What the Hell's a Jay Squires
an 81-Year Romp in a Tutu54 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I enjoyed reading your contest entry. I've known you and enjoyed reading your posts for years but never knew about you. Thank you for sharing. I am even more impressed. Good luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
  |
I enjoyed reading your contest entry. I've known you and enjoyed reading your posts for years but never knew about you. Thank you for sharing. I am even more impressed. Good luck with the contest.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Thank you, Barbara. I think it was time to open up and spill my guts.
Comment from Ric Myworld
In my narrow-minded opinion, writing is about captivating and entertaining, fiction or otherwise. I read my first book at 37, and didn't read my second until 47. Too busy living, I didn't have time. I thought. At 50, I barely knew a noun from a verb, and my progression has been slow since. But, I have learned to love the expression of words, tone, voice, melody, personality, and the joys of reading and writing. And, especially, the flow of excellence from talented wordsmiths, such as you, who have spent a lifetime perfecting your craft. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
 |
In my narrow-minded opinion, writing is about captivating and entertaining, fiction or otherwise. I read my first book at 37, and didn't read my second until 47. Too busy living, I didn't have time. I thought. At 50, I barely knew a noun from a verb, and my progression has been slow since. But, I have learned to love the expression of words, tone, voice, melody, personality, and the joys of reading and writing. And, especially, the flow of excellence from talented wordsmiths, such as you, who have spent a lifetime perfecting your craft. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Ah, bless you, Ric. I didn't know you were such a late bloomer. You know what they say: "Early ripe--early rot." You LIVED the first half of your life. Now's the time to show it was all worthwhile. I've always admired you ... and now add amazement. Your first book at 37. It's hard NOT to read a book before 37. And then, the ten year lapse showed that first one didn't impress you a hell of a lot! LOL.
I'm happy you found some value in my writing, Ric!
-
LOL, you always make me smile, Jay. I'm hoping that maybe I'm getting smarter in my old age. Now, I read two and sometimes three books a week. It's sort of like therapy. I travel the word and enjoy all the excitement this ravaged body and mind can stand, and all from the comfort and safety of my La-Z-Boy with a book. I've also come to the conclusion that, most of the things I miss staying home reading and writing, I probably would have been better off avoiding anyway. I appreciate you!
Comment from RetroStarfish
Jay Squires, pleased t'meet ya.
Interesting autobiography, astoundingly well told. It's amazing what we learn about ourselves when retirement comes and there are fewer and fewer distractions from the simplicity of being present and pondering the past. You've straddled that line between sorrowful self-pity and wisdom, well.
However you got here, you're one hell of a writer.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
Jay Squires, pleased t'meet ya.
Interesting autobiography, astoundingly well told. It's amazing what we learn about ourselves when retirement comes and there are fewer and fewer distractions from the simplicity of being present and pondering the past. You've straddled that line between sorrowful self-pity and wisdom, well.
However you got here, you're one hell of a writer.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Retro, I'm pleased to meet you, as well. That line was not so well-straddled that I didn't spend a bunch of years wallowing in sorrowful self-pity. The cure for that is living long enough to look back and see the humor in what you took as so earth-shatteringly serious.
Thanks for reading my story, and enjoying it.
Comment from kmoss
I enjoyed learning who and what a Jay Squires is. I love reading your stories, The Trining is GREAT so far! I will get to the others you mentioned one day(nice job plugging them-lol). You are one of the first authors I read on Fanstory that made me think, "Damn this guy is good!"
I have regrets about my writing. My story is much like yours other then I didn't force my uncle to sell five books-lol-that cracked me up! I won writing awards in junior high and high school. I had a teacher that would read about ten stories to the class after we finished writing about a picture he would show us and everyone always knew which one was mine, not because it was the scariest, but because it was the best! Self-doubt ruined my path. I gave up on it and didn't write for the past 15 or so years-years of stories that I can't get back.
I appreciate your always helpful reviews and comments. I'm glad to have met such a GREAT writer.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
I enjoyed learning who and what a Jay Squires is. I love reading your stories, The Trining is GREAT so far! I will get to the others you mentioned one day(nice job plugging them-lol). You are one of the first authors I read on Fanstory that made me think, "Damn this guy is good!"
I have regrets about my writing. My story is much like yours other then I didn't force my uncle to sell five books-lol-that cracked me up! I won writing awards in junior high and high school. I had a teacher that would read about ten stories to the class after we finished writing about a picture he would show us and everyone always knew which one was mine, not because it was the scariest, but because it was the best! Self-doubt ruined my path. I gave up on it and didn't write for the past 15 or so years-years of stories that I can't get back.
I appreciate your always helpful reviews and comments. I'm glad to have met such a GREAT writer.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Awwww, Crystal. Thanks. Funny thing about the title. Friday evening I decided that my story was in the wrong contest. I had it in the "True Story" contest, all ready to publish and promote... But after scanning the future contests I found it worked better in the "Non-Fiction writing" contest, since it was more of a memoir. I figured I'd leave the other contest open for another story. So I pasted the story over to the new contest. Damn it! I had to disable the first one in order to do that (because it was already LINKED to the first contest). That meant I had to change the title. It was, originally, "Who the Hell's Jay Squires." So the new title was the result of someone who refuses to let go of something he likes and use his imagination to come up with something new.
I won't bore you with the rest of the story. Suffice it to say that Tom and I went round and round Trying to get that first contest not to still recognize me as having entered "Who the Hell's Jay Squires," and hence not being allowed to enter something twice.
So, thanks again, for reading and being my friend.
-
This sounds like something a newbie would do! Lol, I?ve actually made the same sort of mistakes. I wish you could enter stuff that you already posted into a contest later. It annoys me!
Comment from Susan Newell
What a wonderful way to confess. It reminds me of the old saw, "Too soon we get old, too late smart." Every word of this is interesting and educational. I am a few years behind you, but for a brief period of rime I didn't even read -- because I didn't want to have my inner genius accidentally pick something up from another writer. I'm afraid I let life interfere with my creative writing, but I put my skills to work in other arenas. Thank you for reminding me of Saint Leonard. "Suzanne takes you down, to her place by the river . . ." (Hope I remember correctly.) And thank you for letting me read why your coming-of-age as a writer was self-delayed.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
What a wonderful way to confess. It reminds me of the old saw, "Too soon we get old, too late smart." Every word of this is interesting and educational. I am a few years behind you, but for a brief period of rime I didn't even read -- because I didn't want to have my inner genius accidentally pick something up from another writer. I'm afraid I let life interfere with my creative writing, but I put my skills to work in other arenas. Thank you for reminding me of Saint Leonard. "Suzanne takes you down, to her place by the river . . ." (Hope I remember correctly.) And thank you for letting me read why your coming-of-age as a writer was self-delayed.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Thank you, Susan ... or should I say Suzanne, who took time away from her place by the river and her tea and oranges that came all the way from China, to read and find points of personal contact in my story. Ah, that inner genius. It can kill. And what it doesn't kill, it can severely bruise. Again, thanks for reading. And for honoring me with the chartreuse cross!
-
I jump for joy when I find quality content.
-
Do read Phill Doran here, if you haven't
-
To be honest, I can'r say -- so many new names. I am recognizing a few, and learning their styles, etc. I'll check him out.
-
Oh yes! The Harvesting of Helen, the Shadow of the Moon. Stellar :-)
Comment from BethShelby
I thought you were the James Dean type of maybe more like Holden Caulfield. I like that you shared your story. We writers don't seem to mind letting the world know who we are. Maybe it is the fact that we all have a healthy slice of ego. Your story explains a lot about your love for writing and what a bit of your childhood was like (I love your publishing gig at 10) I think you've accomplished what FanStory was looking for in this contest. This could be the winner.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
I thought you were the James Dean type of maybe more like Holden Caulfield. I like that you shared your story. We writers don't seem to mind letting the world know who we are. Maybe it is the fact that we all have a healthy slice of ego. Your story explains a lot about your love for writing and what a bit of your childhood was like (I love your publishing gig at 10) I think you've accomplished what FanStory was looking for in this contest. This could be the winner.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
I'll accept Holden Caulfield! Any day. Bless you for reading, Beth, and for the lovely 6th star!
Comment from Bill Schott
This short biography of your writing over this long time period is filled with implied advice for the frustrated author. The early success perhaps creating that sense of superiority which then curtails one's exploration of the wider craft.
Admitting to vanity is evidence of its being overcome. Your built-in, self-deprecating style are also proof that you know how to sidle up to the readers as a friend and lead them forward into traffic.
You are one of those rare writers on the site, Jay, for whom I will plow through hundreds of easy-to-read postings in order to make time for enjoying yours, promoted or not.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
This short biography of your writing over this long time period is filled with implied advice for the frustrated author. The early success perhaps creating that sense of superiority which then curtails one's exploration of the wider craft.
Admitting to vanity is evidence of its being overcome. Your built-in, self-deprecating style are also proof that you know how to sidle up to the readers as a friend and lead them forward into traffic.
You are one of those rare writers on the site, Jay, for whom I will plow through hundreds of easy-to-read postings in order to make time for enjoying yours, promoted or not.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
I love the way your laser slices through the story and carves out the essential. "... to sidle up to the readers as a friend and lead them forward into traffic." And, "early success perhaps creating that sense of superiority which then curtails one's exploration of the wider craft." Bazoom! Thank you, as usual, Bill!
Comment from phill doran
Hello Jay
Classic. Philosophy in deed, the real type. You have a great self-depreciating style: it automatically put the reader on your side, and a wonderful turn of phrase, so casual, yet very humorous: observant. And you are right about the image of you as a cheerleader: not something I intend to carry to the grave. On the other hand "...When I see the place that personal vanity played in my life, I am saddened beyond words by the precious time I lost...." is tombstone-worthy.
A great read, enlightening. A super start to my Sunday reading...
I wish you safe and well - and all the best with your continued writing.
Cheers
phill
...and just to earn my keep and show I did read through more than once;
poopdeck - I think, is two words
Aniversary - should be anniversary (two n's)
shortsightedness - if not two words is, I think, hyphenated
o' mine, I'm ready. - here, you appear to have a double space after the comma
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
Hello Jay
Classic. Philosophy in deed, the real type. You have a great self-depreciating style: it automatically put the reader on your side, and a wonderful turn of phrase, so casual, yet very humorous: observant. And you are right about the image of you as a cheerleader: not something I intend to carry to the grave. On the other hand "...When I see the place that personal vanity played in my life, I am saddened beyond words by the precious time I lost...." is tombstone-worthy.
A great read, enlightening. A super start to my Sunday reading...
I wish you safe and well - and all the best with your continued writing.
Cheers
phill
...and just to earn my keep and show I did read through more than once;
poopdeck - I think, is two words
Aniversary - should be anniversary (two n's)
shortsightedness - if not two words is, I think, hyphenated
o' mine, I'm ready. - here, you appear to have a double space after the comma
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Bless you, Phill. I don't know how old you are, but I wish I had come across writing of your caliber when I was young. To hear your words of praise now, well, it just makes me blush. Thank you, my dear friend. And now to chase down some spellings and corrections.!
And the six! Thank you, Phill
Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan
I read with interest in your journey through life's journey and blossoming a writer of class. I see that you have led an interesting life and have always admired your writing since I became a member on this site. I am less than a year old into writing and hence nothing much to write about. Good luck!
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
I read with interest in your journey through life's journey and blossoming a writer of class. I see that you have led an interesting life and have always admired your writing since I became a member on this site. I am less than a year old into writing and hence nothing much to write about. Good luck!
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Thank you, Seshadri. I'm honored having you as a returning friend here on FanStory.
Comment from royowen
My main claim to fame is I've been terrified of failure all my life, and even though I never had any great desires to be great, I find it hard to say, I'm good. I'm fairly mediocre, you will hardly touch what a I write, so that's proof enough for me. But I've always admired your writing, although i haven't read anything near what you've written, so I'm in awe of you Jay or Junie, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
|
My main claim to fame is I've been terrified of failure all my life, and even though I never had any great desires to be great, I find it hard to say, I'm good. I'm fairly mediocre, you will hardly touch what a I write, so that's proof enough for me. But I've always admired your writing, although i haven't read anything near what you've written, so I'm in awe of you Jay or Junie, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021
-
Thank you, Roy, for reading my story, and for your stars.
And, Roy, you ARE a good poet. If you checked my reviewing history you'd see I rarely review poetry, so don't use the frequency of my reviews as an indication of my belief in your abilities as a poet. I only read what I can review, and I find poetry hard to understand and harder to review. If you keep that in mind, I will start reading more of your poetry. I really appreciate your friendship here.
Jay
-
Thanks Jay,