What the Hell's a Jay Squires
an 81-Year Romp in a Tutu54 total reviews
Comment from Ulla
And what an entry, Jay!! I loved every word. You sometimes made me laugh and sometimes you made me cry, but only you know where you went right and where you went wrong. What a great entry. Good luck. Ulla:))))
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
  |
And what an entry, Jay!! I loved every word. You sometimes made me laugh and sometimes you made me cry, but only you know where you went right and where you went wrong. What a great entry. Good luck. Ulla:))))
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
Thank you so much, Ulla. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed it.
Comment from tfawcus
Thanks for sharing this amazing journey, Jay - the ups and downs and inbetweens. I know what you mean by so much of life being wasted. I barely wrote a creative word before joining FanStory seven years ago at the age of seventy, yet I remember making a vow to myself sixty years ago that I would become a writer. It sometimes takes a long time to fulfil a dream and a lot of support from friends, in this case online friends.
I thought your words about the writing process constituted some of the best advice to a beginning writer that I've ever seen.
Thank you for sharing this amusing and revealing piece of autobiographical writing. Very much enjoyed!
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
 |
Thanks for sharing this amazing journey, Jay - the ups and downs and inbetweens. I know what you mean by so much of life being wasted. I barely wrote a creative word before joining FanStory seven years ago at the age of seventy, yet I remember making a vow to myself sixty years ago that I would become a writer. It sometimes takes a long time to fulfil a dream and a lot of support from friends, in this case online friends.
I thought your words about the writing process constituted some of the best advice to a beginning writer that I've ever seen.
Thank you for sharing this amusing and revealing piece of autobiographical writing. Very much enjoyed!
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
Oh, wow! Tony! Your words couldn't have validated my efforts more! Thank you so much for pointing out touchpoints in both our lives. We both made vows in our teens, and through whatever twists and turns, we arrived at the same venue, still plugging into the same creative energy each day. Thank you, Tony, for being my friend here.
Comment from Hannah Baller
"knobby-kneed cheerleader, shaking my pom-poms on the poopdeck" - this made me chuckle so MUCH! I feel your sense of humour through your writing.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself in this piece, it was a fantastic read, a window into your life. There are some great points as well as negative on FanStory.
I really liked the way you write, and I'd love to work with you externally to FanStory.:)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
"knobby-kneed cheerleader, shaking my pom-poms on the poopdeck" - this made me chuckle so MUCH! I feel your sense of humour through your writing.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself in this piece, it was a fantastic read, a window into your life. There are some great points as well as negative on FanStory.
I really liked the way you write, and I'd love to work with you externally to FanStory.:)
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
Thank you, Hannah, for your lovely sentiment and the six stars. What do you mean, "to work with you externally to Fanstory." Are you flirting with the old Jay-ster? Haha! If so, thanks!
-
haha! Maybe flirting with the idea of working with you and picking your brain! Hopefully my fiance wouldn't get too jealous! XD but honestly, I have so much to learn and would appreciate guidance if you had time?
Comment from Susan Larson
You got me hooked with Leonard Cohen and as I read through this rambling recollection of your writing life, I thought, hey, this deserves a six! And then I got to the end. And I saw it. This is a non fiction contest entry and that makes you my competitor. So.... In the words of Leonard Cohen ....
"When it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must
I will....,,,. Nah, I couldn't kill you. You make me laugh too much. And if you win, I'll be a lady and congratulate you.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
You got me hooked with Leonard Cohen and as I read through this rambling recollection of your writing life, I thought, hey, this deserves a six! And then I got to the end. And I saw it. This is a non fiction contest entry and that makes you my competitor. So.... In the words of Leonard Cohen ....
"When it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must
I will....,,,. Nah, I couldn't kill you. You make me laugh too much. And if you win, I'll be a lady and congratulate you.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
Hahaha! Susan, you picked the one song of Leonard's I haven't heard. I kept looking for the closed quote to it. I don't think he'd call himself a lady. Not to worry, though, I never win these contests.
"So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll,
I'm sorry babe it doesn't look like me at all." L.C. (Tower of Song)
-
LYRICS
The door, it opened slowly
My father, he came in
I was nine years old
And he stood so tall above me
Blue eyes, they were shining
And his voice was very cold
Said, "I've had a vision
And you know I'm strong and holy
I must do what I've been told"
So we started up the mountain
I was running, he was walking
And his axe was made of gold
Well, the trees, they got much smaller
The lake, a lady's mirror
When we stopped to drink some wine
Then he threw the bottle over
Broke a minute later
And he put his hand on mine
Thought I saw an eagle
But it might have been a vulture
I never could decide
Then my father built an altar
He looked once behind his shoulder
He knew I would not hide
You who build these altars now
To sacrifice these children
You must not do it anymore
A scheme is not a vision
And you never have been tempted
By a demon or a god
You, who stand above them now
Your hatchets blunt and bloody
You were not there before
When I lay upon a mountain
And my father's hand was trembling
With the beauty of the word
And if you call me brother now
Forgive me if I inquire
Just according to whose plan?
When it all comes down to dust
I will kill you if I must
I will help you if I can
When it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must
I will kill you if I can
And mercy on our uniform
Man of peace or man of war
The peacock spreads his fan
Songwriters: Leonard Cohen
-
It?s the penultimate stanza
-
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I got the whole poem treatment. After comparing it, I think your line:
"Nah, I couldn't kill you/
You make me laugh too much/
would have been a good addition to his poem!
Comment from Sanku
Great sense of humour .You are able to look at yourself with out any confusion. An interesting trail ,your lif .I liked your uncle very much .He must really be a sweetie to hawk the books -great write.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
Great sense of humour .You are able to look at yourself with out any confusion. An interesting trail ,your lif .I liked your uncle very much .He must really be a sweetie to hawk the books -great write.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
Thank you, Sanku. Old Jimmie probably had a few jolts of Johnny Walker before he walked out in the rain with my books.
Comment from oliver818
I'm so happy that fanstory has been so good to you. I also love it although I haven't published anything outside of this website. I like your style, a bit old and craggy, with a youthful voice behind it- as someone famous said when they were old, I always feel like I'm the youngest person in the room. Thanks for sharing !
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
I'm so happy that fanstory has been so good to you. I also love it although I haven't published anything outside of this website. I like your style, a bit old and craggy, with a youthful voice behind it- as someone famous said when they were old, I always feel like I'm the youngest person in the room. Thanks for sharing !
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
And thank you for reading, Oliver. Are you old enough to see your father looking back out of the mirror? Scary the first time that happens.
Comment from Begin Again
Your description of a lifetime with all its ups and downs (and of course - misconceptions) flowed flawlessly. Your humor made the reader want to absorb each word. Normally, I would skim a biography but not this one. You truly have the knack of getting the reader's attention and giving them something to truly enjoy. Bravo!
PS: I was struggling with my thoughts this morning about writing and your words picked me up and gave me the shove I needed. Self-doubt is a useless emotion. Thanks for the smile!
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
Your description of a lifetime with all its ups and downs (and of course - misconceptions) flowed flawlessly. Your humor made the reader want to absorb each word. Normally, I would skim a biography but not this one. You truly have the knack of getting the reader's attention and giving them something to truly enjoy. Bravo!
PS: I was struggling with my thoughts this morning about writing and your words picked me up and gave me the shove I needed. Self-doubt is a useless emotion. Thanks for the smile!
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
You have no idea how good it makes me feel that you found my writing in any way encouraging. Never give up on yourself.
Comment from shootingstar1
Greetings,
I'm new here (just checking it out before committing) and I have to say that the title of this piece drew me in, but the quality of the writing keep me here.
You do seem to have a good appreciation of the site, as well as suggesting that some formal learning in the art of writing is a good thing. Good to know!
Quite a life you've had in this little potted history.
All the best to you good sir
SS1
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
Greetings,
I'm new here (just checking it out before committing) and I have to say that the title of this piece drew me in, but the quality of the writing keep me here.
You do seem to have a good appreciation of the site, as well as suggesting that some formal learning in the art of writing is a good thing. Good to know!
Quite a life you've had in this little potted history.
All the best to you good sir
SS1
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
I like that: SS1It's good to see fresh blood dripping on the FanStory screen. I'll keep a lookout for your work. This is a fine place to commit to. It'll piss you off time and again. What doesn't? I've left in frustration, only to come back a few years later realizing that if paradise can be flawed, so can FanStory.
Comment from pome lover
well, Mr. Junie-Jay cum James Dean Squires, that is quiet a life story.-
Congratulations on your accomplishments! You are indeed a writer with your own voice who looks into the workings of people's minds, (including your own) sorting the sincere from the ridiculous, wheat from the chaff, :) inviting thought and causing laughter. Your posts always intrigues this writer - and I feel I can call myself that for the simple reason that it's what I spend 90% of my time doing. Not that that (that that?) classifies it as anything more than determined.)
But back to your non-fiction entry. Your account of who you are says to me, that from boyhood to the present, with quiet confidence, you have felt "I can do it. I have it in me to be a fine writer." and you proved, beyond doubt, that you are.
Good luck in the contest.
Katharine (with apologizes for my long winded wordiness!)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
|
well, Mr. Junie-Jay cum James Dean Squires, that is quiet a life story.-
Congratulations on your accomplishments! You are indeed a writer with your own voice who looks into the workings of people's minds, (including your own) sorting the sincere from the ridiculous, wheat from the chaff, :) inviting thought and causing laughter. Your posts always intrigues this writer - and I feel I can call myself that for the simple reason that it's what I spend 90% of my time doing. Not that that (that that?) classifies it as anything more than determined.)
But back to your non-fiction entry. Your account of who you are says to me, that from boyhood to the present, with quiet confidence, you have felt "I can do it. I have it in me to be a fine writer." and you proved, beyond doubt, that you are.
Good luck in the contest.
Katharine (with apologizes for my long winded wordiness!)
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
-
Awwwww, Katherine (or is your signoff spelled correctly?), no need to apologize for wordiness. I slavered over each one of them. No one that I know of tires of hearing about him/herself. I'm just thrilled that you enjoyed my story.
-
yep, with an "a". Me and Hepburn. (and my great grandmother, grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. Original to the end.)
Comment from Carlos' girl
whaat? Whaat? Bakersfield? Voluntary commitment? The military? Allstate? James Dean? Vanity vanity all is vanity? College?
Ok...here's me:
Illinois. Catholic school. Expelled for drugs. Parental restrictions. College. Los Angeles. The lost years. New York, NY. Career. Several voluntary commitments . Hitting my stride. Oh yes, and a cat named Luke E. Bloom. I'll stop there.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
whaat? Whaat? Bakersfield? Voluntary commitment? The military? Allstate? James Dean? Vanity vanity all is vanity? College?
Ok...here's me:
Illinois. Catholic school. Expelled for drugs. Parental restrictions. College. Los Angeles. The lost years. New York, NY. Career. Several voluntary commitments . Hitting my stride. Oh yes, and a cat named Luke E. Bloom. I'll stop there.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Okay, mi amiga, you bested me there. Those Catholic nuns have no sense of humor, do they? Several voluntary commitments? I won't make fun of that. That's a tough road. I hope you are out of the doldrums. Sounds like you are, having hit your stride.
Thanks my dear for reading and so richly rewarding my story.
-
De nada. All in a days work
-
Jaysquired , i will always best you. Don't even try. Now i want to see a new writing about jsquared. Thats where you become twojays. Good jay bad jay.