© by Gerald So | 3:00 AM
On August 8, I received another rejection on the novel-now-story I started in 1995, two years into reading mysteries for pleasure. About 1997, I put the novel aside as too wishful compared to the hardboiled and noir I enjoyed. The protagonist at the time, a Spenser-like ex-boxer, wouldn't fit a cozy, either. I happily finished other work until a 2016 themed anthology got me thinking I could revamp the novel idea as a short story.
In the four years since, I've changed the protagonist and other characters significantly, but held onto the convention of a less-than-blissful ending. Up to earlier this week, I tried endings of sudden violence, culprits turning themselves in, morally ambiguous open endings–only today writing a straightforward, non-violent, non-law enforcement, happy ending. If it helps the story finally sell, it's the right ending.
Saturday, September 05, 2020
Saturday, August 08, 2020
New Swear: "Isaias!"
© by Gerald So | 5:00 AM
Tropical storms hit Long Island often enough, I was prepared to lose power as Isaias rolled in Tuesday, I thought power would be out a few hours, maybe a day. That turned out to three days, three hours.
Luckily we still had running water, our gas cooktop (if we lit it), and a backup battery for my brother's smartphone, with which he reported our outage and checked PSEG Long Island's progress. Though the downtime for us was longer than Super Storm Sandy, fortunately only a branch or two came down in our yard. The first house on our block, originally the model home, has three trees down that I saw.
My brother and I were supposed to have a dental checkup Thursday, but the dentist's power was also out. Hopefully, we'll get it in next week.
Good luck to all still without power.
Tropical storms hit Long Island often enough, I was prepared to lose power as Isaias rolled in Tuesday, I thought power would be out a few hours, maybe a day. That turned out to three days, three hours.
Luckily we still had running water, our gas cooktop (if we lit it), and a backup battery for my brother's smartphone, with which he reported our outage and checked PSEG Long Island's progress. Though the downtime for us was longer than Super Storm Sandy, fortunately only a branch or two came down in our yard. The first house on our block, originally the model home, has three trees down that I saw.
My brother and I were supposed to have a dental checkup Thursday, but the dentist's power was also out. Hopefully, we'll get it in next week.
Good luck to all still without power.
Saturday, July 04, 2020
Independence Day
© by Gerald So | 8:00 AM
Today certainly will be a unique one, given how COVID-19 has canceled gatherings and limited grocery shopping. "Have a safe one" has new meaning.
On the bright side, New York City will enter Phase 3 of reopening Monday, and Long Island will enter Phase 4 Wednesday. We'll surely appreciate that freedom.
Today certainly will be a unique one, given how COVID-19 has canceled gatherings and limited grocery shopping. "Have a safe one" has new meaning.
On the bright side, New York City will enter Phase 3 of reopening Monday, and Long Island will enter Phase 4 Wednesday. We'll surely appreciate that freedom.
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