Thursday, July 19, 2007

Experienced Only Need Apply

My first published short story is up at The Rose & Thorn e-zine. Check it out here: Experienced Only Need Apply and let me know what you think.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was delightful! I felt like I was a fly on the wall of that dining room and couldn't wait to hear the rest. I loved it, and have to say your writing is as if we were sitting at the old Coffee Cup having one ourselves. Thanks for this precious story. Auntie Chris

Anonymous said...

I read your story yesterday and have been thinking about it since. Why did she choose mealtime to tell him? When she couldn't eat herself, it shows she's suffering with disease and guilt. Just know that I will keep this story in mind and consider how profound. Thanks. C. Thomas

Carolyn Burns Bass said...

Auntie Chris! How wonderful for you to stop in and leave me a note. I'm sure you recognized that Coffee Cup reference, didn't you? Looking forward to seeing you later this month.

Clarissa~ You gleaned the essence of the story in your comment. Mabel's guilt was more pernicious to her well-being than the cancer. She chose meal time to tell Fred because she knew he was most content when facing a plate of roast beef. Thanks for commenting. I hope you'll be back.

Anonymous said...

I read the story this morning. It went a different direction than I expected and left me pleasantly surprised. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

I really, REALLY enjoyed your story, Carolyn.
Such a tender, defining moment. :)

Anonymous said...

That was as perfect a little short story I've ever read! I felt like I was in the room with Mabel and Fred! I could just smell that roast and taste the gravy and then felt the the tension in Mabel's voice as she came clean! I don't know how you do it. Your writing seems so effortless and natural. Thanks for sending the bulletin and alerting me to it! Well done and congratulations...Anxiouly awaiting The SSD...

Anonymous said...

Really enjoyed reading your story this morning. It was a wonderful tale... with a bit of a moral about holding onto guilt. Nicely done.

Deleted Blog said...

Carolyn, I surely enjoyed your short story.
I am not sure how to explain this, but I read alot of stories, books and blogs. Sometimes, I am reading them because I feel a sense of duty... often I must push myself to finish them; not because they are bad, but because they are so run of the mill... so ordinary. (nothing wrong with that)
I was completely engrossed in your story! Reading it as though a good night's sleep depended on the ending! You are truly gifted.
Thank you for inviting me!

Anonymous said...

Carolyn....
Excellent! I'm sure I've known both of those people sometime in my life. A truly believable story.
Tom West

Chris Kern said...

Hi Carolyn,
Teresa and I both read through your story and we found it most interesting. Congratulations on getting it published. That is a HUGE accomplishment. we both felt that the story has a very old-fashioned feel to it, with traces of O. Henry (without the ironic trist) and Horatio Alger (thought no one pulls themselves out of the muck). But it is a fascintating tale of deceit, contrition, and life-long romance and you should be proud.

Congratulations again, and we'll see you in a few weeks...

TR said...

Just read your story. I've been away from work, computers, and TV for the past 2 weeks. I liked the story. One thought: Would Mabel, the wife and mother who selflessly provided Fred's rituals and routines for many years, risk tainting his favorite meal with a sexual confession? I think she would have told her story over a less significant meal, and preserved the pure delight of the roast beef dinner for Fred. She seems like the kind of woman who would pay attention to the details that please her man.