05 March 2013

No Goodbyes


Before I go on with my last regularly scheduled posting, I have the honor of introducing the gentleman that will be stepping into the Tuesday time slot in my stead--Terence Faherty.  Actually, unlike the entirely necessary intro to my first posting, Terry probably has no need of one.  He is a winner of two Shamus Awards and a Macavity, as well as a nominee several times over for the Edgar and Anthony Awards.  All this by way of being the author  of two long standing and popular series featuring seminarian-turned-sleuth, Owen Keane, and Hollywood detective, Scott Elliot.  His short stories appear regularly in all the best mystery and suspense magazines.  Terry is prolific, talented, distinguished-looking, and shares many other traits with me, as well.  I'm looking forward to reading his postings and want to offer him a warm welcome to our little family.  I think he's gonna fit right in.  Oh, did I mention that he's a leading authority on the late, great actor Basil Rathbone?  Well, he is...but I'll let him explain about all that.  Look for Terry's first post two weeks from now.
I may have mentioned in my last posting that I'm determined to attempt another piece of long fiction--I call such things, "novels".  In fact, it was the august opinions of SleuthSayers' readers and contributors that helped me to decide which storyline to pursue.  As I am a simple man, not much given to multi-tasking, I feel the need to clear the deck in order to do so.  In other words, this will be my last posting for the foreseeable future.

My time with SleuthSayers has been truly wonderful.  I have enjoyed contributing my thoughts every two weeks, and greatly appreciate the kind consideration that each of you have given them.  Beyond the obvious breadth of knowledge exhibited daily by my fellow writers, I think a wonderful tolerance and greatness of mind has been a cornerstone of our site.  It has been a privilege to be amongst your numbers.

It would be wrong of me to slip away without acknowledging a few of you specifically, beginning with our mentor and leader, Leigh Lundin.  Have you ever dealt with a kinder, more passionately concerned man?  His guidance has been invaluable, his heart as big as the Stetson he wears so jauntily in his photo.  Leigh, you're the best.

There is also the erudite and always interesting, Rob Lopresti.  It was Rob that reached out to me years ago to do a guest blog on the, now legendary, Criminal Brief site.  There are few people better versed in the field of short mystery fiction than Rob, and he's a damn fine practitioner of the art, too.  It seems he intends to expand his literary horizon by entering the novel writing biz, as well.  Did I mention that he is also versatile?--librarian, critic, writer, blogger, musician, and probably other talents that I have yet to learn of.  He has also been a gentle guiding hand for me from time to time. 

My thanks also to the warm and wise, Fran Rizer.  She has been both an advisor and unstinting supporter to me, and her long-distance friendship has been a welcome surprise and an invaluable benefit to my membership here.  I've also become a great fan of her funny, sassy, vulnerable, and altogether intriguing literary character, Callie Parrish.  Fran has much to be proud of in her series.

John Floyd, through the magic of the internet, has come to feel like a personal friend rather than a virtual one.  His warmth and kindliness have touched me on several occasions via unexpected email messages.  He is a true gentleman, as well as a dauntingly talented and prolific writer.   

But as I said in the beginning, I have been in good company with all of you, and benefited from the relationship no end.  As the title of this blog states, there will be no goodbyes--I intend to read SleuthSayers daily and offer my usual array of pithy, sage comments.  If not altogether barred from doing so, I might even write a guest blog from time to time.  I can already envision the topic for my first: Why is it so difficult for me to write another novel? Or possibly, Why in God's name did I ever begin another novel? Or finally: Why won't anybody buy this damn novel that I've written?

Thanks everyone and God bless.

14 comments:

  1. David, it has been a pleasure having you on board. Best of luck with the novel and drop by anytime you have something to get off your chest.

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  2. I echo Rob's comment. Lad we hardly knew ye, but you'll be back to write another article from time to time.

    I'm more than halfway through your first novel. You're a stunningly good writer and I'm enjoying the unusual plot. It's terrific!

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  3. PS: Thanks for the kind and glowing words!

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  4. David, I've found myself looking forward to my own Monday post because it meant I'd be reading yours the next day. I welcome Terry, but I'll miss you.

    Meanwhile, I look forward to this next novel. Are you accepting the recommendations of the SS on which to write first? Please keep us posted and, once again I assure you that I'll be honored for you to be my guest blogger anytime you like.

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  5. We'll certainly miss you, but novels are good for the soul and at least on certain days, fun to write.
    I hope you'll have lots of those!

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  6. We'll miss your posts, David--glad we'll still be able to say hello. :)

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  7. David, it's been great having you here! Please stay in touch, my friend--both on- and offline.

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  8. Thanks so much for your kind words and good wishes, everyone. I feel a little like Huck Finn attending his own funeral.

    Fran, based on my tally of responses to my novel ideas, the thriller won hands-down. I'm pecking away it now and finding that, sadly, but not surprisingly, that there are many things I had not thought through properly. It appears that my writing style is to advance heedlessly while fighting a rear-guard action. Custer perfected this tactic, and like him, I expect that everything will turn out just fine in the end.

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  9. Dear David - thank you for all your great posts, including this one. I know you will still be commenting, so I won't say goodbye.

    Re the writing style, always remember the immortal words of General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was told that he and his troops were surrounded at the Battle of the Fallen Timbers and asked, "What shall we do?" "Charge both ways!" he replied. And won. :)

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  10. Thanks for that, Eve! I like Gen. Forrest's take on it (and result) much better than Custer's! It's all in how you approach a thing, it seems.

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  11. I was just starting to learn from your posts, then you head off for greener pastures. I have no doubt about your future successes. Luckily, you have all those great colleagues above behind you and not, based on some accounts, Major Marcus Reno. Yours truly, Toe.

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  12. Thanks for that, Toe, and you're absolutely right about the company I keep.

    Now, about this Reno fella...name rings a bell. What the...was that an arrow? Is somebody shooting arrows?!

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  13. I think those arrows are from a kin of Cupid, David. Because — in the immortal words of Kojak — “Who loves ya’, baby!”

    Gonna miss ya’, buddy.
    --Dix

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