Comments on: A Good Book for School

By: Estrella Azul

Estrella Azul — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:42:17 +0000

Beautifully written, and as it was said before, it’s sad that that was the only book to share…

Thanks, Estrella. At least there are some good stories in the book. ~Tim

By: mazzz_in_Leeds

mazzz_in_Leeds — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:39:38 +0000

I hope she tried to infiltrate them with some DH Lawrence, or something!

Doubt it somehow though. Good voice here!

By: CJ

CJ — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:43:52 +0000

Great voice and slice of some country thinking.
Enjoyed it – but also felt a bit sorry for the teacher, good intentions and all.

Thanks, CJ. Teachers tend to be a resilient lot [yes, I'm biased] and I think she found some teachable moments [pardon the jargon] that week. ~Tim

By: Kim Batchelor

Kim Batchelor — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:26:59 +0000

This story reminds me of a bumper sticker that said something like, “If it’s not the King James Version, it’s not a Bible,” such an odd reaction given that the KJV is a poetic but one of the worst translations in print. So Shannon’s right about this being sad, but also too close to reality (I live in Texas). Interesting story, Tim. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks, Kim. I’ve seen that bumper sticker too. [I usually describe it as the scariest bumper sticker I've ever seen.] ~Tim

By: shannon esposito

shannon esposito — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:47:58 +0000

Great dialog, it’s so hard to get that southern speak down without overdoing it. This one made me sad, I hate to say. Not your writing (that was great) but the idea that the only book important enough to share was the bible…sigh….sadness

Thanks, Shannon. It’s nice to know I haven’t lost my ear for southern speak. Where I live now I don’t hear it often. [I miss it!] You might think Miss Loretta would be more specific than to ask for a good book in the bible belt. ~Tim

By: Laura Eno

Laura Eno — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:07:45 +0000

I thought maybe you’d end up with some of those girlie magazines… Great story!

Thanks, Laura. I suppose girlie magazines make it into every classroom, they just don’t make it onto the bookshelf. ~Tim

By: Oliva Tejeda

Oliva Tejeda — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:10:12 +0000

Not THE good book! Ole Miss Loretta shoulda been more clear ’bout that! I enjoyed reading this so much I felt sad when it was over!

Great story and great use of the language. It’s done just enough. Thanks for sharing this! ~ Olivia

Thanks, Olivia. Miss Loretta did get just what she asked for, of course. I glad you liked it. Characters like these chatter away in my head all the time so I expect I’ll have similar stories for you in the weeks ahead. ~Tim

By: G.P. Ching

G.P. Ching — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:57:59 +0000

You might be a redneck if….. I don’t live in the south but I have visited and you captured the native dialect quite well. Not a Fred or Ginger in sight! Funny story with good characterization.

Thanks, G.P. I grew up in the south but not in as rural an area as where I placed this story. I actually imagined one of my college roommates telling this story to get the voice right. I’m glad it worked. ~Tim

By: Diandra

Diandra — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:44:43 +0000

I like how the use of language blends in with the story itself.

Thanks, Diandra. Once I got the idea for the story most of the work went into trying to get the language right. I’m glad it worked for you. I think some people will find it distracting. ~Tim