| Author | Message | ||
     Captpete |
Dewey had a good run. He kept me going for seven years in Guam while hope for success became ever more elusive. Kept me going when I was spending more on dog food than the Ramen noodles that sustained me. He survived the long haul from Guam back to the East Coast, and on to my home port in NE Florida. He continued to be a positive force in my life until July 29th when life became so difficult for him I had to give him some relief. The old boy's out in the backyard, now, among the water oaks, live oaks and towering pines of this gorgeous maritime forest, where I live out my last days. We shared our lives for sixteen years and one day shy of four months. During that time I learned about unconditional love. A lesson I could have used much earlier in life. He's gone five weeks now and not a tear have I lost. I'm not that strong, yet. But that time is coming, when I'm ready to face the deluge and own it. It will happen when I am able to sit down at the keyboard to memorialize Dewey through writing about his life and how deeply he enriched mine. Meanwhile, I am no longer that old seat-of-the-pants writer, thanks to seven years of workshops and night school. There are old Dewey stories that can benefit from a rewrite, now that I'm supposed to know what I'm doing. There are also some new stories that haven't made it to the BadWeb. And there are stories not yet written. As a writer who is interested in having my work published, there are rules I must follow. Many publishers, most, actually, will not publish previously-published work. That means if I self-publish, even on BadWeb, that was my one shot at getting paid for my work. I don't know where this effort is headed. It could be a little chap book I self-publish for fifty cents and then who cares? Or maybe I just publish it on a yet-to-be-created website? Or, maybe, it turns into something bigger? In closing, one of the reasons I chose to get serious about writing was the positive feedback from BadWebbers who enjoyed my Dewey stories. (Thanks, Prior, Reep & all you others.) I owe y'all. And thanks for giving me this palette, Blake. RIP Dewey. Cheers, mates... Cap'n Pete | ||
| Court |
Captain: What a delight to see you here and to read about the wonderful times you and Dewey shared. Wherever you do write ..,, let us know. I’m betting you’ve some amazing tales to share. All the best, Court | ||
| Captpete |
Thanks, Court. I don't write much fiction, mostly because my plots are all just too stupid. But about six years ago I wrote a fictional opening scene that went nowhere after that. But, I fell in love with the characters. Every year or so I'd look at it again and make another attempt. It was tough. The characters were, well... One day it hit me; the conflict that had to go with the violence of that opening scene and the controversial gist of the plot. That's about the time my teacher/mentor/old friend pointed out I was getting a little long in the tooth and to get off my butt and start sending out my short stories for publication, or they'd die with me. That story is my first (so far) published. By an online literary rag. Yay, I was published... and a "ho" 'cause I knew they had a high acceptance %. As soon as they accepted it, I regretted "giving it away." It's a well-crafted story and I probably should... Boo hoo... But then, this past January, they emailed me to let me know the story was chosen to be included in their annual print anthology. That was the prize. It's fiction. The captain & his top deckhand live only in my mind. You can read it here: http://potatosoupjournal.com/?s=pete+caldwell | ||
| Paulinoz |
Capt'n Pete, it was so good to stumble on this page, after a redirect from a Face Book discussion on Australia's blame for something to do with Covid that led me here by mistake, anyway good to see you are still above ground and writing. Have you stolen any cars lately? I have book marked your story and will have a read. Since last we met, I retired went to sea for 5 years (cruising not working) now just trying to come to terms with the new world we find ourselves in back on land. Maybe if travel ever opens up again we might have to try to have a reunion of sorts somewhere. Get the old band back together for one last time, so to speak. (Message edited by PaulinOz on September 22, 2020) |
