The Bluff

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Who writes short shorts?

I don't often write short fiction, but I have a piece up at Fictional Musings. Let me know what you think.

Mark Pettus,
Sunday, March 05, 2006

23 comments so far. Thank you, Bernita, Moni, Mark Pettus, Kelly (Lynn) Parra, Mark Pettus, Mayden' s Voyage, Shesawriter, anne frasier, Rene, Unknown, Serenity, Jeff, Mark Pettus, Anonymous, glenn ward, Denise McDonald, Mark Pettus, Othmar Vohringer, WannabeMe, Esther Avila, Mindy Tarquini, Mark Pettus, Michele,

Let me know what you think

23 Comments

at 6:40 PM Bernita said...: Oh, two places.
I'll repeat.
Good psychological depth, Mark, and some of it subtle in its unfolding.
You sustained that very well.
at 6:55 PM Moni said...: Mark I'll leave the comment on your blog.

I'm not a writer per say. I'm not really qualified to judge, but I do write my share of poetry and lyrics.

This piece is sensuous; an eros love, and it flowed seemlessly. It paints a portrait of a beautiful misery, and a lesson in not knowing what we have until we loose it. Verrry nice. :)
at 7:56 PM Mark Pettus said...: I appreciate your comments, and I promise to read them - whether you leave them there or here.

Bernita - Thank you.

Moni - don't undervalue your opinion - being a reader is far more important than being a writer. Thank you.
at 8:06 PM Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...: Mark, thank you again for contributing the the FM blog. For someone who doesn't write short fiction, you did awesome. And I too picked up on the sensous theme. ;) I'm very impressed with your writing. I think you'll find the right agent who feels the same.
at 8:24 PM Mark Pettus said...: Kelly - thank you very much. You've been very kind. It has already been a gratifying experience. The praise of such talented writers is worth more to me than a two book contract...

but having both wouldn't piss me off. :)
at 8:48 PM Mayden' s Voyage said...: You wrote:

"I didn't give her my heart, though, because I knew that my heart was small, and dark, and damaged, and empty, and that she would find it unworthy."

And my own heart broke over those words...because the sun was never in your eyes, it was there, in the bit of flesh you would not reveal, would not give willingly to me.
Why? How could you not give everything? Was it pride, fear, knowing you would loose yourself in me and no longer be your own man? That your flesh, and your blood, and your life would intertwine with mine and you would not be able to pinpoint where one began and the other ended?
I longed that we two would become one in the light, as we did in the dark. Was that so much for me to ask of you?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Did your fictional piece move me? Oh yes...I think it did!
;)
at 9:46 PM Shesawriter said...: Mark,

That was just superb. Really great. Hey, you're a writer. ;-)

Tanya
at 10:45 PM anne frasier said...: mark,
that blew me away. if you can write like while pulling together a cohesive, 400 page plot, you've got nothing to worry about. it's only a matter of time.
at 11:23 PM Rene said...: I commented at Fictional Musings, but I must repeat how good that was.
at 11:06 AM Unknown said...: Mark,

I thought I'd be real clever and comment here as well as on Fictional Musings but as usual, I'm about fourth in line. I liked your story. Been reading some of your page here too. I like it.

I also thought it interesting that;

*I like to knock the horns off and drag my steak, briefly, over the fire too.
*I also tend to be able to eat just damn near anything.....at midnight. Not proud of it, but hey.
*I built myself a stone slab smoker, with two metal doors that weigh as much as a Volkswagen and I've gotten to the point where I think my brisket is pretty edible. I'm partial to pecan wood. If you ever decide to do a cooking section, I've got some good meat marinades, tips and such I'd offer.
*Was born in central Illinois, corn and beanfields......and more corn?
*Currently work and reside in Texas.

Seriously though, I really like your writing and site here. Please consider dropping by my place to say hey. Sincerely, John Wilson.
at 2:12 PM Serenity said...: Goodness, but that first paragraph set the tone. Very, very nice, Mark.
at 5:23 PM Jeff said...: I left a comment on FM but I'll say again here, well done. :)
at 8:25 PM Mark Pettus said...: Bela - I cannot imagine a more gratifying comment. Gracia.

Tanya - shh... I'm trying to keep it a secret.

Anne - from your mouth to the ears of agents and editors everywhere. You almost have me convinced. Thanks for the support.

Rene - Thank you so much.

John - I have been by your place, and enjoy your writing. I will be a frequent visitor in the future. Thank you.

Serenity - Thank you. I'm flattered.

Jeff - thanks.

To all - I'm stunned by your responses. I liked this piece, but Kelly can tell you that I was terrified of it, as well. I cannot adequately express how I feel reading the praise of so many wonderful and talented people. Thank you all.
at 9:48 PM Anonymous said...: A really lovely piece, Mark.

And very sensual indeed.

Don't ever be afraid to write like that.
at 1:00 AM glenn ward said...: Hey mark!

Well, I spent about a month in Hawaii shootin' pictures and helpin' a friend move back to louisiana (he had moved to hawaii after Katrina)--but now I'm back in Lake Charles, LA.

I got a fulltime job at a Lowes Home Improvement store as a sales associate. Pretty good job for the time being. In the mornings before work I write, and in the evenings I shoot freelance for the Lake Charles American Press. Still building up a portfolio so that when the time is right, I can get a fulltime gig as a photojournalist--ya know?

Because I've waited so long to get back on the horse, the writing is difficult, but coming along. I just have to remember to WRITE EVERY DAY.

Really, that's about it--i am focused on that one, singular goal. Everything else is just to pass time.

It is great to hear from you, and thanks for the grill instructions! I can't wait till the next steak opportunity.

keep in touch, and good luck with the new agent,

glenn

myspace.com/backyardamerica

(oh, and i laughed when i saw the right hand column of your site with my comment!)
at 3:25 PM Denise McDonald said...: that was really great! enjoyed it!
at 11:01 AM Mark Pettus said...: e.ann - Thank you.

Glenn - glad you're still kicking. I have friends in your area who are still suffering the ill effects of Rita. Thanks for the blurb, by the way. I really liked it.

Dennie - Thank you.
at 1:10 AM Othmar Vohringer said...: Hi fellow cowboy. I liked that story. Sorry for not visiting your blog sooner but I am still a bit off color and recover from that nasty cold, so I am a bit slow moving.

Othmar Vohringer aka huntwriter aka Swiss Cowboy
at 12:30 AM WannabeMe said...: Ooo. What a great story. Thanks for sharing it. I love roses and I could tell you've actually sat and watched the dawn come up on them and saw how they woke up and bloomed in the morning light? Beautiful job.
at 6:44 PM Esther Avila said...: What a beautiful piece, Mark. I loved it. So touching and written with so much passion! Excellent.
at 4:21 PM Mindy Tarquini said...: Lovely, Mark. I had no idea you did literary work. Actually, I've no idea what I thought you wrote, but the title for your novel always intrigued me. Thanks for sharing.
at 8:45 AM Mark Pettus said...: Othmar - Glad to see you up and around. Thanks for stopping by.

Dana - I wish I had more time for my roses. I have an arbor that is beginning to remind me of a scene from Beauty and the Beast.

September Skies - Thank you. Wonderful praise.

MG - I had no idea either... I always dreamed of being a science fiction writer.
at 8:53 PM Michele said...: That was a powerful story. Very in tune with human emotion.
The danger of an older man marrying a younger woman.

There is truth in your story as well. If the "older man" with his experiences, can not trust, open up and be secure in himself to allow the young woman to grow within their marriage, then it will fall apart. Someone WILL come along that is closer to her growth journey ..and she will turn onto that path to continue said journey.

That is what speaks to me in your story.
I'm glad I stopped by to read this. Thanks for the heads-up!