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Post by Israfil on Mar 20, 2016 14:55:56 GMT -5
First off, love the Elton John reference. Just started and I'm already hooked - I'm excited to see Sean's issues coming to a head and his further development. Kinda want to give him a hug...
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Post by silentreader on Mar 20, 2016 15:08:00 GMT -5
I think this is the first time I've done this here, but...
...I'm only one-fifth of the way in, and I feel a real need to take a break from the story and come here for a few moments (before I go back and see what the heck is going to happen).
Odd how I keep insisting that I am not a whackadoodle and that I do know the difference between fiction and the real world... 'cause I guess I've grown to care about these characters almost as if they are real. I'm finding myself upset and worried for Sean - even while I know he's not real.
Maybe I'm not a whackadoodle, but maybe the author is quite talented? Yes, I like that way of looking at it better!
And of course, in real life, one of my own sons was in a treatment center for a drug problem. Maybe that's part of why this hits home for me. (Yeah, I like thinking that way better than thinking I'm a whackadoodle for caring about a fictional character so much.)
Now back to the rest of the story...
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Post by silentreader on Mar 20, 2016 15:49:45 GMT -5
Just finished Too Low for Zero.
Wow.
I need some time to process the story and then maybe go back and re-read it. But my first reaction is wow, what a well-written, thought-provoking story.
Thank you, David.
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bobby
Young Hound
Posts: 95
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Post by bobby on Mar 20, 2016 15:50:43 GMT -5
WOW... really intense story ... can't wait to see what else you have in store..
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 20, 2016 15:53:20 GMT -5
I'm a big Elton fan, so the title was something I always wanted to use. There is a lot more than the first few paragraphs - Sean's been busy, you see.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 20, 2016 15:54:41 GMT -5
Whoops, a few new posts in the time I responded. I'm glad you're finding value in it, and hopefully more is revealed with each successive read. Sean's story arc has been supported through several chapters, with direct and indirect references to his inner turmoil.
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Post by PaulR5 on Mar 20, 2016 19:40:02 GMT -5
Whoops, a few new posts in the time I responded. I'm glad you're finding value in it, and hopefully more is revealed with each successive read. Sean's story arc has been supported through several chapters, with direct and indirect references to his inner turmoil. Wow, what a story! Much was somewhat hinted at in many ways. Some of Sean's turmoil had been mentioned, either explicitly or implicitly. But to put it all together--. Wow! Great story, Dave.
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Post by xpx123 on Mar 20, 2016 20:50:16 GMT -5
Dang, Sean contracted STD from another girl. That would bound to screw him up. Hope he does go for treatment and get both his health and relationship back on the track.
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 20, 2016 22:37:43 GMT -5
I read this then I re-read the mentioned stories to see how it fits together. When they last appeared in Cookie Monster, they were two peas in a pod. Something happened after the story was written. The STD is a new wrinkle.
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Post by TeddyBower on Mar 21, 2016 22:26:16 GMT -5
Dave, I think this story is probably the most powerful one in the whole SS series of stories. Yeah, like some of the other guys have mentioned, the SS boys have become rather beloved to me, but the subject matter here, and they way you've presented it... well, I guess I can relate in so many ways and maybe that's what makes it so powerful. Awesome work!
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Post by jnwrx1 on Mar 23, 2016 0:23:29 GMT -5
Sorry to do this, but... Can't say I really liked it, cause I kind of didn't.
I can appreciate the emotional cost of even writing the story, and I understand why it's important to building the SS universe, but I still didn't really like seeing Sean like this... I really would have preferred a less extreme way for him to deal with trying to find his identity, especially in the way it affected Asher. In that sense, I actually think the ending was also too abrupt after the development of the story. I think Ash and Sean need to take a lot of time and careful thought before they really even think about going straight back to full on boyfriends.
Also, I think someone also maybe needs to have a talk with Scott after this, too, because he might be the next one to self-destruct, if he's trying to teach his friends to cure their insecurities with shots.
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Post by PaulR5 on Mar 23, 2016 2:01:44 GMT -5
Sorry to do this, but... Can't say I really liked it, cause I kind of didn't. I can appreciate the emotional cost of even writing the story, and I understand why it's important to building the SS universe, but I still didn't really like seeing Sean like this... I really would have preferred a less extreme way for him to deal with trying to find his identity, especially in the way it affected Asher. In that sense, I actually think the ending was also too abrupt after the development of the story. I think Ash and Sean need to take a lot of time and careful thought before they really even think about going straight back to full on boyfriends. Also, I think someone also maybe needs to have a talk with Scott after this, too, because he might be the next one to self-destruct, if he's trying to teach his friends to cure their insecurities with shots. I've had more than one person dear to me in a mental hospital or some kind of (necessary) locked facility. Only one of six times did it NOT seem abrupt when they got out. Asher and Sean NEED each other. but their relationship is becoming healthier. Scott has Jamie, among others, and some will be watching Scott without even realizing they are doing so. The increased awareness about others often follows an episode such as this. And I know far more about some of this than I ever wanted to know.... Elliot and Devyn and Griffin, and maybe Teddy and Trent, as well as all the Kirkwoods, will be watching Sean and Asher, and to a lesser extent Scott. There is a bit of a fraternity with those who use sign language. Trent is probably learning a bit to communicate with Teddy's mom, and we still don't know much about Teddy's brother....
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Post by Israfil on Mar 23, 2016 8:43:16 GMT -5
Also, I think someone also maybe needs to have a talk with Scott after this, too, because he might be the next one to self-destruct, if he's trying to teach his friends to cure their insecurities with shots. While I agree with you that it's a tough story in some respect (I felt a little bit of it too when reading it), as it's hard to witness adversity, fictional or not. That the author was able to trigger that reaction in the readers speaks to both his craft in this particular piece as well as the world and character set-up overall which has readers so invested. Also that was a slight tangent. What I intended to reply to was that yes, it is worrisome that Scott's little trust ritual with the shots triggered a bad reaction in Sean, but I'd like to point out that from what I remember the drink itself wasn't meant to "cure their insecurities" so much as to symbolize something along the lines of a "safe space" where the guys could speak freely. Unfortunately, Sean's anxiety caused him to try and use it as a sleep aid. Yes, it wasn't exactly the height of responsibility but neither was it intended as a way to get wasted and forget one's cares. Now, that's not to say there aren't those in town who do drink to cure their insecurities or dull their problems. But I wouldn't know anything about that >_>
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 23, 2016 8:57:31 GMT -5
I think Scott is trying to be grown up. It's not that easy. But, when you're young, you're invincible and know everything.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 23, 2016 13:07:50 GMT -5
Sorry to do this, but... Can't say I really liked it, cause I kind of didn't. I can appreciate the emotional cost of even writing the story, and I understand why it's important to building the SS universe, but I still didn't really like seeing Sean like this... I really would have preferred a less extreme way for him to deal with trying to find his identity, especially in the way it affected Asher. In that sense, I actually think the ending was also too abrupt after the development of the story. I think Ash and Sean need to take a lot of time and careful thought before they really even think about going straight back to full on boyfriends. Also, I think someone also maybe needs to have a talk with Scott after this, too, because he might be the next one to self-destruct, if he's trying to teach his friends to cure their insecurities with shots. Thanks for the honest reply, and I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. When we get invested in characters it can be hard to see them in peril or making poor choices using flawed logic. However, Sean's story has the unique side of having not known his father, and then suddenly being thrust into family dynamics. Yes, Jamie and Sean formed a tight bond rather quickly, which kids can do, but in truth when we deal with human problems, they are messy. We don't sit through everyone's recovery, everyone's therapy sessions or see every mistake they make - it's not the nature of Sanitaria Springs to do that. Given that, and the established problems Sean had coming to terms with himself - and then having added the pressure of going back to school and being someone different than he had been the previous school year - that can create a lot of pressure. Scott simply thinks he's loosening tongues and teens sometimes think that's an answer. After all, TV shows and movies and even their own families may 'go for a beer' after a hard day, or 'want a glass of wine'. While I don't condone a teenager doing that, I also think it's a realistic thing for him to have done that had unintended consequences. Sean, not having been a drinker - and perhaps he's predisposed to get tired from alcohol - decided to use it to self medicate, another very common thought process in this country. Also, while they remain boyfriends, I didn't mean to say or imply that they just picked p from where they left off. I'm sure they aren't having sex, for instance, given their last encounter. I'm sure things are going to be raw for some time as trust needs to build and new issues must be worked through before they can fully recover - that would have taken months to cover, however, and fell outside the scope of this chapter. Thanks for reading and putting your thoughts up for discussion.
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