13 Comments

his drawl, his Brady-esque chin dimple you could bake an apple pie in, being a white one and a blonde one

yeah he sounds hot

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I love the apple pie dimple too.

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Yeah Mike DeWitt definitely could get it.

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"[An] American [who] reconciles masculinity with the regality of the chessboard’s queen, one which is based not on name and look, but on character and humility." Yes. Perfect. I know absolutely nothing about football ( other than men run around knocking each other down for the sake of gaining real estate - sort of a metaphor for humanity in general?) but I recognize fine writing, Clancy, when I see it. Excellent.

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That sentence is key to the whole thing, so thanks for recognizing it, Sharron. And thanks for reading. :)

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Oh, no! Your sentence is perfect - exactly as it should be. I just cut a few words for brevity in the comment. I hope you didn't think I was trying to re-write Clancy Steadwell! Yeeps! Never.

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Haha no not at all!!! i was just saying I am glad that was your fave part

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Love waking up to a new Clancy piece. This seems like a fun departure from your usual stories, a little experimental, leaving me with more questions than answers about Mike. But I don't mind it. Seems like a great opening scene for some larger, subversive, unexpected high school story...

I liked this: "He must find the archetype of cowboy hat-wearer America has yet to see, one which is American without the Americanisms, one which reconciles masculinity with the regality of the chessboard’s queen, one which is based not on name and look, but on character and humility."

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Thanks Bryan. It’s definitely a little open-ended; that’s what happens with flash fiction I guess! You don’t get a chance to wrap things up. I think what I was trying to do was paint a picture of a kid who knows he’s been granted privilege but wants to make the most of that privilege in the best way.

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Picture painted! Maybe it should be required reading for quarterbacks nationwide :)

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I like the shift in style here, Clancy. I must admit, I know f**k all about American football (if that's what gridiron is (*checks* -- ok, yes)). I once tried to watch a game at a bar whilst I was transiting through Atlanta and I just had no idea what was going on. Got some locals there to try to explain it to me. Still had no idea what was going on.

Anyway, great characterisation here, if that's the term. I dig it.

V good last sentence, too: "Only he holds the key to what happens next, ready to twist it like he would into an F-150, to ignite the world into motion, as he does when he shouts the magic word, which is not, but might as well be:"

To ignite the world into motion. Great.

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Thanks Nathan. I had this bouncing around in my head and I was like how to make it a story? then I was like oh maybe it’s one of those flash fiction things people do haha. Gotta get out of the comfort zone sometimes ya know? (like you watching football!)

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😆 haha. Exactly that! 👌👏

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