JLaughter's posted comments

  1. On The Gerideon Chronicles: Chapter 1, Part 2:

    posted about 1 month ago

    That’s one of the best comments I’ve gotten, John. Thanks for making me laugh here in the wee morning hours.

  2. On Real Emotion in a Plastic World:

    posted about 1 month ago

    This is where you really kick my butt. Where do you get all these random ideas and turn them into awesome stories? Very well written. I like the bit about “not in the script” a lot, and also where Courtney falls into her role so convincingly.
    You just keep doing what you do, bud.

  3. On The Gerideon Chronicles: Chapter 2, Part 1:

    posted about 1 month ago

    And before everyone asks, yes, this will appear as little snippets with different characters. Ideally, if I take it far enough, all the characters should eventually meet one another. But you can expect each chapter to be approximately 3-8 ficlets in length, depending on how long it takes me to get the gist of what I want to accomplish across.

  4. On .357 - Sweet Dreams:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Oooh, the plot thickens. What happened to mom? More importantly, what did Cooper do to mom!?

  5. On The Gerideon Chronicles: Chapter 1, Part 3:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Actually, sorry. That’s not quite right.
    Wroth: adj.
    1. angry; wrathful (usually used predicatively): He was wroth to see the damage to his home.

  6. On The Gerideon Chronicles: Chapter 1, Part 3:

    posted about 1 month ago

    wroth=wrath, same meaning. And yes, liefer, as best as I’ve been able to gather through reading D’Arthur, translates to “rather.”

  7. On The Gerideon Chronicles: Chapter 1, Part 2:

    posted about 1 month ago

    @Elsha: Nah, I don’t think she’s much ashamed of what’s happened, heh.
    @Ben: Yeah, it is cheesy, but it’s supposed to be.
    @Kev: The dialog can be really difficult to follow, but I’m emulating Malory’s style. It’s really challenging to write without the quotation marks!

  8. On The Gerideon Chronicles: Chapter 1, Part 1:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Thanks guys, I’m enjoying this project a lot.

  9. On Back in the Swing (Ficlets Challenge!):

    posted about 1 month ago

    We just love to hate each other.

  10. On Perkins Always Dies Twice or Kevin Lawver must die.:

    posted about 1 month ago

    This whole series is insane. I love it.

  11. On Ficlets Island [Wonderful World o Ficlets Challenge]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

  12. On Make Someone's Day Challenge:

    posted about 1 month ago

    I think that JP would probably experience withdrawals if we took the comment feature away from him :) Cool challenge, I’ll see if I can come up with anything for it.

  13. On Back in the Swing (Ficlets Challenge!):

    posted about 1 month ago

    You know I’m sensitive about my Sit-Down-Syndrome. I’m gonna go cry in a corner now.

  14. On Don't Leave [Backwards Challenge]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Thanks for the catch, JP. As usual, you’re the man…and unduly philosophical today, aren’t we?

  15. On Don't Leave [Backwards Challenge]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    @Ana: It’s possible. I might. But really all I approached the challenge with was the memory of a friend who’s father was going through Alzheimers, and how painful that was for him…and that’s where I wanted to be in this. I might revisit it, or…someone could feel free to take it wherever they want. :-D

  16. On Something in My Eye [Backwards Challenge]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ha, it’s nice to get away a few times. Like I’ve said, Bagman really does take a lot of my brainpower. But, believe it or not, fantasy/medieval has always been my strongest point in writing.

  17. On Bagman: Bad Business:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Solid advice as usual, John. I did some juggling.

  18. On My First Ficlet/Jacek's new beginning:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ha, why take a Stairway to Heaven when you can take the Elevator to Hell?
    Zany, but foreboding at the same time. I mean, who really goes into Hell feeling “okay with it.”
    The sentence “As the content nature…” gave me pause because it seems awkwardly worded, and I had to read it a few times to get what you were saying.
    Other than that, welcome to Ficlets. It’s kinda like hell in that you never get away once you get here. But it’s more fun than Hell.

  19. On Innocent Until Proven Guilty:

    posted about 1 month ago

    “I got arrested, Sherlock.”
    Thank you, Captain Obvious! Heh, cool. I’ll have to go back and see what this series is about now…
    Cool stuff, and love the bulldog line.

  20. On Jenny and The Cookies:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Scary, and very sad. You have a way of picking subjects that strike a chord with me, Rae, and putting them out there in the open with such a simplistic style that it’s very powerful. Kudos.

  21. On Myra Part 4:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Very sad ending. Reasons like this that I don’t ever want kids. That, and I just don’t like them.

  22. On Myra Part 4:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Very sad ending. Reasons like this that I don’t ever want kids. That, and I just don’t like them.

  23. On Myra Part 2:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Had to look twice, but Part 2 and part 3 are exactly the same. Myra really had to pee.
    The poem’s good and dark, and it might have been on purpose leaving it all in one paragraph, but it would have been more poignant to have broken it up some, into a more traditional poetic form.

  24. On The Fun Way To Hell:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Violent video-games do NOT degrade the fabric of a civilized society. More GTA IV, please?

  25. On VHS - Wonderful World of Ficlets Challenge:

    posted about 1 month ago

    My big brudda’s all growed up!
    Very cool format for the story, Brownie. It works really well to make you feel as though you’re really dredging up the past. I can’t even remember the last time I even touched a VHS tape…or a VCR, for that matter. I’d be outta luck on memory lane.
    I tried to give you 5 1/2 stars, but I failed.

  26. On I'd Give My Right Arm To Be Normal:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Very cool little story. Shocking, but with realistic implications. Kind’ve reminiscent of “Bicentennial Man:”
    “Wouldn’t it be safe to say that all the humans wading in the gene pool with artificial organs are part robot, at least in part?”
    5-stars to be had for all!

  27. On toby sex:

    posted about 1 month ago

    I’m with everything Krulltar said on this. It is marked as mature, so we should be prepared to read something mature and even shocking, but it definitely does have a “70’s porno” feel to it, especially with all the hair involved. There’s no plot worth mentioning, the scenes themselves are shoddy and thrown-together. Feels like a “look what I did, I’m so naughty” story than any actual attempt at advancing your literary skill.

  28. On Toby intimate:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Another “kudos for risky material, neg-kudos for execution” from me.

  29. On Dirty Days:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Hrm. I have no problem with taking risks and writing daring material…but, eh, I dunno. I guess if the dog consents…

  30. On .375 - Breaking the Bad News:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Yeah, definitely getting the same feeling of importance from the glimpses of time. And the use of italics is an interesting choice if he’s using a conventional phone. Still, another solid piece to a solid story that you know I’m gonna read and rate 5 stars.

  31. On Don't Leave [Backwards Challenge]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Yeah, this is probably gonna stand as-is. I wasn’t happy with it at first because it felt too incomplete, especially when compared to the great stuff everyone else was putting up on this challenge…but I like it more now that I’ve gone back and read it.
    Thanks for enjoying it :)

  32. On Back in the Swing (Ficlets Challenge!):

    posted about 1 month ago

    This looked like an easy enough challenge for me to put one in on. Trying to be more active in the community, rather than being so secular and insulated in my Bagman series, ha.
    And I don’t have anything against Wheaton, just didn’t like Crusher in Star Trek: TNG. I’m a geek, and I have geek prejudices! :-D

  33. On egnellahC sdrawkcaB ((Backwars Challenge))!:

    posted about 1 month ago

    There, I put a response…just two ficlets long, and it’s nothing to compare with these great stories all you guys have put up…but there it is!

    Great challenge, btw!

  34. On Conclusion/Beginning: The Meaning of Freedom [egnellahC sdrawkcaB]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    I’m blown away, heh. My previous comments still stand. Very well written, especially considering that you actually wrote it backwards…something I can’t imagine doing. I’m such an A to B to C kind of guy…
    Either way, great way to end/begin all this, Ana! Loved it.

  35. On Snapped [egnellahC sdrawkcaB]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Death and more.

    And Ana, your use of vocabulary, your sentence form in this whole series, it’s hard to put my finger on and identify it, but I absolutely love it. Whatever you’re doing, just keep on doing it.

  36. On Solution [egnellahC sdrawkcaB]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    But just because one half of the equation was missing didn’t mean this problem couldn’t be solved.

    Fantastic line, in a series chock-full of fantastic lines. A+++

  37. On Exposing The Secret (egnellahC sdrawkcaB):

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ha…hahaha…hahahaha…
    That’s just funny stuff. Although the gritty, crime-oriented side of my fiction-analytic mind thinks that maybe these cookie and confection companies aren’t what they appear to be.
    And, oddly, Bill Shatner and Tim Curry’s characters in the Loaded Gun movie comes to mind.

  38. On Rogue Rage (egnellahC sdrawkcaB):

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ha, this is my favorite of this series so far. The tense first paragraph, being in a drive-thru. I always enjoy your writing, John, but you’re hitting above the bar, today!

  39. On Broken Window (egnellahC sdrawkcaB):

    posted about 1 month ago

    Pacing here is flawless, John. Love how matter-of-fact the style is.

  40. On The First.:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Very interesting, Rae. I give you…five stars!

  41. On The End. ((egnellahC sdrawkcaB)):

    posted about 1 month ago

    Aside from the general creepiness of someone actually counting the exact number of days its been from their first date (did he account for leap-years?), a solid ending that makes me more than a little curious as to what’s going on! Gotta read, now.

  42. On The Peasant Part 8:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Well, Rae, I like the series…but the whole thing has felt rushed up till here. Partly, I think it’s because of the lack of paragraphs dividing the separate thoughts, and cramming dialog together.
    You’ve got an excellent vocabulary, though, and there’s room and more to grow. I’m looking forward to your Still Waters series…the premise sounds interesting, but challenging.

  43. On The Peasant Part 1:

    posted about 1 month ago

    I like it, Rae. You caught my attention with your first “Still Waters” ficlet, but I’m gonna have to go through and read this, too. Aside from a few grammatical qualms, it’s solid, and your use of vocabulary is very good. In particular: “...woven from the finest threads of hatred…” really stood out to me as very cool stuff.

  44. On REACTr: Come to Crash the Party?:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ha, good filler post. I also, for some reason, like the REACT acronym…now I’ve just gotta figure out what the “r” at the end is in the series titles, and figure out more about that fish!

  45. On Drum of War:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ratliff is such a good Admiral name :)
    Heh, cool sequel…and yet another piece of this series that I seemed to have missed a month ago.

  46. On You Know You're Ficlets Obsessed When You Have The Signin Page as Your Homepage. (Wonderful World of Ficlets Challenge) [wow what a looong title!!]:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ha, funny. I used to online roleplay on AOL long, long ago…when RhyDin was the thing, heh. After I left AOL, went to online message board role-playing until about 4 years ago. I have ficlets in my favorites…but google is still the homepage!

  47. On Bagman: Officers Down:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Heh, yeah. I know what you mean, JP. I rewrote this one several times, trying to get the feel of it just right…and also to get it into Nirvana once I got the mood right.
    Wondering if anyone will catch the classical nod I gave in this one.
    As usual, more’s coming. I’m kinda flyin’ blind on this, though.

  48. On Bagman: Burned Out:

    posted about 1 month ago

    On one of your stories, you described a headache as “a 10-piece percussionist group had taken position behind his eyes” or something like that, and if my wording wasn’t exactly like that, it was damn close.

  49. On The Pillar - A Guided Tour:

    posted about 1 month ago

    I must’ve missed these last couple posts somewhere…
    One typo I saw…erratic.
    Other than that, looks great!

  50. On The Pillar - The Next Move:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Cool deal, man. Glad you finally got some inspiration on this series. Looking forward to what you come up with, and I’ll probably jump in again at some point where I don’t think I’ll hijack your storyline.
    Few typos. In the middle, swiveled, near the end, whiskey, and also near the end…
    Prince should probably be The Artist Formerly Known As

  51. On Bagman: Burned Out:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Yeah, I had trouble with this one…and plus I had to go back and rewrite almost the whole first half because of some blatant, but totally unintentional ripping of some of your work on here, John. Heh, I knew it was familiar when I was writing it…just took a couple hours to sink in what I’d done.

    Either way, series is gonna keep on plugging.

  52. On Petition To Have John Perkins Legally Declared Awesome. Sign It Or Your Cat Will Get Fleas.:

    posted about 1 month ago

    I dunno, guys. JP’s definitely cool, but I dunno…doesn’t he just seem a little, canadian to some of you? He smells of maple syrup.

    Jokes aside, I’m all for it!John can be the fleas on my cat any day! If I ever get a cat…if it ever wants fleas, or if I don’t kill it when it does get fleas. I think he’s commented on everything I’ve ever done, so he’s A-OK in my book!

  53. On Bagman: Live at the Scene:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Thanks guys/gals. I really enjoyed writing this piece as well, especially loved this perspective. So much, in fact, that I use it again later on in the series.

  54. On Bagman: A Clear Blue Spike:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Suuuure you don’t, stovo!

  55. On .357 - The Haunting:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Very cool, Krulltar. Gave me goose-bumps!

  56. On .357 - The Beginning:

    posted about 1 month ago

    We don’t like predictions, John. I’d shake a fist at you, but it’s hard to convey properly in text. :)

    Anyway, another great piece here, Ben!

  57. On .357 - Remorse:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Man, you know I’m a sucker for everything Film-Noir. I dig it, looking forward to more!

  58. On Bagman: The Captain:

    posted about 1 month ago

    There you go, guys! browncoatben’s been riding my ass about the series, so I’ve finally managed to bash down that writer’s block! Enjoy :) More’s coming.

  59. On Bagman: VTOL at the Window:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Yeah, I’ve been hitting the wonderful ole “writer’s block” wall on this lately, and I’ve been busy with a couple other things. Important things…like beer and 20 year old video-games in copious amounts. I’ll have a look at the sentence…who knows what I was trying to say with it?
    I don’t…

  60. On REACTr: Building the Perfect Beast:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Ooh, I like the last line a lot. You built up a whole lot of foreboding during the last few posts, and now it’s overfilling with “uh-oh.”

  61. On REACTr: Phantom Pain... but it Still Hurts:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Geeze…I typo’d “typo.” Give you one guess as to who here is EXHAUSTED.

  62. On REACTr: Phantom Pain... but it Still Hurts:

    posted about 1 month ago

    One type, last line. Typed “thought” instead of “though.”
    Other than that, top of the line stuff, Kev!

  63. On Holy Mission:

    posted about 1 month ago

    Now if only we had a couple thousand more Ahmed’s, and no Iman’s, maybe we’d start to get ahead.

  64. On Bagman: A Good Funeral:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks Trif…I think. If I can be honest, most of your comments have confused me! :)

  65. On Bagman: Shots Fired:

    posted 2 months ago

    Really? I grew up in Lowsy-ana, but only went to N.O. once or twice (and didn’t like it either time). According to googlemaps, there is an intersection…and maybe in the future, there will be! :)

  66. On Darkness Cover Me 3 (Dead Tell Tales Challenge):

    posted 2 months ago

    I like the genealogical references. Six wives!? Geeze, I couldn’t even survive one…or she couldn’t survive me….........
    Did I type that out loud?
    Cool series going here, Jen!

  67. On The GummiGeist.(The Dead Tell Tales Challenge):

    posted 2 months ago

    Proof positive that all children are evil, and should be destroyed.

  68. On Red {Part 2 - Unexpected Twist Challenge}:

    posted 2 months ago

    Huh. That took an unexpected turn. You set up the twist very well, and I’m happy to say that you took me by surprise! I had to reread both parts twice to make sure I had it right.

  69. On REACTr: The Broken Maiden:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, I know how that is. You get so focused on what you’re trying to write that you don’t see what you’re writing, no matter how closely you read it.
    Loving this series, so far, so don’t stop!

  70. On REACTr: Put'n the "Dick" in "Detective":

    posted 2 months ago

    Definitely reads a lot better. Keep up the great work, Kev!

  71. On Bagman: Would You Please Die, Sir?:

    posted 2 months ago

    I really enjoyed writing the fight-scenes, but it’s been going on for quite a while now. Figured it was about time to move on. Besides, poor Benny’s taken a lot of punishment, and he’s still gotta find the chips! Mmm…doritos.

  72. On Bagman: DataBomb:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks a lot, guys. I had a lot of fun writing this one, and felt immediately that it was one of the best entries into this series since I started Bagman. The hardest part was the Cerberus3 line that you like so much, JM. Took me a while to get the right attitude in that line, heh.

  73. On Everybody's Envy (Unexpected Twist Challenge):

    posted 2 months ago

    I hate to say I saw it coming, but I did. Either way, the wording is fantastic, very surreal and free-spirited.
    Love this: ”...sent [the phone] the way of my tie without even looking at who it was. Who gives a damn anyway?”
    I want to enter this challenge, but I’ve been running dry on ideas. Bagman is taking all my brainpower!

  74. On Tuesday:

    posted 2 months ago

    Rut-Roh Reorge! Hot chick at the office! Ey babe, whatchoosay we sidle on down to the coffee-bar and then we wink wink nudge nudge yeah?
    I like the hum-drum feel of the ficlet, and then BAM. You go all AMINAL on Val.
    “Woman! Woman!”
    Also, a very distinct film-noir feel to the inner dialog.

  75. On Bagman: Cerberus3:

    posted 2 months ago

    But I was the egg man.

  76. On Bagman: Fisticuffs! (rewrite):

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, I see what you’re getting at, Brownie. Somewhere I’ve gotten a little bit more descriptive. Not much, but just enough to slow down the pace.

  77. On Bagman: Finally, Danger Music:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, you bet your ass he was rockin’ and rollin’. One person mosh, probably. And it was for his benefit!

  78. On REACTr: The Broken Maiden:

    posted 2 months ago

    Another cool entry, but some critique! You know you love it, Kev.
    Think betweenspace meant ”...had she not come to rest...” There, she’d just makes it read as “had she had.”
    On the summer part, it’d probably work better as “a warm summer’s eve,” but I think you could remove the whole summer reference entirely and the sentence would work better.
    And finally, “Yep,” Nick replied. “Military grade?”
    Nobody likes someone who replies with a question!

  79. On REACTr: The Broken Maiden:

    posted 2 months ago

    Another cool entry, but some critique! You know you love it, Kev.
    Think betweenspace meant ”...had she not come to rest...” There, she’d just makes it read as “had she had.”
    On the summer part, it’d probably work better as “a warm summer’s eve,” but I think you could remove the whole summer reference entirely and the sentence would work better.
    And finally, “Yep,” Nick replied. “Military grade?”
    Nobody likes someone who replies with a question!

  80. On Bagman: Cerberus3:

    posted 2 months ago

    Danke schon! And yeah, being a heathen is definitely one of my strong-points, but if it helps, most of the Cyberpunk literature I’ve read relates to Christianity as a fanatical, tyrannical (and other -ical words) organization that is best feared. Good example would be the Preacher in the Johnny Mnemonic movie. Don’t groan! It’s a fun movie!

  81. On Bagman: Pandemonium:

    posted 2 months ago

    Nah, it was actually kind of an afterthought. I forgot about the poor “expression-practicing” secretary who was at the desk when Benny decided to throw a grenade at Ismail.
    Pyro’s right, Louise should be back at their warehouse, jacked in remotely.
    And I just really like the feel of the camera drone bits! :-D

  82. On Bagman: Fire and a Fight:

    posted 2 months ago

    You know, John, I like you a little bit more every day.

  83. On Bagman: Chrome Cat:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, it’s no problem! I love reading comments, glad you’re enjoying the series.

  84. On Bagman: A Good Funeral:

    posted 2 months ago

    Hmm, interesting note there, Ana. I’m not sure how that would read…I think that, maybe… “a male voice, over the…” would explain the sentence better, but doesn’t look good because it places an unnecessary pause. Here we go…”over” is operating as an adjective. “voice-over” would be a noun.

  85. On Rutaffo, the Super Ref [Great Supporting Character Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, this is a really fun story to read. The ref’s speech is priceless, the globe of fairness=awesome wording, and the entire setting is just zany, which I like. Kudos!

  86. On Bagman: Fisticuffs! (original):

    posted 2 months ago

    This is the original “Fisticuffs!” that I published, but was unhappy with. I kept it up here for posterity’s sake, but this particular ficlet has been thrown to the trash!

  87. On Bagman: Fisticuffs! (rewrite):

    posted 2 months ago

    Okay, here’s a total rewrite on this ficlet. I published the original as a sequel to this rewrite, so it’s still there. They both accomplish the same things, just this one focuses a whole lot more on the action.

  88. On A Date to the Eagle Site:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, took me a moment to catch it, but very cool stuff. I’ll just parrot-repeat everything that everyone else said.
    Squawk.

  89. On Bagman: Fire and a Fight:

    posted 2 months ago

    Could be either or, John… “on(in) the 35th floor…” Both read smoothly, and both make sense. I just went with “on” because it sounds more like the fire’s not engulfing the entire floor yet.
    And thanks for the praise on the viewpoints. This has been a very interesting experiment, swapping view-points so frantically in such a fast-paced plot…in first-person, no less. It’s a helluva lotta fun!

  90. On Bagman: Fisticuffs! (rewrite):

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, like I said…this was hard. I might have to do a rewrite on it. Just wipe it clean and start over from scratch. After I wrote WAY too much, I was frantic to keep some bits, and eager to get rid of others. I’ll probably take another look at this entry tonight.

  91. On Bagman: Fire and a Fight:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, thanks for the great comments, JM. And everyone else! This series is a lot of fun to write, but it’s very rewarding for me to have you guys reading along as I pump it out.

    Keep reading, and make all checks payable to JLaughter!

    And the perspective changes are really starting to come together into what I originally wanted to do with them. Multiple views, seamlessly flowing through one continuous scene.

  92. On REACTr: Put'n the "Dick" in "Detective":

    posted 2 months ago

    I kinda see what John’s going at, there. The rest of this reads real smooth, but in the third paragraph, the comma in ”...his body, the word…” is kind of like a hiccup in the story. Maybe it would read better as “his body and the…” or maybe even a bit of a tense-change, ”...body, the word STAHL floating...”

    Though the latter might be bending some grammatical rules, I use that to keep a segment running smoothly.

  93. On Bagman: Fisticuffs! (rewrite):

    posted 2 months ago

    Again, another difficult submission. Hope it came out good, gimme some critique, guys. I don’t know why I’m so OCD about Ficlet Nirvana, but this one took forever to fit right. I’ve read it so many times now, I’m not sure if the moves are clear, or if the fight’s fast-paced and seamless like it is in my head.

  94. On REACTr: Put'n the "Dick" in "Detective":

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, there’s something in the word-style of this ficlet that just screams “awesome” to me. Love the car’s attitude, and this really clears of my “they” beef with the last one.
    Few edits… ”...car made a hard left, throwing itself into a spin…”
    Not sure if “goddamn, piece of shit” requires a comma, check with John on that one.

    Love “one finger salute” and the car and Stahl trading insults. Awesome piece. You get five stars, sir.

  95. On REACTr: Welcome to the Freak Show:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, I definitely see that now, in the sequel. Just caught me off guard, I guess.

  96. On Bagman: Feathery Hammer:

    posted 2 months ago

    @Pyro: Heh, you’re most probably very right, sir.
    @John: Thanks, I’m trying to figure out exactly where I’m going to tie in the police character I introduced a few entries back, but so far this is really shaping out well.

  97. On Bagman: Reporting Live:

    posted 2 months ago

    Hopefully, if I can keep things moving, this series should pretty much maintain this kind of breakneck pace for a while.

  98. On Bagman: Full of Surprises:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, yeah. I’ve been waiting to get these two in a fight. This was a hard piece to get into nirvana…I was WAY too descriptive in Benny’s attack, and really had to trim the heck out of it, without losing any of the straight-forward brutality of Benny’s style. I still see some awkward wording I need to go back and fix, but I’ll let it stand for now.

  99. On REACTr: Welcome to the Freak Show:

    posted 2 months ago

    And re-reading, it’s actually a single use of the word “they.” Must have lost my train of thought when I lost my comment.

  100. On REACTr: Welcome to the Freak Show:

    posted 2 months ago

    Lost my comment. :( And I even had to juggle it into comment nirvana, go figure.

    Either way, “the moment” edit could easily be “that moment” as well. And I have a bit of a gripe about the use of the word “them,” when Nick seems to be by himself. Unless the car is counted as an entity. I found myself pausing, trying to define “them” every time I saw it.

    Another good piece. Hopefully I don’t lose this comment too.

  101. On REACTr: A Taste of Something Smuggled In:

    posted 2 months ago

    And I’m sure I’m probably just asking for a spoiler, but I didn’t know (and still don’t, really) what “REMORA” was, and apparently all I can find is that it’s some kind of fish, and also a music project by some guy named Brian John Mitchell. Whoever that is. I’m assuming that REMORA is neither fish, nor Mitchell Music.

  102. On REACTr: A Taste of Something Smuggled In:

    posted 2 months ago

    I’m looking forward to see where this series goes, Kev. John’s got a handle on all the editing, though, so that’s all I have to say.

  103. On REACTr: 2:00AM in the Driving Rain:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ooh, I like :) Write more, faster.

  104. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 34:

    posted 2 months ago

    Definitely a fun series to read, and anything else I say is just going to mirror what everyone else said before me, so I’m gonna stop short and just five-star everything.

  105. On Lethal Injection [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, I did a little research into it. A doctor is present to pronounce the subject dead, but he cannot actually participate in the execution. Maybe it’s changed since the information that I read, but I’m not 100% sure.

  106. On Bagman: Finally, Danger Music:

    posted 2 months ago

    There we go, back on track. Sorry, was down sick for a while, couldn’t even handle looking at the computer. Either way, let’s get this series rolling again!

  107. On Accidents? [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, I wasn’t going for a reward. Just had an idea when I was reading some of the other Out of Order Challenge ficlets and decided to contribute. Thanks for reading it, though, and I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  108. On Lethal Injection [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks for the edit. I meant to go back and look at that first line, but forgot to by the time I juggled it into Nirvana.

  109. On Accidents? [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Done! Sorry it took so long. Been down sick the last week or so, and killer migraines. Anyway, that’s all I’ll be writing on this particular series. I enjoyed it, even though I think I lost my direction a bit. Either way, hope you guys enjoyed it.

  110. On One Truth to Another [Out of Order Challenge:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, more is coming on this, just been wiped out from work and haven’t been able to wrap my head around what I want to say in this, heh.

  111. On Bagman: Crumbs to Wisconsin:

    posted 2 months ago

    I was so tempted to give a nod to the movie Hackers here, and have her crack the Gibson with an old Mac named Lucy by going through a garbage file. Mess with the best, die like the rest.

  112. On Instructions Not Included:

    posted 2 months ago

    I thought that hating without reason was reason enough? At least, it explains my morbid fear of midgets and cream cheese.

  113. On Out-of-Order Challenge - The Beg-end-ing:

    posted 2 months ago

    Very cool stuff, Ben. Very well put together, very Out of Order, all in all an excellent read!

  114. On Bagman: Not My Style:

    posted 2 months ago

    Rambo Carebear? Hmm…the story possibilities that come from those two words are boundless

  115. On Bagman: Deadline Run:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, thanks for all the comments guys, and for keeping reading my random stories here. Don’t worry, action is definitely coming, and probably a helluva lot of it.

  116. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 27:

    posted 2 months ago

    “Lead female went karate kid”...that just made me chuckle. Keep it comin’!

  117. On Bagman: Big Mistake:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks guys. More’s coming on this. Probably today. Just slowed down a bit on it again.

  118. On Dissociative Fugue [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks for the comments, guys/gals. Slowed down a bit there, but I threw a quick two up. These will answer some questions…and I think that two more will wrap up the series.

  119. On Alex in Wonderland- Part 24:

    posted 2 months ago

    I love that Alex’s main obsession is either getting to play a game of Joust or sit down and read his Omni. He’s still shell-shocked, and singularly male—as in, he can only focus on one thing at a time.
    Omni Omni Omni Omni…oooh Joust!

  120. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 22:

    posted 2 months ago

    You guys are really killing me. This is on par with Douglas Adams’ Guide series, so far as zany and amusing goes. And I really, really like the working theory as to how all of this started to happen in the first place!

  121. On HIS Screams Will Shake the Heavens:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, I feel you there, man. I actually have written a medieval-fantasy book, but it’s never gotten out of first draft. But there’s one scene in there involving a very dark demon that, literally, took me three months to write, it was so difficult for me to visualize and describe.
    I finally had to call in the calvary, in the form of a very demented friend and a lot of liquor.

  122. On Dissociative Fugue [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, I was sitting here trying to think of what the most incongruous thing was that I could have the big cell-mate guy doing, staring at my book-shelf…and there it was, big as day:
    My Honkin’ Huge Collector’s Hardcover Centennial Addition of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
    Bingo.
    And more’s coming on this, probably tomorrow. At least 2 more ficlets, maybe 3 or 4.

  123. On Alex in Wonderland- Part 15:

    posted 2 months ago

    I think that Krystle is maybe a little bit crazy. And by a little bit, I mean a lot. And by a lot, I mean give that woman some happy-drugs and a straight-jacket!

    Snappy dialog, check.
    Fast pace, check.
    Cyndi Lauper insult, check.
    All in all, a good addition!

  124. On Bagman: Playing Stupid:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks again, and it was a good suggestion, John. Made it work :) I didn’t like how that sentence read anyway.

  125. On The Fog [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Re-reading my comment there, I didn’t mean to come off as a jerk, THX. Humor that was maybe worded badly. Either way, another section of this little series is up.

  126. On Morphine Drool (Out-of-Order Challenge):

    posted 2 months ago

    I like the disjointed, almost blurry feel to this ficlet. Really makes you identify with Bob’s immense pain. You did really well, John!

  127. On HIS Prayers Will Go Unanswered:

    posted 2 months ago

    Cool stuff, man. Horror’s not my thing, but I’m enjoying the series you have going. You’re really showing a lot of versatility on here, between the Mobius Strip, the 80’s string and this one. Keep going!

  128. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 14:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, well, cahoot and keep ‘em coming!

  129. On Alex in Wonderland: Part 12:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, I’m a little confused, personally. Especially by the “obituary” line. Did she read his obituary 2 weeks ago, 24 years in the future, maybe? And this is someone she remembers being a mall-pig?

  130. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 10: Safety Dance:

    posted 2 months ago

    I’m really liking how you and Jen are playing off of one another, here, and it’s just a fun story. You’re both doing great!

  131. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 8:

    posted 2 months ago

    This stuff just gets better and better. One typo I saw, you used “past” instead of “passed.”

    Looking forward to more! Oh, there is more…I’m going there!

  132. On Into Hiding:

    posted 2 months ago

    About time that chick melted like she was supposed to! Women. Pshaw! Fun story you guys got going here.

  133. On The Fog [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, it’s not quite out of order yet because there’s only one of them. Kinda like shuffling a 1 card deck…you just don’t get very far :) I’ve got a few different directions I wanna go with this, but haven’t decided which one I’m gonna do. Probably have another one up a bit later after I brainstorm over some hot sake.

  134. On Bagman: I Heart Mom:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ah-ha, I see exactly what you mean. I’ll go back and fix it later.

  135. On The Fog [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ah, a refreshing change of style here. Thanks, Ana, for the challenge. I’ll put up a few more when I’m not totally exhausted to explain the middle parts, the end, then maybe the beginning of this story.

  136. On Bagman: Street King:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, I had to have fun with that. Originally it was “attacked by a cheese-grater when he was a kid and escaped by climbing, then fell out of the biggest ugly tree in the world and hit every branch on the way down.” But it was WAY too long. And more are coming, as always!

  137. On Bagman: I Heart Mom:

    posted 2 months ago

    @Kev: Thanks, that’s exactly what I was going for. I had to show that Benny isn’t just all attitude and badass, he’s really human.
    @John: As for whether it would be “Benny” or “Benito” in Spanish, I don’t know. I thought about learning Spanish, once, then remembered I’m American. And Lazy.
    Benny is just his nickname, his last name is Benito.
    And for the sentence suggestion, it isn’t actually her house…

  138. On Bagman: Everyone has a Record:

    posted 2 months ago

    @John: In answer to your question about what the cop calls Kent, “Mr. Kent” & “Mr. Johnson,” it was a matter of characters, lol. This entry took a while to juggle into Nirvana.

  139. On Bagman: Everyone has a Record:

    posted 2 months ago

    Well, I guess that’s a matter of perspective. Benny, for instance, is loaded with implants, but they’re mostly “organic,” or just jack up his nervous system and reflexes, along with a pump that controls his adrenaline levels. Red will have one fully cybernetic lower-leg, plus whatever implants she might already have. Kent has some synaptic/nervous system implants. Who knows what the cop has. :)
    Thanks for the comments! I needed to get a “good guy” POV in here.

  140. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 5:

    posted 2 months ago

    I couldn’t play it for 2 weeks because my leg was SO sore from the kick-drum. Finally picked it up again today and let it convince me, once again, that I am too white to have musical talent.
    And that beer and drums don’t mix.

  141. On Terry's Troubles:

    posted 2 months ago

    Women! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t shoot ‘em. Well…not legally, anyway…
    Kind of sad that this is actually how some people think, and a good look at how frustrating it can be to observe someone who’s beautiful, but doesn’t think they are.

  142. On Battling a demon:

    posted 2 months ago

    Brings back memories of hours upon hours of my life spent playing D&D. I enjoyed reading this a lot.

  143. On Battling a demon:

    posted 2 months ago

    Brings back memories of hours upon hours of my life spent playing D&D. I enjoyed reading this a lot.

  144. On She jumped the gun, and he failed to hold her interest:

    posted 2 months ago

    That’s good stuff. I could never write a lick of poetry myself, although I do like poems. I’ve really got to respect a good poet, especially when I consider how much harder it must be to make a poem fit into 1024-character limits. Every word and punctuation mark is so important.
    Good piece, JM.

  145. On Bagman: Benny & Louise:

    posted 2 months ago

    Oh. I haven’t watched a Simpsons episode in 10 years, easy.

  146. On Bagman: Everyone has a Record:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ah, a new character perspective. Just what this story needs. More’s coming.

  147. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 5:

    posted 2 months ago

    I seem to have drank too much beer and played too much Rockband. Sigh. Anyway, John…you research your critique, man! I couldn’t even pick that one out, and I think I own everything Gibson ever wrote.

    And Aladdin’s Castle, ha! I haven’t been in one of those in years!

    If I went back to 1984, what would I do? Buy gas. Lots of it.

  148. On Bagman: Benny & Louise:

    posted 2 months ago

    Now you’re just messing with me! Benny, Louise and Kent have been our POV’s, so far. Red is a primary supporting character. Whether or not there’s gonna be further characters thrown into the mix down the road, I dunno. Get there when I get there.

    Crazy Canadians. :) Who’s Joon and Brockman?

  149. On Bagman: Phantom Leg:

    posted 2 months ago

    Whoops! Good catch, John. I originally had that as “A dusty stack of magazines sat on top of a table” or something like that, and changed it around last minute to reach Nirvana.

    Heh, interesting side-note, I’d also totally forgotten Kent’s name in “A Little Less Red.” I published it first as “Kevin Johnson,” but it kept bugging me. Had to go back to figure it out…and I’m not entirely sure that this was the first time I got it wrong!

  150. On Bagman: Benny & Louise:

    posted 2 months ago

    Again, maybe I made it unclear. I’ll clear it up in the next few posts, but also here. Louise is the decker/netrunner who has been working with Benny throughout the series so far. She’s the voice in his head.

    “Ghost in the Dinette” and “Through the Eyes of a Killer” were told from her P.O.V.

    And yes, I purposefully, very painstakingly made her gender unclear in previous posts. :)

  151. On Bagman: A Little Less Red:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, that was kind of unintended when I started this series. My original thought was that Benny & Red were gonna hook up at some point, which is why I picked Kent’s POV as one of the perspectives of the story. But that’s just how these things happen. You make a character, and all of the sudden they have a life of their own.

  152. On Ask the Wonderball:

    posted 2 months ago

    It’s a cool bit, Eckhouse. Everyone’s pretty much covered all the bases, though, so I’ll just say that I agree.

  153. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 4:

    posted 2 months ago

    Whoa, just caught a typo as I was navigating away…

    ”...his heart leapt for joy as he picked it up.” S’all I got.

    And direction? We don’t need no stinkin’ direction!

  154. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 4:

    posted 2 months ago

    I feel like I might have gotten a little bit of a nod for my Gibsonian (can I say Gibsonian?) series on ficlets. Maybe I’m just getting an ego.

  155. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 3:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, the hairdo’s and shoulder pads line really got my attention. And the dialog is funny. I think I almost saw myself in that pack of 80’s skaters.

  156. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 2:

    posted 2 months ago

    As long as George Orwell and Big Brother don’t pop in to take a leak, I think Alex can make it out!

    I’m with Alex, Alex, Jen and John here. Looking forward to more…and agreeing on the last sentence.

  157. On Alex in Wonderland - Part 1:

    posted 2 months ago

    I posted a comment, but it didn’t show up. Try again…sorry if it repeats. Gonna focus on the grammatical stuff if it does, that was the important part. You know I like your stories.

    1st paragraph, you used “it’s” instead of “its.” “It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” and “its” is a possessive pronoun.

    4th paragraph, 2nd sentence just feels clunky to me. Maybe: ”...wondered what it would have been like to be here in her glory days.”

    And last paragraph, I think that “now” was meant to be “new.”

  158. On Bagman: Phantom Leg:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha…Now if I answered either one of those comments, I’d be giving away important plot items!

  159. On Bagman: Benny & Louise:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks guys! I’d been working toward that post for a while to reveal Louise.

  160. On Bagman: A Little Less Red:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, Johnny Mnemonic was a fun movie, even if it didn’t really do the short story quite enough justice. Watched it a few weeks ago, in fact, was pretty fun.

    “I WANT ROOM SERVICE!”

  161. On Bagman: Three Black Suits:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, Benny’s not exactly the most social kind of guy. Really getting into his character. Reminds me a lot of me…hmmm…
    And Esmail…I’ve got ideas :)

  162. On Möbius Strip: Epilogue - Strangers in a Strange Land:

    posted 2 months ago

    Wow. +1, sir. +1.

  163. On Möbius Strip: Epilogue - Madonna and Child:

    posted 2 months ago

    Very fascinating story, Kev. I think I’m going to have to go back over the last few posts again, maybe got ahead of myself. I get what happened, but not how or why, exactly. Second read-through is a must.

    And I’m with Kaellinn on this one. The biblical tie-in literally gave me goose-bumps.

  164. On Möbius Strip: Wake the Princess - Part 3:

    posted 2 months ago

    I’m really surprised that this is your first dabbling into writing fiction, Kev. The first few posts were rough, but you’ve really settled into a solid style that’s working for you, and like I’ve said, is pulling us in deeper and deeper. Keep up the great work!

  165. On Möbius Strip: Wake the Princess - Part 2:

    posted 2 months ago

    Sorry I’ve been behind on this, Kev. Catching up to you now, and I gotta tell you, man, you’re really getting me into this ficlet series. Awesome stuff!

  166. On Bagman: Blurred Image:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, and I guess all the consoles would be called iConsoles. Ah well, Steve Jobs will just have to roll over in his grave when the Lockheed-Apple merger happens!

  167. On On Saturday:

    posted 2 months ago

    Spandex shorts?

    ‘scuse me, I just threw up a little in my mouth.

    Heh, I can give you back your camel-bak, psycho!

  168. On Bagman: Payday:

    posted 2 months ago

    Thanks Kev! And more is coming, guys. I’m enjoying writing this series too much to let it stop now.

  169. On Bagman: One Shell Square:

    posted 2 months ago

    Good catch, John. Appreciate it.

  170. On Random song that popped into my head. Really sucks, you probably don't want to read it, I just wanted to write it down before I forgot or something.:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, with a title like that…how could we not read it? I like the lyrics, though, sounds cool.

  171. On Random song that popped into my head. Really sucks, you probably don't want to read it, I just wanted to write it down before I forgot or something.:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, with a title like that…how could we not read it? I like the lyrics, though, sounds cool.

  172. On Trying to sneak it in [Challenge by Numbers]:

    posted 2 months ago

    I like this piece a lot. As others said before me, very whimsical and creative. I haven’t read too many stories from this challenge yet, but this was definitely a fun play on numbers and their relationships.

  173. On Bagman: Payday:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, the push and slide is just him getting away from the wall and making some room for a fight. He’s jumpy, definitely unstable and way out of his element with these guys.
    Love that phrase too, heh, and I had to throw it into one of these stories somewhere.

  174. On Bagman: One Shell Square:

    posted 2 months ago

    Ha, I haven’t met many women who don’t practice their facial expressions. Just a funny little detail that I threw in there. Thanks for reading, bud!

  175. On Bagman: Payday:

    posted 2 months ago

    There we go. There’s a quick 3 for the beginning of the work week! I like how this scene has played out, and the story is really moving along at a good pace. Think I’ve about got the hang of the 1000-character limit.

  176. On Bagman: Blurred Image:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, I struggled with that. Lockheed-Apple…I was like, what’s something kind’ve outlandish, but believable for a future, corporation dominated world? Apple, sure! Now, a merger between current companies. Computers…jets…hmmm. It’s prophetic.

  177. On The Bus Stop:

    posted 2 months ago

    Wait, Bush’s presidency WASN’T saved by a piece of twine? Man, I should pay more attention.

    Interesting bit, though. I like the descriptions.

  178. On Bagman: Blurred Image:

    posted 2 months ago

    Woot, 20 ficlets! None of em below 4 star rating. Makes me feel good.

    Anyway, more is coming, I’ve just slowed down because I’m bloody well exhausted from work.

  179. On Bagman: Back to Work:

    posted 2 months ago

    A “Blade Runner” feel is definitely one of my aims. I love the gritty feel to that movie, and it’s one of my absolute favorites. Plus, it’s the same genre, and that’s always a good thing.

    Thanks guys! I’m glad this 1am “filler post” was good!

  180. On Bagman: Back to Work:

    posted 2 months ago

    Mission: Filler Post.

    Accomplished.

  181. On Bagman: Through a Killer's Eyes:

    posted 2 months ago

    You’re CANADIAN!? That explains a lot. Haha…just kidding, man. Nah, Benny’s not schizo, he’s actually got someone patched into his head, talking to him.

  182. On Ode to Backspace:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, it’s funny. I like the slow feeling of it, as if you’re actually there at 2am and have just head butted literary exhaustion. Good bit here.

  183. On Bagman: Play it Safe:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, Neuromancer is a difficult read the first time around. I loved it, but had to read it three times before I totally understood everything that happened. Good book on the first read-through, fantastic book on the second.

    And as far as Benny being an infallible badass, he’s not. Just a rough and tumble guy jacked up on drugs and cybernetic implants. Was it not clear in the story that the reason he tripped was because of momentary blindness as his cybernetic eyes shifted to lowlight?

  184. On Bagman: Reporter Down:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, Red’s not having a good day. :)

  185. On Bagman: Through a Killer's Eyes:

    posted 2 months ago

    Nah, it’ll come clearer here in the next few entries, but I’ll clear it up a little. There’s three characters so far: Benny, who is a “bagman,” or a criminal courier. The character in this entry is the voice in Benny’s head, who is a person apart from the scene who is working on the net to coordinate Benny with his surroundings and employers. And Kent, a pilot for a news agency (New Orleans Worldwide News).

    More is coming soon!

  186. On Bagman: Through a Killer's Eyes:

    posted 2 months ago

    Heh, thanks JM. Glad you’re getting into it.

  187. On Out-of-Order Challenge - A Bargain at Twice the Price:

    posted 2 months ago

    Unfortunate shorts.

    Five thousand for a Ford Taurus.

    Titles? We don’t need no stinkin’ titles!

    Funny, sir. Good bit :)

  188. On A Uniform Not Forgotten:

    posted 2 months ago

    I like this, like it a lot. Like Celestic said, it’s gripping. Very fitting Memorial Day tribute, and thanks to all our troops out there.

  189. On Bagman: Reverse ADHD:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, I guess it’s just a bad habit I’ve gotten into. Changed “loosing” to “unloading.” Writing first-person, past-tense is tough for me, I can’t think that I’ve ever done it before. So it’s kind’ve an experiment for me.

    Appreciate the critique, John!

  190. On Never Trust A Big Butt And A Smile:

    posted 2 months ago

    Never give a woman a knife. Especially when that woman didn’t melt like she was supposed to.

  191. On I Die For You:

    posted 2 months ago

    Not much of a poetry guy myself, beyond Shakespeare, but the poem’s real strong, very well structured and filled with dark undercurrents. Good piece.

  192. On Bagman: Hot Pickup:

    posted 2 months ago

    I struggled with that too: grit/gritted. It was late, I’ll probably just change the line.

    And I’m hella glad to inspire, Amo, thanks for the comment! Keep up!

    And yeah, so far we have 3 character view-points. Benny the Bagman, Kent the pilot, and the as-yet-unnamed netrunner/decker. Browncoatben has expressed that he likes “Red” too, and is interested in her, but I think that’s just cuz she’s redheaded and has jubblies. Either way, she might become a major part in the story too.

  193. On Bagman: Reverse ADHD:

    posted 2 months ago

    Second time I’ve done that, and I thought that I was using the right word. You know, like “letting loose a whole helluva lotta bullets.” Loosing? I’ll have to check it out.

  194. On Bagman: Hot Pickup:

    posted 2 months ago

    There we go, back into the real meat of the story. And the pilot’s name is finally revealed…don’t know why I didn’t before. Probably because I couldn’t think of one. Kent. Real original. Imaginative. Anyway, the series should pick up again…I’m starting to get a real direction in my mind.

  195. On Out-of-Order Challenge - The Final Check:

    posted 2 months ago

    Definitely a Tarantino-esque feel to the whole thing and I’m really loving it all! Don’t stop ‘em, ugly brother!

  196. On Bagman: Reverse ADHD:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, this was a bit of strange “filler” type entry. I’d started off with a whole different train of thought on the first paragraph, then totally shifted gears.

    I don’t really think the first paragraph deserves italics, though. It’s not so much an internal dialog as it is kind of a mood-setter, if you will. I might take another look at this another day and decide to change it, though. It doesn’t really fit well into the story right there.

  197. On Out-of-Order Challenge - Opportunity:

    posted 2 months ago

    These stories seem to be out-of-order.

  198. On Simple Case [Out of Order Challenge]:

    posted 2 months ago

    Is that a Canadian thing? I was wondering about it…that’s what cost me the gist of the story here. I kept thinking ”$40, not 40$!” Crazy Kanuks :)

  199. On Out-of-Order Challenge - He's No Hero:

    posted 2 months ago

    Another cool bit here. I really feel the characters in this, you did a very good job at making these people rather than just characters.

  200. On Out-of-Order Challenge - The Extra Bag:

    posted 2 months ago

    Very cool story. I like it. Fast-paced, edgy, human. I like the tinge of regret in both characters. Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?

  201. On Bagman: Ghost in the Dinette:

    posted 2 months ago

    And I really appreciate the honest critique you guys have been giving me. As I’ve said before, paring down the stories to fit this format is tough for me, but challenging. I’m having a lot of fun with it, though, and I’m really liking the direction everything is going. You keep readin’, I’ll keep writin’!

  202. On Bagman: Ghost in the Dinette:

    posted 2 months ago

    Yeah, it is a bit unclear. First half of the payment. It arrived. Good business.

    More’s coming, keep it tuned!