Cone Zero reviewed

[realthog]

D.F. Lewis's anthology Cone Zero, in which I have a story, has been reviewed by David Hebblethwaite (thisplacehere) over on the Serendipity site. His conclusion:

What difference does it make not knowing who wrote which of these stories? Speaking personally, I'm not sure, because I'm unfamiliar with the work of all the listed authors (bar one) anyway. However, the stories in the book are what really count, and... Well, I'm usually wary of saying things like this, but I expect to see Cone Zero on the lists of this year's best anthologies. It will richly deserve any such place.

Comments

[realthog.livejournal.com]

I was very chuffed to be included in the antho -- as so often, terms like "insufferable" were being bandied about -- but the current chuffedom is rightfully Des's.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Agreed. He's put together a wonderful anthology of weird tales. The stories are engaging. I noticed there are four tales entitled "Cone Zero" in the PDF you sent me. Is this the final published version of the antho?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"Is this the final published version of the antho?"

Yes. From the outset Des stated that stories could be called "Cone Zero", and several authors opted for that.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

On an entirely unrelated subject, I like your recently up-loaded user pic, "Get a brain, moron". Most excellent! ;)

But back to Cone Zero -- I'm still working on identifying your story. I've narrowed the choices down, but am still working my way toward the last tale. I'm studying each story for "telling" clues, actually marking up each story as I go with a red pencil, writing comments to myself, circling examples of usage, phrases, punctuation, etc., while examining style in each story.

You're not an easy anonymous writer to track, Paul, but you do leave distinct clues in your writing in general. Of course, when I finally arrive at a conclusion I'll no doubt make an ass out of myself!

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"Of course, when I finally arrive at a conclusion I'll no doubt make an ass out of myself!"

One of the great advantages of my being contractually obliged to preserve anonymity until Des tells me otherwise is that, even if you do, I can't tell you so!

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

You don't need to be so damned gleeful about it, :P!

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

I found your story.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

You think.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

I know.

It's my leetle gray cells, Hastings. It's the way they work, but they might be wrong. I doubt it, though. I'll give myself twenty lashes if they are.

I could use more lashes.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"I'll give myself twenty lashes if they are."

Oh, no, let me help! I've got a Wal*Mart S&M Bondage Kit somewhere.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

You have a debauched mind, P. I was talking about false eyelashes. I will reward myself with false eyelashes if I'm right.

You writers are a sick bunch of weirdos, editors even more so . . . ;)

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"I will reward myself with false eyelashes if I'm right."

Unfortunately you'll have no way of knowing until next February, I think it is, when Des divulges the information.

Getting whipped with false eyelashes is not something that happens anywhere within my extensive collection of John Norman books.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

"Getting whipped with false eyelashes is not something that happens anywhere within my extensive collection of John Norman books."

You would need to inhabit Southern California for at least ten years to even begin to understand the fine art of false eyelash whipping.

[thisplacehere.livejournal.com]

I do believe, Sarcobatus, that we agree on which is Paul's story...

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Since you're both being coy, how the heck can you make this claim, Dave?

[thisplacehere.livejournal.com]

Because Sarcobatus referred to a line from the story I'm thinking of in a comment above, so I assume the two of us are thinking of the same one.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

She did?

I must now reread all Jody's comments.

[thisplacehere.livejournal.com]

Of course, I could be completely mistaken...

[realthog.livejournal.com]

But will you flagellate yourself with false eyelashes if so, as Jody has promised she will do.

[thisplacehere.livejournal.com]

Er... nope. But, if I am wrong, I'll probably have to re-read some of your work to look for the stylistic differences.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

"I must now reread all Jody's comments."

Talk about self flagellation!

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Indeed we are.

Paul's the one who's being coy. But he has to be.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"Paul's the one who's being coy."

I am? It's obviously quite a while since I wrote the story, but as of now I haven't recognized any references in your comments.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Really? Well then, perhaps your doppelganger wrote the tale. I have only a couple of stories to go before I can say I've read every piece, but there are only two or three in the antho thus far that I would guess are yours.

But this one tale in particular had your voice. And style. And was very well executed.

I hate to do this to Pam -- but you have a profound writing talent and command of the King's English, P (and maybe even the Queen's), not to mention you deliberately break the rules with finesse, which is a gift not everyone can claim. I analyzed the infractions in each story, as well as the story's style and voice, and thereby arrived at my conclusion. Each story appeared to have several deliberate mistakes in either punctuation or usage, e.g., one writer used "irregardless" twice. Some of the infractions were subtle, used for emphasis, such as comma splices to make a point.

Soooooooooo . . . I'll go over the stories one more time before settling on which one is yours. Then you can mail me your Walmart kit and I will give myself the twenty lashes, for being wrong. I wouldn't put it past you to have completely disguised your voice and style in Cone Zero . . . I've started reading your Thirty-Day Dance Card. What can I say? You are one fine writer.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Why, thank you, David. I appreciate the feed back. ;D