A new Substack publication, a couple stories, my family's odd habit of using the same handful of male names over and over again generation on generation...
I have read both stories by Addison the Younger and both are excellent. Having long had a partiality for newts myself, (my first great love kept newts, I was 3 nd he 9) especially enjoyed that one. I have also signed up to Addison the Elder's substack, having also quite a partiality for Harts.
Oh I can relate. about fifteen years ago I embarked on the adventure of doing my genealogy. The name 'Clarence' comes up over and over in the paternal side of the Germans. At one point one brother named Clarence had 8 brothers and each one of them named their first born sons Clarence. I often ask why? was this punishment for original sin? Then on my mothers side I have two great uncles, brothers, who one is named John and the other Jack. Go figure.
I had no idea your nephew Addison was a writer, I always wanted to ask cos I've been lead to some great literature through him. Very very excited to read his writings.
Though, truth be told, your best work is made up of precisely the sorts of things that modern literary journals don't know what to do with. You're too good for your time, lad.
Actually, they're very good. If I didn't think so I would simply not comment, I assure you. My first (I think?) short story (aged 7) was about a Prince turning into a toad so that the girl he loved would agree to marry him. She had an aversion to princes but loved toads (as did and does her author).
The biggest and most majestic of them all. The most gratifying moment in any Judge Dee novel, for me, is the bit in The Chinese Maze Murders when he glimpses one slinking across the path of a garden labyrinth. As a staunch Confucian, he is touched to see an animal he’s only encountered in writings of the ancients.
Patrick is a lovely name. It's my son's middle name, so I admit I am biased. We named him after an Irish priest, John Patrick Doherty, whose friends called him Jack, which is what my son is called as well. He was born in England, and my mother-in-law warned me against the name Patrick, since she thought he might be bullied in school for being Irish.
My grandmother, who had hoped I might give my elder son one of his father's Durham family names, Cuthbert, Wilfred, etc, was very put out when we named him Benjamin and thereafter would complain , knowing of my Beatrix Potter, devotion that I had named him a "after a rabbit" . He does eat a tremendous amount of salad.
(If you had used that as your author's name, your novels would be especially warmly embraced by Japanese readers. It's easily as good a name as "Banana.")
Certainly. My former publisher and great friend calls me Salad. I answer to either (but not Banana, though for a while thanks to my diet I was known as Salley Apple)
I’ve tried.
Your autocorrect changed Substack to substance, incidentally.
I have read both stories by Addison the Younger and both are excellent. Having long had a partiality for newts myself, (my first great love kept newts, I was 3 nd he 9) especially enjoyed that one. I have also signed up to Addison the Elder's substack, having also quite a partiality for Harts.
I'm gratified. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Thank you.
Oh I can relate. about fifteen years ago I embarked on the adventure of doing my genealogy. The name 'Clarence' comes up over and over in the paternal side of the Germans. At one point one brother named Clarence had 8 brothers and each one of them named their first born sons Clarence. I often ask why? was this punishment for original sin? Then on my mothers side I have two great uncles, brothers, who one is named John and the other Jack. Go figure.
My mother-in-law was blessed with great uncles named Fred and Ferd
I had no idea your nephew Addison was a writer, I always wanted to ask cos I've been lead to some great literature through him. Very very excited to read his writings.
That's very kind, but don't get too excited! These are very far from great literature
Now, now...
Though, truth be told, your best work is made up of precisely the sorts of things that modern literary journals don't know what to do with. You're too good for your time, lad.
Maybe start a substack..
My advice exactly.
I second that.
Actually, they're very good. If I didn't think so I would simply not comment, I assure you. My first (I think?) short story (aged 7) was about a Prince turning into a toad so that the girl he loved would agree to marry him. She had an aversion to princes but loved toads (as did and does her author).
Amphibians are irresistible when you get to know them.
That's very kind! Thank you for reading them!
Nothing would gratify me more, to be honest, than to be treated as an equal by a Chinese giant salamander.
I knew there were giant salamanders in Japan. Are any found in China?
The biggest and most majestic of them all. The most gratifying moment in any Judge Dee novel, for me, is the bit in The Chinese Maze Murders when he glimpses one slinking across the path of a garden labyrinth. As a staunch Confucian, he is touched to see an animal he’s only encountered in writings of the ancients.
I feel I should have known that. I don't even recall the scene from the Judge Dee novel. I am a failure.
I thought both were very good! Would love to read more
Patrick is a lovely name. It's my son's middle name, so I admit I am biased. We named him after an Irish priest, John Patrick Doherty, whose friends called him Jack, which is what my son is called as well. He was born in England, and my mother-in-law warned me against the name Patrick, since she thought he might be bullied in school for being Irish.
I quite like it myself. I should not that his middle name is Robert, however, so I didn't quite sever all the ties that bind.
My grandmother, who had hoped I might give my elder son one of his father's Durham family names, Cuthbert, Wilfred, etc, was very put out when we named him Benjamin and thereafter would complain , knowing of my Beatrix Potter, devotion that I had named him a "after a rabbit" . He does eat a tremendous amount of salad.
Of course, when our son was born, I also proposed Bugs, but my wife wasn’t having it.
I had been hoping you'd call him Burl.
I am sometimes known as Salamander by my nearest and dearest so perhaps I will do to be going on with.
Can I start calling you that?
(If you had used that as your author's name, your novels would be especially warmly embraced by Japanese readers. It's easily as good a name as "Banana.")
To be honest the name Addison is pretty great I would use it for an entire bloodline as well.
I wish you would persuade your nephew to start a substack as well. His comments on here are fascinating.
Certainly. My former publisher and great friend calls me Salad. I answer to either (but not Banana, though for a while thanks to my diet I was known as Salley Apple)
Just as well as there might have been later patricide