I deleted this post, which was originally to take part in a story challenge by John Kenyon. Plans are now at work to put these all in an anthology, and as I've revised the story from this version, I don't think it really serves to keep it up. If for some reason the anthology doesn't happen, I will probably repost the newer version somewhere else.
I'm keeping the comments up, partly because I don't like to delete other people's words, but also because I appreciated them and they are good contact info.
I enjoyed this immensely! Quite a twist on--Cinderella, I presume?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kaye George! No, it wasn't Cinderella in my mind, but I can see how you might think that. I think I'll leave it undeclared, though other readers can guess if they want.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had time to check in at the site yet, but I will be getting to the other stories as soon as I have a chance.
I thought it was Cinders, too. The Prince and The Pauper?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a bloody good bit of writing, that.
Seana- That was a tremendous story. Well written, engaging, and kept my interest the entire time. At first, I expected Gato to be revealed as some kind of freak, but you transitioned him so well. I'm thinking it based on "Puss in Boots"
ReplyDeletePaul and Sean, thanks for the kind comments. I find it fascinating that Cinderella felt like a model for it, as it hadn't crossed my mind. I suppose some of the story motifs in fairytales echo each other a bit, in that the poor and outcast often win out.
ReplyDeleteSean gets the prize, though. If there was a prize. It was Puss 'n Boots. I originally thought it would follow the tale a little more exactly, but word count cut into an earlier idea, and I think in the end actually led me to a better story.
Sean, thanks for the link to the contest. I'll be reading everyone else's today and am excited at the prospect!
See, now to me, Puss in Boots is a brand of cat food. But this is one fine story.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Peter. I'm glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteI think Puss 'n Boots might have been a bit pricey for our poor cats. Unless it was the economy brand. It's been a long time and I kind of forget.
We never had cats. I just remember the television commercials.
ReplyDeleteI also read and liked Sean's story. I'll try to read some of the others. This keeps up, and I may try to write a story of my own.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Yes, I've read Sean's and a couple of others. I will read all of them over the next few days. It's an interesting premise and people have done some imaginative things with it.
ReplyDeleteSean's a great one for keeping us all posted on story challenges and such. I'd say, watch this space, but you'd do better to watch his.
I'll watch both spaces; I've just added his to my RSS feeds, and your blogs are already on my list.
ReplyDeleteI liked these stories for the same reason I like "Requiems for the Departed." A fresh, thoroughly contemporary story can restore the original power to fairy tales that myths that have lost their oomph in our culture.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Yes, I was reminded of that collection too, especially since I only recently got around to reading it.
ReplyDeleteSeana- What tipped me off was the character name "Gato", which I thought might be a tip off to the fairytale being adapted.
ReplyDeletePeter- I say go for it. I bet you can come up with some great stories.
My French is far better than my Spanish, so I think of gateau as "cake". I should have flipped over to Spanish obviously!
ReplyDeleteRight, I actually thought 'Gato' might make it a bit too obvious, but I guess I wasn't thinking about other sound associations to the word...
ReplyDeleteSEANNA, I LOVED THIS!
ReplyDeleteI'd figgered Puss & Boots and then "Gato" sealed the deal in my smilin' mind - how well and swell you told this tale - title swung it all in ... then, I had the 2nd joy of reading through the comment*zing and the smiles rose the more. Funny, twas Sean that I too followed in on this crime'tale from fairy'tale scene.
Back to your tale - was if I was sitting back, sitting back, sitting back, listening to your writer's voice wondering how all would shake down. Gosh, your boots were made for good steppin' out. ~ Absolutely*Kate
Lovely story in every way. Puss in Boots was one of my favorites. I guessed with Gato and knew for sure when Gato pushed Frank in the water.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done!
ReplyDeleteRight, RL, it's a very fine line between just following the program of the original story, and bringing something of your own to it without taking it too far afield. I have no idea if I managed it, but it was a very interesting challenge.
ReplyDeleteEvan, just got over and read your fine story, as you will see. It's taking me longer than I thought to get to everyone's but that's a good thing. Recognizing more than a few names here from Christmas Noir and am hoping to encounter all of you at the next writing challenge soon.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Kate, I love reading your comments. Not just here, but absolutely everywhere.
(( And, coming across this and You, in about every 'Once Upon A Crime'tale' tonight, I'm absolutely smiling in the dark to see you say that Seana ... geeeez, now you're stuck wit'me hangin' around your great writes. )) ~ Absolutely*kate
ReplyDeleteWell, it would be nice if all of us flotsam and jetsam found some kind of glue to hold us together a bit, wouldn't it? Between this and the Xmas noir writers who didn't overlap, it's a very good crowd, I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteRight you are, talented Lady ~ tis a damn good crowd. So put your flotsam where your jetsam is and spread the word -- There's a FAB*FEB*FILM*FEST coming very soon AT THE BIJOU.
ReplyDeleteTime to 'stick together' with a cinematic flair -- I'm very sure you're up to it. (slip it under the projection room door @ RiverviewStudios@gmail.com) *THANKS!*
Very intriguing, and I hope some others are reading down here as well...
ReplyDeleteVery fun story Seana. I've never read Puss 'n Boots so now I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteA Mad Men break, Glenna? You can try Puss n Boots, but I think I might have kind of given away the general plot.
ReplyDeleteThe book with the Fred Marcellino illustrations is worth looking at just in itself.