The Writer's Life 6/14 - Borrowing from Life

Here's an excerpt from a novel, Present and Past, I plan to self-publish in January 2018. I borrowed the particular event from a golf buddy/softball teammate who related it one night after a game. I've put so many real life incidents into my work. I'm sure most writers do. After all, truth is often stranger than fiction. The novel is about two lifelong friends in their late 30's on a cross-country car trek. It takes place in the 80's. One of the themes is how the past is always there, present in memory instantaneously:

"Ever been to Vegas?" said Freddie.
Tony rolled his eyes heavenward, as if the question were inane. "I dunno know how many times."
"What's it like?"
"Great, way better than A.C.. The weather's always nice, and they got the hottest hookers you ever seen in your life, all of 'em as hot as those two in Chicago. I ever tell you 'bout the time we met Dean Martin, me and Andy Giuliano?"
Freddie turned toward him. "I don't think so." He remembered it, but chose not to admit it, sensing it was precisely what Tony needed to be pulled from the doldrums. In fact, he was surprised Tony, who seemed to remember everything, had forgotten he'd told him.
"This's goin' back fourteen, fifteen years. It's a great story. You musta been at school when it happened."
"And you never answered any of my letters, so you probably forgot about it by the time I came home for the summer."
Tony's face soured. "Again with that? Leave me alone already. What’d you need letters for, anyway? You had all those degenerate girls to keep you company. And when you came home for summer you always went right to work and played ball at night, so I hardly saw you anyway."
"So how'd you meet Dino?"
He shifted in his seat, making himself comfortable. "We were leavin' the casino one night, me and Andy, both of us ripped atta our faces. Andy was worse off than me. He started crossin' the street against the light. I yelled at 'im to stop and he told me to go to hell. Meanwhile he's staggerin' along and this limo stops short and taps him on the leg with its bumper." He slapped lightly at Freddie's thigh in illustration. "And he falls down. The wind woulda knocked ‘im over in the condition he was in. Any way, he gets up cursin' -- you know the way he gets when he's drunk -- and the chauffeur comes runnin' over to see if he's okay. Andy pushes ‘im atta the way and charges up to the limo to curse out the bigshot inside, and whatta you know -- it's Andy's idol. He starts yellin':  'Hey, Dino! Dino' and hoppin' aroun' all excited like a little kid. He musta said 'Dino! ' a hundred times. Anyway, Dino gets atta the car and says:  'You okay, kid? C'mon, we'll take you to the hospital.' You could see he was really nervous, even though it wasn't his fault. Andy tells 'im: 'Nah, I'm awright.' And they went on for five minutes with Dino tryin' to get 'im to go to the hospital and Andy tellin 'im he's all right. Finally Dino gives up and gives Andy a pass to the hotel he's playin' at. Andy says thanks and Dino leaves, and we don't think twice about it 'cept we can stay in Vegas an extra night. Turns out when we go to the hotel we find out the pass's good for a life time. We couldn't believe it. Now that's bein' generous, not like that clown ballplayer." (Earlier Fred told Tony about Bucky Dent giving tickets to two teenage girls wearing his Yankees' jersey. This too was borrowed. from another friend.)
"I'm sure it didn't come out of his own pocket."
"So what? He didn't hafta do it. Andy’s the kinda mope who woulda been happy the rest of his life just to tell people he got hit by Dean Martin's limo."
"He was grateful you guys didn't try to fleece him."
"Andy said he couldn't do that to a paisan. I'd'a stayed down no matter who it was. What’s a million to a guy like that? It’s like a hundred to us. Andy said he'd'a sued if it'd been one’a those Judotz comedians. We used that pass every time we went down there. It was good for room service too. What a score! Then they had some phony fire and all their records got burned. We couldn't complain, though. We got six, seven good years atta the thing."

No luck selling books on the street on this picture perfect day. It wasn't even hot standing in the sun. My thanks to the woman who gave me a CD of her husband's band, Western Caravan, which plays retro country. Her mate does the singing. Thanks also to Herbie, who donated yet another paperback thriller.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

 

The Writer's Life 6/13 - In the Wake

Last night I dreamed of Godzilla and there's no doubt in my mind that the monster represented the menace that is terrorism. In light of the latest massacre by someone of the Muslim faith, passions are inflamed. It is tempting to blame the President and leftists for the latest abomination, especially in light of Obama's infuriating resistance to using the term "Islamic Terrorism." But this war began in 1979 when the hostages were taken in Iran. It was not Jimmy Carter's fault, although he bungled the ensuing situation. It was the fault of the perpetrators. Until the attack on the World Trade Center, many were in denial that there was/is a war going on. Some still are. Some blame U.S. policy for the actions of terrorists. Some blame Israel. I'm not qualified to suggest a course of action. This war will last long after I'm dead, and there will be victories and defeats, ups and downs, no matter who is in power. I believe Republicans would do a better job in this area, but I don't know that for sure. Unfortunately, I think the left has gone mad. Our young are facing a huge task. Couple the fight against terrorism with the heavy financial burden they are inheriting, and suddenly youth does not look rosy. They also will be shackled by political correctness for the foreseeable future, and educators who blame America for the world's ills instead of seeing it as the beacon of hope it has always been.

Was there any security at the door of the club? How was the creep able to enter and immediately begin to open fire? I didn't see anything about these aspects in the account I read. If anyone reading this knows the answer, please leave a note.

Such an event tends to taint all else in the world for days. It surfaces during moments of happiness, reminding that all is not well. The horrible fate of the victims and the pain inflicted on the families make everything else in life seem insignificant. Sports is revealed as the entertaining sideshow it is rather than something of great importance. The pro hockey championship was decided last night when Pittsburgh defeated San Jose on the road. The Penguins had last won the Stanley Cup in 2009. Since then its star, Sidney Crosby, has had a lot of vitriol directed at him by writers and fans alike. There have been many derogatory posts about him on Facebook. He has earned his vindication, named MVP of the finals. 28, he’s the only player in history to have won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, a world junior championship, a IIHF world championship, a Hart Trophy (league MVP), an Art Ross Trophy (leading points scorer) and a Conn Smythe Trophy (playoffs MVP). And as far as I know he's never been in trouble with the law. Kudos, kid.

My thanks to the woman who bought a child care book by Dr. -- not Mr. -- Spock, and the one who purchased a pictorial comprised of Polaroids.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

The Writer's Life 6/12 - Hooks

Will the president finally utter the words "Islamic terrorist"?

The following items were culled from today's NY Post, my comments added: USA credit card debt is approaching one trillion. Are people waiting for the same forgiveness Bernie Sanders promised for student loan debt?... In the 70's and 80's half of teens 16-19 worked during the summer. These days it's one-third. I don't know exactly what it means, but it doesn't sound good... Obama has pardoned more felons, 250, than the previous six presidents combined. Supposedly they're non-violent. I sure hope so... Ernest Hemingway's grandson, Edward, has written and illustrated four children's books and illustrated several others. Who knew?... Here's one from the category "So you think you've heard everything," from an article by Doree Lewak: A math teacher at Brooklyn's Kingsborough CC has been dubbed The Sperminator. In the past 12 years he has sired 22 kids by donating his seed -- and not to clinics which charge an arm and a leg to women desperate to conceive. Via the web, he arranges a meeting at a place such as Target or Starbucks, then goes to a bathroom, watches porn on his Iphone, and delivers his goods into a type of menstrual cup -- and he does it for free! Many of his recipients are lesbians. Damn, I could have been a father. I doubt I have the sperm count these days to attract such women. His is very high, obviously.

Ever hear of body suspension? It's a process wherein an expert pierces flesh with hooks all over the body, then raises the person, who is connected to a pulley system, into the air. Devotees claim the practice gives them a huge sense of well-being. A practitioner says: "It is painful. Piercing is painful, it's just like regular piercing, Every time it's a new piercing and the wound heals really fast, it can heal in two weeks. I had hooks in my forehead and nobody can tell I had them." How long a person remains suspended varies, depending on their position and how they feel. "Some people stay for four, five hours, some people need only three seconds." Maybe I should add it to my bucket list. Here's a picture:

The wind was so fierce on 7th Avenue in Park Slope I decided to take the floating book shop to another location. It wasn't quite as bad on 9th Street below 5th Avenue, but it was still stiff. The move did not pan out financially, but it did lead to a meeting with a friend I hadn't seen in the flesh in two years, actor/singer Johnny Socks. He'd just come from mass up the street at St. Thomas. He's been involved in film shorts, still leading the vagabond artist's life. For the past nine days he's been minding a cat, staying at the apartment of a woman who travels the country to film locations. Best of luck, my man.
My thanks to the gentleman who purchased the Manhattan Noir 2 short story collection, and the woman who bought Robert James Waller's The Bridges of Madison County.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

The Writer's Life 6/11 - The Judge & the Cowboy

Here's something out of an old porno. According to Yahoo News, a judge who was censured for having sex with two women in his chambers has handily won reelection in Orange County. Scott Steiner got 56% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the county registrar. Steiner has been a Superior Court judge since 2011. The Los Angeles Times says he was censured by the Commission on Judicial Performance in 2014 for having sex with two women — his intern and a practicing lawyer — in chambers. Way to bang that gavel, judge. This gives new meaning to that old phrase from Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In: "Here come de judge." Rim-shot.

Yee-ha! Also from Yahoo: A rancher jumped on his horse and lassoed a man who was trying to steal a bicycle in the parking lot of an Oregon Wal-Mart. Robert Borba was loading dog food and a camping tent into his truck when he heard a woman screaming. The 28-year-old led his horse, Long John, out of its trailer, grabbed a rope, and rode over to the man, who was struggling with the bike gears and attempting to flee on foot. Borba lassoed the guy around the legs and dragged him to one end of the parking lot. He said: "I seen this fella trying to get up to speed on a bicycle. I wasn't going to catch him on foot. I just don't run very fast. I use a rope every day, that's how I make my living. If it catches cattle pretty good, it catches a bandit pretty good." (Edited by yours truly)

Sometimes movies fall through the cracks. I'd never seen The Holcroft Covenant (1985), based on the novel by the wildly popular Robert Ludlum. I don't even remember having heard of it. Now I know why. Despite an interesting storyline, it is a complete misfire, despite the talent that worked on it: director John Frankenheimer (Birdman of alcatraz {1962}), screenwriters Edward Anhalt (Becket {1964}) and George Axelrod (The Manchurian Candidate {1962}, and Michael Caine in the lead. It never rises to convincing.

My thanks to the gentleman who purchased Thomas Harris' Red Dragon and the humorous book on Stupid Crooks, and to Bad News Billy, who overpaid for a self defense video/audio cassette package. After leaving the bank, he was off to church to light a candle, hoping for divine intervention on his patent idea, which is under review. Best of luck, sir.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

 

The Writer's Life 6/10 - Just Sayin'

RIP Gordie Howe, 88, NHL legend. Known simply as Mr. Hockey, he played 26 seasons in the NHL and six seasons in the World Hockey Association. He’s the all-time leader in games played in the NHL (1767). He’s second in career goals (801) and fourth in career points (1850). He won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, and was a 23-time All-Star selection. Not only was he a great player, he was so proficient with his fists that other players wouldn't dare challenge him. NY Ranger's tough guy Lou Fontinato found that out the hard way one night. His initial punch missed and Howe landed one to the big guy's nose, breaking it. That was followed by a series of uppercuts. I don't know that there has been a more famous NHL tussle since.

On Puerto Rico -- how has a population of 3.6 million accumulated a debt of $70 billion?

I heard an audio clip of Elisabeth Warren stating that Donald Trump is a racist. Isn't pretending to be an indian to advance and enrich oneself racist? Fauxcahontas should look in the mirror. I learned today that this scourge of Wall Street made a lot of money early in her career flipping houses.

The top ticket for the hip hop Broadway musical Hamilton is now $849, a new record. The previous high was $477 for The Book of Mormon. What will scalpers charge?

I just heard an interesting conversation between conservative talk show host Sean Hannity and former NY DA Jeanine Pirro. She believes one of the reasons Hillary will not be indicted for the email scandal is that she has a lot of dirt on Obama. The only way she may be indicted is if she loses the election. It would be too disruptive if a sitting president were to be indicted. More than the Watergate scandal, I thought? Then again, the press wanted Nixon's scalp. Hillary is their anointed one.

There wasn't much action at the floating book shop today, but I did get a visit from Occupy Jack, whom I hadn't seen in a while. He's preparing to change his campaign from "Bernie or Bust" to "Anybody But Hillary," whom he dubs Shillary. I tried to explain that Mrs. Clinton's views are little different than Bernie's, but he is unforgiving of the shameless way she will do or so anything to get elected. I compared her to the old Soviet party heads who lived high on the hog while preaching the virtues of communism. Hilarious video has surfaced of her endorsing the building of a wall at the Mexican border and supporting the deportation of illegals. Anyway, I asked Jack what he'd been doing lately. His face lit up as he told me about his posts at the Al Jeezera website, which generate a continuous stream of death threats, so much so that they reach the site's limit.
My thanks to the gentleman who bought Dan Brown's Deception Point.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

The Writer's Life 6/9 - 900

In an article in today's NY Post, John Crudele riffs on Bill Clinton's election catchphrase of 1992: "It's the economy, stupid." Here are the three factors I found most alarming: Since 2009 the work force has shrunk by 14 million, the cost of healthcare has risen 150% faster than inflation, and median household income has fallen 6%.

Web jokers had a field day recently when Hillary made an address about income inequality while wearing a $12,000 Armani jacket. Post baseball handicapper Hondo wonders if Armani makes orange jumpsuits. Once again, kudos, sir.

I had an interesting experience at Twitter yesterday while posting a link to the blog, which was titled Confrontation. I included a still from the film Anger Management (2003), Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson in profile shouting at each other, foreheads pressed together, which seems perfect for the times. A message came up: "The following media may contain sensitive material." The photo did not appear. This manifests how overly sensitive society is becoming and how shoddy Twitter's internal censors are. I wasn't angry. After all, there was a tab there that allowed users to display the pic, and I appreciate the opportunity for shameless self-promotion the site has allowed me. I've posted thousands of ads for my books there for free since I've joined. Besides, I doubt more than an occasional hit comes from there. My blog averages about seven readers. I laugh every time I hear a Geico ad on streaming music channels that lampoons a woman who has exactly that same number. I had no problem with the post at Facebook, Google+ or Niume. The latter is separate from the others. I may have more readers there. If so, it hasn't led to an increase in book sales, which is what the endeavor is all about.

Given the stiff wind and unusually cool day, I wasn't optimistic about the floating book shop's prospects. Fortunately, that sense was proved wrong immediately. I hadn't seen Joe in at least two years. He was immediately drawn to Rising Star and purchased it. That brings the number of sales of my own books to 900, a hundred short of the goal I set years ago. The total includes Kindle downloads, but does not include the 30 or so web sales of Exchanges, which I have not been paid for and probably never will be. My thanks, young man, and also to Kinesha, aka Mrs. Eclectic, whom I haven't seen in months. She dispatched her daughter to the shop and communicated with her by cell phone. She bought two Joanne Fluke mysteries, one by Marie Force, and Jojo Moyes Me Before You, one of the hottest romance novels going right now, ranked #4 overall at Amazon. My thanks also to the woman who purchased a book on age-proofing the mind.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

The Writer's Life 6/8 - Confrontation

America's last stand against socialism is officially under way. Hillary is an undeclared socialist, her policies little different than those of Bernie Sanders. She would work more incrementally, perhaps, but her goals are the same. Even if she is indicted, which is highly unlikely despite her obvious guilt, she will probably stay in the race. Of course, there's no way of knowing where Trump's policies would lead. Although he has been making all the Republican talking points, especially when it comes to Supreme Court nominees, he might change upon assuming office, and he might be powerless to stop the majority of citizens from wanting even more from government. Sometimes it looks like the path to socialism is inevitable and always has been. The booming economies of the 80's and 90's merely fed the beast. Congress had more to spend and still rang up huge deficits except for one year when the internet bubble brought in record revenue. Americans must pray that more booms are in its future. That is all that will offset, at least to a manageable degree, the sins of its political class. Okay, candidates -- retreat to your corners and come out fighting.

Yesterday one of my frequent well-wishers, a woman fond of birds, mentioned the following story, another bizarre chapter in law, culled from the Fox News website, edited by yours truly: "A Michigan man’s wife is now a suspect in his murder, and a winged witness may have heard the dead man’s final plea. An African grey parrot might have overheard a man pleading before five bullets were pumped into him. The bird was heard saying “Don’t f------ shoot” in a video taken shortly after the man’s death. It’s unclear if police have seen this video or if the bird’s utterance is even admissible as evidence. The wife was found beside the man, a gunshot wound to her head. She has recovered and denies killing him." Does the ploy have a wing to stand on? The tale sounds like a natural for TV or cinema.

Mountain Man stopped by the floating book shop to schmooze. Minutes later Political Man arrived. I knew what was coming, although both are liberals, MM is as cynical as can be about politics and human beings while PM is a booster for all things Democrat. They quickly got into it, insulting each other. PM is following the media's lead in declaring Trump a racist, something he spouted to several passersby, as he is wont to do on all issues. He should record and play back his own comments about Russians. Anyone who believes Obama has been a good economic steward has a clear choice. Hillary will deliver more of the same. It is a mystery what Trump would do. I hope the confrontations that will take place remain verbal. Unfortunately, I suspect many of Sanders' supporters will not go quietly. They have already gotten physical with Trump voters. Will they be so foolish and selfish as to attack the backers of one of their own? I know Hillary and Bill have played the system for their own enrichment, but I believe she is a true believer when it comes to socialism, as Obama is.

Given the forecast, I opened up shop a half hour earlier than usual, and it paid off in a small way. My thanks to the local home attendant who bought four Debbie Macomber novels before the rains came. She loves romance in books and, believe it or not, prefers chop socky in film. As Art Linkletter used to say: "People are funny." My thanks.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63jat 

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/