Wow! What a deeply perturbing and provactive story - in all the best ways. There's a creeping sense of horror woven into the narrative from beginning to end, from the pastor's twisted and mismatched face to the birds flying in and out of desolate windows: every line seems the thrum with impending doom. I assumed that the story was going somewhere supernatural, but in a way, I'm very glad it didn't: the horror of a deranged man preaching to a growing throng of xenophobic bigots is much more grounded and chilling, especially considering what we know of recent US history after the time of the story. I also thoroughly enjoyed the characterisation-work here. Both Pastor Elijah and Sheriff Braxton Lee are perfectly drawn: both their descriptions and character voices will be fixed in my head for a long time to come. It's been awhile since I got time to catch up on your work (again), but this was so worth the wait!
Hey there PVT! Once again thank you so much for reading my stuff and your generous feedback. I kind of took the gloves off with that story and while it got a fair number of views (for me anyway) I did get some complaints and my next story got half the number of views it would usually get. What you gonna do? I wrote it and I stand by it. If I lose readers c’est la vie.
Thanks again for your support and I hope you have a great weekend.
You’re very welcome. I’m sorry the story rubbed some folks up the wrong way. I’m honestly surprised. It’s not like it’s attacking religion as such, just the lunatics and hatemongers who want to rewrite it and destroy all that’s enlightened in it for their own xenophobic ends. Goodness knows America has a lot of those at the moment. It’s a timely and important story. It’s also amazingly well-written and you have every right to stand by it!
That ending definitely ticked off a fair amount of people and lost me some readers but that’s okay. I did post a warning and I was trying to make a point about the weaponization of religion and specifically MAGA Christianity. Thanks for reading my story Siobhan and thanks for the feedback.
Sorry about chilling your blood Alicia. I did come out swinging with that one and so far all the feedback I’ve been given has agreed with you that it’s reflective of the current reality. That’s pretty damn depressing but I’m hopeful that things can change.
I believe very much it is changing, right now as we speak. It just takes time for the material world to show it. That is a great story, Norm! The time for playing it safe is past, I think.
This was a tough read. A lot of people I (used to) know would have made the same call with the pastor. Hell, they probably would have helped him in the church without bothering with the pretext. I literally had one friend tell me that there are more important things in the bible than the teachings of Christ. This same dude was a missionary to Venezuela (where he met his wife, who has since left him, likely because of the hate and racism).
I’ve been thinking of writing something like this for awhile because so many of the bible quotes used by politicians lately are cherry picked and taken out of context from the old testament. The new testament seems to be forgotten along with its overriding message of peace, love, acceptance and forgiveness. If you profess to be a Christian then act like one. Sorry to rant. This is why I try not to stray into politics.
Wow! What a deeply perturbing and provactive story - in all the best ways. There's a creeping sense of horror woven into the narrative from beginning to end, from the pastor's twisted and mismatched face to the birds flying in and out of desolate windows: every line seems the thrum with impending doom. I assumed that the story was going somewhere supernatural, but in a way, I'm very glad it didn't: the horror of a deranged man preaching to a growing throng of xenophobic bigots is much more grounded and chilling, especially considering what we know of recent US history after the time of the story. I also thoroughly enjoyed the characterisation-work here. Both Pastor Elijah and Sheriff Braxton Lee are perfectly drawn: both their descriptions and character voices will be fixed in my head for a long time to come. It's been awhile since I got time to catch up on your work (again), but this was so worth the wait!
Hey there PVT! Once again thank you so much for reading my stuff and your generous feedback. I kind of took the gloves off with that story and while it got a fair number of views (for me anyway) I did get some complaints and my next story got half the number of views it would usually get. What you gonna do? I wrote it and I stand by it. If I lose readers c’est la vie.
Thanks again for your support and I hope you have a great weekend.
You’re very welcome. I’m sorry the story rubbed some folks up the wrong way. I’m honestly surprised. It’s not like it’s attacking religion as such, just the lunatics and hatemongers who want to rewrite it and destroy all that’s enlightened in it for their own xenophobic ends. Goodness knows America has a lot of those at the moment. It’s a timely and important story. It’s also amazingly well-written and you have every right to stand by it!
Was not expecting that ending, lol.
That ending definitely ticked off a fair amount of people and lost me some readers but that’s okay. I did post a warning and I was trying to make a point about the weaponization of religion and specifically MAGA Christianity. Thanks for reading my story Siobhan and thanks for the feedback.
So true, and it was a good writ! Have a wonderful Easter day ahead!
You as well Kathy and thank you for the generous feedback.
Very deep, very sleek, thought provoking.
Thank you. I included a content warning because my stories aren’t usually as harsh as that one, but these seem to be harsh times.
Wow...!
Yup, I was in a mood. Heard one too many old testament quotes on the news I guess.
Fair enough. Less news is good news. For our sanity.
Yikes!
Yup.
100% chilling. 100% reflective of the current reality. Congrats on making my blood run cold this morning! 💀💀💀
Sorry about chilling your blood Alicia. I did come out swinging with that one and so far all the feedback I’ve been given has agreed with you that it’s reflective of the current reality. That’s pretty damn depressing but I’m hopeful that things can change.
I believe very much it is changing, right now as we speak. It just takes time for the material world to show it. That is a great story, Norm! The time for playing it safe is past, I think.
This was a tough read. A lot of people I (used to) know would have made the same call with the pastor. Hell, they probably would have helped him in the church without bothering with the pretext. I literally had one friend tell me that there are more important things in the bible than the teachings of Christ. This same dude was a missionary to Venezuela (where he met his wife, who has since left him, likely because of the hate and racism).
I’ve been thinking of writing something like this for awhile because so many of the bible quotes used by politicians lately are cherry picked and taken out of context from the old testament. The new testament seems to be forgotten along with its overriding message of peace, love, acceptance and forgiveness. If you profess to be a Christian then act like one. Sorry to rant. This is why I try not to stray into politics.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me Walt.
They do love to forget the new testament exists (and not just the politicians). Just one of several reasons for my deconstruction.
Twisty…nice! 👌👏😊
Twisty Norm! Thank you Seajade.