Wonderful start, Clancy. Rich and vivid and it just flows effortlessly. Great voice. I'd say "keep it up", but you already did, as it's all already here to read! So impressive. Bravo for leading the way of doing the full serial novel deposit. (Well, the first I know, anyway.)
I shall be enjoying my own slow drip feed of this into my brain.
That's the idea! Thanks for the comment on the voice. Writing it all the way through the end I think kind of helped me stick to the same voice throughout.
Time will tell if this whole thing was a good idea! I'll be posting weekly on Notes with my thoughts on each chapter throughout the rest of the year, so look out for those.
"I was reading my thick paperback copy of Redwall by Brian Jacques."
STOP RIGHT THERE!! This was such a seminal book for me in my youth. I LOVED this book. It's one of my early memories of really just sinking into a book as a kid. Ahh, lovely.
Hahaha I knew many Substackers would find that relatable. I think Jude would definitely be a Substacker today. He's one of the nerdish/reading kids for whom Redwall was in the canon, as was I. I think Jude would be more prone to non-fiction writing than I am, though.
I've finally started this, and I'm loving it! This description is just superb: "The issue was that Veddersburgh was a husk of a “city” that perhaps in days past lived up to that title, but was now nothing more than perhaps a big “town,” scarred with garish mills and empty factories, old tenement housing converted to multi-family apartments with absentee landlords, and an elderly populace that voted down every school budget and was being rapidly replaced by a high teenage pregnancy rate. It had the highest rate of state-paid school lunch qualifiers in the state." It’s a busy time for me, so I unfortunately won’t be able to read regularly, but I’ll try to keep an acceptable pace, as the beginning of this story is just so captivating. Bravo, Clancy!
Thank you Silvio, I like that part too. classic "the city is a character" trope that I hope works. I am going to start sending these out maybe biweekly, so you can read that way if you wish, I think it will be a lot easier. I appreciate your reading!!
The awkward, shy new kid is so relatable to me as I’ve been there; as nervous and defensive as Jude seems to be. I’m glad for him that Tommy came and befriended him. This was so engrossing and how cool that you released it all at once. Congrats, that’s an awesome achievement and I look forward to reading the whole novel.
“world building” — I never thought of this chapter that way, but you’re totally right, that’s what it is. i thought more “boring exposition” but “world building” sounds way better! thanks for reading Adam.
An excellent start, Clancy. I look forward to witnessing these two boys growing up. It might take me a while, as there aren't enough hours in the day, but I will savor each chapter.
Starting at the end is brilliant. Now I want to know how they got there. Lots of interesting detail in the rest of the opening chapter. Jude's narrative voice is full of affection for his friend. A satisfying start to your story.
You hooked me, Clancy! What an excellent opening. I’m invested in the story of these two boys, and I’m loving the rich and accurate history regarding upstate NY. I haven’t yet read any serial fiction on the platform, but yours will be the first without question! I’m going to savor the story and wait for your next send-out. Looking forward to it!
Wonderful start, Clancy. Rich and vivid and it just flows effortlessly. Great voice. I'd say "keep it up", but you already did, as it's all already here to read! So impressive. Bravo for leading the way of doing the full serial novel deposit. (Well, the first I know, anyway.)
I shall be enjoying my own slow drip feed of this into my brain.
That's the idea! Thanks for the comment on the voice. Writing it all the way through the end I think kind of helped me stick to the same voice throughout.
Time will tell if this whole thing was a good idea! I'll be posting weekly on Notes with my thoughts on each chapter throughout the rest of the year, so look out for those.
"I was reading my thick paperback copy of Redwall by Brian Jacques."
STOP RIGHT THERE!! This was such a seminal book for me in my youth. I LOVED this book. It's one of my early memories of really just sinking into a book as a kid. Ahh, lovely.
(Ok, now I continue...)
Hahaha I knew many Substackers would find that relatable. I think Jude would definitely be a Substacker today. He's one of the nerdish/reading kids for whom Redwall was in the canon, as was I. I think Jude would be more prone to non-fiction writing than I am, though.
I've finally started this, and I'm loving it! This description is just superb: "The issue was that Veddersburgh was a husk of a “city” that perhaps in days past lived up to that title, but was now nothing more than perhaps a big “town,” scarred with garish mills and empty factories, old tenement housing converted to multi-family apartments with absentee landlords, and an elderly populace that voted down every school budget and was being rapidly replaced by a high teenage pregnancy rate. It had the highest rate of state-paid school lunch qualifiers in the state." It’s a busy time for me, so I unfortunately won’t be able to read regularly, but I’ll try to keep an acceptable pace, as the beginning of this story is just so captivating. Bravo, Clancy!
Thank you Silvio, I like that part too. classic "the city is a character" trope that I hope works. I am going to start sending these out maybe biweekly, so you can read that way if you wish, I think it will be a lot easier. I appreciate your reading!!
I will read it all, slowly but surely.
The awkward, shy new kid is so relatable to me as I’ve been there; as nervous and defensive as Jude seems to be. I’m glad for him that Tommy came and befriended him. This was so engrossing and how cool that you released it all at once. Congrats, that’s an awesome achievement and I look forward to reading the whole novel.
Such rich world building. Extremely vivid and easy, flowing prose.
“world building” — I never thought of this chapter that way, but you’re totally right, that’s what it is. i thought more “boring exposition” but “world building” sounds way better! thanks for reading Adam.
An excellent start, Clancy. I look forward to witnessing these two boys growing up. It might take me a while, as there aren't enough hours in the day, but I will savor each chapter.
Thank you Sharron. They grow up, backwards, side ways, and apart, all at the same time. Take your time with it -- please!
I love this project. Just starting to dip in and may take me some time, but the quality and voice backup the chutzpah to publish this way. Inspired!
Thanks Kate :D
Starting at the end is brilliant. Now I want to know how they got there. Lots of interesting detail in the rest of the opening chapter. Jude's narrative voice is full of affection for his friend. A satisfying start to your story.
Thank you Mr. Knouse! I noticed you had a new story out, been meaning to get to it.
No need to be so formal. KC is fine. We all have too much that we would like to read. I'll be getting to your chapter 2 soon.
You hooked me, Clancy! What an excellent opening. I’m invested in the story of these two boys, and I’m loving the rich and accurate history regarding upstate NY. I haven’t yet read any serial fiction on the platform, but yours will be the first without question! I’m going to savor the story and wait for your next send-out. Looking forward to it!
Thank you Justin! New chapters coming soon.
I believe I have the second chapter in my inbox. Very excited to read it, man!