Jon Eugene: Blog

I made a grave error in the story posted this morning and in the one to be posted tomorrow!

I wrote the stories, but Mat Twassel edited and illustrated them and somehow I forgot to credit him with both actions. Believe me, it is not easy editing someone like me, but he and I are both perfectionists, so it works out well.

So, here are the proper credits:

Story by Jon Eugene
Editing and Illustrations by Mat Twassel
Errors by Jon.

Jon Eugene

I know I concluded the story cycle, A Photographer's Fantasy: Sweet Calendar Girls, last week, but a couple of the characters demanded a little bit more attention. Jamie and Jordan were especially adamant. So, tomorrow (5/31) and Thursday (6/1) will include a couple of side stories. I hope you like them.

Oh, and Gina has demanded that I include her story, too, but I haven't quite finished that one yet, so it may be a couple of days before it can get posted. She's standing here, whispering in one ear while Lou is whispering in the other! So, I hope you have enjoyed the story cycle and all of the illustrations Mat has made for it. He's also editing and adding his illustrations for the side stories, so give him some love, too!

Jon

One of the things I really hate about some authors is that they will start a story, get the reader all involved and invested in the characters, then not finish the story.

I hate that, so when I write a multiple chapter story, I wait until I have it finished. That's what's happened with my newest offering: I was busy with lots of stuff (including a series of stories with illustrator, Mat Twassel,) that this newest story, Sweet Calendar Girls, took a long time. Of course, adding to the journey was editing, also by Mat, and the inclusion of illustrations for each chapter.

I've decided to publish the first chapter, along with a foreword, today, then a chapter or two each day until we get all 11 chapters published. There will also be a Chapter 12, which will be the illustrations of the calendar, along with some words from each of the women about what they were either thinking or feeling or what their reactions were when they saw the pictures.

I hope you like it, but for those who've asked me when the next Jon and Lou story would be available, I hope the wait was worth it. It being an illustrated story is a departure for me, but I, personally, love the work Mat has done. I hope you do, too!

Jon Eugen

Well, for those of you who are waiting for a new "Lou & Jon" story, I'm working on it, although it will probably not have a whole lot of Lou in it. She needs some space, she tells me. In the meantime, I've been collaborating with another author, Mat Twassel. I hope you will check out his stories as they are great, especially with the illustrations he puts into his work. We are working together on "Naomi's Journal", so I hope you will check that out. Comments would also be very, very welcome. Let me know what you think and I hope to have "Sweet Calendar Girls" up before Thanksgiving. Working and family life sometimes get in the way. Of course, the muse has to "light my fire", so to speak, also!

After seeing so much about the Chris Rock/Will Smith debate, I thought I would put my two cents worth in. Of course, I know it's only worth that, and probably less, but here goes:

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock At Oscar Ceremonies!

Well, that’s what happened, but was Smith really provoked to the point of violence? No one in their right mind can really condone what Smith did. I’m just surprised that he used an open hand rather than a closed fist. Smith apologized for his actions, both at the Oscars to the Academy and in a later tweet to Mr. Rock himself. Mr. Rock has not commented as of this writing.

My question is this: should Mr. Rock’s comments not be censured as much as Mr. Smith’s actions? After all, Mr. Rock joked about Mrs. Smith’s medical condition. What kind of flack would he have received if he had made fun of a person with Down ’s syndrome? Or, how about poking fun at the actors in the movie “Children of Deaf Adults”? Boy, I couldn’t imagine the howling at that one. Or, maybe he should make jokes of the actors and thousands of people who suffer from AIDS.

But, the only person who has taken any heat has been Mr. Smith as he defended his wife’s honor. Mr. Rock has, to my knowledge, received any criticism for his lack of a filter on his mouth. And, while I know that women can (and should) speak up for themselves, but sometimes a man’s reptile brain just takes over and controls his actions. It’s kind of like the “fight or flight” syndrome, pretty much uncontrollable. This should have been handled in private, but the reptile brain wants what it wants.

If Mr. Smith has to take such heat, then so should Mr. Rock take his share of the blame with his more than insensitive comments.

As for Amy Shumer being traumatized: Grow up, girl! And, maybe take a lesson from this: don't make fun of people less fortunate than yourself. Sheesh!