h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was in a good mood when I wrote this. Can you tell? It's a flash.

A3175490

Did answer this, probably clicked in the wrong place - or something. Sent you 2 postings, one re. this piece, the other about your soul-searching. Am going through a bit of a sticky patch myself at the moment...
Clarissa

You clicked the right places. Sorry for the 'sticky patch' you're going through. But you impress me as a strong woman...endurance is the key to everything.

This too will pass...
I guess I'm a "toughie", as someone once called me to my face. May I add it was the dentist so it really was a compliment! My saving grace, a self deprecating sense of humour. Don't take myself too seriously. Think you should try it some time! No offense meant!
Clarissa

No offense taken. I'm the most self-deprecating person I know...in fact, self-deprecation is my hobby. "You know, Jack, if it weren't for your personality people would find you irresistible." See, I just deprecated myself.

At least you brought a big to my face with that answer. Thanks for that. If you read my new Intro to My Space, you'll see why I'm not too cheerful! Not that important...
Clarissa

You're welcome....see I am in a good mood. Read your intro...maybe you should do what I do;there are a few writers whom I always read(3 or 4 of them)and then the rest of my time on GW is for me. And if you're looking for a reason to keep reading and critiquing use me; someone's got to keep me on my toes

And maybe this will make you smile:

A3178217

It's a quick read

As I seem to differ from everyone else in my reaction, I am beginning to have doubts as to my own judgment. But I shall certainly keep reading what you post. I've already told you I think you have the wherewithal to "make it". Besides which, I enjoy our conversations - from John Fante to chocolate cake!
That slum of a town in which you say you live - THAT in Georgia. far removed from the idea we have on this side of the pond of what the South is like! Guess we're - I'm - still under the influence of Gone with the Wind!
Clarissa

There are still remnants of the south of Gone with the Wind(which I've never read); sipping mint julips on the front porch and all that. There is a military base here that brings in a variety of characters which the city must cater to as far as businesses and entertainment goes. Result: buildings, construction, wider sidewalks, extended streets, more traffic, more traffic light....build, build, build. Strange, I haven't got used to a southern accent yet...it boggles me sometimes. The best thing about the south is that we do everything slow, we have that slow southern style...b/c we're too damn hot to move fast.

And in that short description you have the background for a novel! A military base, a variety of characters, the businesses and the people who run them (corrupt and otherwise), the entertainment from the sleazy strip joint (I'm sure there must be a few to cater for the military base!) to the fleapit of a moviehouse with an obese owner etc...
Christmas, with that kind of material on your doorstep, go for it!
Clarissa who is really getting onto her high horse now!

The sleazy strip joint is here to cater to meThis is excellent background material...there's a hint of Truman Capote in it, maybe a dash Faulkner or maybe even Fitzgerald.
That high horse must be a hundred hands tall

So what in heaven's name are you waiting for? Even from the little you have told me, I can see the potential for a full-length really good novel. Thank goodness, you agree that it IS excellent background material. Open the window, look at that world out there, give your imagination free rein (back to that horse!), and write us another "From Here to Eternity"(Mailer, I know, not from the south, but a good book all the same, even if he is too macho for my liking!), a well written, good story (to go back to THAT point you were worrying about). It's all there - forget Emily and Danielle for a while and move on to new pastures (in writing, goes without saying. Wouldn't dream of interfering with your private life!)
Clarissa

Don't be surprised if you see a little something posted soon, something about a southern town. The only trouble I foresee is the issue of dialect...not good at all with dialect, but maybe I won't have to be, maybe I could make it clear that certain characters are speaking in dialect but their words are being reproduced in standard American English for the sake of the reader. Hmmm?

You mentioned Faulkner, not much dialect there but what a writer and what atmosphere he was able to conjure up.
Don't give us any b......t - you can do it! Dare you! And will certainly be looking out for what you come up with!
Clarissa - feeling very much the Muse tonight!

Managed to post my first flash tonight. A Single Moment! Curious to read what you've done with it as you said you would accept my diktat on tonight's subject. Diktat perhaps just a little too strong a word.
At least, writing to you got me going again ever so slowly. For which I am grateful - and infintely less depressed...
Thanks
Clarissa
And so to bed as the Great Man of Letters said.