This is a powerful piece, could be the Introduction, or a Forward to the novel. It does two things very well. First, it introduces the cast of characters, the patients at least, might want to expand to include a short list of key staff. Second, it not only introduces you, but it qualifies you, provides the credentials that give your stories authenticity and authority.
I've learned that combat veterans generally don't want to talk about their experiences with anybody but other vets. Those eleven years are as close to military combat as one can get, outside an active fire zone. Your willingness to share it opens a whole world to readers. There are many aspects of modern life that we tend to avoid seeing inside--like slaughterhouses--and mental health institutions.
Prolonged stimulation of sensory nerves causes diminished sensation, adaptation which creates a new normal. Removal of the stimulation is then perceived as abnormal. Your adaptation to life in the unit made life outside seem abnormal. Neurophysiology at work.
there is a staff round table scene upcoming. one of the trickiest scenes to write. I had a professor who used to assign a dinner table scene with six speaking characters with sliding pov on day one just to screw with the new kids. or wake them up. very effective.
I read Kiss Me, Judas for the first time on 2010 and it’s been my favorite book ever since. It came with me everywhere I went. I had it through my first marriage, it came with me to Korea and to the Middle East on deployment, and every duty station after. Now it sits in my book shelf and I read it once or twice a year.
The reason this post meant so much to me is because I remember when you disappeared and I wondered why. I wondered if it had anything to do with your writing and if any of it was true for yourself.
I remember posting (a couple times) on Reddit if anyone knew what happened to you. And one person did direct message me to say you were in a psych ward in Tennessee. They did not say whether you were a patient or employee but I guess they were right.
I’m happy that you’re back, and reading this is great because it’s a few years of questions answered.
wow and bless you brother, that means more than I can say. I used to wonder if writing the phineas poe books left me addled somehow or warped my psyche because I went a little too method in the process and it didn't take much for me to go over the edge with godspeed. Definitely wondered at times if it was worth it. But man I'm glad now. I'm honored to know KMJ was there to keep you company on your travels and especially your deployment, kinda floored by that actually.. I had the same relationship with Neuromancer throughout my 20s and 30s.. still do really, and it's pretty freakin cool to know that the connection was passed on to you through phineas and jude, it makes everything make sense. And def reminds me it was worthwhile. I'm glad you came back alive and hope you know I appreciate you brother. I shall raise a glass of something nonalcoholic tomorrow to you and to any of your people who didn't make it back.
I appreciate the toast. Just raise one for the ones who didn’t make it back though, I’m still going. I always wondered what happened with Godspeed since there was an ISBN and everything for it (from what I read). It’s nice to get the answer after all this time but it’s also a little bittersweet hearing that it was not a positive thing for you.
I guess that’s one of the reasons KMJ, and the following two books mean so much to me. At the risk of sounding pretentious it seemed more real than a lot of other fiction that is put out, probably I assume because it was.
Anyway, I’m just stoked to hear you’re doing well and putting out new material. Cheers, brother.
I think I first picked up your trail at Chuck's old site, The Cult, which was, in a minor way, an early internet version of a pysch hospital. I made many friends there, had a relationship of questionable judgement, and continued my own descent into drugs and alcohol. I figured you'd done much the same. I'm glad we both saw the other side, at least for now, and writing again. I'm happy you're back.
This is a powerful piece, could be the Introduction, or a Forward to the novel. It does two things very well. First, it introduces the cast of characters, the patients at least, might want to expand to include a short list of key staff. Second, it not only introduces you, but it qualifies you, provides the credentials that give your stories authenticity and authority.
I've learned that combat veterans generally don't want to talk about their experiences with anybody but other vets. Those eleven years are as close to military combat as one can get, outside an active fire zone. Your willingness to share it opens a whole world to readers. There are many aspects of modern life that we tend to avoid seeing inside--like slaughterhouses--and mental health institutions.
Prolonged stimulation of sensory nerves causes diminished sensation, adaptation which creates a new normal. Removal of the stimulation is then perceived as abnormal. Your adaptation to life in the unit made life outside seem abnormal. Neurophysiology at work.
there is a staff round table scene upcoming. one of the trickiest scenes to write. I had a professor who used to assign a dinner table scene with six speaking characters with sliding pov on day one just to screw with the new kids. or wake them up. very effective.
This post meant a lot to me. I’ll explain why.
I read Kiss Me, Judas for the first time on 2010 and it’s been my favorite book ever since. It came with me everywhere I went. I had it through my first marriage, it came with me to Korea and to the Middle East on deployment, and every duty station after. Now it sits in my book shelf and I read it once or twice a year.
The reason this post meant so much to me is because I remember when you disappeared and I wondered why. I wondered if it had anything to do with your writing and if any of it was true for yourself.
I remember posting (a couple times) on Reddit if anyone knew what happened to you. And one person did direct message me to say you were in a psych ward in Tennessee. They did not say whether you were a patient or employee but I guess they were right.
I’m happy that you’re back, and reading this is great because it’s a few years of questions answered.
Best regards.
wow and bless you brother, that means more than I can say. I used to wonder if writing the phineas poe books left me addled somehow or warped my psyche because I went a little too method in the process and it didn't take much for me to go over the edge with godspeed. Definitely wondered at times if it was worth it. But man I'm glad now. I'm honored to know KMJ was there to keep you company on your travels and especially your deployment, kinda floored by that actually.. I had the same relationship with Neuromancer throughout my 20s and 30s.. still do really, and it's pretty freakin cool to know that the connection was passed on to you through phineas and jude, it makes everything make sense. And def reminds me it was worthwhile. I'm glad you came back alive and hope you know I appreciate you brother. I shall raise a glass of something nonalcoholic tomorrow to you and to any of your people who didn't make it back.
I appreciate the toast. Just raise one for the ones who didn’t make it back though, I’m still going. I always wondered what happened with Godspeed since there was an ISBN and everything for it (from what I read). It’s nice to get the answer after all this time but it’s also a little bittersweet hearing that it was not a positive thing for you.
I guess that’s one of the reasons KMJ, and the following two books mean so much to me. At the risk of sounding pretentious it seemed more real than a lot of other fiction that is put out, probably I assume because it was.
Anyway, I’m just stoked to hear you’re doing well and putting out new material. Cheers, brother.
I have the same relationship with Neuromancer and, really, almost all of Bill's books. I suppose that explains my fondness for your prose.
I think I first picked up your trail at Chuck's old site, The Cult, which was, in a minor way, an early internet version of a pysch hospital. I made many friends there, had a relationship of questionable judgement, and continued my own descent into drugs and alcohol. I figured you'd done much the same. I'm glad we both saw the other side, at least for now, and writing again. I'm happy you're back.
I've forwarded this to a dozen or so people since it went live; I read it maybe once a week. I think that says it all.