Well, here’s #7. Out of 52, I say with a certain amount of dread. Stuff happened this week, and I barely got this done in time. Plus I had to remove parts of it for now because this story just wants to grow and grow.
In other words? Marvin’s back, in this sequel to Marvin the Magnificent!
If you haven’t read the original, you might want to give that a look first. Of course it’s totally optional. In fact it might be more fun to read this one first for all I know. Possibly even backwards, while searching for demonic messages. Or mnemonic dressage, which might mean something but probably doesn’t.
The point if any is that I’m done and the rest is up to you.
Marvin’s Dilemma
In this second adventure of Marvin Carter (aka “Vin Crypto”) we learn that we didn’t really know what was going on in the first installment. But don’t blame Marvin–he didn’t know the full story either. In fact chances are good he still doesn’t, but he’s still plugging away. Trying to make sense of the new world he’s discovered.
Like Columbus, sort of. Only there may be a happier ending eventually. Not to imply anything.
[REDACTED 8/28/2014]
I’m making many of my stories Amazon-only for a while. Their “Kindle Unlimited” deal is very nice for short fiction. I hate to leave people out if they prefer buying stuff at non-Amazon sites, but…(1) nearly all sales and downloads, for me, have always come from Amazon, (2) while I’ve had issues with Amazon, they’ve been very responsive in dealing with them, (3) I can’t say that for any other online distributor (well, Smashwords is actually pretty nice), and (4) this may boost visibility at Amazon…kind of the core of my business. If you really really hate the idea, please let me know.
First read through was fast…I have bowling…but…I was enjoying every minute. Will read through again tonight while enjoying every single word. Marvin is fun!!!
Yep, he’s a goofball. Glad you like reading his stuff–I plan to write lots more. {8’>
Just gave Marvin the respect he deserves. Read the story at a leisurely pace and enjoyed every minute of it. Questions answered and more questions appear. I absolutely love it! And I’m with you on the whole happy ending for Columbus! I also believe your writer’s soul really did have a meaning in mind for “mnemonic dressage”. I have a memory a horse with polka dots from a previous story 😀 Marvin is a fascinating person and I can’t wait for more of his story! Critique-wise I have to say again your way with words and plot setting is extremely entertaining! Keep up the good work!
David–I had not read the first Marvin story, so I had a bit of catching up to do on his Art. This piece definitely has the voice and the heft for a novel. Not sure if I can access that first story, though I definitely would like to! By way of crit: Not sure the longish rant on bicycles belongs in a short story, but it would not be a problem in a novel. In fact, I’d consider starting this story after the first *** break, when Marvin meets Mr. Sumner. The part before that feels like throat-clearing. IMHO. What I very much like is all the unresolved issues Marvin faces. This begs to become a novel–or at a minimum, a connected series of “episodes.” I see a series, one of those lucrative franchises that morphs from books to a TV series.
David–I had not read the first Marvin story, so I had a bit of catching up to do on his Art. This piece definitely has the voice and the heft for a novel. Not sure if I can access that first story, though I definitely would like to! By way of crit: Not sure the longish rant on bicycles belongs in a short story, but it would not be a problem in a novel. In fact, I’d consider starting this story after the first *** break, when Marvin meets Mr. Sumner. The part before that feels like throat-clearing. IMHO. What I very much like is all the unresolved issues Marvin faces. This begs to become a novel–or at a minimum, a connected series of “episodes.” I see a series, one of those lucrative franchises that morphs from books to a TV series. (Hey–I just noticed that Chrissie and Tina are two parts of one name–so does that mean we’re seeing two sides of one girl??)
Well, that thing about the girls was supposed to be this story/chapter’s major revelation. The bicycle thing is just Marvin’s sense of humor–consider the audience he’s writing for, and the way the story ends. Sure, it’s clunky, but it’s for a Marvin-compatible reason. He’s just like that. {8’>
Y’know, all but one of the “weekly challenge” stories are available here on the blog. You should be able to find the blog entries from the story description page. Only “You Sleigh Me” is missing, ’cause it’s exclusive to Amazon for a bit.
-D
Personally I loved this addition, especially the bicycle parts! Looking forward to more.
Thanks! There’s definitely more to do here… {8’>