Cole Matthews

Thank you for reading it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Hi! This is the discussion thread for So Weeps the Willow, a story in three parts. The first section of the tale is called Sobriety, and it involves the blog entries of a young man in his mid-thirties who is abusing alcohol. Jake Ogden is troubled, and we will get to know him through his own words and reactions to the events of the day. His approach with using a blog as a kind of 'talk therapy' has generated some interesting comments. Please feel free to add your thoughts and opinions. Cole Matthews.

Thanks AC! I believe Jake is probably overly optimistic, but we will see what's next. The picture on my signature card and in the header of the story is a weeping willow that's my favorite tree ever. It started growing the year I was born. It was knocked down by the wind last year. I know it sounds weird, but I'm using this tree as a motif later in the story. Thanks so much Lisa for a lovely review.

Thanks for reading and commenting. There are more questions than answers, especially at first. I love hearing opinions, so don't be shy. I was a little worried readers wouldn't like using the blog to reveal pieces of Jake's life and character as the entries flow. Thanks for the wonderful comments.

Self-delusion is the default of an addict. You are absolutely right, but he has one thing going for him. I appreciate the insightful comment. I'm glad you like the idea of using the blog to look into his mind and develop Jake's character. The young are as likely to have chemical issues as older people. Thanks for the lovely comment. There will be a great deal of self-reflection going on. Thanks for the delightful review. I think I should start a discussion thread for this story. I was going to wait, but I should do it now!..

Very true! Thanks for the comment. Jake's got a complicated history with addiction as you will see. More than anything, I believe he's scared at this point.

Jake is having a rough time. His career's at a dead end. His love life is a disaster. His mother is a mess. Finally, he decides to turn things around. This is his story.

So Weeps the Willow – Prologue For those reading this for the first time, this may be a bit odd. For others, I give you the next paragraph. Are you surprised? Jake’s blog was recounting his journey toward sobriety. He was trying to improve his life, and then suddenly, he died. Out of nowhere, he is gone. Most mysteries start with a person’s life and character recounted in retrospect. I’m doing something quite different for a reason. A person lives their life, does their thi

Day 0 My head hurts so goddamn much, I’m having a hard time thinking, but I need to get this out. I rolled out of bed an hour ago, drank water with a couple of aspirin, guzzled some antacid, and then lay down on the couch. I’ve been hurting about the same ever since, until something stirred in me. For some reason, this morning is making me realize something. Fuck! I was trying to think of the last time I woke up and didn’t do these things. Every morning I’m hung over,

Excellent blog! It reminds us to be thoughtful in our wording. Too many explanations and adverbs are tiring. Not enough, and we can lose our place. Especially when more than two people are speaking. He said; tends to disappear in writing. By the same token, naturalism in pacing can be aided by using actions to add to the import of the speech. All of these ideas and suggestions are important things to consider. His last paragraph is a helpful, and welcome, guide. Thank you Graeme for giving us some wonderful advice.

Interesting exercise. As a reader, I like the pov to add to the effect. If a character's perspective adds to the story, first person works. If the story is more narrative, third person works better. Writers need to consider what conveys their story the best. This means considering the audience, the character, the plot and the theme in the long run. It's the story that matters to me. If readers lose out, the story loses out. My two cents.

I had the wrong deadline for Secret Spaces! Halloween first, yikes.

Happy Birthday Mann!!!

Happy Birthday Renee!!!

Time is always an issue, however, you started this with an idea. There is a purpose in mind. An artist makes their voice known, even if it is painful. The Best Year has much to say. Jackson wants to say his piece, and I can't wait to hear it. Luke is worried. He's fidgeting, pensive, nervous, but he thinks he may know. Inside, it's killing him, not sure what is happening. What does his future hold? Is he a captive of his environment? Or are there avenues to escape? What does Jackson think? Jackson is trapped in amber, as is Luke. They await your actions. Cole

Sorry about that. I didn't even know I did so. thanks!

Hi, I've had a question sent to my messages today, and I can't see his question. Nor can I see my response. They are showing the following. Let me know what to do.

What a lovely interview!!! It's a joy working with and reading Valkyrie. She's a wonderful person face to face too. Nice job!

How could I not see this? Of course I'll come out and play. This is a great idea. So, I need to pick a story of @jkwsquirrel to review, correct? Let me me if I'm too late to the party.

You've kept true to the characters here, which is difficult given the situation you've crafted. Cindy would isolate Luke. Luke would comply, for a while. Henry would do his best to disarm the volatile Jackson. Jackson, knowing he could lose it all, would back off and as a result, his depression is quite natural and tinged with bitter anger. Along with this depression, he fears Luke may be done with him. His fears he isn't good for Luke come back and reinforce this bitterness. It would have been easy for you to have people rant and rave and yell platitudes. Instead you've mirrored how events like this unfold, without righteous indignation or fury. They cope, which Jackson is barely doing. He holds out hope and ends up with socks, which is just how desperate he is. You show Jackson's frenzied grasp onto a person he didn't want to love, but does. In fact, this chapter shows how love isn't easy, falling into place with fate intervening as a benevolent helper. Instead, his clueless father comes up with a plan to give Luke and Jackson a vital link, an anchor on these very stormy and blinding storm. Excellent!!!!

I love this scene. It is exactly what teenaged boys would do. It is exactly how a mother would react. She's scared to death and I think they both know what's coming. Very well done and perfectly paced. I will be commenting on the next chapter as well. Brilliant.

Happy Birthday my friend!!!! I hope you're having a special day. We're thinking about you... and Remember this:

What I loved about Unforgivable was how it mirrored how we act. Consider the scenarios with Corey and Jason. Corey was once bitten twice shy, and yet, there is a possibility of redemption, maybe. When they met up, it was fireworks on a level we've all experienced. Can we tolerate this person? What is there making us feel this matters? What intrigues us? We don't know. It wasn't really perfectly telegraphed, thank God, except we hoped. Good storytelling leads us by the nose and keeps us wondering. It gives us hope. Throughout the story Jason grew and Corey healed. That is the essence of a novel. We see characters change, yet keep their voices. They aren't different. They have learned. Lovely story to read, in my humble opinion. Cole

Thanks to all of you. We had a wonderful day with breakfast at a new place, delicious, Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, hilarious and it also uses Brandy, You're a fine girl, like Looking Glass, as an inspiration, antique cookbook shopping, who's ready for chicken jello, and finally a seafood extravaganza followed by strawberry rhubarb pie. I'm glad Randy took the day off. It made the experience really special. I love you guys so much. Thank you!

Thanks to all. Randy took the day off as it's cold and rainy. We are going to a movie, eating out every chance we get, and otherwise spoiling the cats and enjoying the day. It's a lovely, rainy day, and I'll take it!!!!