EDIT (10:10 PM Sunday, May 15, 2011): Well, the day is nearly done and so is the free, limited-edition version of this short story. I had a blast with all these readers and authors coming to spend a few moments here. Thanks to you all for reading and commenting.
Just to let you know, today's story was my most successful post at this website ever. I had close to 500 visitors between 7 this morning and a few minutes ago at around 10 PM local time. It's the most comments and most visitors I've ever had in a single day. And it was a slow Sunday on the web to boot.
Thanks again! I would love to hear from any of you with your thoughts on whether I should do something like this again.
Cheers!
j. //
East Meets West concludes here, but there will be a pile more stories in the anthology from which this one comes: BLACK LIGHT OF DAY -- coming soon to all online book sellers. If you liked this, I have more for you to enjoy. Check out my growing catalogue at Amazon.
Holy wow, I see you've been introduced to my neighbors. I keep thinking there is a horror story somewhere in there, they're diabotical. Duncan got to do, what I've only dreamed (of course my laptop is a better way to take out the trash). (Hugs)Indigo
ReplyDeleteIf this story is an indication of the quality of the ‘Black Light Of Day’ collection, I’ll be one of the first in line for a copy.
ReplyDeleteIndigo! Thanks for reading. Don't do anything to your neighbours! (Though, I can understand the thought process). Close quarters make for tensions, don't they?
ReplyDeleteMark, a sincere thanks for dropping by and reading. You and I both have a penchant for the short story. It's a fun art form to try our hands at.
ReplyDeleteYour kind words about the quality of 'East Meets West' give me a good feeling about the reception to the whole lot of stories -- ones I've been working on since October (plus a couple that go back ten years or more). I'm so excited to share them all soon.
Jason, I am endlessly enthralled by your words. I want to be like you when I grow up. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I want to be like you -- NOW, Darcia! Thanks for reading. Kind of you to continually show your support and read my words.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Gives me ideas for our neighbor across the street who stole our campaign signs for a same-sex marriage ordinance referendum! (and whose German shepherd leaves piles in our yard…)
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Jason! I'm looking forward to seeing it and the others in print.
ReplyDeleteLarry
Marty, when you stand trial, please don't mention this story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us a taster of your new collection, Jason! Great story :) Very insightful. I'm looking forward to reading the whole book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Larry! So glad the multi-talented Mr. Enright could give this a read!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria! I'm so proud of the whole collection and really excited to start sharing more stories. My thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteClap. Clap. Clap. Okay, that's me saying, "Bravo, Jason." I'm learning from the master of suspenseful storytelling. Love the subtle build-up, pacing, and show (not tell) ;)
ReplyDeleteThe story reminds me that restraint is a bitch with a capital "B," and that as human beings, we are constantly reining in our emotions to appease and avoid getting into trouble.
I must admit though, I love reading about someone who gets pushed over that edge. Orgasmic - not in the same way as reading something sexual, but still a high ... I'm a sick puppy.
Eden
Aww, thanks, Eden. Glad you found this story suspenseful. I wonder how many of us in North America (and even elsewhere) are standing on the very cusp of losing it. The pressures, the feelings of persecution, the stresses and strains of suburban, urban and even rural life. Plus our jobs, families and more. I fear that Duncan might be indicative of the state of a great many minds out there in the Burbs.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes this so powerful Jason, is how non-fictional it is. These events could and do happen anywhere in the world where intolerance grows like weeds. I like the East and West nicknaming of the bad neighbors. That rhythm you created of the good smell at the beginning and the bad one at the end is also very effective. His piss hitting the cuff of his neighbors jeans is in some ways more powerful and disturbing even than bashing him with the shovel. And the choice to name him Duncan MIre really works for me on a metaphorical level as well. He is deep in the shit by the end after all. Thanks for sharing such a powerful tale.
ReplyDeleteRemind me to tell you some day about our neighbor in the suburbs. Among the *many* stories, one day he decided he didn't like the pine trees lining his property. So he got out a chainsaw and cut one of them down. I was sitting in my bedroom when I heard a "thunk" and discovered a pine tree leaning against our house just outside my window. That's right he just randomly lopped the thing down and watched it fall on our house. Oh yes, suburbia breeds whack jobs that's for sure...
Yeah!Victims of horrible neighbours unite!
ReplyDeleteGlad I had the chance to read this during its one-day starring role on your site. If this is an example of what we can expect to read in the upcoming anthology, then it is a fine anthology indeed.
Heidi and Chris, it means a lot that you feel this story is quality. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, that's just insane. I have similar stories about neighbors and, even one that ended with a tree landing on a house, too -- if you can believe. It's almost like people feel the need to flex a muscle...and the muscle is their superiority over the neighbors and the invisible barriers between each other. It's a strange beast, this idea of plunking down houses in a long row and then expecting everyone in that row to magically get along. The systems we've created in our neighborhoods and cities is further along the track than simply amusing. It's madness.
Chris, so glad you could come by. Today has been a pretty good success, so I may toy with the idea of sharing more individual stories like this as we lead up to the anthology's release.
Cheers to ya both!
Jason,
ReplyDeleteLove the story. Love the ever tightening wire of tension and the end result. you are a master at the uhhm "craft" "art" "skill" damn Im scared to use any of these anymore...(Alex)
anyway, I think you are the Master of the short story. Of course I always want more, but your short stories never leave me feeling like something was left unsaid. Thank you for Sunday Sharing.. :) kimba
Thanks so much, Kimba! Crazy truth time: I actually believed this was one of the weaker shorts in the collection. When I decided to put it up here today, I re-read it (and took out as many typos as I could spot) but I'm liking it more and more...
ReplyDeleteJason, honestly, if this one of the weaker shorts in the collection...the rest of the collection must be phenomenal! ;) I cant wait to get ahold of it..
ReplyDeleteYou know how I am, always looking for a new story. Thank you so much!
kimba
Kimba, it'll probably be a case where every reader has stories they think are strong and others that aren't as compelling for them. As long as most readers take something of value away from the coming collection, I'll feel satisfied that I did a decent job.
ReplyDeleteWHAT-E V E R! There's no such thing as a 'weak Jason McIntyre' story! You always paint such a vivid scene and have a true gift for pulling all five of a reader's senses into the worlds you create.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Black Light of Day to hit the Green Light of Publishing! Fantastic, as always j!
Har! Thanks, Ann! Maybe it's just the chronic self-doubt some of us silly writers have. I really am proud of this story. I think if I wasn't, it would never see the Black Light of Day, now would it?
ReplyDeleteJ., it was a fantastic story. It amazes me how you put so much into such a small number of words. I'm not sure I could pull that off.
ReplyDeleteP.S. stop by my blog and grab your award. It looks tasty. :D
Wow, thanks, S.B. So glad you were able to read it before it went POOF!
ReplyDeleteI'll drop by for that sweet looking cake and blogging award. Thank you so much! I hope there's some milk handy. Loves me some cake with milk. :)
Darn. A day sort and a dollar.... Anyway I can catch it in the anthology later. Sounds intriguing and my kind of story. Great success and keep up the great work. Your pal and minion my liege Reggie Ridgway http://characterswellmet.blogspot.com. New post about the tornado and the Texan coming out today. Cheers
ReplyDeleteReggie, thanks for dropping in. Yes, I've had a few people mildly irritated that the story is gone. Something I tried and seemed to work pretty well. Close to 500 visits in fifteen hours.
ReplyDeleteWill head back over to your blog to see your post.