44 Comments

Well, I hope this was the right reaction, but it made me laugh. And such beautiful language too. I'm sorry about your long writers block. Glad you're over it now. I hope you will resume the abandoned project.

Expand full comment

Laughter is almost always the right reaction in my book. Thanks Terry!

Expand full comment

Good god, the agony!

Expand full comment

And the ecstasy ;)

Expand full comment

Fantastic short story Troy — you captured so well the stressful predicament of being stuck in the middle of a long row of occupied seats, the escape blocked off by blaring, insecure internal voices, layering it all with the distracting/thrilling/absurd action happening both in front on the screen and in the row behind. Three Vins are clearly better than one, but not if nature is calling and there's no easy way to make an exit. A really fun — though anxiety-filled — read.

Expand full comment

Thanks Jeff - if I'd set out to do all that intentionally it would probably have been a mess ;) And thank you for the restack.

Expand full comment

Ahhh, wonderful Troy. I was filled with anxiety for poor Pierre throughout. Excruciating! Wonderfully done.

Also, so many years of writer's block! 😱😱 I'm pleased to know that's no longer the case. Don't let any blocks happen again. ;)

Expand full comment

I simply LIVE for excruciating! ::)) Thanks Nathan - doing my best on the block, Substack helps, you've played an enormous part... 💜

Expand full comment

The way it builds, both with the Vins and with Piere, was very engaging. Much like the Vins and Piere I was on the edge of my seat. A very gripping and well written story, Troy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Expand full comment

Thanks Michael!

Expand full comment

I want to write a comment but I’d better make one quick stop first…

Expand full comment

hehe good idea ;)

Expand full comment

Love this bit of neurotica!

Expand full comment

Thanks Kara!

Expand full comment

You are so welcome. Im glad the block is over.

Expand full comment

I enjoyed reading this Troy. I'm glad you found a way out of that block you experienced for so long.

Expand full comment

Thanks DC, very kind of you to say. :)_

Expand full comment

Peee-erre! Not dissimilar to Lamb’s vulnerable, ever-pleasing nature. I bet the two would’ve loved each other.

Damn! I don’t know, but there seems to have been a great fault line in your writer’s block!

Expand full comment

A little crack would appear, and I'd write - usually 50 pgs of a new novel - and then it would close up and I'd be stuck again. Just took a lockdown to really break it open! ;) Thanks Kim!

Expand full comment

Congrats on starting a fab book club, dear! Love your story, especially being a Vin fan. Lots of funnies, particularly the end. 😝🤭🥰

Expand full comment

😘

Expand full comment

that sense of shame and embarrassment so visceral the way you've written here!

glad you perservered, pushed through that block. and thank you so much for sharing that, it being so easy for us as writers to isolate, think of ourselves as alone in our struggles in the craft. i just so appreciate you, mr. ford!!

Expand full comment

Glad that landed for you, Pan - we are not alone if we share in the journey together. Thanks for being here. 🤗

Expand full comment

that's proper funny that. pierre should pissed in his coke bucket though. weve all done that, haven't we... havent we? 😬

Expand full comment

haha Yes, but not in a movie theater ;) Thanks Nick!

Expand full comment

34 years? 34?! Did I know it was that long? What a bleak time, the world not having your words spilling out into it..!

I need to untangle my body after getting secondhand excruciation from poor Pierre...

Expand full comment

😂 I know, poor Pee-erre - when dreams become nightmares, right?

I've mentioned my block before but, you know, sometimes things don't land until later. And yes, a very long road with an unshakeable belief that I needed to keep trying until something clicked. Thank you my dear 💜🤗🐈‍⬛

Expand full comment

I knew about the block, but the length of it hadn’t landed until now. Thank all the gods that you found your way out of it!! 🙌💗🌞

Expand full comment

Poor Pierre! Great story. Tattoos and beef and pornstar loins. Perfect ♥️

Expand full comment

Mwah! 💜

Expand full comment

Pierre! How excruciating. Loved this, my friend. Glad you brought it out of the archives.

Expand full comment

Thanks Holly! Excruciating is the official word of the day. ;) 💙

Expand full comment

I suffered for him...

Expand full comment

He appreciates your empathy, Martine. ;)

Expand full comment