Danny January: Blog

I've had someone post comments about a double standard and Veronica's behavior in the story. I want to set a few things straight.

First - nothing actually happened between Jack and Veronica. Could she, would she? Perhaps. Or perhaps it was an overactive imagination on my part. At 15 everything is about sex.

Second - Kim set her straight. Even if she had only been kidding around, Kim let her know it was unwelcome. Veronica got it and never did it again.

Third - as far as I know, she's never done anything illegal and she isn't a pedophile.

Fourth - the events all took place in 1980-81, long before the me-too movement and everything didn't trigger everyone.

Fifth - she remains a good friend.

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

One of the things that's always puzzled me about SOL and the stories I've written is reader engagement. I think most writers enjoy comments from readers. I do. It helps to understand how our writing is progressing and perhaps what areas to work on. As a reader, I don't think there are too many other arenas where you can engage with an author as easily as here. Why then, do so few readers do that? And why do so few readers vote? PUzzling.

I've had a few attaboys and thanks notes and I appreciate those. I've also had a few questions, more about feasting and Beach House than all my other stories combined. Several people have been interested in the food (and for good reason). A couple have encouraged me to continue the story. I've also had a couple of interesting questions, but not as many as I'd hoped for.

The answer to one question: "Timex went 23-3 before leaving the ring to "get a real job" get married and start a family."

Dear reader - engage with the authors on this site. Give kudos where they're due, give feedback about what you liked and didn't and so on. Why not?

I thought it would be helpful to provide links to a few locations mentioned in feasting. Some have mentioned Lowcountry cooking in their emails so I'm including a link to Charleston Receipts - a local cookbook and something of the standard. I honestly don't know anyone who doesn't have this book.

Charleston Aerial view. If you zoom in a bit, you'll see Porter- Gaud and Wappoo Cut near the center. There's a marker for "The Battery" on the tip of Charleston Peninsula. That's where White Point Garden is. You can also see markers for Alhambra Hall and Fort Sumter. The stables and Mink's are outside this frame.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alhambra+Hall/@32.7853157,-79.9938989,13813m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf1cdb66c544a0b5e!8m2!3d32.7796778!4d-79.8701639

White Point Garden

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7697295,-79.9301515,3a,75y,352.54h,101.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh75AXj_q9lL7ITr36q748g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Wappoo Cut - I still spend a lot of time there

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7672991,-79.9732768,3a,75y,113.98h,75.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZ2KO6h3umqymXm2D97tg0Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Folly Beach

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.6703015,-79.9068513,3a,75y,108.3h,83.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOPS7BFN9gXt2i8mB7Wn1mQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Charleston Receipts
https://www.amazon.com/Charleston-Receipts-Collected-Junior-League/dp/B000LVZVIE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1UGQEO0H758OD&keywords=charleston+receipts+cookbook&qid=1650288819&sprefix=Charleston+re%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-2

After nearly 6 months of work, I finally posted my longest story yet.

Feasting With a Silver Spoon was published last night. You all were great providing feedback when I ask for it soooo.....

Let me know what you think of the story, and if you see any issues especially continuity or other problems. I hope you enjoy it. It was definitely a trip down memory lane for me.

I'm about to publish a fairly long story (over 400,000 words) and there are quite a few characters. Some authors include a cast of characters at the beginning of the story. Should I? Do you ever refer back to that or do you just read the story and get to know the characters as the story progresses? I'd like your input.

I got a lot of input in short order. Thanks to all.
I'm going to publish without a cast of characters. Here's why not.

I'll publish the complete story - several folks mentioned that it's tough if the story takes weeks or even years to be complete. This wont.

There isn't a cast of thousands. Most of the characters show up multiple times and it's rare for a character to be out of the story for more than a chapter or two.

Context for the characters is pretty consistent.

Most people said they would prefer to meet the characters as the story unfolds.

Thanks for all the input - very helpful.