Anne N. Mouse: Blog

Marty Stu and other problems. Or, just what is the problem with Its a Helluva Job?
The first and most obvious one is that it is 'wish' fulfillment, not really a story at all.
Maybe I did somewhat better (though I'm certain opinions will vary) on putting a story around the wish fulfillment that forms the basis of the mishmash that I threw up here and cannot even bring to a close....
Then again, because there is no real story there that may be the whole problem. There is nothing satisfying in a story of a man who gets handed a wish fulfillment devise then goes out and fulfills the basic wishes of every 13 year old boy... That is lots of money (or the equivalent) lots of sex (whether his partners are willing or no) and play that isn't sex, because even 13YO males have moments when they take a break from thinking about what they wonder if they will ever get.

Yesterday I was feeling the need for a caffeine jolt... so picked up a caffeinated soda on my way to work... then proceeded to work in the sun most of the day. Sure I drank plenty of water, and the work was heavy... landscaping (installing 1 1/2" natural stone for a desert appearance) anyway, the caffeine did its usual job of sucking the moisture out of my body... last night and today I'm dealing with the aftermath... It feels like I'm trying to move a rock through my butt! OUCH!!!

I know of several strategies to overcome writer's block. Indeed some of the poetry I've posted here has been a result of me trying to crack that particular barrier. I keep hoping that Joe will come back and narrate the rest of his story so that you all can know what happens in Helluva Job. But with the way things are going, you all will know about as soon as possible after I know... The Swarm Cycle author's cabal will know before you do... But that is it.

I'd like it if some of my fans would look at my favorites list then recommend what they think the best story they have read that is <u>not</u> on my favorites list. I'm quite sure that I haven't managed to find all the good stories among the 40+ thousand that are published here... So I'd appreciate some input... I may not act on it, but I will consider it.

PG&E estimates that they lost 2000 power poles during the late unpleasantness near my home. But they are starting to dissolve their emergency base camp (set up so that the outside power companies and contractors could come in and help)which means that while the fire will probably continue to burn in rough terrain, it is no longer considered such an emergency that they need outside help with recovery efforts.
Cal-fire I believe doesn't really expect to have the fire entirely out until the winter rains if they come....