I don’t know what you cover in the paid section, but you’ve certainly gone places in your career that the typical novelist hasn’t had the opportunity to. That would be interesting.
Well, dude, you're certainly going out on a high note. Every speck of this last batch was priceless. THANKS!
As for what you should do next? (Aside from re-running all of these from the beginning, cuz I'm afraid I missed some?) WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT!!! Reading you is the textbook definition of being in good hands.
That's incredibly kind — thank you! And I'm thinking of rolling all the recollections into a pdf book that I'll make available for subscribers here... so they're all together.
I've enjoyed this series a lot, and have even transcribed a few nuggets into my notebook. With full accreditation, of course! The "sour-faced old woman" piece put me in mind of my great-aunt who was widowed at 42 and left with six young children. She lived another fifty years, never remarried but contrary to your description, was one of the jolliest people I've ever known and had tremendous laughter lines around her eyes. I rarely remember seeing her downcast, if ever. "I just got on with it." She always said. "I had to." She's much missed.
I'm not surprised — she sounds remarkable! I think maybe having to make life as good as possible for children maybe helps... we all need something to take us out of ourselves. And also, some people are just remarkable.
Enjoyed all of this series. Thank you. I live for good book recommendations. Could that happen? I’m here, which tells you something about what I enjoy. (Spoiler, Straw Men sent me down a path…)
Well, it’s been a cracking ride, reading all of your brain dust but I think it’s about time for a new book. Many years ago you spoke to my step-daughter and inspired her English work at school. You also promised a ‘full bore’ extension of the amazingly awesome Straw Men trilogy. Come on then, let’s have it🧐 and cheers for the ones you’ve written so far. 👍
Ha :-) Thank you... and yes, I would still like to write another SM book. Unfortunately the backbone idea of the one I'd planned has now happened in real life, so I'll have to look forward another...
Well, I’d love to help out with an idea but unfortunately I have the creative ability of a potato, a small, slightly dried up potato at that. So I’ll leave it with you! Your shopping list would probably do, I’d imagine humour, fear, bouts of paranoia and an eerie sense that ‘they’ are watching and that’s before you get past the veg section.
I’ve loved this series, and will be sad to see it go. But I like the idea of a collection. Maybe with some illustrations? Better yet, I’d love to see some of these gems in longer form - even just opening salvos of a story, or snippets from the middle of one. Some are too lovely to be lost, or swept back under the carpet of your brain. Maybe pick a few gems and invite subscribers to pen a few? But as always, here for whatever comes next. And prepared to be surprised!
Thank you :-) And thank you for your comments along the way — those are what have made me enjoying these. I'll definitely collect them together when I've got a minute...
Have never done it, of course — as a haphazard agnostic — but I genuinely respect what it entails. Sometimes you need to be confronted with the bigger picture, via the smaller representative. I envy you that :-)
What do we want to see? A sort of almanac of cultural events??(or some pages… insert… of this almanac).
An example? New York - it's full of events. Exhibitions, museums, theaters, events everywhere.. Openings of fairs, even celebrities…. why not?
Another example ~A historic event is projected in April. Opening after the very long renovation of the new building of the “Frick Collection” on 5th Ave. We'll see…
I’ve loved reading everything so far! For future work clearly we need your take on Life, the Universe and Everything (I do not believe the Answer is 42). One of the first authors I really got into as a kid was Stephen King. I like reading the biography bits he does very much, it helps give a sense of who he is as a person. Would you consider that?
I'm genuinely going to miss these. Some amazing nuggets of both wisdom and humour that I've really enjoyed reading. As for future content, I don't know if you still write short stories very often, but I'd love to see more of those from you if you do.
Like all your books, short and long, this Stack has been thought provoking. Plus we have your music recommendations. I look forward to whatever you produce next be it further observations on our troubled world via Substack, a new novel or the longed for film version of one of your novels
Thank you so much for these. Will miss them, but am curious as to what you will do next. I understand ending a project. I posted daily writing prompts for 120 days in a row...not as much as you've posted, but wow did it take love to keep it going.
Wow, ,102 days in a row would have killed me, I think! Thank you... I've really enjoyed doing these and may come back to them, but I feel the need for something different... I'm just not sure what that is yet.
I’m new to Substack but not to your writing. I’m kind of addicted actually. The hardbacks are stacking up. What is compelling for me is your frank tone, dark wit and a combination of crystal clear prose and deep left-field insightfulness - a kind of visceral spirituality. I very much enjoy your collection What You Make It and was surprised by The Truth Game. I sheepishly suggest a series of haiku and head for the exit.
Thank you for reading — and for commenting!
I don’t know what you cover in the paid section, but you’ve certainly gone places in your career that the typical novelist hasn’t had the opportunity to. That would be interesting.
Hmm, that's a good idea. Thank you!
Well, dude, you're certainly going out on a high note. Every speck of this last batch was priceless. THANKS!
As for what you should do next? (Aside from re-running all of these from the beginning, cuz I'm afraid I missed some?) WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT!!! Reading you is the textbook definition of being in good hands.
That's incredibly kind — thank you! And I'm thinking of rolling all the recollections into a pdf book that I'll make available for subscribers here... so they're all together.
YAAAAAAY!!!
I've enjoyed this series a lot, and have even transcribed a few nuggets into my notebook. With full accreditation, of course! The "sour-faced old woman" piece put me in mind of my great-aunt who was widowed at 42 and left with six young children. She lived another fifty years, never remarried but contrary to your description, was one of the jolliest people I've ever known and had tremendous laughter lines around her eyes. I rarely remember seeing her downcast, if ever. "I just got on with it." She always said. "I had to." She's much missed.
I'm not surprised — she sounds remarkable! I think maybe having to make life as good as possible for children maybe helps... we all need something to take us out of ourselves. And also, some people are just remarkable.
Thank you for the words. Now, I need music.
Always :-)
Thank you, I’ve enjoyed them all.
Thank you :-)
Enjoyed all of this series. Thank you. I live for good book recommendations. Could that happen? I’m here, which tells you something about what I enjoy. (Spoiler, Straw Men sent me down a path…)
Hmm, some book recommends is a good idea... thank you!
Well, it’s been a cracking ride, reading all of your brain dust but I think it’s about time for a new book. Many years ago you spoke to my step-daughter and inspired her English work at school. You also promised a ‘full bore’ extension of the amazingly awesome Straw Men trilogy. Come on then, let’s have it🧐 and cheers for the ones you’ve written so far. 👍
Ha :-) Thank you... and yes, I would still like to write another SM book. Unfortunately the backbone idea of the one I'd planned has now happened in real life, so I'll have to look forward another...
Well, I’d love to help out with an idea but unfortunately I have the creative ability of a potato, a small, slightly dried up potato at that. So I’ll leave it with you! Your shopping list would probably do, I’d imagine humour, fear, bouts of paranoia and an eerie sense that ‘they’ are watching and that’s before you get past the veg section.
I’ve loved this series, and will be sad to see it go. But I like the idea of a collection. Maybe with some illustrations? Better yet, I’d love to see some of these gems in longer form - even just opening salvos of a story, or snippets from the middle of one. Some are too lovely to be lost, or swept back under the carpet of your brain. Maybe pick a few gems and invite subscribers to pen a few? But as always, here for whatever comes next. And prepared to be surprised!
Thank you :-) And thank you for your comments along the way — those are what have made me enjoying these. I'll definitely collect them together when I've got a minute...
As a serious Catholic, I can state that Confession is wonderful--and always scary! Thanks, MMS.
And, thanks for this substack. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.
Have never done it, of course — as a haphazard agnostic — but I genuinely respect what it entails. Sometimes you need to be confronted with the bigger picture, via the smaller representative. I envy you that :-)
What do we want to see? A sort of almanac of cultural events??(or some pages… insert… of this almanac).
An example? New York - it's full of events. Exhibitions, museums, theaters, events everywhere.. Openings of fairs, even celebrities…. why not?
Another example ~A historic event is projected in April. Opening after the very long renovation of the new building of the “Frick Collection” on 5th Ave. We'll see…
I’ve loved reading everything so far! For future work clearly we need your take on Life, the Universe and Everything (I do not believe the Answer is 42). One of the first authors I really got into as a kid was Stephen King. I like reading the biography bits he does very much, it helps give a sense of who he is as a person. Would you consider that?
Hmm. Interesting thought. I also always used to love those story notes of his at the back of his collections... hmm.
I'm genuinely going to miss these. Some amazing nuggets of both wisdom and humour that I've really enjoyed reading. As for future content, I don't know if you still write short stories very often, but I'd love to see more of those from you if you do.
Thank you! I do write the occasional short still, and in fact have a couple coming out later in the year.
Like all your books, short and long, this Stack has been thought provoking. Plus we have your music recommendations. I look forward to whatever you produce next be it further observations on our troubled world via Substack, a new novel or the longed for film version of one of your novels
Thank you so much for these. Will miss them, but am curious as to what you will do next. I understand ending a project. I posted daily writing prompts for 120 days in a row...not as much as you've posted, but wow did it take love to keep it going.
Wow, ,102 days in a row would have killed me, I think! Thank you... I've really enjoyed doing these and may come back to them, but I feel the need for something different... I'm just not sure what that is yet.
Well done friend! Looking forward to what you create next!
Thank you, Dan! And thank you for reading and supporting...
I’m new to Substack but not to your writing. I’m kind of addicted actually. The hardbacks are stacking up. What is compelling for me is your frank tone, dark wit and a combination of crystal clear prose and deep left-field insightfulness - a kind of visceral spirituality. I very much enjoy your collection What You Make It and was surprised by The Truth Game. I sheepishly suggest a series of haiku and head for the exit.
Hey Nick! Thank you so much — genuinely delighted by that description of my work. I'll have a think about the haiku idea ;-)