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Nathan Bush must drink coffee to stay up late and write, and to talk about the release of Book 3 in The Foley Chronicles: Files from the 8th District, as well as short story 1 in The Foley Chronicles: Dark Side of Foley series.
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Ember-Raine
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Mar 04, 2017 11:31PM
Oh man! "Fat guy in a little coat" *sings horribly off key* sorry guys but I can't hear Chris Farley and not think of that particular scene! Lol! Love it!!!
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lol I know right?!?!?! Oh man the whole house keeping bit was insane too! Lol
Dwayne wrote: "For me, the funniest thing Chris Farley did was the Matt Foley character on Saturday Night Live. I don't care how many times I watched those sketches (used to have the show on VHS back the day) I c..."Yeah! Most definitely my favorite character of all time and the sketches were the best EVER! He made me want to live IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER! hahahahaha
I still watch them on YouTube now and then just as a pick me up
Who remembers the bit with Chris and Patrick Swayze trying out as Chippendale dancers? That's a classic for sure lol
Nathan wrote: "Who remembers the bit with Chris and Patrick Swayze trying out as Chippendale dancers?"Not I, said the lie.
Definitely a classic ^_~
Next to Matt Foley (which just happens to be the fictional name of my book settings) this skit is my favorite!
Nathan wrote: "Now if I could only get somebody to write one that I didn't ask for :)"Keep offering coffee and donuts, and new readers are sure to turn up eventually.
Chris Farley and donuts? This is the thread for me.
Mmmmm, donuts
I owe you, Miss Annie
Me doing my "happy dance" when I get fresh coffee and donuts, lol
Don't know how good it actually is, but I just saw that my book is #395 in Kindle ebook format under the serial killer section
here's the first short for a WIPA gut-wrenching flash of memory flooded Louis’ head; so powerful it forced him to reach for the wall of the nearest building, or risk collapsing onto the sidewalk.
The throng of pedestrians ambling by gave him a wide berth, most picking up their pace. Some carried looks of worry on their faces, as if he were a free freak show right there on the street. A few showed pity, while others still wore expressions of wonder.
The flash of memory turned to visions of haunting eyes. Eyes he hadn’t looked upon since childhood. A childhood he had tried unsuccessfully to forget.
Even now the cascading ash filled his memory, along with the echoing cries and whispers of the gas chambers; all as fresh as the breakfast from just a few hours earlier.
He straightened himself, looking back over his shoulder for the cause of the attack. There, standing not twenty feet away, waiting patiently and oblivious to Louis’ presence, was the man he could never, ever forget.
He slowly turned and took several tentative steps, testing the strength of his legs. Once assured he could, he proceeded back down the sidewalk in the direction he’d just come from.
Questions assailed him, too rapid for his mind to give even the hint of answers. More memories interspersed with the questions. Sights and sounds he hadn’t cared to remember continued to invade his consciousness.
Family, friends and loved ones long dead began to haunt his thoughts. He easily called to mind the long, cruel years he and his family had endured so long ago. Some directly from the hands of the man he was moving towards.
How would he deal with it now? Would these images set him back? Or would he have the strength to push on? He wasn’t sure.
As he neared the man from his past, the light changed, allowing the haunting form a short respite from the words Louis now felt an urge to vomit out.
Though at least ten to fifteen years his senior, the man seemed spry and easily kept a rapid, even pace. Louis was content to follow a few yards behind.
How many years had Louis been hoping that such a moment would occur? Although he’d never dreamt it would actually happen. His hand slid inside his outer coat pocket, fingers grasping the cool, metal object resting inside; squeezing it tightly for comfort.
He trailed the man several blocks until he entered a corner deli. Louis easily slid into the interior of the building, eyes quickly adjusting to the dim lighting, despite his age. He watched the man from a distance as he ordered, received his food, and took a seat in a corner booth.
Louis waited patiently, wondering how to approach, when the man’s gaze fell on his face, eyes ever so slightly widening for a split second before passing on.
Was that a knowing look in the man’s eyes? Recognition of who he was? Had he remembered Louis?
Before he could run out in fear, Louis settled himself and made his way to the man’s table. As he stopped before the memory from his past, he looked steadily into the man’s upturned face, locking onto his eyes.
Surely, he saw recognition in his tormentor’s eyes.
“Can I help you?” a feeble, shaky voice asked.
Louis remained silent, had still grasping his comfortable feeling object.
The man looked impatiently toward his quiet guest, slowly chewing a bite from his sandwich.
“Well,” he said after swallowing the mouthful of food.
Louis found his voice, stronger than he’d expected it to be, under the circumstance.
“Are you Deidrick? Deidrick Bonhoffer?”
The grizzled hands holding onto the sandwich shook almost imperceptibly as he replied to the query.
“You must have me mistaken for someone else, friend.”
Louis shook his head, grey hair falling across his forehead. He was positive, now that he’d heard the voice, that this man was who he thought him to be.
“No,” he said strongly. “I don’t think I have. I could never forget those eyes, or that voice.”
Both men remained silent for a short time. The noise from the deli crowd filled the gap.
“My name,” Louis went on, “is Louis Roth. You might remember me better as Leibke Rothman.”
As he finished speaking he slid up the sleeve of his jacket, revealing a series of numbers tattooed on his inner left forearm.
The man dropped the remains of his forgotten sandwich onto the paper plate sitting on the table before him. As he read and reread the numbers inscribed on the arm held out in front of his now visibly shaken face, Louis returned his right hand into his jacket pocket, grasping the object of his strength once again.
The man turned his gaze upward to catch Louis’ expression. What did he see? Was it anger? Fear? Loathing? Louis surely felt all of those emotions, and more. But, above all, he felt peace.
As Deidrick sat in stunned silenced, tears slowly running down his cheeks, Louis pulled out a chair opposite him and sat down. He let out a deep breath, unsure now what to say. He had rehearsed his well thought out lines many times, but being face to face with this visage was so much different than speaking into a mirror.
Finally, Louis found the words and spoke.
“I have wanted so many times through the years to speak to you, wondering time and again if it would ever happen. Now that it’s here, I’m unsure how to proceed.”
Deidrick opened his mouth but was cut off when Louis held up his left hand.
“Please,” Louis said simply, “before my courage runs out.” He exhaled slowly. “The pain and suffering I endured, though a lifetime ago, can never be undone. The lost family and friends cannot be regained. Memories cannot be forgotten.”
He slowly pulled his right hand from concealment, grasping a dull metal object; fingers clenched tightly.
Deidrick’s gaze travelled from Louis’ eyes down to his outstretched hand, face showing visible concern now.
“I want to do so much more for all I endured at yours and others hands, but God has shown me the true path to freedom.”
Opening his hand, the metal object dropped out, dangling from a chain wrapped securely around withered fingers. As the cross swung pendulum-like, Louis said, “I forgive you.”
The words fell from his mouth like the tears from his tormentor’s eyes. As soon as the words were swallowed by a second silence, Louis stood and left the deli, completely engulfed in peace.
Powerful stuff, Nathan! Well done!
Awesome sauce, Mr Nathan!!
***mwahhh***
Thanks. It's always nerve wracking putting something out there for others to comment on
Nathan wrote: "Thanks. It's always nerve wracking putting something out there for others to comment on"Yeah I can certainly understand that! You've written a powerful psychological piece in a short story, which is impressive! Top notch descriptions and the end gave me goosebumps. Looking forward to your series of minis :).
Marie Silk wrote: "Nathan wrote: "Thanks. It's always nerve wracking putting something out there for others to comment on"Yeah I can certainly understand that! You've written a powerful psychological piece in a sho..."
Whew, that's high praise coming from an author of your caliber! Hope all the shorts live up to it lol
Mod
Wow, well done on the WIP. I would love to know what the man has done in the past. It might strengthened the ending. I mean...I don't want to give any spoiler but having a tiny idea of what happened to Luis, his family and his friends would make his last gesture a slightly more jaw dropping. :)
Thank you GG. I actually have four written that need editing, but I'm hoping to get 10 to 15; depending on how long each one is. Never done a book of short stories so I don't know the norm! LolWell, I had hoped that the tattoo on his left arm, the reference to falling ash, and his Jewish name would be enough to set up his past; I might need to rethink it some. Maybe mention some things that his tormentor actually did to Louis and his family/friends? And maybe I need to mention that the tatoo is numbers instead of just calling it a tatoo?
Mod
I'm thinking if I mention the gas chambers and the gold teeth as well, it might be more clear. I prefer not to mention dates in my writing so I don't have to make my characters any specific ages. I know it's probably crazy or odd, but I want to have a finished piece without mentioning the Holocaust specifically, as Louis has tried desperately to forget it and I think if it's mentioned verbally or even internally it will make it more difficult for him to show forgiveness.
Mod
I think your idea of letting the readers guess is good and true, it is easier to forget when you don't think too much about it. I don't think it would make the ending any less spectacular though but I do understand where you're coming from with Louis's resolve.
And I hope you don't think I was criticizing the way you did it or anything about your work! It was superbly done. Whether I knew what happened or not, there is no way I couldn't acknowledge Louis's grand gesture.
Of course not! Sometimes I forget that readers aren't privy to what's in my head while I'm writing, so when I put something out with minimal explanation I just assume everyone will know what I'm talking about!
I didn't quite get the holocaust implication either. My first thought was prison when I read the tattoo part. A mention of gas chambers should make it pretty clear though :).
Okay, did a little edit on the short story Hopefully it's workable this way, and easier to get the back story
Mod
G.G. wrote: "I like the gas chamber change. I am not sure if you made any other but I re-read it and there were no more doubts in my head anymore. Great job!"Thanks for the input, very helpful. I did change the tattoo part to include the mention of it being a number, so I think the two parts work much better together.
Excellent on the revision! Will your other shorts have similar themes?
Marie Silk wrote: "Excellent on the revision! Will your other shorts have similar themes?"Thanks!
I'm going to try multiple themes and see how it works out, but I'm sure some will be similar. The four I have were actually written by doing a writing game of sorts; some writers and I got together on another site and one person would post a picture and then we'd all write something based off what we saw in it. It really helped to get the creative juices flowing.
I think I have done my final edit/rewrite for book 2 of the Foley Chronicles and I'm passing it on to my new "editor/proofreader".
That part's always a simultaneous relief and new source of anxiety. Good luck with that! xD
Dan wrote: "That part's always a simultaneous relief and new source of anxiety. Good luck with that! xD"To be sure! Thanks
Hoping to get my MS for book 2 back from my proofreader within the next week and be pushing the publish button before June 1 (it will make a great birthday present for my oldest daughter, who absolutely loved book 1).And, I'm working with the incredible RL Jackson on the cover for said book. Soooooo excited!
That's right...a contest for a cover reveal and a free copy of book 2 in the Foley Chronicles series. Skip on over to my Foley Chronicles FB page and check it out.https://www.facebook.com/FoleyChronic...
Hey e'erbody, I'm entered in a flash fiction contest. Check it out on IndiesUnlimited and vote! http://www.indiesunlimited.com/
Polls close Thursday at 5
Got my MS back from my proofreader. Didn't have as much to correct a I thought I would. Might have it ready to push the publish button by next week!
Which once again proves the power of caffeine! Great job, Nathan! Hugs
Yay!!! Congrats Nathan that's awesome!!!
Proofing book 2 now, should be ready for a Fathers Day release!
Great stuff! Good luck on the release!
Thanks Marie
Root of Evil made it out of the chute a day and a half early! It is now live on Amazon (kindle edition) and Createspace (paperback)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071X6B9HD/
https://tsw.createspace.com/title/649...
Congratulations, Nathan! Wishing you sales and success! Hugs
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