This is so intriguing. I felt like you were up to something with this Ellis character. Idk if you intended any of this, but I was reading some interesting things into it. First of all the name Ellis: could be any of three different ways to mean benevolent or literally god, so that’s fascinating to me — made me feel like maybe I was on the right track with the rest of my thoughts, but either way I got interesting things from this.
It struck me how we often want a god in our lives, we pray for certain things or ask for them to happen and make pre-broken promises in return. But say it turns out that such a being is, it would be beyond our understanding and comfort. We reject it. This Ellis guy ends up benefiting her greatly, more than a few times, but he seems to be too … ~there~ too involved too close. Which, if you attend any evangelical church, is exactly how god is described — wanting all of you, looking for your full attention, obedience, etc.
So maybe we get what we want, but when god seems to want to much from us, we block him.
wow, Keith this is super insightful. Honestly, I didn’t intend any of this and it always amazes me how stories resonate at different frequencies and conjure meaning I am not aware of. I re-read it with this in mind and I totally see where you’re coming from. Made me re-experience my own work! Thanks for that!
Wow! I was hooked from the very beginning and I hung on every word. So very eerie and weird and intriguing. Also, incredibly well-written. A great great piece, Will. :)
Wow! That story caught me and didn't let me stop reading. Clara is making a big mistake ever having any dealings with the off-center, and god know what else, Ellis. You succeeded in making him a really memorable stalker plus whatever else he is.
Good! So I live in Milwaukee and I’ve been in Albuquerque since 3/1 house hunting. Just went under contract for my first house this weekend!! While I’ve been out here, though, I’ve made some much-needed progress on Bonesick as a full novel. So while ‘stack has taken a backseat, I’m still all about the story. Thanks for asking I appreciate that!! 🍋
This is so intriguing. I felt like you were up to something with this Ellis character. Idk if you intended any of this, but I was reading some interesting things into it. First of all the name Ellis: could be any of three different ways to mean benevolent or literally god, so that’s fascinating to me — made me feel like maybe I was on the right track with the rest of my thoughts, but either way I got interesting things from this.
It struck me how we often want a god in our lives, we pray for certain things or ask for them to happen and make pre-broken promises in return. But say it turns out that such a being is, it would be beyond our understanding and comfort. We reject it. This Ellis guy ends up benefiting her greatly, more than a few times, but he seems to be too … ~there~ too involved too close. Which, if you attend any evangelical church, is exactly how god is described — wanting all of you, looking for your full attention, obedience, etc.
So maybe we get what we want, but when god seems to want to much from us, we block him.
wow, Keith this is super insightful. Honestly, I didn’t intend any of this and it always amazes me how stories resonate at different frequencies and conjure meaning I am not aware of. I re-read it with this in mind and I totally see where you’re coming from. Made me re-experience my own work! Thanks for that!
It’s such a burrowing little story, probably take me a while to pull it out of my brain. Well done
thanks Keith, always appreciate your eyes and your insight
YES YES YES
I know I’m late but I so enjoyed this. Reading these comments it seems I’m the only one who didn’t find Ellis creepy? I hope Beatrice is ok tho
Thanks justin! Oh yes, Ellis is such a creep and sorry to break it to you but Beatrice didn’t make it :(
Fuck. RIP Beatrice
Wow! I was hooked from the very beginning and I hung on every word. So very eerie and weird and intriguing. Also, incredibly well-written. A great great piece, Will. :)
Thanks Michael! It was a fun one to come up with and I’m so glad the weirdness came through
Wow.
Where did this come from and can i get a bus there?
fuckling brilliant. gripping. mysterious. disturbing. frustrating. beautifully worrying.
Amazingly verisimilitudinous.
I always wanted a reason to use this word and you gave it to me.
holy moly thanks Nick! Not sure where it came from tbh, it just kinda spilled out!
Loved this from the first line to the end. Girlfriend prayed too hard maybe...or made too many crochet macaws...
thanks so much Bryan! If anything, this story left me with a pronounced desire for crochet macaws
Wow! That story caught me and didn't let me stop reading. Clara is making a big mistake ever having any dealings with the off-center, and god know what else, Ellis. You succeeded in making him a really memorable stalker plus whatever else he is.
Thanks, Sandy!
I didn’t even need coffee this morning 😳 I loved this throwback to your other medium length fictions. If you’re compiling a book, please add this one!
Katie! So glad this replaced your caffeine this morning, how are ya?
Good! So I live in Milwaukee and I’ve been in Albuquerque since 3/1 house hunting. Just went under contract for my first house this weekend!! While I’ve been out here, though, I’ve made some much-needed progress on Bonesick as a full novel. So while ‘stack has taken a backseat, I’m still all about the story. Thanks for asking I appreciate that!! 🍋
Congrats on house that is so exciting! Also looking forward to whenever bonesick makes its novel debut
Thanks Will! Can’t I expect a collection from you one day???👀
I’m working on a novel! But it’s a long ways away
Oh hell yes!!! It’s a process, that’s for sure! But keep at it!
The creepiest dude.
Thanks Stephanie!
this is so compelling! I could not look away!
Thanks so much, EJ! This Ellis dude is a creep
Can we get a sequel where the dog is confirmed to be unharmed?? preferably before my bedtime???
I’ll get right on it!