Juba Apfvarzian needs to forget his past. He spends a lot of time taking drugs and drinking with his best friend and fellow drunk Alexand Merek. They met decades ago on a floating asylum ship for the criminally insane. Juba had a wife, Lucy and a son, Ayo, before he went to the asylum. When he was released, he discovered that they had both died of influenza, and he was alone. He and Alexand met up again after her release and discovered that they had a lot in common. Alexand had also lost her wife, Katherine to an unknown virus and her husband Jarad to an unbeatable war. Her son, Sam and daughter, Anastasia had been stolen when they were children. Alexand’s surviving daughter Ancille has grown up and Alexand and Juba spend a lot of their lives trying to run away from bad things. This is one of those days. (A Spanish version is now available to read, translated by Hernán Jara Droguett.) CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
I love Juba’s back story–very interesting! I remember playing with a imaginary piano as well. 😀
I’m glad you like it, as this one’s a bit different stylistically. I always wanted to be able to play the piano too. I guess imaginary is close to real, especially after a few drinks! I know I’ve been there! 😀
Lighter? Just a tad.More like hysteria than joy? But good.
*Grins* To them it’s pretty light, although there is a lot of comedy in the novels which the micro stories don’t pick up on yet. Thanks for suggesting more humour, Cynthia, you’re right about needing a break in the bleakness. I figure hysteria is a happy bridge between that and joy. The next story involves Alexand’s Mother, Inajda Rekaya. There is a lot of potential to make you laugh there and I think I know just the story to tell…
Well, on the surface it seems more upbeat, but I feel like I’ve been handed empty promises (although very entertaining ones,) because if you scratch deep enough, it still seems very sad. I still enjoyed it a lot, but thought in some ways it was gloomier than the others.
Hi Chantal, it’s interesting to see this from a reader’s perspective as this ‘hysteria’ from the character’s point of view, is uplifting to them. I have to remember that my world is very disturbing and what I see as comical may not be interpreted that way unless the reader has been placed in the boiling pot with me and my characters. It’s a lot for me to think about in terms of these micro stories. Thank you, I appreciate it.
I would love to know what anyone thought of the new presentation also…
Your writing skills are really great, my friend! Thanks for sharing some of your stories! When I see a good blog, I usually post this suggestion, hope you’ll like it and use it too? Do you use sites like zazzle.com, cafepress. com, fiverr? They could be a good way to promote your works and to help “remove” stupidity in the streets like headlines on t-shirts, fridge-magnets, cups, etc: My Boyfriend kisses Better Than Yours, FBI – female body inspector, etc. Not everything we see and think of should be about sex, right? It would be much better if there were more nice pictures of mythical creatures, good thoughts, poems from fantasy genre, etc? I’m allanbard there, I use some of my illustrations, thoughts, poems from my books (like: One can fight money only with money, Even in the hotest fire there’s a bit of water, etc). Best wishes! Let the wonderful noise of the sea always sounds in your ears! (a greeting of the water dragons’hunters – my Tale Of The Rock Pieces)
Thanks, Ivan, I’m glad you like the stories so far and thanks for the advice, it’s appreciated. I will take a look at those suggestions as I definitely need to concentrate on promotions! Cheryl.