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| image courtesy of Bluebell Books |
"Okay, Dad." Of course, I found one. Seems that John Wayne movies are always on.
"Yeah. The Duke. Now, he was a real man. Don't see too many of his kind anymore. So, you find a job yet?"
"I've told you, Dad. I have a job. I'm a writer. That is my job." I wished I could blame this conversation on senility, but it was just his stubborn refusal to accept my vocation.
"No, I mean a real job. Oh, I know you got a couple of stories published in some magazines, and that's great and all, but you can't really expect to be able to support a wife and a couple of kids some day living like that."
I let that comment drift off into the whir of the box fan he had sitting by his Lazy Boy. If we began that conversation, not even the Duke would be able to save me.
submitted for Short Story Slam-Week 2, Bluebell Books
10 comments:
Terrific story. It evokes so many images, like dad sneaking us bowls of ice cream as we watched 'Gunsmoke.'
My dad isn't a big fan of what I do either. He can't understand that I have found a niche where I'm comfortable and good at what I do. Sure, I'd love to be a writer, professionally. But I discovered long ago that my writing style isn't really good enough for general publication. It's a bit juvenile and lacks the depth that makes the stories come alive. So now I just write for myself and that's good enough.
beautiful story.
your description is superb...I know this happens to almost all writers/bloggers....
Just read your last four posts and enjoyed them all muchly. (The one about teen pregnancy and everything they put girls thru while boys get no blame for the same act is a subject that never fails to raise my hackles, not to mention the current nutcase holier than thou backlash against abortion.) This one about the Duke is a classic and as we writers say, it really resonates.
Pass me that Bud, son--aren't you ever gonna get another haircut?
Ah, the male equivalent of my mother. On the rare occasions my writing comes up (I try never to let it, or anything else I care about come up) she always says "Oh. You're still doing that?" and goes on to tell me about how my father started a historical novel decades ago and never finished it.
As for John Wayne, he IS on every blessed weekend. Personally, I would rather be dipped in goat shit than watch him.
Taken from a real-life scenario ? It comes across as direct and honest ...
Great write! My grandfather had similar conversations with me when I was doin' the rock n' roll thang! It's nice to know that misery goes across the board for all creative interests that happen to merge with commerce.
Some things never change..we all have that...a life that goes in circles with someone..well done!
I personally think its amazing your a published writer! Way to go =) I have never had the guts to try submitting anything (or the talent).
I love this! I felt the tension in your story, and I love that you incorporated the misconception of manhood this picture seems to screamingly imply. At least to me. Really liked this one :)
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