Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: My First Stabbing

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  • Stephanie,

    Ooh look, you've lured out a whole bunch of us Hardly-Ever-Posteds...

    Lower Hutt • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Really, David, you have to think about publishing such stories. Absobloodylutely hilarious, my friend. I love characters, and when you have the ability to write prose that makes us want to read more about them, surely you should oblige?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    Does this mean we can look forward to another story where you WERE the person who was stabbed? You've raised our expectations now!

    Both the stabbee and the stabber. I've an inkling this might be doable.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Neil Morrison,

    The universe may well have run out of energy (or 'exergy', to be technically correct) by the time I finish.

    Is exergy just a form of special pleading? The uinverse might evolve thermodynamically in a way that doesn't suite us but what about all that dark matter - it might suite them.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report

  • Bob Munro,

    I wish I could report that the stabbing victim married the wife of the new neighbour; but alas, their relationship -- although very intimate -- did not survive the court case.

    Ah, so this was a crime passionnel . I trust the stabber received a suitably light sentence?

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report

  • David Haywood,

    Oops, I seem to have missed a couple of posts on this thread that I should have replied to...

    Stephanie wrote:

    Does this mean we can look forward to another story where you WERE the person who was stabbed?

    It's a story that I'd rather forget -- but, yes, it will probably get a mention in a forthcoming piece about high school (writing in progress, but not expected to be finished for another year or so). By the way, notice how I lose my sense of humour when I'm the guy being stabbed.

    Jackie Clark wrote:

    Really, David, you have to think about publishing such stories.

    Thank you for the kind words, Jackie. Actually, thanks to a suggestion from another PA reader, I've spent the weekend blocking something out and running some numbers. It may, in fact, be possible not to lose money on such a proposition. I'm going to run the idea past my usual 'brains trust' of David Slack, Emma Hart, and Creon Upton and see what they think. But, having said all that, my concept is probably crap.

    Bob Munro wrote:

    Ah, so this was a crime passionnel . I trust the stabber received a suitably light sentence?

    Actually, there is some question about this. I'd always remembered being told that the stabber got sent to gaol, but my father has suggested that he may not have actually served time; and that he may, in fact, have escaped conviction on a crime passionnel basis, as you suggest.

    One day I might have to go through some old newspapers and find out...

    Incidentally, my mother tells me that the police finally nabbed the stabber when he became entangled in a grapevine.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • David Slack,

    and see what they think

    Even without seeing the numbers I like the sound of it.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    I'm going to run the idea past my usual 'brains trust' of David Slack, Emma Hart, and Creon Upton and see what they think. But, having said all that, my concept is probably crap.

    Bet you a beer it isn't.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Creon Upton,

    Bet you a beer it isn't.

    I'm with Emma on that.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 68 posts Report

  • James Francis,

    David, forget the beers. Ask them for advance sales.

    St John's, Newfoundland • Since Nov 2006 • 121 posts Report

  • Kerry Weston,

    I'm late reading this, but hope you get my reply. This writing comp might be more your cup of tea:

    The Royal Society of NZ Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing, supported by the NZ Listener and Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria. There's an ad for it in the Listener, may 24-30, p. 45.

    The theme is 'evolution', 2000-3000 words. Closes August 15.

    those mysterious birds, the Strait. Stewart Island, it all reeks of primeval - jottings at the tea rooms? Go for it!

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report

  • David Haywood,

    Thanks for thinking of me, Kerry. I've already written the first paragraph:

    Rthhyfl raised her gthydf towards the uyhts. "I have journeyed a thousand thyopters from Rtyjhgsdt to bring the Gthydf of Tyibfdfa to the peoples of Huibgsjhg," she proclaimed. "I hope it will help with the evolution of your species."

    Although, on the other hand, I've always been taken by the idea that insects might evolve in a manner that enables them to exploit the social (as opposed to physical) aspects of human society.

    Imagine a giant cockroach that could mimic a man in a suit. It would only need a thimbleful of neurons to make a few basic sounds such as "This is political correctness gone mad!", and it could have a cosy life as a radio talk-back host or a member of parliament.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • FletcherB,

    Hmm... I seem to recall a series of lectures/podcasts/radio-shows, partially finished, that might be described as the evolution of human energy usage, or similar?

    It might form an entry into such a competition without requiring the author to undertake any new or extra work (apart from completion and maybe re-editing?)

    I dont mean to nag... I love your (non energy) writing a lot.... but I'm fairly sure I'm not the only person eagerly awaiting the rest of it.

    **REPLY:** You might actually be the only person eagerly awaiting the rest. However I am intending to finish it -- once Bob is a bit more manageable. I can't record when he's awake, and I tend to wake him if I try to record when he's asleep. Quite frustrating. And no chance of baby-sitters here, either.

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report

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