Comments on: Sunday Rumpus Fiction: Real Men

By: Donald Tripp

Donald Tripp — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 21:29:49 +0000

This story hits so close to home and reminds me me of the summer of 1974 and the Winter of 1975. Where are you now Margaret and Amy?

By: Mikey

Mikey — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:33:18 +0000

What a great story — really enjoyed this piece.

By: Heather Roulo

Heather Roulo — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:14:17 +0000

I enjoyed this piece. It was more observant about the characters and sincere in how people struggle. Feelings aren’t always clear-cut and the world doesn’t necessarily deliver meant-to-be relationships.

By: George Williamson

George Williamson — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:42:34 +0000

I love Elissa’s writing. This particular piece I read as a story of dueling egos. The weapons? Desire and satisfaction at 20 paces. Winner isn’t the one who shoots first, but the one who learns the most about themselves. Not to the death but just to a serious first bruising.

Nice use of both inner and overt dialog. I so wish I could write like that!

By: Hobie Anthony

Hobie Anthony — Tue, 29 May 2012 08:51:07 +0000

Such a well-told tale. The voice is simple and direct, a real person telling a real story. Then, the heartbreak of the timing. Timing runs the whole human comedy. Without it, things wouldn’t be nearly so funny.

By: Ray Shea

Ray Shea — Tue, 29 May 2012 03:23:27 +0000

This is great.

The first time I read it, I missed the part that said it was fiction and I was thinking “fuck yeah Dean!” but I didn’t want to say that in case it seemed rude to the parties involved. But yeah. Dean.

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Mon, 28 May 2012 19:02:46 +0000

Another great piece Elissa, I can’t wait to read more of your work! You captured so well two wonderful kinds of love, the deep dark moment of being there and everyone is so intense, and the knowing he will protect you no matter what kind. You are a great writer.

By: KLARA

KLARA — Sun, 27 May 2012 21:24:48 +0000

BEAUTIFUL.REALLY REALLY ENJOYED IT.THANK YOU.

By: Jeffrey Bennett

Jeffrey Bennett — Sun, 27 May 2012 20:53:56 +0000

So much good in here, but I’m turning this one over and over in my hands:

“That what surfaced that night was the real me and the real Dean – as if it could ever be possible, even on the most extraordinary evening, to truly know another person.”
”
That invokes images, of the lantern in deep fog, the “real” moments, suspensions of the ghostly animations of doubt where the lights are most brilliant from within the sphere of influence. The image of a veiled light and the skittering dark which endlessly tatters at its edges in fits, a threadbare candle light. Helluva piece of work Elissa.

What a pleasure to read. Thank you.

By: Michael Copperman

Michael Copperman — Sun, 27 May 2012 19:39:58 +0000

I love this line the best: “I wished I could run all afternoon, go deep into the valley of suffering and endurance then somehow emerge on the other side, rarefied and weightless.” Because while it is about running, and waiting, it is also about the sort of pure devotion, of memory and of being, that the rest of the story lets us experience. Wonderful work.