One man's journey to get clean
Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "Gary's new life"Getting clean from meth isn't easy
36 total reviews
Comment from rtobaygo
Good morning, Patty
Excellent post! Though I've never been to a meeting of this nature, I felt I was in the last row listening to Gary speak. Kudos.
Take care and stay safe,
Ray
PS: out of 6's
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2017
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Good morning, Patty
Excellent post! Though I've never been to a meeting of this nature, I felt I was in the last row listening to Gary speak. Kudos.
Take care and stay safe,
Ray
PS: out of 6's
Comment Written 20-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2017
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Thank you! I will take a virtual 6 any day! I'm glad you enjoyed the read. Have a good day,
~patty~
Comment from barkingdog
This was a lovely, happy ending to Gary's story. It shows how if one seeks help and tries their best to overcome a problem, good will come of it.
I also liked your positive outlook on mental illness.
One suggestion. When Gary is taking and there are several paragraphs, you only need quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and one at the end of the final paragraph.
Nicely, done, patty
:) e
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2017
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This was a lovely, happy ending to Gary's story. It shows how if one seeks help and tries their best to overcome a problem, good will come of it.
I also liked your positive outlook on mental illness.
One suggestion. When Gary is taking and there are several paragraphs, you only need quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and one at the end of the final paragraph.
Nicely, done, patty
:) e
Comment Written 20-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2017
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Hi; thank you for stopping by to read and review. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. The quotation marks have gone back and forth - I finally looked it up in my grammar book - with line breaks between paragraphs within the quote - you need to use the extra quotation marks. Thanks for noticing though,
~patty~
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When did they change that rule? Why would breaks between paragraphs make a difference? Gee whiz.
Can you tell me where you found the info? I'd really appreciate it.
:) e xx
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I have a book called, "The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need" written by Susan Thurman. It is a great resource. ~p~
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A paragraph break can be an indentation or a single line space.
When you place a quote mark at the end of a paragraph of dialogue, it indicates that that speaker has finished his dialogue.
You then must introduce the next speaker if the next paragraph is also dialogue.
Thus the final quotes are only needed when one speaker finishes. Where as, initial quotes are at the beginning of every paragraph of continuous dialogue.
Let me know if you find a reference that says otherwise. I'd really appreciate it.
I
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I was going by Chicago Manual of Style. Since I can't read what Thurman's written, and can't find any articles that agree with her, I'll have to stick with Chicago.
Do you think she might have just not explained it clearly? A skipped line is merely a paragraph break, just like an indentation. It shouldn't change the use of commas.
Thank you for discussing this with me, patty.
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I agree that there are differences in the manuals. Gene Roush, another writer on the site, googled it, and he found articles to support my theory - so, I think we all have to go with our reference material. ~p~
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thank you so much for the lively discussion. I always appreciate finding out more information on writing. I think I will order the Chicago manual from Amazon. I like to have several sources,
~patty~
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I'd certainly love to read said articles. Could you ask him for the sites? I don't know him, or I would.
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I sent gene a message, and as soon as he gets back to me, I will send you his answer,
~patty~
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I found several articles by googling, "Are quotation marks necessary with continuing paragraphs of dialogue?" The one difference I DID find is that I should only have used ONE closing quotation mark - ~patty~
Comment from MelB
I've really enjoyed reading this Patty. I'm glad you are going to publish it. I think it can help many people who struggle with addictions. They need to know good things can happen if they will seek help. Have you went to see your son yet?
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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I've really enjoyed reading this Patty. I'm glad you are going to publish it. I think it can help many people who struggle with addictions. They need to know good things can happen if they will seek help. Have you went to see your son yet?
Comment Written 19-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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Hi; I will be going to Minneapolis in three weeks to see my son. That's part of the reason I wanted to have a finish for the novel - I will bring it to him to read. I so appreciate you stopping by to read and review. Thank you for your time and concern - I will let everyone know how it goes after my trip,
~patty~
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Remind me again before you go. I would like to pray for him, if that's okay with you:)
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thank you so much - I'm leaving on May 8, and I will probably post a prayer poem or story the night before, ~p~
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You're most welcome:)
Comment from nuthead
That was real, wow. When he heard a sniff and saw his mom, ran to the back and they hugged. I cried.
The whole chapter is real, the meetings, everything about them from coffee to big book.
Mental illness and addiction definitely pair up often. Glad your guy got clean.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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That was real, wow. When he heard a sniff and saw his mom, ran to the back and they hugged. I cried.
The whole chapter is real, the meetings, everything about them from coffee to big book.
Mental illness and addiction definitely pair up often. Glad your guy got clean.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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Hi; thank you for stopping by to read and review. I appreciate your comments and encouraging words,
~patty~
Comment from MsPetra
I gave you five stars because this is a good read.
One little issue though. You said that the AA bible was in each seat.
Addicts Go to NA meetings even though alcohol is a drug. If you are an addict you get your coins at NA meetings.
That can be a simple fix. You might want to check out my poem Recovery.
I wrote it for and recited it for the 37th and last graduation ceremony of the Addiction Institute. Alcohol was my drug of choice. My councilor made sure I went to AA meetings, not NA meetings. They are very different and help you in different ways.
Also, the thing about the last meal I would change a little. I would say that he only got (or ordered) the fries even though he wanted the burger too. He had to have that little bit of money left for that next one.
An addict is always looking for that next one even though he wants to kick. You put that he found the pamphlet in the bathroom after the food. Most people either order their food first and then go to the bathroom or eat and go to the bathroom. That's when he made the decision. Me personally, that's where I would have put in that he went and got the burger knowing that he was going to make the meeting and get help or call the number.
Making a choice not to spend the rest of the money for his next one is a powerful turning point.
I wish you well with your writing.
If you want any more info on addiction programs and meetings let me know. I would be happy to oblige. You get more when you give more.
Peace and Blessings
MsPetra
p.s.
If you do give Recovery a read please give it a review. That way I will know that you read it.
Again, best of luck!
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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I gave you five stars because this is a good read.
One little issue though. You said that the AA bible was in each seat.
Addicts Go to NA meetings even though alcohol is a drug. If you are an addict you get your coins at NA meetings.
That can be a simple fix. You might want to check out my poem Recovery.
I wrote it for and recited it for the 37th and last graduation ceremony of the Addiction Institute. Alcohol was my drug of choice. My councilor made sure I went to AA meetings, not NA meetings. They are very different and help you in different ways.
Also, the thing about the last meal I would change a little. I would say that he only got (or ordered) the fries even though he wanted the burger too. He had to have that little bit of money left for that next one.
An addict is always looking for that next one even though he wants to kick. You put that he found the pamphlet in the bathroom after the food. Most people either order their food first and then go to the bathroom or eat and go to the bathroom. That's when he made the decision. Me personally, that's where I would have put in that he went and got the burger knowing that he was going to make the meeting and get help or call the number.
Making a choice not to spend the rest of the money for his next one is a powerful turning point.
I wish you well with your writing.
If you want any more info on addiction programs and meetings let me know. I would be happy to oblige. You get more when you give more.
Peace and Blessings
MsPetra
p.s.
If you do give Recovery a read please give it a review. That way I will know that you read it.
Again, best of luck!
Comment Written 19-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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Hi, thank you for stopping by to read and review. They do use the big AA book at NA meetings. The book has all of the steps, and stories from AA, but the Big Blue Bible is used by any twelve step program. (I went to OverEaters' Anonymous for a few years.)
~patty~
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What do you think about changing that part about the food decision in the restaurant.
I have the big book, but I've never seen it at a NA meeting I've been to.
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How did it work out for you at the OverEaters' Anonymous? I hope it went well!
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How did it go for you at the OverEaters Anonymous for you. I hope it went well! Food is a hard addiction to overcome because we all need it to live.
Comment from doggymad
This was a terrific ending and a triumph for Gary. It is always good to know that many people survive and return to daily life after trauma such as this.
Looking forward to your other writings
Hugs
Freda
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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This was a terrific ending and a triumph for Gary. It is always good to know that many people survive and return to daily life after trauma such as this.
Looking forward to your other writings
Hugs
Freda
Comment Written 19-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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Hi Freda; thank you for seeing Gary's story through to the end with me. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement,
~patty~
Comment from kriver
Hi Patty,
I liked your whole story
Being that you indicated
earlier that Gary was gay
I guess you made the ending
to be politically correct
Best regards,
K River
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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Hi Patty,
I liked your whole story
Being that you indicated
earlier that Gary was gay
I guess you made the ending
to be politically correct
Best regards,
K River
Comment Written 19-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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hi; thank you for stopping by to read and review. I wanted the epilogue to encompass all aspects of Gary's life, and I thought his marriage would show how far he had come. Thank you for your kind words,
~patty~
Comment from apky
You have shared this and thus given us the opportunity to love and root for Gary and his family. I can imagine this being not just a great novel but also a helpful and necessary one for a whole bunch of people, including caregivers/social workers/psychologists (there, I've given you a bit of your markting plan!).
The happy ending made me do some equivalence of clapping.
Well done, Patty.
Apky
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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You have shared this and thus given us the opportunity to love and root for Gary and his family. I can imagine this being not just a great novel but also a helpful and necessary one for a whole bunch of people, including caregivers/social workers/psychologists (there, I've given you a bit of your markting plan!).
The happy ending made me do some equivalence of clapping.
Well done, Patty.
Apky
Comment Written 19-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2017
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Hi Apky; thank you so much for your thoughtful review. The project of turning the novella into a novel will be a great amount of work, but I think I will continue to grow as I give voice to this struggle,
~patty~
Comment from Jan Anderegg
A very touching story. Drug and alcohol addiction is such a difficult thing to battle, and you have made this feel very real. Good luck with the future publishing!
Notes:
Stacked the copies of the AA Bible waited on the table in the back of the room.
Did you mean -- stacks of copies of the AA Bible waited on the table in the back of the room. ?
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2017
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A very touching story. Drug and alcohol addiction is such a difficult thing to battle, and you have made this feel very real. Good luck with the future publishing!
Notes:
Stacked the copies of the AA Bible waited on the table in the back of the room.
Did you mean -- stacks of copies of the AA Bible waited on the table in the back of the room. ?
Comment Written 18-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2017
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Hi; thank you so much for stopping by to read and review. I will look at your suggested edits,
~patty~
Comment from Pearl Edwards
I didn't want to believe I was mentally ill - I guess that's what society made him feel. Well done in the telling of this story, and I wish you luck with your Novella Patty,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2017
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I didn't want to believe I was mentally ill - I guess that's what society made him feel. Well done in the telling of this story, and I wish you luck with your Novella Patty,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 18-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2017
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Hi Valda; thank you so much for stopping by to read and review. I appreciate your well wishes - I have the backbone of the story; now I just need to give it more bulk,
~patty~