Now this is literature. It's so wonderfully absurd and there's so much to unpack. Sometimes it can be difficult to get someone to laugh through written word alone, but the way he chokes on a triscuit trying to call out a pokemon is so funny. Your loose style of sentences and rabbit-hole way of storytelling really helps sell this part. I also like the different take on Satan and God, with Satan essentially calling God a fraud and the entrance to hell seemingly being a place of comfort and leisure in contrast to the usual depictions. I love that there's a paywall to get into heaven, too. The perspective of this story is such a mind-fuck because it's narrated by God, but I can't tell if God is being objective or subjective, which is made even more confusing when he explains in his own words what seems to be the abode of Satan, and you can't tell if he's voicing his thoughts or Ernst's thoughts. So you don't know if Ernst can trust Satan or if he should trust God, or if he can even trust either of them.
I can just tell you had fun writing this and I'm glad to see more short stories here.
Phoenix! Thank you so much man, this was one of the first stories I posted after starting Substack and I just came back to this comment and it gave me a ton of inspiration. I truly appreciate your thoughts about my writing! I think you and I are on the same wavelength.
Thanks Martin! DFW and Pynchon are some high comparisons, I am sure I was probably reading something of theirs around the time of writing this. This was one I wrote years ago and posted it initially when I made my Substack for Ian’s course. I am really wondering about the efficacy of leaving my old posts on here forever? I don’t think anyone will ever see them, honestly. Would it be cheating to delete old posts that have lost all engagement and post them again?
Why not post them again? since they will never bee seen? who would know? And keep the old ones here anyway? 🤷🏽♂️
Just thinking out loud here. And also, like, cheating with what? Ooo, maybe a post about an old post like this can draw attention, like a restocking of a story.
Believe me when I say this, I’m not sugarcoating it: This is one of the best stories I’ve ever been given to read. Truly top-tier writing. I enjoyed everything about it. It’s so smart, and the mastery of the prose is impressive — both functional and fun. The theme is original, the character is well fleshed-out, and the absurdity is genius. I’m just in awe and admiration. You deserve so much recognition. On that note, I’m off to devour the rest of what you’ve posted.
Thank you so much! This is some of the highest praise I have ever received, I am very glad to hear that you liked it, I will be trying to write even more stuff along these lines and try to take my style and skill to the next level. That is really all that I am hoping to do here!
Now this is literature. It's so wonderfully absurd and there's so much to unpack. Sometimes it can be difficult to get someone to laugh through written word alone, but the way he chokes on a triscuit trying to call out a pokemon is so funny. Your loose style of sentences and rabbit-hole way of storytelling really helps sell this part. I also like the different take on Satan and God, with Satan essentially calling God a fraud and the entrance to hell seemingly being a place of comfort and leisure in contrast to the usual depictions. I love that there's a paywall to get into heaven, too. The perspective of this story is such a mind-fuck because it's narrated by God, but I can't tell if God is being objective or subjective, which is made even more confusing when he explains in his own words what seems to be the abode of Satan, and you can't tell if he's voicing his thoughts or Ernst's thoughts. So you don't know if Ernst can trust Satan or if he should trust God, or if he can even trust either of them.
I can just tell you had fun writing this and I'm glad to see more short stories here.
Phoenix! Thank you so much man, this was one of the first stories I posted after starting Substack and I just came back to this comment and it gave me a ton of inspiration. I truly appreciate your thoughts about my writing! I think you and I are on the same wavelength.
Thank you so much man! That is some high praise, I really appreciate it.
How wonderfully funny this was! I had a blast and laughed so much. I also love the ending with cookies and the milky way.. That was awesome.
To continue my appreciation of the beginning. It reminded me of David Foster Wallace and Pynchon with is descriptions and use of pop imagery.
Thank you for sharing a post about this post or else I would have never found it or felt the need to read it.
Again, I laughed so much..
Thanks Martin! DFW and Pynchon are some high comparisons, I am sure I was probably reading something of theirs around the time of writing this. This was one I wrote years ago and posted it initially when I made my Substack for Ian’s course. I am really wondering about the efficacy of leaving my old posts on here forever? I don’t think anyone will ever see them, honestly. Would it be cheating to delete old posts that have lost all engagement and post them again?
Why not post them again? since they will never bee seen? who would know? And keep the old ones here anyway? 🤷🏽♂️
Just thinking out loud here. And also, like, cheating with what? Ooo, maybe a post about an old post like this can draw attention, like a restocking of a story.
Believe me when I say this, I’m not sugarcoating it: This is one of the best stories I’ve ever been given to read. Truly top-tier writing. I enjoyed everything about it. It’s so smart, and the mastery of the prose is impressive — both functional and fun. The theme is original, the character is well fleshed-out, and the absurdity is genius. I’m just in awe and admiration. You deserve so much recognition. On that note, I’m off to devour the rest of what you’ve posted.
Thank you so much! This is some of the highest praise I have ever received, I am very glad to hear that you liked it, I will be trying to write even more stuff along these lines and try to take my style and skill to the next level. That is really all that I am hoping to do here!
Chef’s kiss dark comedy. 🫡