Should I Marry My Insane Mother?
Essay20 total reviews
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Interesting, but also sad. Seems you never ended up with the woman you fit best with. But nothing is perfect, so we have to look at things from a positive angle and do our best to ignore the rest. I don't, tho, since I have the perfect husband. I just got lucky and found a man who doesn't see my long list of flaws. Luck has more to do with it than anything, I think. :)
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Interesting, but also sad. Seems you never ended up with the woman you fit best with. But nothing is perfect, so we have to look at things from a positive angle and do our best to ignore the rest. I don't, tho, since I have the perfect husband. I just got lucky and found a man who doesn't see my long list of flaws. Luck has more to do with it than anything, I think. :)
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
Comment from humpwhistle
Mikey, remember when you sponsored those 'grabber' contests? Now look at your opening paragraph.
I know I lack your tact when it comes to reviewing, but I wonder if tact is over-rated. I'm more of a 'take' over 'tact' guy. I give my take. Sure, I pull some punches, but I let others fly. I don't review the fragile, because the fragile don't want to be reviewed, only affirmed. I think phony 'affirmation' is good only for the self-publishing industry.
Here's my take. This piece is full of ideas. You're good at ideas. You overflow with ideas. But, where are the crystals?
Look at your first paragraph again. Now remember those 'grabber' contests? Do you see what I'm saying?
What you need in a mate is a no-nonsense editor.
However it appears, I'm really trying to help.
Peace,
Lee
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2015
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Mikey, remember when you sponsored those 'grabber' contests? Now look at your opening paragraph.
I know I lack your tact when it comes to reviewing, but I wonder if tact is over-rated. I'm more of a 'take' over 'tact' guy. I give my take. Sure, I pull some punches, but I let others fly. I don't review the fragile, because the fragile don't want to be reviewed, only affirmed. I think phony 'affirmation' is good only for the self-publishing industry.
Here's my take. This piece is full of ideas. You're good at ideas. You overflow with ideas. But, where are the crystals?
Look at your first paragraph again. Now remember those 'grabber' contests? Do you see what I'm saying?
What you need in a mate is a no-nonsense editor.
However it appears, I'm really trying to help.
Peace,
Lee
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2015
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Geez. You're right about the first paragraph. Yep, practice what I preach.
What you need in a mate is a no-nonsense editor.
Well, I practically fell on the floor laughing and then realized I was laughing AT myself.
Quite true, and you are helpful in pointing it out. I always fear in editing this type of piece that I'll edit out the emotion and maybe some of the truth. But that's just an excuse. I'll take a close look and spend some time with this after the contest and see what I can do. I know it can be much shorter. Always appreciate your take. I have enough tact for both of us.
Comment from jpduck
I was riveted by this throughout. Let me tell you, this takes some doing from non-fiction. Why was I riveted? I'm not sure, but you got off to a good start by describing the title of an FS contest as idiotic. I had to read more.
You went on to describe very precisely why the question was idiotic and unknowable. The construction of personae rang a carillon of bells for me.
Thank you,
Adrian
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I was riveted by this throughout. Let me tell you, this takes some doing from non-fiction. Why was I riveted? I'm not sure, but you got off to a good start by describing the title of an FS contest as idiotic. I had to read more.
You went on to describe very precisely why the question was idiotic and unknowable. The construction of personae rang a carillon of bells for me.
Thank you,
Adrian
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
Comment from BOO ghost
Awesome everything, what can I say and that is a lovely picture, words are tight and alright. A wonderful delight! The blue looks nice, a nice hue of blue words that describe a epic story. Should I Marry My Insane Mother? Unique tittle, prose is well written and imaginative, fantastic, I need not go into detail of a masterpiece, why bother. BOO
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Awesome everything, what can I say and that is a lovely picture, words are tight and alright. A wonderful delight! The blue looks nice, a nice hue of blue words that describe a epic story. Should I Marry My Insane Mother? Unique tittle, prose is well written and imaginative, fantastic, I need not go into detail of a masterpiece, why bother. BOO
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
Comment from PoemsOfDD
This is an excellent write for 'What I look for in a mate' contest entry. I think you've done a grand job at relaying your preference to partners and your life story. It held my attention to the end and was very thorough and descriptive in portraying this enjoyable read. Well done on this fine and 'funny' piece and good luck in the competition.
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This is an excellent write for 'What I look for in a mate' contest entry. I think you've done a grand job at relaying your preference to partners and your life story. It held my attention to the end and was very thorough and descriptive in portraying this enjoyable read. Well done on this fine and 'funny' piece and good luck in the competition.
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
Comment from nordicgirl
I believe I recognize enough of this srory and certainly the witty style. Loved this. Very absorbing and sets my mind off in a million directions. This is exceprional, but you do have some competition for a change. I think it may be a close vote.
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I believe I recognize enough of this srory and certainly the witty style. Loved this. Very absorbing and sets my mind off in a million directions. This is exceprional, but you do have some competition for a change. I think it may be a close vote.
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
Comment from Gloria ....
What a great essay about what you are looking for in a mate. I can't imagine marrying an insane mother, but on the other hand she seems to be a woman who has had a lasting and important impact on your life, what with you still working in mental health.
But, yes I have to agree with you, the question for the contest is complete idiocy, because as a writer it's difficult enough to separate fact from fiction particularly as different subsets of information surface more clearly with each sweep of the memory and imagination.
I very much enjoyed your sojourn through your younger years. It sounds like you were a ladies' man right from the start. I mean holding hands with a girl in grade three is pretty precocious.
Ah yes and there is Rose, the Rose without thorns and then your girlfriend in grade six. Wow. I was still trying to figure out the scales on my clarinet in grade six and why Jean Valjean was being so persecuted for the only fact of stealing a loaf of bread. By the sounds of it, you were having much more fun that I was.
I really enjoy this though and wish you all the best in the contest. It's a touching, honest and raw write.
One suggestion:
My young lesbian friend, besides keeping me in amazing physical shape, would have me writing around the clock and collaborating on amazing stories and film projects. Amazing used twice in this sentence. You might wish to consider another word to capture this beautiful lassie.
Very nicely done!
Gloria
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2015
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What a great essay about what you are looking for in a mate. I can't imagine marrying an insane mother, but on the other hand she seems to be a woman who has had a lasting and important impact on your life, what with you still working in mental health.
But, yes I have to agree with you, the question for the contest is complete idiocy, because as a writer it's difficult enough to separate fact from fiction particularly as different subsets of information surface more clearly with each sweep of the memory and imagination.
I very much enjoyed your sojourn through your younger years. It sounds like you were a ladies' man right from the start. I mean holding hands with a girl in grade three is pretty precocious.
Ah yes and there is Rose, the Rose without thorns and then your girlfriend in grade six. Wow. I was still trying to figure out the scales on my clarinet in grade six and why Jean Valjean was being so persecuted for the only fact of stealing a loaf of bread. By the sounds of it, you were having much more fun that I was.
I really enjoy this though and wish you all the best in the contest. It's a touching, honest and raw write.
One suggestion:
My young lesbian friend, besides keeping me in amazing physical shape, would have me writing around the clock and collaborating on amazing stories and film projects. Amazing used twice in this sentence. You might wish to consider another word to capture this beautiful lassie.
Very nicely done!
Gloria
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2015
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Wow. What a wonderful surprise. I never have a clue how something personal like this will be received. Ha! I too had a clarinet in the sixth grade. After all, I didn't know exactly what to do with Rose so I had time for clarinet scales as well. I wasn't very good, but in typical fashion the one thing I practiced was the opening smear to Rhapsody in Blue. I was the only one in the Tri-City Orchestra that could do it. Other than that I was third chair. I could triple tongue too. I go off on exciting and provocative tangents if you haven't noticed.
I'm delighted with your wonderful review and I'll wake up smiling I'm sure. I changed one of the "amazings", thank you, good catch. Does the picture look familiar? Probably not, you're not an egomaniac. :))
Comment from snooker155
loved it kept me spellbound to the end, the story flowed beautifully and it was very funny despite the rather cruel interpretation of those with mental health problems but because it entranced me to the end I can easily forgive this small misdemeanour. Well done!
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2015
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loved it kept me spellbound to the end, the story flowed beautifully and it was very funny despite the rather cruel interpretation of those with mental health problems but because it entranced me to the end I can easily forgive this small misdemeanour. Well done!
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2015
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I'm pleased you enjoyed this. I often forget that my flip attitude towards mental health might come across as dismissive. I live in and run a board and care for mentally ill individuals. Part of what I do is desensitize our residents to the stigmas attached to mental illness. Political correctness is a good thing and I support it. To its extreme though it leaves people walking on eggshells especially the people it is trying to protect. So, we use the same language and attitudes we'd use if we were watching a football game with some buddies on a Sunday afternoon. "What are ya nuts? You're crazy if you think that's a touchdown!" etc. So, yep, the atmosphere in our home is pretty loose. Hahaha. But, we're all happy and no one has been near a hospital in five years. Oh, I've been accused of rambling and being wordy. Go figure... Thanks again. Appreciate the kind words and observations. Hope I didn't talk your ear off.
Comment from Shanaya3
I'm totally amazed ...by the words, by the ideas, by the emotions. You've totally nailed it!... or not I should say, for what we look for in a mate is a fleeting ideal that when are met, leave us looking for more or for something else...I've read that the things we like the most in a person are going to be the things that annoy us the most after we've gotten to know the person for a few years or so..You have my vote!! Thank you for sharing.
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I'm totally amazed ...by the words, by the ideas, by the emotions. You've totally nailed it!... or not I should say, for what we look for in a mate is a fleeting ideal that when are met, leave us looking for more or for something else...I've read that the things we like the most in a person are going to be the things that annoy us the most after we've gotten to know the person for a few years or so..You have my vote!! Thank you for sharing.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015
Comment from Eric1
Hi Mystery author, this is a really good entry for this particular competition, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your letters and diary about growing up as a young lad and where you are at now, you should look for someone with the traits of your mother to be truly happy, I wish you the very best of luck in the contest my friend.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
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Hi Mystery author, this is a really good entry for this particular competition, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your letters and diary about growing up as a young lad and where you are at now, you should look for someone with the traits of your mother to be truly happy, I wish you the very best of luck in the contest my friend.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 05-Nov-2015