STORY INFO
Shucked
-
Author
RJ Holmquist
-
Categories
-
Danh mục
-
Update
6 months ago
-
Part Chapter
1/??
-
Reads
111
Content
Finally I was dead. This was the moment I had waited for my entire life. To be clear, I did nothing to hurry its arrival, nothing egregious anyway, despite the fact that my husk of clay wasn’t always what I’d call "amenable" to keeping itself alive. Nonetheless, I really did do my best as long as it was my duty. I fed it, exercised it, gave it multi-vitamins when I remembered and generally deferred from the things it craved that would clog its arteries, fog its brain and otherwise break down its fragile fickleness. But all along I knew ti...
Outstanding reviews
This is a great perspective and you have captured such a unique and authentic voice. I love the tone, so matter of fact.“As all of you with foreheads already know, the moment you lose track of it, it slams itself into something.” Loved this line.
Thanks for reading and for your comments! We've all lost track of our foreheads before...
It’s like there are two main characters here: the ghost that’s trapped in the human body trying to keep it alive, and the not-always-cooperative body. That disjointing makes this all the more enjoyable! I’m glad it has a happy ending reuniting man-ghost and dog-ghost. 🥰
I think we all feel a little bit at odds with ourselves sometime, and it was kind of fun to draw the physical/ghost line to think about that!Thanks for reading!
Absolutely!! Me: “I fed you all the coffee! Why are you so sleepy!” GhostMe: “Bed, blankets, and a book trump coffee. Meet me there.” Me: “you win.” 😂👻
Absolutely!! Me: “I fed you all the coffee! Why are you so sleepy!” GhostMe: “Bed, blankets, and a book trump coffee. Meet me there.” Me: “you win.” 😂👻
Thanks for your thoughts. If reedsy did annual awards, you surely would be in the running for "best writer", but the "best commentor award" would be named after you.
Woo! Congrats on the shortlist :)
Thank you!
Really enjoyed this piece of writing - I loved the voice you use - so unusual and refreshing. These are some of the bits I found most amusing: ´As all of you with foreheads already know, the moment you lose track of it, it slams itself into something´ 😂And ‘Ghosts are just there, being themselves without worrying about seeing or being seeing’ (a teeny typo there, BTW; I think that should be ‘being SEEN’, not ´SEEING’)
Thanks for reading! You are right, I probably should have added a clarifying word "seeing themselves or being seen by others"Thanks for the input!
Ah, shucks. Makes getting shucked not sound so bad. Thanks for liking 'Run, Forest, Run'.Glad to see you shortlisted. Congrats!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thanks for your comments! It was a fun voice to run with. I agree, there is a nice mixture of humor etc. along with the expected horror this week.
Congrats on the shortlist!
Thank you, and return congratulations for another well earned shortlist effort yourself!
I could hear this voice so clearly. I thought you maintained a steady and distinct style throughout which is so hard to do. Well done.
That story is one that makes me think about life, and that never happens.
Congrats.
Thanks!
My Pleasure.
Brilliantly written. I really felt like I was having a conversation with a ghost. Your way with words is immaculate. Very impressive. It’s clear to see why you are on the shortlist. Congratulations!
Thank you!
Oh I loved this one RJ. The idea of flesh and bones not realizing they’re ghosts yet, and the overall image of being shucked out of your body were delightful. Honored to be on the same list as this fun story.
Thank you! I enjoyed both your entries as well, both deserving of recognition.
This is such an optomistic, beautiful attitude towards the inevitability of death. I enjoyed reading it.
As a former clumsy child who grew up to be a far too self-aware adult I related heavily to some of the details in this story. I also love the positive spin on becoming a ghost. So many relatable facets, well done!
I'm glad you found reading this to be relatable. I guess we all have some kind of ghostliness in our future, so might as well be positive about it right? Thanks for reading and for the comment
I really love the voice of this one. For a Brit it rings beautifully of those distinctive American coming of age narrators: Huck, Holden. I'm always impressed when a writer blends humour, pathos and strikes a note of wisdom. Well done. Let's celebrate Dylan style: everybody must get shucked!
A funny and moving story. The relationship between the body and the soul is very nicely handled. The matter-of-fact dualism is expressed in a strong narrator's voice and it sets up a lovely comic/romantic tone. Really nice.
Thanks for reading and for this nice bit of analysis!
TOP Story