Rusty

[Bruin Fisher]

I'm on the wrong side of the big pond to be able to assert with any authority on the authenticity of the dialogue in this story, but as far as my reading serves me this is quite wonderful.

Huckleberry Finn for the gay reader - beautifully observed, engaging characters, sympathetic storyline and feelgood factor by the bucketful.

I don't know how easy or difficult it is to write in this dialect (southern rural? What would it be called, technically?) but it breathes life into this great story. Brer Rabbit, or even 'The Specialist' - anyone remember that story?

I loved it and I'm in awe of Cole's talent. It's in my view the best thing he's written, although I accept that will be a contentious stance.

Go read - it's fantastic!

Rusty

[Camy]

Like Bruin, I can't say I'd know if Paulie's 'voice' was accurate vernacular or not, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter a jot. Paulie's voice sings.

Cole is a masterful writer, and 'Rusty' is no exception. As to whether or not it's Cole's best work ... that is a debate I'm not going to get involved with! We all have out favourites, and I'm staying schtum!

Just read it! ... HERE

[Richard Norway]

I read the story yesterday, and was amazed that Cole's editors had such a hard time with the backwater, rural dialog. After reading Cole's questions about struggling with grammar vs. artistic prose, I was very curious. Cole is absolutely right. The grammar (or lack thereof) had to be there. It had such a necessary part of the story that if it were corrected, the story would have fallen apart.

My hat goes off to you Cole. Since I started reading your works a few months ago, you have never ceased to amaze me with your talent...and it keeps getting better.

I loved it and I'm in awe of Cole's talent. It's in my view the best thing he's written, although I accept that will be a contentious stance.

Bruin, don't worry about a contentious stance from Cole. He will take the opposite stance no matter what anyone says just to get an argument...or to make us think. He's like that.

Richard

[Merkin]

The best thing about Cole's work is that each piece is completely unlike the others before it, and each one stands on its own merits. I found Rusty a little hard to undertake since I've never had an appreciative ear for dialect but in this instance it was an integral part of the story and it was consistent within itself, plus it made great good sense in the unfolding of the story. That said, I've never yet found a story by Cole that I didn't love upon completing it, and this one is no exception.

James

[Rubilacxe]

What a wonderfully written story, Cole. While I can understand an editor suggesting changes in grammar when it's clear that it is needed, this story "needed" to be written as you wrote it.

I edit for several authors and I would never change dialect or grammar locally spoken.

And, what a horse!

[Cole Parker]

I thank you all so much! You're terribly kind.

This was difficult to write in a technical sense. I always try my best to make the English used in my stories proper. I have one editor who criticizes me every time because he says the dialogue that the kids use is too perfect. It's a valid comment. I give him damned good excuses to vindicate myself, but the validity remains. The fact is, I took pains to speak correctly when I was a kid and I feel uncomfortable with poor grammar.

So this story was difficult. I had to go back over it many, many times, changing what I'd written into the vernacular I was using. I kept missing things. Your eyes glide over correct English. Seeing it and changing it is just hard.

And I certainly didn't catch all the inconsistencies. I can find some that remain. Overall, though, the effect is what I wanted.

I liked this story a lot. It's simple and gentle and comfortable, if I can use that term. One thing I especially like is, after the boys acknowledge they like each other, they don't suddenly change from mice to mountain lions. They remain shy with each other, not wanting to risk their relationship, not sure what's what or how to do more. And, especially, while wanting more, they love what they already have and revel in it. What I like about this is it smacks of authenticity to me. It stirs memories of who I was at 13.

Again, your comments are wonderful because I can feel they are heartfelt. And needed because this story generated almost zero mail. So seeing what you've written supports my own feelings that this story has some merit.

Thanks again. You guys are all great.

C

[Richard Norway]

...this story generated almost zero mail...

C

Sorry Cole. I usually write the author when he's done well and I like the story, but I didn't see an email link on the title page of the story. Then again, I didn't go to the 'Cole Parker Home' page either, where it's located. I'm kinda lazy like that.

Richard

[JamesSavik]

I loved this story. County boy/city boy things I know quite well.

It's a very fortunate that they had a horse as smart as Rusty or they might never have gotten together.