I am on chapter 12 now of this great coming of age story. I am slow, but I am really enjoying it, Clancy. I keep your table of contents in my email "saved" file" so I can go to it easily any time, so I appreciated receive your new link with the new title, as , obviously, the old link no longer worked. Thank you.
Thank you Sara. I agree, it is one of my strong points -- what I hope to do with this novel is capture high school angst, college discovery, and new adult directionless-ness as well.
I think so, too. Kids that age seem to be more willing to forgive and forget for many reasons. I am looking forward to getting into the next chapter soon!
In Spanish they say "Mejor sola que mal acompañada". It is better to be alone than to be in bad company. But I don't think any middle or high school kid would agree. Nothing's worse than being outcast at that age.
To me, this chapter showed the real value of a good, meaningful friendship, and what happens to people when those friendships are jeopardized. The character change in T, told symbolically in his absorption in his single-player game, struck me as such a real, quiet way that broken bonds can impact people. I’m really liking this story so far, Clancy!
wow, you captured the theme more perfectly than even I could explain! thanks for reading ricardo. i think you’ll like how their bonds evolve throughout the rest of the novel. thanks for reading!
So painful when Jude was outed. Social shaming especially in middle school is devastating! Loved the age of empires reference — my husband’s favorite game :)
I feel like you were there for my childhood with this one Clancy. The School of Rock reference sent me deep into some memory vaults - I was obsessed, and also faltered at the PG 13 rating when I saw it, something I totally forgot until I read this chapter.
Thanks for continuing to send these out, Clancy. I might be slow to get to them, but I'll get to them.
Lovely, rich continuation. I really felt for Jude here: "I was furious, hurt, lost, and lonely. Once again, on my own against the world, because Tommy and I were done."
Thanks Jenn -- as I said to another commenter, one thing I worried about in this chapter was the believability of Jude forgiving Tommy. But I think it is very common and representative of middle school friendships at large. They definitely need each other!
I am on chapter 12 now of this great coming of age story. I am slow, but I am really enjoying it, Clancy. I keep your table of contents in my email "saved" file" so I can go to it easily any time, so I appreciated receive your new link with the new title, as , obviously, the old link no longer worked. Thank you.
glad that worked out sharron. it was a pain but worth it
I think you have a little of JD Salinger in you even if grandma doesn’t think so. Charming story
Thank you Mr. Farrell!!
I agree, George, although for some reason I have a feeling this story will turn much darker than Salinger. Just a premonition.
Salinger usually wasn’t dark except for his short story A Perfect Day for Banana FIsh.
My heart ached for Jude when his thumb sucking became fodder for playground teasing. You captured the feeling of middle school social pain so well.
Thank you Sara. I agree, it is one of my strong points -- what I hope to do with this novel is capture high school angst, college discovery, and new adult directionless-ness as well.
Thank you for reading!!
Jude’s forgiveness is very believable. (In fact, I see it happen in my middle school all the time!) Another excellent installment, Clancy!
Oof…. The age of sleepovers. What a time to be alive.
I think so, too. Kids that age seem to be more willing to forgive and forget for many reasons. I am looking forward to getting into the next chapter soon!
In Spanish they say "Mejor sola que mal acompañada". It is better to be alone than to be in bad company. But I don't think any middle or high school kid would agree. Nothing's worse than being outcast at that age.
This is so true.
To me, this chapter showed the real value of a good, meaningful friendship, and what happens to people when those friendships are jeopardized. The character change in T, told symbolically in his absorption in his single-player game, struck me as such a real, quiet way that broken bonds can impact people. I’m really liking this story so far, Clancy!
wow, you captured the theme more perfectly than even I could explain! thanks for reading ricardo. i think you’ll like how their bonds evolve throughout the rest of the novel. thanks for reading!
So painful when Jude was outed. Social shaming especially in middle school is devastating! Loved the age of empires reference — my husband’s favorite game :)
thanks steph! i think it’s a chapter a really specific age group can relate to
I feel like you were there for my childhood with this one Clancy. The School of Rock reference sent me deep into some memory vaults - I was obsessed, and also faltered at the PG 13 rating when I saw it, something I totally forgot until I read this chapter.
that’s my goal — unlocking that memory vault! so glad you are enjoying cyndi!
Interesting that the shaming caused him to break the habit. Well written. Realistic actions and outcomes. It's hell keeping a secret!
Thanks for pointing out the shame thing, KC. I think that's super important. And thanks for reading!
Thanks for continuing to send these out, Clancy. I might be slow to get to them, but I'll get to them.
Lovely, rich continuation. I really felt for Jude here: "I was furious, hurt, lost, and lonely. Once again, on my own against the world, because Tommy and I were done."
He was very forgiving.
Betrayal and redemption! I’m glad they made it up; it seems they need each other. Your writing really pulls me in , excellent work.
Thanks Jenn -- as I said to another commenter, one thing I worried about in this chapter was the believability of Jude forgiving Tommy. But I think it is very common and representative of middle school friendships at large. They definitely need each other!
Thank you E.K. I was always worried if Jude’s forgiveness was going to be accepted by readers. I hope I made it convincing!