Comments on: ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE • by Bill Gaythwaite

By: Gerard Demayne

Gerard Demayne — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:28:12 +0000

“It was my very own miracle, like when you read about some farmer who claims to see the image of Jesus in a head of lettuce.”

I love this as an example of a “miracle”. Says a lot about either the character or the writer, depending on whether it was intentional or not.

Bob’s comments did a good job of clarifying my feelings about this one:
“The sense of impending doom is covered in exposition, though, when it should be crystal clear.”

Spot on!

Overall I didn’t hate this story.

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:09:12 +0000

Interesting point of view character. So deluded and so sure of himself.

By: Anne Brooke

Anne Brooke — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:38:05 +0000

I loved this – it was gripping and very powerful. The ending is perfect.

Axxx

By: Sue Borgersen

Sue Borgersen — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:45:45 +0000

Nice one. The title didn’t do it for me though and I suspect Anderson Cooper will only make sense to North American TV viewers. A good one nevertheless.

By: dj barber

dj barber — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:17:53 +0000

A ‘slice of life story’, for sure. A rootless character sponging off the kindness and gullibility of others. I hope Mary Catherine hits him over the head with an iron skillet!
And that realness is what makes this a great story!

–dj

By: Edward Caputo

Edward Caputo — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:16:21 +0000

I gave this a four. I liked the almost pathological ‘rationality’ of the character, the feeling of a personal link to the celebrity, and the firm belief of selflessness (but note he only pawned *her* belongings). I actually had a slight chill wondering what he might do if (when) she freaks out upon hearing the truth. The only part that didn’t ring true to me was the mundaneness of the second-to-the-last paragraph. While its possible that someone this screwed up would have romantic interludes and semi-permanent attachments, more plausible(based on how I viewed the character) is a string of obsessions and restraining orders. Then again, its from his POV, so it’s not impossible, just feel it would’ve been more tension-filled if he was remember others who ‘misunderstood’ him there. Still really liked this and felt it worked really well and told a lot in a small space.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 16:23:19 +0000

I quite liked the references to Anderson Cooper and I *almost* feel sorry for the poor man who has to tell his girlfriend the truth.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:58:00 +0000

The payoff in this story comes in the last two paragraphs, but it’s buried in too many words. I liked the conceit that “Anderson Cooper has forgiven me, therefore so will Mary Catherine”, when we all know she probably won’t. The sense of impending doom is covered in exposition, though, when it should be crystal clear.

It’s a good story, a clever plot device; it just needs a little more pruning to bring it all out.

By: Celeste

Celeste — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:40:45 +0000

Great writing, Bill!

By: Joe Prentis

Joe Prentis — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:15:24 +0000

There are far too many stories where there is a little twist at the end to redeem the rest of the action. This story starts off well and continues that way to the very end — no twist required. Just some very good writing. I gave it a four.