memory banks!
Darlene! You’re so welcome. It was an honor to be able to share his story, best as I could remember it. Thank you for reading and the lovely compliment.
You’re welcome. Some sliced memories opened, bring welcome smiles. Paul’s story is a beautiful reminder of not only sharing, asking questions. Also in the listening. Thank you for sharing the sweet and spice in your writing.
This was so lovely! Some of my most favorite interactions with strangers have come from coffee shops. Especially the stories and wise advice from people who have lived a lot more life. Thanks for reminding me of some of my own chance encounters :)
If this is fiction, that’s a crazy talent you have. Because this would be what you wanted to hear about this particular person-type. To put that out and play with it, spin it around, etc. If it’s a real story, good on that dude.
P.S. My scones are top tier. I sit on the Iron Scone, in the Game of Scones.
It’s a little of both. I did meet Paul exactly this way after a day spent at the Guggenheim. The details of his life are as I described them, but I added my dramatic flair to some parts (as usual)
As much shit as I talk about auto-fiction, this story is properly matured and cared for. It has gravitas
My experience on substack has been inundated with bratty reveling in poor impulse control because it's cute and fun haha, replete with edgy metaphors, or worse, tone-deaf tales of jet setting coachella-slut adventures. And worse, they think their TMI is the same thing as honesty, when really they're leaning back on the hot-mess aesthetic to mask their self-loathing
I will take this as high praise coming from you. Thank you for your honesty.
just lovely
So awesome.
I love that you are alive and communicate.
I've read all of stephan king and got to say that he molded me somewhat.
I repeat this line of his alot...
"The soil of a man's heart is Stony, but he grows what he can...and he tends it"
Suds, this was great. And King is sorely underrated as a top shelf master of literary fiction. None of his best stuff lies in his horror. :D
I was genuinely surprised to learn this much. Excited to dig into some King this fall! What would you recommend
Oh, well, if you're looking for his best caliber scribe work, you'd have to soldier through all 7 volumes of The Dark Tower series. Short of that commitment? You're definitely going to find much of his gold in his short story collections, particularly Skeleton Crew, Different Seasons, and Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Also must read lit fiction King: The Long Walk, Hearts in Atlantis, The Stand, The Talisman (w/Peter Straub), and Lisey's Story. If you're not a big fan of crime fiction (like me), you'd skip his recent endeavors for the most part, he's gotten into the crime genre these last 20 years. But seriously....the Dark Tower is pretty much Lord of the Rings for Gen X, with a definitive, decades-long character study in some of the best fiction ever put to paper. Honest. I'm not even really one of his 'constant readers.' If you're looking for a shorter sample, though, try The Long Walk and Skeleton Crew. :)
this was perfect
thank you!
was so lost in this i could just see the sweet old man. You're an incredible writer
I never know what’s nonfiction and what’s fiction from you and I think that’s where the magic forms. Fuck this was perfect
This one’s about 3/4ths factual, since my memory really can’t be trusted 🫠
Sudana… your writing is refreshing. Alive with conversation and butcher knives : ) Slice away it did. Caused a memory to pop out. Took me right back to the elderly gentleman in his wheelchair on a day trip to the retail store I worked at as a teen. He was in his late 90's. Alive and kicking. Going strong. Outrageous flirt too with all the women in the store. LOL!! Far out he had stories to share! It was really cool that people took time to simply sit and listen. Thank you for sharing and slicing into memory banks!
Darlene! You’re so welcome. It was an honor to be able to share his story, best as I could remember it. Thank you for reading and the lovely compliment.
You’re welcome. Some sliced memories opened, bring welcome smiles. Paul’s story is a beautiful reminder of not only sharing, asking questions. Also in the listening. Thank you for sharing the sweet and spice in your writing.
This was a great one
This was so lovely! Some of my most favorite interactions with strangers have come from coffee shops. Especially the stories and wise advice from people who have lived a lot more life. Thanks for reminding me of some of my own chance encounters :)
If this is fiction, that’s a crazy talent you have. Because this would be what you wanted to hear about this particular person-type. To put that out and play with it, spin it around, etc. If it’s a real story, good on that dude.
P.S. My scones are top tier. I sit on the Iron Scone, in the Game of Scones.
It’s a little of both. I did meet Paul exactly this way after a day spent at the Guggenheim. The details of his life are as I described them, but I added my dramatic flair to some parts (as usual)
Thanks friend.
ahhh you wrote this so beautifully! i want to achieve this level of storytelling!
Magic Sudana! 👏
Oh, how charming. Warmed my heart on a chilly morning where I'm from.
Thank you for reading!
A great story, well told.
Not bad for a butcher, eh?!😉🤣
She did alright ;)
You had good subject matter but your style of writing meant I was hooked from the get go. Well done.
A wonderful conversation, shared with us here with lyrical language. I'm so glad I came to check it out, thanks to a restack by mg.