Our BetterMost Community > Creative Writer's Corner
Taking Chances, by E. L. Van Hine and L.H. Nicoll
mariez:
Yes, ranchgal, the GED really stood out for me, too, and I agree with your observations. It also raises many questions for me. Colson remembers being kicked out of high school - so that explains why he needed a GED - but when did he get kicked out? And why? When did he decide to get his GED - and more importantly - why? Did he have ambitions beyond "horse wrangler" - a specific job or career that required a high school diploma or the equivalent? Did he ever consider going to college? We know he was married - did he study for and get the GED before he was married, during his marriage? What was his ex-wife's role in it, if any? For me, Colson's GED is fraught with possibilities for an interesting backstory that affects who he is.
The fact that he was kicked out of high school also made me more aware of some other inner thoughts. Colson seems to have violent tendencies - was that the reason for his expulsion? While looking at Pete's injuries, he thinks back on Adam's bruises from "rough bouts" when he was "pissed off" - which made me believe that there was more to this than a one-time punch.
Colson also tells Pete that he is 15 years too young for him (I can't remember whether this is a new thought on his part or not - I'm doing this from memory as I don't have the original) - why the specific cut-off point? Does Colson have a specific age in mind for someone new - has he been thinking, even subconcsiously, of the possibility of finding someone new? That ties into the fact that Colson seems to take stock of his looks in mirror while wondering if he would be attractive to men.
While baffled by the "queer world" he observes in the bar - Colson doesn't strike me as completely naive. He figures out on his own why Bill didn't want Gene near Pete instead of having to have Bill spell it out for him. And when Ellery smiles at the elderly woman who overheard Pete and Wilson's fight - Colson sees through it - even thinks that it appears so genuine - but is in fact insincere.
Colson seems very concerned that Ellery remembers that he said he was from Arapahoe - is he just concerned because he's worried about being dishonest or is there something more? Colson has some thoughts about feeling the trap and having the "urge to bolt" - has he had this feeling before? I don't think he has a criminal record - but maybe some bad experience with the law?
I also found his reaction to Pete's question about Adam "running off" interesting - what exactly did happen to Adam? Who was he? Why doesn't he have a grave? And why did he have an obituary - not everyone gets an obituary written about them when they die. And speaking of that - why did he learn about his death in that way? So much to look forward to finding out.
Oh, and one more thing - not an inner thought of Colson's - but I noticed that Bill said the bar was still on the "down low" and I don't remember him making that point before. Make me wonder if there is some significance to it that would have more of an effect on Ellery's life.
Well, I've rambled long enought. Gotta run . . . I have some favorite moments to think about!
Marie
MaineWriter:
Marie and Ranchgal...great thoughts! Thanks for ruminating out loud.
While Louise is traveling there won't be any updates. She had hoped to get one or two chapters done before she left but time ran out. However, once she arrives chez nous and has a chance to get over her jet lag, you can be sure that I will be putting Taking Chances as number one on the to do list. LOL
Happy one year anniversary, everybody!
Leslie
mariez:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on May 03, 2007, 06:04:20 am ---. . . you can be sure that I will be putting Taking Chances as number one on the to do list. LOL . . .
--- End quote ---
I love when someone so clearly has their priorities in the right order! LOL!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! and a million thanks for the million beautiful, profound, funny and soul-healing words.
Marie
mariez:
I thought I would take a quick peek through this thread last night . . but, of course, I got sucked right in . . . here's a few milestone gems that are worth repeating:
Why won’t I hold Ellery’s hand in public?” His chest thundered with the sound of his racing heart, and he forced his eyes open, reached out his hand, and slid it over to where Ellery’s left hand lay passive on his knee, grasping it tightly. Ellery looked up, surprised, and returned the grip, holding on, and then gave Colson a warm smile, a smile that lighted his smoky eyes to bright silver.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“One glass?”
“We’re celebratin,” Colson said.
“What are we celebratin?”
“You an me, boy, Colson and Ellery.” He lighted the cigar, puffed on it, and leaned over, offering it to Ellery, who took it between his lips. Then he poured a shot of scotch and lifted it. “To us. You belongin ta me, an me belongin ta you.” He took a sip, and handed it to Ellery, who took a sip from it as he handed the cigar back.
“To me belongin ta you, an you belongin ta me,” he repeated, gulping down the fiery liquid, handing the cigar back to Colson who took a puff on it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ellery put the palm of his hand on Colson's sweaty chest. “I ain’t never felt like this about anyone, sweetheart. I want... I want us ta be together like this, like partners. Like... a real married couple.”
“Yeah, ya mentioned....” Colson replied, the color on his face deepening.
“What a you think about that?”
“I think.... I think I want it too.”
“I love you, Colson, I love ya like life itself.” Ellery’s grey eyes swam with tears. Colson leaned in and pressed his lips against his.
“I love ya too darlin. Like life itself.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We did it!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhh..... again
Marie
opinionista:
Happy Anniversary Everybody! :D
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