Danny: The Beginning

I've been hesitant to post anything about this story - just because it's one of those I started writing like, 12 years ago and put on the back burner. When I came across it again years later, I was so disgusted by how crappy a story it was that I didn't even want to look at it. But then I started working on it, eventually, and giving it a new direction, and thought it would be a nice little experiment. If you haven't been able to tell by now, I hate writing in first person - it's too constricting. When I first started writing stories way back in elementary school, first person was all I wrote in, until I finally discovered the joys and wonders of being able to look at things from multiple angles. So when I found this story again, I thought, hey, why not go with it. And this has been the result.

A little blurb before the intro? Well, I'll let the intro give you a little guess into what this story might be about. To get you started, Danny - Daniel Wilde - is a teenager who's life revolves around sports, being active, and having plans. Everything is always so nicely scheduled and mapped out, whether he likes it that way or not. But life hardly ever turns out how one expects it, for good or for worse, and plans almost always get broken.

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It’s easy to judge when you weren’t apart of it. It’s easy to make assumptions and come to false conclusions when you weren’t there, didn’t see it with your own eyes, or weren’t around to witness the pieces slowly falling apart, realizing no matter what you did, you couldn’t keep the walls from crumbling. But I was – maybe not from the beginning, but I was still there. And it’s still a part of me.

That day stands out so vividly in my head, more than a lot of others, when it really shouldn’t have. It was just another typical, busy day. Busy. Demanding. Hectic. Tiring. Those were just the words that described my day-to-day life. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a day with nothing to do, a day where all I got to do was sleep in, shove potato chips in my mouth and watch television. I think I remember learning in health class that teenagers are supposed to get around ten hours of sleep a night, and that getting enough sleep is one of the most important determinants of health. If that’s true, than I don’t know how I managed my teenage years without catching more than a common cold because I never got that much sleep. Not even close.

And that day was no different. At least to start with. There was an ugly rain and windstorm, which only grew more powerful as the day went on until it finally flexed its muscles and knocked the power out of half the town, including the skate rink. There were backup generators, but practice was canceled for the day anyway. Maybe that should have been a sign.

On the Road

A great American Novel, written by Jack Kerouac in the 1950s. I so want to read this book, and even more so before December roles around.

Why?

Because it's been turned into a movie, damn it. And my favorite actress, Kristen Stewart, is in it. Wait, did I say favorite? I totally meant non-favorite.

It's probably been a long time coming and was going to happen sooner or later, but I really wish Hollywood would stop ruining books. Don't get me wrong, I really hope this movie doesn't suck, and I honestly don't care that much that Stewart's in the film, but movies from books aren't usually as awesome as they are in my head - my head's pretty awesome, just so you know. Of course these movies don't all suck, but it still worries me. Maybe with Walter Salles as the director (The Motorcycle Diaries - also a book, and a pretty cool movie - and a short from Paris, Je T'Aime), this new movie will stand a chance.



So, what's this story all about, anyway? Well, being on the road. Duh. It's actually a lightly fictitious autobiography of Kerouac and the road trips he and his friends would take. This book has greatly defined the Beat Generation. The story is narrated by Sal Paradise, a guy looking for freedom, and sets out to travel the country - exploring friendship, booze, drugs, women, and jazz along the way. Sounds awesome, right? I think so.

What I also find interesting is how the original manuscript of On the Road was typed on a 120 foot scroll of tracing paper sheets that Kerouac cut to size and taped together. That's dedication.



Popular musicians influenced by the Beats? Jim Morrison, the Beatles (or should I say Beat-les), and Bob Dylan.

Stay

Stay is a novel by Deb Caletti that came out last month. I'll say this right off the bat, without going into some speech about what is supposed to be good and bad about this book: I want to read this book. And I would have already, but haven't brought myself to go out and purchase it, download it, or rent it because then I know I would have no self control and would read it until I was finished. Unfortunately, I can't afford for that to happen right now. I'm already reading two Hemingway books, James Joyce (do it), and a flurry of other early American literature. Poor me, right?



Ah, young love gone horribly wrong. What more could an avid reader of young adult stories want? A boy meets girl, falls in love and lives happily ever after kind of thing? Psshhh. Bor-ing.

But wait, I thought you loved cheesy happy endings?

True, but there's nothing like a story about perfect love turning into hellish and dangerous obsession. Especially when it's done right. I've tried writing stories like this, but it either turns out too dark or too fluffy, and no one likes a story where everyone goes crazy and kills everyone, right?

This book isn't just about a good relationship gone bad, it's about growing up and moving on. Of course I've read the good and bad reviews, but I really just want to experience this one for myself. The fact that Clara, the main character, finds a new man while she flees from her ex is kind of obnoxious, but from what I've read so far (an excerpt) I've liked it - and my opinion is the only one that really matters anyway, so...

From Deb's website (because the book cover said it so well):
"Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is - and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city - and Christian - behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough..."

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What did The Bride do with her abusive relationship? Got even.



And going back to James Joyce for a moment. Doesn't he look like a badass in this photo? Hero. Please read Dubliners in your lifetime.