Hi, Clancy! I loved this short story, as I love all of your short stories (and novel). I am just a reader, not even an avid reader, more of an I-read-a-little-something-everyday reader. So, unlike others who comment with a writer's insight (it seems to me, anyway), I just know when I like something, and not especially why. In this one, I thought Audrey was going to be the character with S.A.D., so it was a surprise as I read to realize it was the protagonist with S.A.D. Your characters are always interesting and engage the emotions very quickly. I think you are a fantastic writer and hope you write a second novel one day. Looking forward to receiving "The Big T".
thanks for reading, as ever janice, and thanks for your kind praise. you are the rare casual reader/non-writer sort of person who engages with my work (a side-effect of only publishing via substack) so I am so thankful for your readership. in fact, id say you are my primary sort of reader who would enjoy my work the best. i have another novel in the works for next year, hope it doesnt let you down!
You put an amusing spin on one of the many ways in which two humans cannot fit together the jigsaw pieces of their personalities. A friendship with a pal (an alter ego) can bring far less heartache and almost as many warm moments (e.g. shared interest in a team or in playing a sport or in working a job) as some less successful dating relationships provide. An alter ego is by definition a copy of oneself. Can narcissism get any better? (Answer: no) Question to you: why would your narrator not move to a place where the weather would be more to his liking? Is the narrator stuck in a job in upstate New York like Prometheus chained to a rock in the Caucasus? Four stars.
I love how the seasons are a character in the story, sweeping Audrey into your life where you watch her happily embrace change as your mood fluctuates with the tides that take Audrey away. It left me feeling bittersweet and peaceful at the same time.
Really enjoyed this and the barometer effect of moods and seasons. Swept me along. "When we got back to my apartment was when I realized Audrey is the sort of person who makes love like a bad romance writer." Great line!
What can I say? OK, I think I have the same small sinuses as you! So familiar. Except I am Audrey with her drive for perpetual change. I am you when the seasons change. So I combine them. Run when I have to escape. But can't leave behind the moods :-) Thanks for a wonderfully written article. I'd support with a monthly, if I could. Right now, I'm full up.
hey thanks for reading! to inspire anyone to pay for my work is an accomplishment. soon there will be a deal where you can pay 30 bucks for a year long subscription AND get a copy of my novel, if that suits you :)
I liked that "It's probably worm shit," line. Haha. Wow. I think these two were never going to sync up. I tend to side with him in that life is going to be lousy sometimes and you have to accept that, but I don't think Audrey was the type to do so. I do think her saying every season is her favorite is an optimist outlook and nothing more. I'd say it was a clash between personality types. As always, it's a really cool story from you that made me laugh and made me think. Great work, Clancy.
wholesome and real. real people. felt like it needed to be part of something more. well observed, great fatalistic atmosphere. but what colour is Audrey's hair clancy! it obsessed me that we only knew it was curly... how weird to fixate on that!
This is bloody great - very tight, some precise and persuasive details, and two different but absolutely recognisable ways of moving through the world. Thanks for a happy moment.
This is fantastic. From start to finish, enticing and ripe with the OG Steadwellian nostalgia. Also:
“I have this theory about my condition. It has to do with barometric pressure. And small sinus cavities. And small ear canals. And capillaries in the skull” told me so much about the narrator in a small, beautifully written package. Loved it.
Beautifully written—I love how you capture both the charm and the ache of Audrey’s character, and how the seasons themselves become part of the story. Really terrific work, Clancy, as always.
thanks brock. i like this one too. it’s been very freeing to not post so often and let ones like this stew for a while. i think they come out much better
Clearly, it worked. I think this is some of your smoothest - even most cinematic - writing to date. I am looking forward to getting back to part two of the novel as well. You have a very bright future.
Hi, Clancy! I loved this short story, as I love all of your short stories (and novel). I am just a reader, not even an avid reader, more of an I-read-a-little-something-everyday reader. So, unlike others who comment with a writer's insight (it seems to me, anyway), I just know when I like something, and not especially why. In this one, I thought Audrey was going to be the character with S.A.D., so it was a surprise as I read to realize it was the protagonist with S.A.D. Your characters are always interesting and engage the emotions very quickly. I think you are a fantastic writer and hope you write a second novel one day. Looking forward to receiving "The Big T".
thanks for reading, as ever janice, and thanks for your kind praise. you are the rare casual reader/non-writer sort of person who engages with my work (a side-effect of only publishing via substack) so I am so thankful for your readership. in fact, id say you are my primary sort of reader who would enjoy my work the best. i have another novel in the works for next year, hope it doesnt let you down!
You put an amusing spin on one of the many ways in which two humans cannot fit together the jigsaw pieces of their personalities. A friendship with a pal (an alter ego) can bring far less heartache and almost as many warm moments (e.g. shared interest in a team or in playing a sport or in working a job) as some less successful dating relationships provide. An alter ego is by definition a copy of oneself. Can narcissism get any better? (Answer: no) Question to you: why would your narrator not move to a place where the weather would be more to his liking? Is the narrator stuck in a job in upstate New York like Prometheus chained to a rock in the Caucasus? Four stars.
Thanks for the review Jim! hahah, i think the narrator is "stuck" by their own masochism. they don't deserve their own happiness.
I love how the seasons are a character in the story, sweeping Audrey into your life where you watch her happily embrace change as your mood fluctuates with the tides that take Audrey away. It left me feeling bittersweet and peaceful at the same time.
thank you for reading debra. i like how the seasons are characters too! i’m glad it made you feel those emotions
I’m already sad to see summer go but will be happy when fall arrives. Me and Audrey!
Really enjoyed this and the barometer effect of moods and seasons. Swept me along. "When we got back to my apartment was when I realized Audrey is the sort of person who makes love like a bad romance writer." Great line!
haha thanks wendy! i liked that line too
What can I say? OK, I think I have the same small sinuses as you! So familiar. Except I am Audrey with her drive for perpetual change. I am you when the seasons change. So I combine them. Run when I have to escape. But can't leave behind the moods :-) Thanks for a wonderfully written article. I'd support with a monthly, if I could. Right now, I'm full up.
hey thanks for reading! to inspire anyone to pay for my work is an accomplishment. soon there will be a deal where you can pay 30 bucks for a year long subscription AND get a copy of my novel, if that suits you :)
I liked that "It's probably worm shit," line. Haha. Wow. I think these two were never going to sync up. I tend to side with him in that life is going to be lousy sometimes and you have to accept that, but I don't think Audrey was the type to do so. I do think her saying every season is her favorite is an optimist outlook and nothing more. I'd say it was a clash between personality types. As always, it's a really cool story from you that made me laugh and made me think. Great work, Clancy.
as always, thanks for reading parker
Well, that's good to know...I am often shy to comment, as I don't think I have anything helpful to say, except that I loved your story.
That is great to hear you are writing another novel! Can't wait to read it. Thank you!!
wholesome and real. real people. felt like it needed to be part of something more. well observed, great fatalistic atmosphere. but what colour is Audrey's hair clancy! it obsessed me that we only knew it was curly... how weird to fixate on that!
really enjoyed this! 😎
thanks for reading nick. she can have whatever color hair you want!!!
Lovely
thank you ms downs
Written with style and joy. Great read.
a great way to be described. thanks michael
This is bloody great - very tight, some precise and persuasive details, and two different but absolutely recognisable ways of moving through the world. Thanks for a happy moment.
thanks caroline. i’m always appreciative when you lend your keen reader’s eye!
This is fantastic. From start to finish, enticing and ripe with the OG Steadwellian nostalgia. Also:
“I have this theory about my condition. It has to do with barometric pressure. And small sinus cavities. And small ear canals. And capillaries in the skull” told me so much about the narrator in a small, beautifully written package. Loved it.
thanks will. you know i treasure your opinion so
I loved it
thank you CS
That last sentence is so wistful. He didn't quite want to believe it. Still hung on to a thread of hope. Thanks for this fine morning's read.
thanks for reading sharron, as always. i need to get back to Leaves
Don't worry about it, friend. SO MANY writers, so little time. We are all on overload.
Beautifully written—I love how you capture both the charm and the ache of Audrey’s character, and how the seasons themselves become part of the story. Really terrific work, Clancy, as always.
thanks brock. i like this one too. it’s been very freeing to not post so often and let ones like this stew for a while. i think they come out much better
Clearly, it worked. I think this is some of your smoothest - even most cinematic - writing to date. I am looking forward to getting back to part two of the novel as well. You have a very bright future.