writing – Page 17 – EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS

Mary And Scooter And The E Street Shuffle

Something a bit different this Saturday, as I’m still a bit sideways after last week’s bad news and a bumpy time at work. I’ve given The Cut Crew a week off and decided to offer up a bit of home-grown short fiction.

The following piece was written for a competition set up by my local writing group, the esteemed Reading Writers. I’m pleased to report it won first place. The field was especially strong so a win felt very special.

The prompt was to base the story around a song. I decided to go more widescreen and based it on the early albums of Bruce Springsteen, as well as the songs which influenced his formative tunes. His new album of covers, Only The Strong Survive, is a stone groove by the way.

I hope you enjoy Mary And Scooter And The E Street Shuffle.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 43

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Gwendolyn Sampson (1921-2022), Editor Rob’s maternal grandmother. A force for good in this world and sadly missed. So long, Party Nan.

In the face of this sad event and ongoing Nanowrimo responsibilities, we will again be running a reduced service this week. Please adjust your expectations accordingly.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 42

A slightly truncated ep this week. Editor Rob is deep into the annual assault course/self-inflicted torture that is Nanowrimo, and is lost in wordcount. We dedicate our November output to the brave souls, dreamers and fools who take on the challenge every year. We salute you.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 41

November has arrived. it has brought storms along just to add to that authentic winter apocalyptic vibe. Yuk, no fun. Why not huddle up under a blankie with something sweet and someone warm, and enjoy this week’s cavalcade of curiousity?

AC/DC! Witchcraft! Ragging on Elon Musk! And several other links!

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 40

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

This week: two Andys, white tigers and EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 39

Whatever drugs the Conservative Party are on need to be shared around, that’s all we’ll say. There is no way they’re riding the wild rocket that will lead to a third Prime Minister imposed on the British public in six weeks without chemical help. No fair. We want some of that sweet sweet loony juice.

There, that’s the politics out of the way. This week, we’re keeping it as real as locally possible, reading the cue cards and rocking out with Count Crowley!

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 38

Brrr. There was nothing else for it this week. After five months of inactivity, we got out the spanners and wrenches and gently persuaded the crotchety old boiler* running the even older heating system back to life. Even in austerical times there comes a point where you can only have so many layers on. And typing in gloves is hard. The office smells of burning dust and hot metal, but at least we’re warm enough to put this issue to bed.

Mmm, bed. Lovely snuggly bed.

Before we all decide to give up completely and hibernate under a duvet, check out a guide to autumnal films, a couple of new ventures worth your attention and an invitation to get the Camparty started.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 37

Guardian columnist Marina Hyde has a new book out, and is doing press to promote it. She is, to our mind at least, the funniest and sharpest political commentator out there and the book, a collection of her best columns, should be on your Christmas list. She makes one point in interviews extremely well—how the pace of events seems to have escalated to such a point and level of absurdity that her job and that of her peers has been made almost impossible. There’s just too much going on all at once. It’s like trying to drink out of a hosepipe.

We, by comparison, are like the dog at her feet, catching the odd drip. Frankly, we wouldn’t want Marina’s job—although we’re very happy she’s around. No thanks, we’ll stick with being the funny distraction away from the chaos and horror.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

Up On Irish Row

The track up the valley is not for the faint-hearted—or if you have a fancy car. It’s a set of inclines which quickly hike in gradient, a loose gravelly surface riddled with potholes and larger rocks. As you progress steep, fern-cloaked limestone walls give way to steep drops with rushing waterfalls seething twenty feet below. Your tentative progress will be watched and judged by Herdwick sheep, unblinking and endlessly curious. Wheel-spin is inevitable. You will almost certainly have to slow to a crawl at some point for walkers.

Just at the point when the terrain starts to level, and a clear path comes into view, you realise the map is pointing you uphill again, to an even narrower and rockier track. ‘This can’t be right,’ you say. ‘We must have gone wrong.’ Visions of the car stuck in a ditch and the prospect of a night in the wilds dance through your head. But you find the nerve and the lowest gear you have, grip the steering wheel a little tighter and take the right.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 36

It’s been a week where everything feels—off. Monday’s weird spectacle of pomp, circumstance and forced mourning set the tone for five days when routine was disturbed, plans went askew and life in general seemed to be vibrating in the wrong modulation. The word we’re reaching for is discombobulated. We’re through it now, hopefully. A little less drama going into the beginning of Spooky Season.

We’re off on retreat from today, so look out for something different from Excuses And Half Truths next week. Possibly archive, maybe a fresh piece. The road trip leads us up a gravel path to a very inspiring place, so who knows what you’ll get?

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.