Tuesday, November 13, 2012

On days when you need a smile ...

... a reader comes along and helps you make it happen.

My short story collection 5-Minute Tea Break Stories is the only book I haven't sent out for reviews. I had it free for three days, though, and one person who downloaded it left me the following review:

This is a collection of short stories written with great wit and style. Ms Deleuze is often irreverent and campy, but also can be very deep and thoughtful. Her stories run the gamut from loss to triumph, and frequently leave you wondering at the outcome. She has a beautiful poetic voice that makes you look at everyday occurrences in a new light.

I think it is a wonderful review and I'm still marvelling at the 'poetic voice'. Thank you, Shirley (mountainmana). I'm happy to have made you happy.


In the spirit of sharing: here's a small excerpt of my upcoming novel. The rewriting is taking a little longer than expected as the educational rant sidetracked me, but I hope to have this book done by end of this year.

Contraryto yourexpectationsyoudon'tmanagetosleep.Afteryou'vesentthee-mail, youhadanotherlookather interactions with others on Novelsite.Someguyssenthercompliments,wereflirtatious.Heranswerswere ascharmingasusual.You are unsurewhereitallcamefrom,but havingreadthoseexchangestriggers yourdesiretogooutandhavesomecompany.Thoughit'slate,youknowaplacethatisopentill early in the morning.Youshutdownthecomputeranddepart.
Fifteenminuteslater,youarriveatthebar.Whenyouenter,theownerlooksupfromthenewspaperhe'sreading.Younodintohisdirectionandtakeaseatatthebar.Hepoursyouascotch.Evenifyoudon'tcomeoften,heknowsyourdrink.Youneverspeaktoeachother; sincethatoneeveningyoudrankfartoomany,it'snotnecessary.Hewouldn'tstartaconversation,neitherwouldyou.Thatparticulareventshowedyouhavenocommongroundandyouendedupfrustratedaboutexplainingeverystatement. It'squietinhere,youthink.Unusualfortoday.Aglancearoundcountsninepeople,includingyouandthebarman.Agirlsitsbyherselfinthecorner,reading.Herredbobframeshercountenance,makingherstrongfeatureslooklikeapieceofart.Asifshefeelsyourstare,sheliftsherhead.Inthedimmedlightyoucan'tmakeoutwhatshe'sreading,butthefactthatshesitsherealoneonaFridaynight,holdingabook,makesherinterestingenough. Shesmilesatyou.Herfartooperfectlipsrevealasetofwhiteteeth.Youknowit'srude,butyoucan'tholdhergaze.Ashamed,youlookaway and into yourglass. Whenyoutakeasip,yousensehereyesscanningeachinchofyourbody. Anothersip.Itfeelswarm,comfortablywarm.Slow,butconfidentfootstepsonthewoodenfloor.Youlistencarefully,yourgriptightens.Five,six,seven,eight.Then,theystop.Thescentofflowery,expensiveperfumepenetratesyournostrils.
'Could I have another Chardonnay, please.'sheaddresses the owner.Hervoicesurprises.It'snothinglikeyouthoughtitwouldbe.Muchdeepernotdispleasing,though.Afaintaccentgivesawayshe'snotanative.Itsoundsinviting.She then turns to you.
'You'rewaitingforsomeone?'
'I wish,' you reply with a smile.
'Wouldyoumindmesittinghere?'Withoutwaitingforananswershelaysdownherbookandtakesaseat.Itsauthorisno-oneforeigntoyou.Awell-knownphilosopheryourfavourite.Youtrytohideyourexcitement.Thiswillbeinteresting.

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