Jun 23, 2022·edited Jun 24, 2022Liked by Becky Tuch, Max Talley
Reading Max Talley, I am reminded of the sage words of Woody Allen. I might not be able to recall them exactly right, but in my memory they go something like this. "In life, there are two paths you may travel. The first leads to desperation. The second, to utter destruction. May you choose wisely."
And, quoth the Buddha, "Life is suffering."
Finally, after reflecting some more, Solomon came to mind, where in Ecclesiastes he sums things up (literally everything), speaking about human striving, "Vanity of vanities. Everything is vanity."
Maybe we should not be surprised to see glimpses of the same truth in all of these writings, Max Talley, Woody Allen, the Buddha and Solomon. Good writing (and thinking) is at its heart, the revelation of truth.
Nailed it, and with laughs. The only thing missing is 'The deepest flaw in your story was that it had a beginning, a middle and an end, which confused our non-linear readers, who were looking for aimless meandering with obscure references to a fantasy world, which as you know is our house style, along with 'show don't tell', existential angst and non-binary longing. Check out our latest edition, especially 'Wombats and the Godhead' by T. Rex Antula.'
Oh, my golly-gosh, my side hurts... my face hurts (I know, "It's killing me."). This piece reminded me of my older brother, also a writer, (but one who sidelined for several years as an editor for Larry Flint). Sadly, he passed away 2 years ago next month and we know longer have the opportunity to spend hours-long phone conversations laughing at life's absurdity.
Yes, The Truth Hurts, but laughter (according to The Readers' Digest) is the best medicine.
Thank you. Keep banging your head on those editors' doors.
Words can barely express how much I love this! You nailed it, Max, and with such a deft touch and sure sense of irony that it took my breath away. I was smiling and laughing at almost every line.
Reading Max Talley, I am reminded of the sage words of Woody Allen. I might not be able to recall them exactly right, but in my memory they go something like this. "In life, there are two paths you may travel. The first leads to desperation. The second, to utter destruction. May you choose wisely."
And, quoth the Buddha, "Life is suffering."
Finally, after reflecting some more, Solomon came to mind, where in Ecclesiastes he sums things up (literally everything), speaking about human striving, "Vanity of vanities. Everything is vanity."
Maybe we should not be surprised to see glimpses of the same truth in all of these writings, Max Talley, Woody Allen, the Buddha and Solomon. Good writing (and thinking) is at its heart, the revelation of truth.
Hilarious. Like all good satire it rings true. Sadly, it rings too true at times.
Nailed it, and with laughs. The only thing missing is 'The deepest flaw in your story was that it had a beginning, a middle and an end, which confused our non-linear readers, who were looking for aimless meandering with obscure references to a fantasy world, which as you know is our house style, along with 'show don't tell', existential angst and non-binary longing. Check out our latest edition, especially 'Wombats and the Godhead' by T. Rex Antula.'
Oh, my golly-gosh, my side hurts... my face hurts (I know, "It's killing me."). This piece reminded me of my older brother, also a writer, (but one who sidelined for several years as an editor for Larry Flint). Sadly, he passed away 2 years ago next month and we know longer have the opportunity to spend hours-long phone conversations laughing at life's absurdity.
Yes, The Truth Hurts, but laughter (according to The Readers' Digest) is the best medicine.
Thank you. Keep banging your head on those editors' doors.
I love this piece! To summarize, Getting your work published is like a game of craps! Thank you for making me laugh.
Max, thanks for making laugh! And cry!
So, so, so, so funny. Because true.
too funny and perceptive to the point of pain...
Utter brilliance. So true. So sad. But just so funny!
This is hilarious. So close to the truth.
Max, thanks for making laugh! And cry! And never forget that __________ was rejected by _____ publishers.
This nails it and then some. I've printed it out and will keep it handy! Thank you, Max and Becky.
It took me a couple of lines but then I realized, and thank you so much for the chuckles, we need them in these miserable times.
Words can barely express how much I love this! You nailed it, Max, and with such a deft touch and sure sense of irony that it took my breath away. I was smiling and laughing at almost every line.
Fabulous!!!!
Priceless! Spot on.