tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post8369995379695815353..comments2024-03-26T03:46:04.937-07:00Comments on Books in Northport: Burger Shack Story #9 (Next to Last)P. J. Grathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-84851931480983221532012-08-14T08:19:05.592-07:002012-08-14T08:19:05.592-07:00An e-mail came this morning that I want to post he...An e-mail came this morning that I want to post here because it's an answer to my question of how people saw the characters. I'm pleased with this response (but know everyone will have a slightly different take):<br /><br />"I hope I have the right number. This one is about Cheryl and her husband, narrated by the husband, whose name I don't recall seeing.<br /> <br />"Excellent story idea. As usual with your short stories I wanted to read more. At first I was drawn in by Cheryl because of how much her husband loved her. She must be good, if such a gentle and kind man would love her so much. And I didn't put much thought toward her not wanting the pregnant girl in her wedding. Then I started feeling like she was too much of a controlling person, though obviously other people like her who don't know her very well. She seems to be a secret-keeper as well, not a great trait in people I like. Her husband is a total milque-toast who doesn't have a backbone. His allowing her to make all the decisions seemed very suspect to me, as if he was blinded by her manipulations, but just starting to come to a realization that his wife is keeping secrets from him and that might not be a good thing for him. But I could not be totally against either of them; they both seem to have good qualities as well, though that is just the way you wrote it. Sympathetic in a way.<br /> <br />"Well, that's my impression of the characters and their motivations. Overall, I love this story. I wish it were longer. You are such an excellent writer. The voice of the husband was pitch perfect."P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-59903279418906526892012-08-05T07:40:23.968-07:002012-08-05T07:40:23.968-07:00I've noticed that you're not posting often...I've noticed that you're not posting often these days but will go over now and look at the latest. Thanks for keeping up with the Burger Shack, dmarks.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-17846706604336773662012-08-05T06:02:27.264-07:002012-08-05T06:02:27.264-07:00Thanks for this latest installation!
I am not pos...Thanks for this latest installation!<br /><br />I am not posting as much lately, but I seem to get poetry in most of my posts anymore.dmarkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07269773990064736457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-5808830363836977102012-08-03T16:18:15.181-07:002012-08-03T16:18:15.181-07:00There are links to all posted stories on the page ...There are links to all posted stories on the page called "Burger Shack Story Cycle," over in the right-hand column under the picture of puppy Sarah in the reading chair. After I post the tenth, it will be added to that list. <br /><br />Deborah, I'm not ignoring your assessment of Cheryl, but what I thought of that couple, their marriage, and their whole way of being-in-the-world changed as the story unrolled. Don't want to say more. Everyone will see them differently, I'm sure.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-68630930533211207192012-08-03T15:12:01.698-07:002012-08-03T15:12:01.698-07:00I've decided to read them all at once...so I h...I've decided to read them all at once...so I hope you have links to the other 9 when you put #10 up...of course I should be able to go back in the archives and find them all...Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824027366993286152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-24603200870747379932012-08-03T11:35:53.084-07:002012-08-03T11:35:53.084-07:00Here's what I thought @ Cheryl - manipulative,...Here's what I thought @ Cheryl - manipulative, conniving, unbending, unwilling to consider another opinion and determined to rule. Her husband, as a parent, is worthless - a pansy as we used to say. No backbone, no original thought.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09599581429559006199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-14749381817580579192012-08-02T15:54:54.009-07:002012-08-02T15:54:54.009-07:00Sending stories to magazines is a project in itsel...Sending stories to magazines is a project in itself, requiring lots of research and organization. My focus these days is on bookselling. Selling other people's published writing, that is, rather than trying to get my own published. <br /><br />As to being like Cheryl, what did you think of her, from everything her husband said, and how did you feel about her and about him? I'm very curious about how these characters strike anyone reading the story for the first time.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-33411347589222073632012-08-02T13:14:21.782-07:002012-08-02T13:14:21.782-07:00Have you sent in any of these stories to magazines...Have you sent in any of these stories to magazines, Pamela? I hope you do so. Like Cheryl, perhaps you can go ahead and make it happen. Best of luck!Kathyhttp://upwoods.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com