Comments on: Short Story – The Renovator

By: bill

bill — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:44:59 +0000

I’m very pleased you both enjoyed the story. I’m more motivated to get back to writing my next story now.

Thank you for the critique lilQwerty – much appreciated. I’m hoping to have the story finished by the end of this month (August).

Thanks Lesh, wow we could tell some stories about that class. Perhaps the secret to my minuscule amount of success is that I missed 3/4’s of the years classes while I was sick and was not too corrupted by our teacher

By: Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:39:16 +0000

Incredible, I really enjoyed reading it Billy. I guess our writing class way back in high school paid off for one of us.

By: lilQwerty

lilQwerty — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:29:50 +0000

Wow, such a great tale Bill.
My only negative comment would be the low point in the middle of the story. The business part is lacking… your going through the motions and it lacks the same impact as the earlier discussion about him renovating furniture. Either needs to be cut back or expanded on to make it interesting.
Really enjoyed seeing your inspiration for different elements of the story, that was so very cool especially for a character that was so unique. I cant wait to see your next effort, please don’t make me wait to long.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:06:27 +0000

Thanks Victor and Derek, I’m really glad you enjoyed the story.

The inspiration for Stuart, it comes from a lot places. There is no one person that the character is based on.
There is some elements from my life in there – my father was a builder for many years and now an all round handyman. At my mothers prodding and nagging he often renovates our house, knocking out walls, extending rooms and changing bedrooms into kitchens and kitchens into bedrooms. My mum is not obsessed with decor however.
I can recall being dragged along to a market by my parents. I bought a large almost antique office chair, although it still has a tear in the leather on the left arm rest and a squeak in the swivel mechanism, so obviously I’m not the renovator.

The self improvement thing is really a societal phenomenon – people see gaining knowledge of how to improve themselves as actually improving themselves. I think most people are guilty of it to small degree, myself included, however over the years I have met a few people who take it to scary levels.
The business element is taken from many business people I have met and biographies I have read.

Thanks for reading,

Bill

By: Derek

Derek — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:24:49 +0000

Really interesting story, thank you for sharing it Bill. I really did enjoy it. You obviously have some talent there and I want to see more.

By: Victor H

Victor H — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:57:58 +0000

Great story!!! A bizarre yet compelling character – where did you get the inspiration for Stuart?
Interesting exploration of a different addiction and social withdrawal.