I love this chapter--especially in juxtaposition to the last one. There’s this longing, hopeful quality to the meet story’s endearing nature, given the chaos of what we know will come.
Thanks Holly, I think it's important for people to see the full complexity of life, it's so easy to dismiss people with substance abuse problems as human wreckage. It wasn't my intent to have a message, but I'm finding myself fall in love with Lamb as I explore his friendship with the narrator and wanting his story to touch people. :)
Well done Troy! It's amazing that you could bring up circumcision casually in this scene and it totally works. Your description of the school and surrounding area are excellent, I felt like I was running around that track with the guys.
Wonderful chapter, Troy. It flows effortlessly and I love me a good chunk of backstory. This is fantastic. Sets the scene really well, plus that closing line ...! 😘
I feel for Lamb, being too out of proportion for any athletic pursuits. But I think you made light of it well.
I also found the friend, who was narrating this chapter quite funny, I enjoyed that he was confident enough to stir Lamb up.
Also, I loved this line:
“But still, it was hard not to check out who had the weenies and who had the meat.” — not only did it make me laugh, it was also relatable.
Keep em, coming, Troy! :)
P.S - when I go on notes later (I can’t go on notes unless I use my laptop coz my phone is too old to handle substacks new app update stuff — long story) I will be sure to restack this chapter so, I can be in the running :)
I'm having fun with the narrator almost more than with Lamb, my usual writing voice is a little more crisp and nuanced so I spend a lot of time reading the episodes out loud and paring out the primness as much as possible... ;) Thanks Michael!
I love the instant image the name Scot Prentiss Wolcott conjures in my head....if he only knew the idyllic chaparral setting of his beautiful country estate would become a den of homoerotic intrigue. Well done!
A wonderful contrast with the previous chapter - this feels pastoral, teasing . The contrast with the previous episode works really well to emphasise the almost idyllic surroundings. Excellent.
Thanks - pastoral, I like that...! BTW I was hoping you might pop in to the "Song of Myself Thread" (I should prob make it more obvious for future posts) and have a look, you have such interesting insights. (No pressure, it's a pet project.) Cheers!
Such brilliant back story here that flows with ease. Running lets people relax into a kind of natural intimacy I think. And the clothes are rather skimpy! 😂
Love the Jan drive! Shall save back for later as I start to catch up from the past few weeks. Great to jump into this story in a moody jet lag haze.
Babes, congrats on going paid! (Insert take my money meme here.) And you gift us with another exquisite continuation of Lamb, and it's lambada for the chuckles. Thank you!
Thank you so much, my darling Nadia - your love and generosity have meant the world to me, lit a fire early on that's still burning. AND you are an early frontrunner in the giveaway... ::)) Be well, dearest... 🤍💛🤍💛🤍⭐🤍💛🤍💛🤍
Thank you for your support from the start, my dear friend. If it weren't for you, I'd be talking to walls and maybe get ten goldfishies and stare at them all day long. Your encouragement always keeps me going. I wish you to take on the world with your own incredible worlds and words. <3
I keep thinking about these characters and so I finally decided I wanted another dose. Need to pace myself...it keeps getting better!
Couldn't ask for more than that the characters stick with you ;) Thanks Bryan!
For a sec I was reading Duran Duran over and over! Probably was just The Reflex. 😅
That dialogue. So good. Man, you really need a voice over here. ;)
Thanks A! 😂
Absolutely winning chapter with effortless dialog. I could listen to the two of them (and the internal monologue) all day.
Thank you! And THANK YOU! and thank you again, appreciate it, Adam. 🫱🏻🫲🏼
I love this chapter--especially in juxtaposition to the last one. There’s this longing, hopeful quality to the meet story’s endearing nature, given the chaos of what we know will come.
Thanks Holly, I think it's important for people to see the full complexity of life, it's so easy to dismiss people with substance abuse problems as human wreckage. It wasn't my intent to have a message, but I'm finding myself fall in love with Lamb as I explore his friendship with the narrator and wanting his story to touch people. :)
Well done Troy! It's amazing that you could bring up circumcision casually in this scene and it totally works. Your description of the school and surrounding area are excellent, I felt like I was running around that track with the guys.
Thank you Donna! A million times over. 💛💜⭐🙏⭐💜💛 So appreciate you...
Yes, "casual" circumcision - it doesn't have to be all teacups and ballgowns... 🤪🤣👻
That last line...I read it over and over. I think this was favourite chapter so far 💜
I'm glad :) Next week: "Death and the Bird" - I've had you in mind with this episode for awhile. ::))
So excited! 😍💀🪶💜
So good, Troy! Your descriptions of the landscape so vivid, the dialog so sharp and real. Really great chapter. Bravo!
Thanks Ben - this earlier timeline will play out over the course of the story, so it needed a little color :)
Wonderful chapter, Troy. It flows effortlessly and I love me a good chunk of backstory. This is fantastic. Sets the scene really well, plus that closing line ...! 😘
PS once I locate my wallet, I'll be clicky clicking that paid sub 😉
Sorry to hear those pledges broke Substack!!
It was a hell of a screw up, but we got it sorted...
THANK YOU so much, brother, you can't see but my hat is off to you... 🖤🐈⬛🎩
I'm impressed that it managed to break things so much 😆 Glad it's sorted though.
Absolutely my pleasure. It warms me to know that I am supporting your writing.
Couldn't ask for a better partner in crime 👻
Just fabulous, Troy, such a delight to have found you 💙
Thank you so much, Mya, likewise. 💛💛💛
💛💙💛
Another banger of a chapter, Troy.
I feel for Lamb, being too out of proportion for any athletic pursuits. But I think you made light of it well.
I also found the friend, who was narrating this chapter quite funny, I enjoyed that he was confident enough to stir Lamb up.
Also, I loved this line:
“But still, it was hard not to check out who had the weenies and who had the meat.” — not only did it make me laugh, it was also relatable.
Keep em, coming, Troy! :)
P.S - when I go on notes later (I can’t go on notes unless I use my laptop coz my phone is too old to handle substacks new app update stuff — long story) I will be sure to restack this chapter so, I can be in the running :)
I'm having fun with the narrator almost more than with Lamb, my usual writing voice is a little more crisp and nuanced so I spend a lot of time reading the episodes out loud and paring out the primness as much as possible... ;) Thanks Michael!
It’s always interesting to see what parts of a project actually grab us.
I imagine it must be both fun and challenging to write in a different voice — you’re making it look easy :)
I love the instant image the name Scot Prentiss Wolcott conjures in my head....if he only knew the idyllic chaparral setting of his beautiful country estate would become a den of homoerotic intrigue. Well done!
🤣🤣🤣 Best comment you've ever offered!
A wonderful contrast with the previous chapter - this feels pastoral, teasing . The contrast with the previous episode works really well to emphasise the almost idyllic surroundings. Excellent.
Thanks - pastoral, I like that...! BTW I was hoping you might pop in to the "Song of Myself Thread" (I should prob make it more obvious for future posts) and have a look, you have such interesting insights. (No pressure, it's a pet project.) Cheers!
https://mrtroyford.substack.com/p/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about/comments
Such brilliant back story here that flows with ease. Running lets people relax into a kind of natural intimacy I think. And the clothes are rather skimpy! 😂
Love the Jan drive! Shall save back for later as I start to catch up from the past few weeks. Great to jump into this story in a moody jet lag haze.
Thanks Kate!! xo
Babes, congrats on going paid! (Insert take my money meme here.) And you gift us with another exquisite continuation of Lamb, and it's lambada for the chuckles. Thank you!
Thank you so much, my darling Nadia - your love and generosity have meant the world to me, lit a fire early on that's still burning. AND you are an early frontrunner in the giveaway... ::)) Be well, dearest... 🤍💛🤍💛🤍⭐🤍💛🤍💛🤍
Thank you for your support from the start, my dear friend. If it weren't for you, I'd be talking to walls and maybe get ten goldfishies and stare at them all day long. Your encouragement always keeps me going. I wish you to take on the world with your own incredible worlds and words. <3