So I’ve been thinking: your Substack is like the world’s best “little library,” always an excellent stop on any journey, For all you book-takers, don’t forget to give back! In other words, consider “upping” your game to show your love for Sherman! Sherman, here’s a thing: I pass at least 22 little libraries on my walk commute from Udistrict to Ballard, virtually NEVER walk by without checking or depositing a book. In the THOUSANDS of stops, I have NEVER seen one of your titles there. In other words, people wanna KEEP your stuff!
Loved this piece. Love how much is wrapped in here—all the strings that tug at the narrator. Love that it came from a self-assigned writing exercise. Assigning myself exercises is a big part of my practice. Maybe I’ll add to the list a six-hour 3000-word story. Gulp. 🤪
Just finished listening to your commentary with Evan Adams on "The Business of Fancydancing" DVD and am picturing an older Seymour Polatkin / See more Plot-kin who returns to live on the Spokane Indian Reservation. I hear something of his voice in this story. It's heartening to hear what sounds to me like his voice many years later. A human being being human.
It has been some time since commenting on your fine work. It’s like, o god, here he goes again - the poems, the short fictions, the vulnerability, the humor, the wisdom, the energy, the creativity - the guy is a work horse - so good. So tonight Cinny, my wife, and I listened to Bullet at supper time. Laughter and tears. And you just churned this great piece out a couple days ago! It is so good yhat you can be in such close contact to your readers/ listeners. We love all that you throw our way. Keep on!
Crazy good story. I was so convinced it was real, half-way through I checked Amazon for Let the Bullet Speak, Let the Bullet Sing. More layers than an onion.
Even with my appearance I have experienced many times the visions, dreams, or animal observations of non-Indians searching for meaning they think, for some reason, I can interpret. It used to make me mad, or rude. Now I just see them as victims. I'm just a tag-along, trying to make it to my end without discouraging everybody with my real feelings and discouragement. Poor them. Poor me.
Sherman, Bullet hits differently this second reading. The first time , it made me like people MORE , this time far LESS. Both times felt painfully accurate and just helped me UNDERSTAND. Some lines that landed with particular effect:
"He wrote ten more novels and two memoirs over the next four decades, each published to decreasing levels of praise and sales. That was okay. He was good with money and had invested well. "
"...to give readings, sit on panels, and accept the beneficence, condescension, and cash of white readers. "
"There were always five or six pretend Indians—pretendians—who based their tribal identity on varying levels of amorphous family mythology and organized grift."
"He was a handsome man, maybe even beautiful, and his masculine courtliness was immensely attractive to the women surrounded by socialist boys who were afraid of their own lustful shadows."
I loved the story. As always, thank you for sharing your talent with "us" generously and with humility, and thank you for treating everyone who comments here with k8bdness and respect.
Nice. Authentic. Even if you did make it up.
So good. Thank you.
First draft! Guh. So much in this. Thank you!
This was such a good read and the listening made it even better.
So I’ve been thinking: your Substack is like the world’s best “little library,” always an excellent stop on any journey, For all you book-takers, don’t forget to give back! In other words, consider “upping” your game to show your love for Sherman! Sherman, here’s a thing: I pass at least 22 little libraries on my walk commute from Udistrict to Ballard, virtually NEVER walk by without checking or depositing a book. In the THOUSANDS of stops, I have NEVER seen one of your titles there. In other words, people wanna KEEP your stuff!
Very good.
Thank you, Weston.
Loved this piece. Love how much is wrapped in here—all the strings that tug at the narrator. Love that it came from a self-assigned writing exercise. Assigning myself exercises is a big part of my practice. Maybe I’ll add to the list a six-hour 3000-word story. Gulp. 🤪
It put me into a haze that took a couple days to leave!
Oh, I can imagine.
When I saw how long this was, I wasn't going to read it tonight.
I was sucked in immediately. It is a beautiful piece. Such a joyful way to spend my evening minutes. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Just finished listening to your commentary with Evan Adams on "The Business of Fancydancing" DVD and am picturing an older Seymour Polatkin / See more Plot-kin who returns to live on the Spokane Indian Reservation. I hear something of his voice in this story. It's heartening to hear what sounds to me like his voice many years later. A human being being human.
Wow! Seymour! I haven't thought about that character for a while! Thank you.
It has been some time since commenting on your fine work. It’s like, o god, here he goes again - the poems, the short fictions, the vulnerability, the humor, the wisdom, the energy, the creativity - the guy is a work horse - so good. So tonight Cinny, my wife, and I listened to Bullet at supper time. Laughter and tears. And you just churned this great piece out a couple days ago! It is so good yhat you can be in such close contact to your readers/ listeners. We love all that you throw our way. Keep on!
Thank you for those kind words. I love the thought of you two listening together.
Crazy good story. I was so convinced it was real, half-way through I checked Amazon for Let the Bullet Speak, Let the Bullet Sing. More layers than an onion.
Thanks!
Even with my appearance I have experienced many times the visions, dreams, or animal observations of non-Indians searching for meaning they think, for some reason, I can interpret. It used to make me mad, or rude. Now I just see them as victims. I'm just a tag-along, trying to make it to my end without discouraging everybody with my real feelings and discouragement. Poor them. Poor me.
simply splendid!!! 💙
Thanks, Patricia.
Sherman, Bullet hits differently this second reading. The first time , it made me like people MORE , this time far LESS. Both times felt painfully accurate and just helped me UNDERSTAND. Some lines that landed with particular effect:
"He wrote ten more novels and two memoirs over the next four decades, each published to decreasing levels of praise and sales. That was okay. He was good with money and had invested well. "
"...to give readings, sit on panels, and accept the beneficence, condescension, and cash of white readers. "
"There were always five or six pretend Indians—pretendians—who based their tribal identity on varying levels of amorphous family mythology and organized grift."
"He was a handsome man, maybe even beautiful, and his masculine courtliness was immensely attractive to the women surrounded by socialist boys who were afraid of their own lustful shadows."
I'm pleased that it has offered multiple readings for you.
I loved the story. As always, thank you for sharing your talent with "us" generously and with humility, and thank you for treating everyone who comments here with k8bdness and respect.
Thank you, Susan.
Magic produced in 7 hours! Wow, something to inspire to! What a great “failed exercise”. So many lovely, rich details to appreciate here. Thank you!
Thank you, Imola.