Martin grew up in a small town outside Alberta, Canada. It was hard as he was teased a lot for being feminine, but he loved to ride fast on the motorbikes his big brother fixed up in his bike shop. He’s been perfecting stunts in secret for the past year and is on a mission to stop the teasing, by giving the most magnificent motorbike display of his life to a crowd of college students. This is his moment. He’s going to jump from one parking lot rooftop to the next, forty feet in the air with no safety net. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Martin’s back story set in Canada (1999)
It seems that many people can relate to this story in one form or another, and not just in regards to a “feminine acting man”. This short story demonstrates VERY WELL the internal struggles that come from being different, whether sexually, physically, emotionally, or mentally. and not fitting in with the “rest” of society. It also does a GREAT job of demonstrating how far such individuals will go to overcome such stereotyping. Fantastic Job Cheryl! Truly fantastic.
Hi Mark, I’m glad this translated. It’s very true. We sometimes do really stupid things to accept ourselves, whoever we are, and however we’re perceived (or think we’re perceived) by others. Thank you.
Cheryl
You have shown how difficult is can be to be “unlike” the rest of the crowd and how difficult it can be to fit into the society around you that have the narrow-minded opinion that their way of thinking is “the normal way”.
Hi Kenny, thank you. I can certainly relate to Martin and am glad you can also. Thanks for taking the time to give me some feedback, I appreciate it. Cheryl
pink fairy wings lol strange but fun story
I wonder if you could do something with the first few lines to make it clearer who is narrating. With the first speech act it’s natural to assume the ‘I’ of the first narration is the same as the first speaker – which it isn’t. Doing the mental untangling took me out of the story a bit.
Of course it could be just me
Hi, I see your point, but personally think it works, because the first speaker refers to “Martin,” which is why I chose not to add a “he said.” This may be something which is open to individual preference, possibly, especially when opening with speech? Martin could have been talking to himself after all… (I do that a lot myself…) anyway, I think in other stories when the characters are more established, say for example Alexand and Katherine, and you as the reader and me as the writer are more familiar with them/their speech patterns etc… and you have an established his/herstory, this sort of floating quotation is less alienating? I know you need “he said,” “she said” occasionally, and I’ve been brought up on this before in the first few stories I posted a few years ago now, which I remedied BIG time
, so you got me thinking….. During a story which introduces new characters, do you need more speech identification rules? Thank you, I appreciate your feedback, and love your opening line for Freedom 11 BTW “My only rule is that I shall not be bound by any rules.” Cheryl
It is the opposite for me, the brother’s words immersed me from the beginning.
I love having little gaps to fill in and you seem to know just how wide to make them for my feeble mind.
Hi, yes, when I first started writing this mythology (20 years ago… yikes!) I used to explicate far too much, and I learnt over time that those little gaps are gold dust, as the reader’s imagination is much more powerful than mine. You’re right, it’s sometimes what isn’t said that makes a more inviting environment for a reader.
Like!
Thank you for your great blog. I have nominated you for a Reader Appreciation Award. I hope you don’t mind. To accept the award, there are five steps you must follow. The link to my post in which you were nominated is: http://mightyturk.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/reader-appreciation-award/
It outlines the steps.
Thank you, I’ll take a look!
you’ve got imagination Cheryl. Personally I think story writing requires quite a bit of imagination, skill…and in a sense, some measurement of reverse psychology! and are these your own illustrations?
Likewise, you have a beautifully written blog, I’m glad you stopped by. Thank you so much, and yes the illustrations are mine. Cheryl
Once again, you keep your readers hanging on to every word. Thanks for sharing your stories and writing skills with us.
Hi, Wally, thank you! I appreciate it. Cheryl
Excellent short story…in other ways I’ve felt out of step with “normal” society so I could identify.
Thanks, Mike, me too
Impressive! Stories and illustrations too! How do you find the time?
Hi, Christine, thanks.. (I don’t have a social life
)
Hey hey, just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
Check it out =)
http://theartistmindset.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Hi, Andrew, thank you!
Great story, and amazing illustration. I loved how, even though Martin is looking for acceptance, he refuses to step away from who he is.
Thank you! You have a great blog btw, people should go and check out The Story Shack, for a very diverse and prolific range of stories from a wide spectrum of writers/illustrators. Good to meet you! Cheryl
Thank you for the kind words and the shout out, it’s very much appreciated! We’re looking to grow, and it’s great to find fellow storytellers like you along the way. Good to meet you too! Martin
No problem, Martin!
Cheryl
Touching and hilarious at the same time. Such a mad idea that it’s believable. Martin seems very real to me. Great post!
Thanks, Richard, I’m glad you liked Martin!
Your blog is beautiful. I’m envious of your illustrative talents.
Thanks for stopping by mine!
Likewise, Eleanor, thank you! I appreciate you taking time to visit. Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
These are such thoughtful and amazing works. I am at the very beginning of starting some little picture stories and I have been sending them out as a “one person at a time exhibit”. I’d love to send you a few. If you would like you can send me an address at sarahvaleri@yahoo.com and I will mail them out when I have a new batch.
Best,
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I’ve had a look at the artwork on your site, and it is very original. I love your vision. I’ll email you, as I’d love to get to know more of your work. Thank you so much. Glad you like my work also
Cheryl
Cheryl,
Thanks for the follow. I’d love to post one of your short stories at clara54?
Best,
Clara.
Hi Clara, you’re very welcome, and I’m glad you stopped by here too! Which story do you have in mind?
Thank you so much, it means a lot. Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks so much. My readers are going to love your work! Asking which one is like asking to choose my fav piece of art:) love them all. How about #56 with Kavita? along with your bio & contact info, of course.
How would you like to transport?
Happy Sunday,
Clara.
Hi Clara, that would be great! I’m having problems clicking on your blog (if I click on clara54 it comes up with an error) Do you have another link so I can revisit your blog? Thanks, and yes you can use Kavita’s story
glad you like it. Cheryl
Your illustrations are gorgeous! I can’t wait to start reading the story right from the beginning.
Hi, Parinita, thank you!
Cheryl
WOW…
Hi Cheryl. Thank you for liking my poem ‘Often Unseen’. May I Wish You and your family A Happy Christmas and New Year. Best Wishes, The Foureyed Poet.
Hi, you’re very welcome and I hope you also have a great Christmas and new year!
wading through all the great comments to say the artwork’s brilliant and so is the writing.
Hi Shehanne, good to meet you and thank you
Cheryl
Good to meet you too Cheryl. I really hope you are going to find publication soon. You have such talent.
Thank you so much!
Realistic dialogue and well-paced. I like your facility with language.
Hi Linda, thank you.