Right? This story was a revelation when Tom had us read it. It's so similar to "This is Us, Excellent" also a story about two young brothers, that I wish Richard had written an entire novel about these two.
What is really cool about this piece from Bryan— it’s chalk on a chalkboard. Such a hard medium to control, takes some time, and in moments— it can be wiped away. Just think on that.
You advocate against using pejorative language because it tends to dictate how the reader ought to feel. But what if the narrator uses pejorative language against themself in a self-deprecating way. You get laughs when you read a particular line in Romance, that goes like, "The only way a girl like her would talk to me is to tell me I'm a fat pig. And that I'm blocking her entire view of the ocean." And they are legit funny lines.
Granted, but note how the sentence expands to include a physical/visual "I'm blocking her entire view of the ocean..." It's the physical/visual that gets the big laugh. Someone simply calling himself fat falls flat.
Right? This story was a revelation when Tom had us read it. It's so similar to "This is Us, Excellent" also a story about two young brothers, that I wish Richard had written an entire novel about these two.
There's that line "where lightning takes talk walks" quite possibly the most beautiful series of words I've ever read.
Argh! I'd have to reread both.
Chuck, if you would be so kind as to click here for a message --> https://karinkohlmeierr.substack.com/p/thanks-chuck
(Nothing sketchy or weird, I promise. Just a thanks for the Pixie Package. This was the only way I could think of to get an image to you.)
Very nice! Thank you!
That's awesome!
The first rule of Christmas Club is you do NOT shoot your eye out. The second rule of Christmas Club...fra-gee-lay.
What is really cool about this piece from Bryan— it’s chalk on a chalkboard. Such a hard medium to control, takes some time, and in moments— it can be wiped away. Just think on that.
Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. 🎄☃️🎁🤧
You advocate against using pejorative language because it tends to dictate how the reader ought to feel. But what if the narrator uses pejorative language against themself in a self-deprecating way. You get laughs when you read a particular line in Romance, that goes like, "The only way a girl like her would talk to me is to tell me I'm a fat pig. And that I'm blocking her entire view of the ocean." And they are legit funny lines.
Granted, but note how the sentence expands to include a physical/visual "I'm blocking her entire view of the ocean..." It's the physical/visual that gets the big laugh. Someone simply calling himself fat falls flat.
Thanks for responding. If I'm hearing you right, it's not just calling themselves"fat" that gets the laugh, but it's in the exaggeration.
It's more about putting the pejorative into physical terms that people can picture. The exaggeration helps.