I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before, so forgive me if I’m giving you this compliment twice, but one of the things I love about your stories is that they don’t feel like fiction. Of course I know it’s just a story, but it doesn’t feel like you decided to write a story about a woman named Kimberly Franklin Haskins who used to go by Erin Kelly and many other names. This reads more like you found a woman, interviewed her, and eloquently retold her story in a way that breaks hearts.
By the way, my thought process while reading this was “The narrator has a half sister? Oh, the narrator has many sisters. Wait… Oh my GOD Jimmy!”
This is so haunting and beautiful. I really love how you play with perspective. I think this is one of my favorites of all of your stories that I’ve read.
Really packs a punch in a short story. Very tight narrative. Great job, Jimmy.
Thanks Brian.
I'm really trying to come at the stories from different perspectives without sacrificing punch.
I love punch.
I love it when a dude can write realistically from a woman’s point of view.
That's a huge compliment.
Well, it’s rare, so... it’s a big one. *high five*
I don't try very often because I know it's a minefield. Glad I got it right.
Robin Hobb struggles with men. I love her plots and ideas and world building, but her aggressive men lose their realism with her laconic pacing.
Love the way this moves toward its climax. Bravo!
Thanks. I really dialed into the pacing. Happy it worked
My, my, my!
This story was shocking!
When I read the title, I began reciting the immortal "My name is Inigo Montoya."
Little did I dream of the inverted opposite.
Then I saw the masks, flawed, damaged - and wondered.
The story began with the background of a little girl who moved about the world currently playing with new found playmates.
From there, it expanded to abandonment and then, horror.
Who am I?
And only one was able to retire a winner.
Your top ten WOW!!! file is getting larger.
I love The Princess Bride.
I love adding to the Wow file more.
Simple. Eloquent. Intriguing and touching.
I missed this one yesterday. Fucking amazing. (Which I submit trumps "wow", but that's a personal preference.)
That one was very good. No idea where it was going for most of it and a nice tie-together at the end.
I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before, so forgive me if I’m giving you this compliment twice, but one of the things I love about your stories is that they don’t feel like fiction. Of course I know it’s just a story, but it doesn’t feel like you decided to write a story about a woman named Kimberly Franklin Haskins who used to go by Erin Kelly and many other names. This reads more like you found a woman, interviewed her, and eloquently retold her story in a way that breaks hearts.
By the way, my thought process while reading this was “The narrator has a half sister? Oh, the narrator has many sisters. Wait… Oh my GOD Jimmy!”
Thank you. This truly makes my night.
This is so haunting and beautiful. I really love how you play with perspective. I think this is one of my favorites of all of your stories that I’ve read.
Brilliantly packed and creative story.
Thanks. Love that people love this one.
Fuck. This is brilliant, reminds me of those Humans of New York column. Very raw, and made me get lost in thought for a good while.
I love that visceral response. Thanks. Been a challenging day and your comment cheered me greatly. Hope you find many more that you love.