I remember reading this one not long after I first subscribed and I didn't think for a second that it was fiction. Specifically the imagery of the flowers and the feeling of riding the bike, paired with the memories that David had of his father.
How do you choose to include real-life products or places in your stories versus fictionalized alternatives? Like the choice of Andersen's as a fictional chain, but the Toblerone as a real product. That's something I've been struggling with in my own work, where I think I've relied too heavily on naming real products to add realism to the story. Just curious on your thought process.
Also Veddersburg has to be an Eddie Vedder nod right?
Good question about the products vs. places. You'll also notice I used a car brand (Subaru) and other products like Microsoft Zune.
I think with products, it's generally fine to use them. I can't see how to escape it if you want the story to be set in the "real" world and lend it a certain sense of verisimilitude. I know many writers do (for 'legal' reasons) but I don't really care because I am a humble Substack writer and I try not to say anything negative about them anyways.
Veddersburg has its own story for the name (unconnected to Eddie Vedder, although I like Pearl Jam), but I won't divulge it as that would 'technically' remove a layer of anonymity.
I must stress, anyone reading this from the areas described and the energy to do some Googling would IMMEDIATELY unveil the true names of the places in this story.
This is very brave! I’m hard pressed to take a deep dive into a piece I’ve already published. As my mother used to say about money, “Once it’s spent it’s gone. No point in thinking about it now.” Of course she said that because she never saved anything. I don’t think I’m brave enough to publish a retro, but I see the tremendous value in it! 🥰
Love these, Clancy. You do a great job breaking these down and the introspection (and grammar lessons) are so good.
Some people have a real aversion to the semicolon. Personally, I'm a big fan.
Also, I'm still fascinated that anyone defaults to thinking first person = the actual author. I mean, I get why, but I've read so many first person books and never once did my brain go in that direction. Even on Substack, where self-blogging and memoir-style posting is huge, I don't default to that view. It's not a bad thing in either direction (there's a lot of power if you can convey fiction as truth and play with that ambiguity), but I'm just interested in the varying default ways things are interpreted.
I remember reading this one not long after I first subscribed and I didn't think for a second that it was fiction. Specifically the imagery of the flowers and the feeling of riding the bike, paired with the memories that David had of his father.
How do you choose to include real-life products or places in your stories versus fictionalized alternatives? Like the choice of Andersen's as a fictional chain, but the Toblerone as a real product. That's something I've been struggling with in my own work, where I think I've relied too heavily on naming real products to add realism to the story. Just curious on your thought process.
Also Veddersburg has to be an Eddie Vedder nod right?
Thanks Bob!
Good question about the products vs. places. You'll also notice I used a car brand (Subaru) and other products like Microsoft Zune.
I think with products, it's generally fine to use them. I can't see how to escape it if you want the story to be set in the "real" world and lend it a certain sense of verisimilitude. I know many writers do (for 'legal' reasons) but I don't really care because I am a humble Substack writer and I try not to say anything negative about them anyways.
Veddersburg has its own story for the name (unconnected to Eddie Vedder, although I like Pearl Jam), but I won't divulge it as that would 'technically' remove a layer of anonymity.
I must stress, anyone reading this from the areas described and the energy to do some Googling would IMMEDIATELY unveil the true names of the places in this story.
More to chew on, always appreciate the insights from you!
This is very brave! I’m hard pressed to take a deep dive into a piece I’ve already published. As my mother used to say about money, “Once it’s spent it’s gone. No point in thinking about it now.” Of course she said that because she never saved anything. I don’t think I’m brave enough to publish a retro, but I see the tremendous value in it! 🥰
I think you should go for it Amy!
I am a sucker for a challenge 🤣
Hi! Really enjoyed the “editing in real-time” effect
Thanks Kevin! I like to think of it as 'director's commentary' for my short stories.
Love these, Clancy. You do a great job breaking these down and the introspection (and grammar lessons) are so good.
Some people have a real aversion to the semicolon. Personally, I'm a big fan.
Also, I'm still fascinated that anyone defaults to thinking first person = the actual author. I mean, I get why, but I've read so many first person books and never once did my brain go in that direction. Even on Substack, where self-blogging and memoir-style posting is huge, I don't default to that view. It's not a bad thing in either direction (there's a lot of power if you can convey fiction as truth and play with that ambiguity), but I'm just interested in the varying default ways things are interpreted.
Anyway, that's my ramble.