tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post1507079492348145001..comments2024-03-08T15:14:31.312-05:00Comments on Landless: #FridayFlash: Roll CallTony Nolandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-62903087136983576372010-10-06T20:37:35.797-04:002010-10-06T20:37:35.797-04:00That comment would have been me.
It was meant as ...That comment would have been me. <br />It was meant as a lighthearted joke about my own fledgling writing ability. <br />In all seriousness, though, it comes from a place of admiration for such a consistently good writer. <br />I will be my own voice, and aim to be as consistent as Tony in my own voice. <br />It's all a big mutual "We Love Tony" group hug. Love your work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-55533509670611672372010-10-06T20:20:58.222-04:002010-10-06T20:20:58.222-04:00I'm glad you liked it, guys!
I second (and th...I'm glad you liked it, guys!<br /><br /><i>I second (and third or fourth) whoever it was that said "I want to write like Tony"</i><br /><br />I heard a story once about a young author. He'd waited in line for hours to meet a successful, even famous author whose work he had admired for years. Finally, when he got to the autograph desk, he said, "I'm a writer, too, but I'm just starting out. Gee, I would love to learn to write like you!"<br /><br />The older man smiled and said, "No, I think it would be much better if you were to learn to write like <i>you</i>. People already know what <i>I</i> sound like." The younger man smiled a confused smile, and walked away. He spent the next forty years trying to figure out what that phrase meant. Then the aliens attacked and enslaved everybody, so in the end, it didn't really matter.Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-49958299499486513542010-10-06T17:44:44.225-04:002010-10-06T17:44:44.225-04:00Oh how yummy! -snort-
This was great, it was fun...Oh how yummy! -snort- <br /><br />This was great, it was funny, and twisted, and poor senator. Be careful what you wish for. <br /><br />I second (and third or fourth) whoever it was that said "I want to write like Tony", but actually, now that I've said that- I think I'd just like a conversation with Tony... to pick your brain apart, though not literally. (Just to clarify.)Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15106973483461489686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-50451964165739744862010-10-06T05:50:35.747-04:002010-10-06T05:50:35.747-04:00Wow, this was a fantastic read! I love the way you...Wow, this was a fantastic read! I love the way you set the atmosphere and then the great reveal knocks me off my feet.<br /><br />I'm really enjoying your work. Looking forward to the next one.Rebecca Eminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01931904595437049369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-45003252185194007062010-10-04T16:34:30.905-04:002010-10-04T16:34:30.905-04:00I think part of my interpretation came from readin...I think part of my interpretation came from reading another non-fiction article right before reading this story on how many politicians / public figures speak openly anti-gay rhetoric and then are revealed to be gay themselves later.Amber Hunterhttp://www.webliterate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-698412562550417922010-10-04T14:54:47.950-04:002010-10-04T14:54:47.950-04:00This was one of those stories that was just a surp...This was one of those stories that was just a surprise all the way through. Twisty! I loved it.Lauritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03688820247531607677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-47146572704242904052010-10-04T12:34:32.838-04:002010-10-04T12:34:32.838-04:00Thanks for all the additional comments, everyone. ...Thanks for all the additional comments, everyone. This piece is certainly a departure from the standard sci-fi "alternate reality" theme. I'm glad it worked for you!Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-88097140808683582472010-10-04T00:39:34.076-04:002010-10-04T00:39:34.076-04:00Could swear I commented on this one on Friday, but...Could swear I commented on this one on Friday, but I don't see one from me. I think the current ending works fine, Tony, and you're right that ending it on the reveal of him being gay would seem cheap, rather than the fleshed out place you went.John Wiswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07416044628686736927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-41891988474751713382010-10-03T13:56:51.737-04:002010-10-03T13:56:51.737-04:00Fun premise. It starts out rather amusing and tur...Fun premise. It starts out rather amusing and turns very serious at the end. Uncanny that one event in his past can so devestate his life and so true for some people.AidanFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09876041003278004627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-61784348814573042692010-10-02T12:07:09.018-04:002010-10-02T12:07:09.018-04:00Can I join the legions in saying I really enjoyed ...Can I join the legions in saying I really enjoyed this? Completely unexpected and a very intriguing idea. The last line was perfect!A. M. Hartehttp://amharte.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-85951297670340033232010-10-02T08:12:34.939-04:002010-10-02T08:12:34.939-04:00Very well written, it held my interest to the last...Very well written, it held my interest to the last word, I think we all sometimes wonder where our lives would have gone if we had taken the left fork instead of the right.<br /><br />I guess this guy found out, probably not always a good thing.Steve Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18414279461366098783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-84959486548395532352010-10-02T02:30:52.876-04:002010-10-02T02:30:52.876-04:00Excellent story Tony. I had no idea where this was...Excellent story Tony. I had no idea where this was going and didn't care because I was hooked and had to read on. I love idea of the timelines. That is just brilliant.Rachel Blackbirdsonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02246966713076881105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-25150621563264885812010-10-02T01:43:16.344-04:002010-10-02T01:43:16.344-04:00What a delicious dish, ahem.
What I get out of th...What a delicious dish, ahem.<br /><br />What I get out of this (being one of those queer sorts without any sort of power agenda), is a reflection of what we've been seeing an awful lot of in the news: the (usually) right-wing so-deep-in-his-little-closet-of-fear-he-can't-face-himself politician who, after decades of self-loathing mixed with toxic ambition, finally gets his comeuppance, usually after a visit to a gay bar.<br /><br />I love how twisted he is - the self-involved monster who can't even live his current life, he has to find the perfect permutation through technology - and in just about every one, he's the same - ambitious, willing to do anything for position (anabolic steroids! murder!) - he almost reminds me of the psychotic who murders psychics in an X-Files episode, the Final Repose of Clyde Bruckman. He just wants to know why he does what he does - the only answer? He's a psychopath. <br /><br />The senator will always be this ugly, misshapen thing, no matter what he does, and his resemblance to some actual monsters is uncanny. Uncanny indeed. <br /><br />Chillingly good stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-7060196565975986842010-10-01T21:58:29.901-04:002010-10-01T21:58:29.901-04:00Well, if only. Very nice, Tony. I love the system ...Well, if only. Very nice, Tony. I love the system you created and the idea that all he wanted to know was how he could have been happy. Great ending because I guessed he'd been some kind of a bastard.Pamila Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14398900249578356483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-14826873304624911282010-10-01T18:38:55.348-04:002010-10-01T18:38:55.348-04:00I like the fact that you gave him a deep, secret t...I like the fact that you gave him a deep, secret twisted side. Made him more human in my eyes. Well done!Joz Varlohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750541029227514781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-18204692082104044362010-10-01T17:47:30.190-04:002010-10-01T17:47:30.190-04:00Why didn't I just end it with the reveal of th...Why didn't I just end it with the reveal of the alternative timeline Senator's homosexuality? <b>@John, @Amber, @vandamir</b> said it would have been better without the murder and the cannibalism.<br /><br />I appreciate people raising this issue. However, I will say that, respectfully, I disagree.<br /><br />I specifically did <i><b>NOT</b></i> want the big final reveal, the huge hidden secret to be latent homosexuality. I just don't believe that learning of such an aspect to his personality would have been sufficiently shocking. I certainly didn't want to portray homosexuality as a the ultimate, dreaded, horrible possibility.<br /><br />No, I wanted the Senator to have to confront repulsive, wicked, truly bestial impulses within himself. If he were shown that he was contentedly gay in another timeline, I imagine he could go on about his business in the one true reality.<br /><br />I wanted the man <i>shattered</i> after having looked into his soul, and finding there nothing less than a monster. Go back and re-read his reactions when faced with the different choices and images on the screens. He can handle a lot, but not the deepest truth about himself.<br /><br />As @ganymeder alluded to in an RT tweet, "<i>Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men? Only the Shadow knows.</i>" Homosexuality might be surprising or unnerving, but not evil. Even if this guy is a hard-core homophobe who would consider it an evil, I wanted to go farther off the charts.<br /><br />Now then, having explained all of that...<br /><br />Just about every week, I resist the urge to explain my stories. I know what they are about, both the surface elements and all the sub-surface aspects I try to weave into the story. However, this week I thought it was important to respond in depth to this line of comment.<br /><br />Everyone has been terrific here: respectful, thoughtful and impassioned with their perspectives. I appreciate all of your comments, including the ones that challenge me and my writing.<br /><br />Thank you, all of you for these terrific comments, this week and every week.Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-28408357120663519502010-10-01T16:46:16.656-04:002010-10-01T16:46:16.656-04:00I loved the flashes of alternate futures and time ...I loved the flashes of alternate futures and time lines. I often wonder what would have happened to me if I hadn't made several crucial choices that shaped who I am today.<br /><br />I, too, think you should have ended it with revealing his homosexuality. The LGBT community (of which I'm a part) has enough problems without being portrayed as murderers and cannibals in fiction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-28497884789594524442010-10-01T14:57:20.960-04:002010-10-01T14:57:20.960-04:00Ah, how rich! Shades (or should I say shadows) of ...Ah, how rich! Shades (or should I say shadows) of C.G. Jung!<br /><br />My new favorite of yours, Tony. (again) Loved every word.<br /><br />Indeed, careful what you ask for.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04548995059233308982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-61939230170777632232010-10-01T14:53:56.532-04:002010-10-01T14:53:56.532-04:00Kind of Phillip Dick imeets Total Recall. Such a w...Kind of Phillip Dick imeets Total Recall. Such a wonderful and dangerous idea, figuring out all possible lifelines. Now it's got me thinking....pegjethttp://pegjet.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-55886755834676916232010-10-01T14:49:36.039-04:002010-10-01T14:49:36.039-04:00Excellent. Was not expecting that at all, or that ...Excellent. Was not expecting that at all, or that that was the happiest time in his life.<br /><br />Wonder if that idea came from the Japanese cannibal who now makes a living off of it?The Four Part Landhttp://www.thefourpartland.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-49393794243631555552010-10-01T14:44:40.630-04:002010-10-01T14:44:40.630-04:00Loved it Tony :o) Brilliant.Loved it Tony :o) Brilliant.Emma Newmanhttp://www.enewman.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-15365756082166650742010-10-01T14:36:48.609-04:002010-10-01T14:36:48.609-04:00Another excellent story, Tony! I have to agree wit...Another excellent story, Tony! I have to agree with John - the story ending was powerful enough with "You are openly homosexual." The rest just seems like overkill.<br /><br />Can't wait for your next!Amber Hunterhttp://www.webliterate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-53990595956227851252010-10-01T12:47:38.464-04:002010-10-01T12:47:38.464-04:00Excellent work Tony! Loved the timeline technology...Excellent work Tony! Loved the timeline technology and the twist at the end. Will be back for more :)Craig Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07176851401465801580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-51446388907863715492010-10-01T12:32:49.045-04:002010-10-01T12:32:49.045-04:00Oh, this is so ... delicious!
And so very well wr...Oh, this is so ... <i>delicious!</i><br /><br />And so very well written. Impressive.Mike Robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09067537471948526219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-72284451631421915462010-10-01T11:36:36.580-04:002010-10-01T11:36:36.580-04:00Tony, this is terrific, really good, but for me it...Tony, this is terrific, really good, but for me it would end much better after "you are openly homosexual". That ending really grabbed me, especially since each image of the Senator was so different, and I couldn't figure out what the common thread was. To me, that's the twist at the end. The next few sentences feel a little bit like you threw the kitchen sink in, just to make the ending more grabby. I don't think you need those sentences -- it's a great story without them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236529774839136879noreply@blogger.com