Comments on Blogs Are Stupid: Bd...Bd...Bd...That's All Folks

Truth......it's what is right.

2007-09-08T07:51:00.000-05:00

Truth......it's what is right.

B.A., the truth shrooth. You're telling a story. S...

2007-08-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

B.A., the truth shrooth. You're telling a story. Sure you may have been inspired bu real people, events, and a real place...but they exist for the rest of us through YOUR storytelling and YOUR imagination. You can take and make whatever you want out of the story. Ask yourself, are you writing fiction or a memoir? I'm not saying you have to go all Hallmark on it to create a satisfying ending; just

I think it depends on the purpose of your writing....

2007-08-27T10:11:00.000-05:00

I think it depends on the purpose of your writing. If you want to tell a factual story from your perspective, then it has to stay on the historical path. But, I like the idea of taking parts of facts and using them as a basis for characters, creating new paths for them to take. I wonder if it would be difficult to take the factual start and fictionalize the rest - if you would have conflicting

I would write the ending of truth over happy Holly...

2007-08-27T09:23:00.000-05:00

I would write the ending of truth over happy Hollywood ending. Real life isn't always wrapped up in a neat package with a perfect bow on top. That Jerry may be lost but still has people to lean on may just be a happy enough ending. I think to do the story (and the people) justice, it would be better not to trump up the reality of it and leave the ending enigmatic enough for people to draw

Life is not always pretty, and end in a story book...

2007-08-26T21:41:00.000-05:00

Life is not always pretty, and end in a story book fashion,sad to say. If only....The people and place you write about do not need fancy endings. I know them, anyone of them can be my family, and may even be! Let it stand on it's own. It's more real to the people & culture where you have been privi to trod. We are not an open people to outsiders, but you got a true glimpse. Keep it true.

I can't help but think that the connection/similar...

2007-08-26T12:18:00.000-05:00

I can't help but think that the connection/similarities between you and Jerry need to be explored. The moments the two of you have shared hint at something greater.

Jerry, like you and your family, has chosen a path different than the majority in SmallSouthernTown. You have moved away and chosen a path, he has stayed there and floundered...but in a way you two are both outsiders

I agree with most of your commenters, that truth i...

2007-08-26T09:22:00.000-05:00

I agree with most of your commenters, that truth is always preferable to something manufactured to elicit a positive emotion. In fact, I think when an author contrives an ending she thinks the reader wants, it doesn't really turn out to be satisfying if it doesn't ring of truth.

However, I see this slightly differently than some of your other readers. As a writer it would be

I think the truth is more realistic and honest. I...

2007-08-26T01:09:00.000-05:00

I think the truth is more realistic and honest. I hate happy endings that aren't quite right. JMO.

I think I'm with the majority. Go with the truth. ...

2007-08-25T22:24:00.000-05:00

I think I'm with the majority. Go with the truth. This is not the kind of story that you can tie up with a nice neat ending and say that everybody lived "happily ever after". You know from reading my stuff that I write the truth, but with fiction interwoven into the story. How else could I write a true story that happened when I wasn't there? I take the kernel of truth and tell the story. I

I read the story today. It was a nice way to rela...

2007-08-25T20:24:00.000-05:00

I read the story today. It was a nice way to relax on a Sat.

Some of the best short story writers (Cheever, Jewett, Wharton)don't always have a "clean" ending.

Thank you for, once again, showing us your gift for writing.

I think I'd gag if Jerry had been 'saved' and sudd...

2007-08-25T19:47:00.000-05:00

I think I'd gag if Jerry had been 'saved' and suddenly straightened out his entire life. Go with the truth. It will resonate more with people.

Truth is truth. I would venture to say, though, th...

2007-08-25T17:29:00.000-05:00

Truth is truth.

I would venture to say, though, that neither of you is lost...you are searching.

I'm sad to see this end for now. I think I would g...

2007-08-25T16:33:00.000-05:00

I'm sad to see this end for now.

I think I would go with the truth, too. Fictionalizing it might make it seem too contrived. I would much rather hear what really happens to people than what someone thinks should have happened to them.

This is a great beginning. I felt as though I was ...

2007-08-25T16:18:00.000-05:00

This is a great beginning. I felt as though I was at a concert, waiting for all the movements to be over so I could clap.

But since you've given the ok...

*clap clap clap clap clap*

I'm a STRONG believer in letting the story tell itself. It will feel more honest in the end. You already have created something universal from something intimate. No small feat. Speak the

A heartwarming ending isn't what I see for Jerry. ...

2007-08-25T16:04:00.000-05:00

A heartwarming ending isn't what I see for Jerry. It just isn't. It wouldn't seem right.

I want the true story. It's been so heart wrenchi...

2007-08-25T14:36:00.000-05:00

I want the true story. It's been so heart wrenching that I want to know how it ends. Not all stories have happy endings. How about two endings? One that ends with the truth, raw edges and all. And a second one that wraps it up perfectly and puts a bow on it.
jean

I go with the truth. I'd be surprised to see Jerr...

2007-08-25T14:33:00.000-05:00

I go with the truth. I'd be surprised to see Jerry turn over a new leaf. It wouldn't really fit.

There is a line that I use a lot, "never let the t...

2007-08-25T14:27:00.000-05:00

There is a line that I use a lot, "never let the truth stand in the way of a good story." However, it's said more in fun or when I share a memory and someone reminds me of a part my faulty memory missed or changed. In your story, I vote for truth. Only fairy tales always have a happy ending, sometimes it's nice to leave a little unknown for the reader to decide.

BA, the ending is all through the story. We are e...

2007-08-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

BA, the ending is all through the story. We are each pulled into our own experiences with grief through this truly beautiful story. Perhaps the ending has to perculate a little longer in your soul and then we can all breath "finished".

I think even though its often tainted with ambival...

2007-08-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

I think even though its often tainted with ambivalence, truth is richer and more satieting than fiction - because it really was and is. I come across the same problems when I"m writing and someone says "oooh, tell me more about so and so or this 'n that" and I have to say, "sorry, that's all there is to tell." The way you tell the story is as much a part of it's brillance as the story itself.

The truth is important. Too few people tell it, an...

2007-08-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

The truth is important. Too few people tell it, and it is too valuable to be lost. Sometimes the best conclusions are ones that the reader can draw for her/himself.

i go with truth, too. Many of my favorite books h...

2007-08-25T13:36:00.000-05:00

i go with truth, too. Many of my favorite books have ambigious endings. They may end with a ray of hope, or a sinking feeling that things may never change, but rarely do the really interesting stories tie it all up and hand it to you with a bow.

I'm going to have to go with truth. It's always mo...

2007-08-25T13:33:00.000-05:00

I'm going to have to go with truth. It's always more satisfying.

Sometimes reality is fascinating enough. The story...

2007-08-25T13:12:00.000-05:00

Sometimes reality is fascinating enough. The story has been amazing so far. No need to come up with a fancy ending. In my opinion anyway, but what do I know.
I know I was bummed to come and see not more Funeral. :(
It's ok, I can wait.