You did it again! When I first read the story of Mrs. Easterling I thought it was a finished product. A short story completed. But you have found a way to continue with an intriguing storyline. Learning more about Will and his solitary life along with introducing Nadine is a compelling way to further your plot with work relationships and romance! I, like Nora Ann above, am going to find it difficult to wait you out. I’m hoping you aren’t too much like Will with writer’s block! Carry on, Douglas!
@Kathy Stout Thank you so much for your kind words. I indeed wrote “She Died with Two Subscribers” to be a singular short story. But after witnessing the tremendous reaction and hearing the many requests to continue the narrative, I reflected on how the core purpose of writing fiction is to share tales that people enjoy. I also thought about how deeply the human connection between Mrs. Eastergaard and Will Northcutt touched my Subscribers. I have many limitations, but fortunately not writer’s block so I sat down to write another episode to acknowledge the many people like you who have been so supportive of my literary pursuits. Accordingly, I wrote “The Aftermath” as a result, and I’ve already drafted three more episodes beyond that to be released every two weeks. As long as I continue to see growth in readership and engagement to support my efforts to pitch my short story collections successfully to literary agents, I will indeed carry on with this narrative. In a best case scenario, you will see me—episode by episode—turn it into a novel right here on Substack. I so greatly appreciative your encouragement and promoting my work to others!
@SANDRA81750 Thank you Sandra! I am glad that you found "The Aftermath" to be interesting and, yes, you will be there to witness Will and Nadine's first date on Thursday April 10 (a week from today) on Intermittently Human. Will's story will indeed continue to unfold in subsequent episodes as well...
I didn't see the Substack message coming! There must be magic in the air in that little town. Will's long paralysis after Mrs. Easterling's death was a little painful for me to read about. I've spent too- long periods of time in the past with that kind of inability to move forward on anything. I can say that I am mostly on the other side of it now; anyway, Will is fixin' to be forced-busy with a full-time job and a potential romance! Thank you for releasing the sequel, and I'm hanging on a cliff til your next installment. nora ann
Nora Ann at @BEFRIENDING LIFE I had not planned to write a sequel because I wrote “She Died with Two Subscribers” to be a standalone short story. But given the outpouring of reader affection for that story, and the many requests for me to continue the narrative, I sat down and wrote “The Aftermath” plus a number of additional episodes to acknowledge and give thanks to my wonderful Subscribers like you for reading my fiction…
OMG! He's procrastinating and over-thinking his life away. Will he ever commit? Or is she better off walking away from this broken soul? POW! What a story this is growing to be.
@RINGAROUNDTHEBASIN Thank you Sue Cauhape! Few if any humans are exempt from procrastination. On April 10th, the next episode, "The Date," will appear on Substack.
@julie elder I got a nice chuckle from your comment, and hope you’ll stay tuned for the further chapters in this narrative that I’ve already drafted. By the way, I try to avoid arithmetic too.
The original Mrs. Easterling story showed up in my feed today. I "liked" it (even though I loved it) and restacked and subscribed. Come to find out you are keeping the story going! I feel like I know this people!
@ICANTIMAGINE I appreciate your commentary. I decided to resurrect and continue the tale given all the feedback and, while she is gone, his history with Mrs. Eastergaard will continue to play an important role in Will's journey. The next episode comes out a week from today.
@Unacceptable Bob I may just have to write a short story about a guy named Unacceptable Bob—I just greatly enjoy that label! Nadeau is one of the most common surnames in Maine, given its French Canadian heritage, and Nadine Nadeau just had a nice ring to it. So I guess as the author who created her character, it was me being a tad mischievous. Stay tuned - the next chapter is complete and ready for release on my every two week schedule. And thanks for reading!
I, too, thought the first writing was a completed short story. It was captivating and lovely, but left me wanting for more. You delivered! You put the reader right there in the cabin and on the back porch with Will. You also left me hanging on the cliff 😁.
@Regina Melton Well “She Died with Two Subscribers” certainly was a completed short story (pulled from my second short story collection that I just finished drafting a few weeks ago), UNTIL readers like you encouraged me to keep the narrative flowing. This led to the “The Aftermath” and to three other subsequent chapters that I have scheduled for release every two weeks. I’ll keep going as long as readership and enthusiasm amongst my Subscribers continues to grow. I am indebted to you, and the many others here on Substack, who have been so kind as to restock and promote my fiction. Thank you!
@Kathryn Cannon Thank you so much Kathryn! And, by the way, I always enjoy reading your posts about your life journey, and am continually impressed and inspired by your resilience in the face of the many obstacles that life has unfortunately placed in your path…
@TEYANIWHITMAN Thank you Teyani! It seems like this series is indeed connecting with many introverts who love to write or read or both, and that is a wonderful thing.
What a great continuation of the first story. I love the ending of this installment. It's a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.
I love this sequel, even more than the original story which I truly loved! You are an inspiration for me as I have spent the last few weeks staring at my computer and not working on my book as I should be doing. Maybe I was waiting for this sequel to give me a push! Thank you!
@SUEELAINE Suzanne: I greatly appreciate your positive feedback, and am glad that "The Aftermath" inspired you. Words tend to flow when they are ready to emerge. I hope that you will stay tuned for "The Date" which will appear on Intermittently Human on Thursday, April 10th. It is the third episode in the "She Died with Two Subscribers" series.
You did it again! When I first read the story of Mrs. Easterling I thought it was a finished product. A short story completed. But you have found a way to continue with an intriguing storyline. Learning more about Will and his solitary life along with introducing Nadine is a compelling way to further your plot with work relationships and romance! I, like Nora Ann above, am going to find it difficult to wait you out. I’m hoping you aren’t too much like Will with writer’s block! Carry on, Douglas!
@Kathy Stout Thank you so much for your kind words. I indeed wrote “She Died with Two Subscribers” to be a singular short story. But after witnessing the tremendous reaction and hearing the many requests to continue the narrative, I reflected on how the core purpose of writing fiction is to share tales that people enjoy. I also thought about how deeply the human connection between Mrs. Eastergaard and Will Northcutt touched my Subscribers. I have many limitations, but fortunately not writer’s block so I sat down to write another episode to acknowledge the many people like you who have been so supportive of my literary pursuits. Accordingly, I wrote “The Aftermath” as a result, and I’ve already drafted three more episodes beyond that to be released every two weeks. As long as I continue to see growth in readership and engagement to support my efforts to pitch my short story collections successfully to literary agents, I will indeed carry on with this narrative. In a best case scenario, you will see me—episode by episode—turn it into a novel right here on Substack. I so greatly appreciative your encouragement and promoting my work to others!
@SANDRA81750 Thank you Sandra! I am glad that you found "The Aftermath" to be interesting and, yes, you will be there to witness Will and Nadine's first date on Thursday April 10 (a week from today) on Intermittently Human. Will's story will indeed continue to unfold in subsequent episodes as well...
I didn't see the Substack message coming! There must be magic in the air in that little town. Will's long paralysis after Mrs. Easterling's death was a little painful for me to read about. I've spent too- long periods of time in the past with that kind of inability to move forward on anything. I can say that I am mostly on the other side of it now; anyway, Will is fixin' to be forced-busy with a full-time job and a potential romance! Thank you for releasing the sequel, and I'm hanging on a cliff til your next installment. nora ann
Nora Ann at @BEFRIENDING LIFE I had not planned to write a sequel because I wrote “She Died with Two Subscribers” to be a standalone short story. But given the outpouring of reader affection for that story, and the many requests for me to continue the narrative, I sat down and wrote “The Aftermath” plus a number of additional episodes to acknowledge and give thanks to my wonderful Subscribers like you for reading my fiction…
I enjoyed your story, Douglas! I look forward to learning more about Will!!
Thank you so much @Doina.Jikich@yahoo.com! In the next chapter, you will witness Will Northcutt’s first date with Nadine Nadeau…
What a great continuation of the story, Douglas! I loved that you worked in beavers as an analogy...so apt. Looking forward to reading more!
Thank you so much @Christine Finlayson! I always look forward to reading the enthralling stories you post on Substack as well.
Thank you, Douglas! I like that word “enthralling”!!
OMG! He's procrastinating and over-thinking his life away. Will he ever commit? Or is she better off walking away from this broken soul? POW! What a story this is growing to be.
@RINGAROUNDTHEBASIN Thank you Sue Cauhape! Few if any humans are exempt from procrastination. On April 10th, the next episode, "The Date," will appear on Substack.
I’m loving your brain. 😊
@julie elder I got a nice chuckle from your comment, and hope you’ll stay tuned for the further chapters in this narrative that I’ve already drafted. By the way, I try to avoid arithmetic too.
LOL! And yes, I’ve restacked both parts and will definitely be watching for the next!
The original Mrs. Easterling story showed up in my feed today. I "liked" it (even though I loved it) and restacked and subscribed. Come to find out you are keeping the story going! I feel like I know this people!
@ICANTIMAGINE I appreciate your commentary. I decided to resurrect and continue the tale given all the feedback and, while she is gone, his history with Mrs. Eastergaard will continue to play an important role in Will's journey. The next episode comes out a week from today.
Nadine Nadeau. Her parents were being mischievous when they named her.
Looking forward to the next installment!
@Unacceptable Bob I may just have to write a short story about a guy named Unacceptable Bob—I just greatly enjoy that label! Nadeau is one of the most common surnames in Maine, given its French Canadian heritage, and Nadine Nadeau just had a nice ring to it. So I guess as the author who created her character, it was me being a tad mischievous. Stay tuned - the next chapter is complete and ready for release on my every two week schedule. And thanks for reading!
I, too, thought the first writing was a completed short story. It was captivating and lovely, but left me wanting for more. You delivered! You put the reader right there in the cabin and on the back porch with Will. You also left me hanging on the cliff 😁.
Great job.
@Regina Melton Well “She Died with Two Subscribers” certainly was a completed short story (pulled from my second short story collection that I just finished drafting a few weeks ago), UNTIL readers like you encouraged me to keep the narrative flowing. This led to the “The Aftermath” and to three other subsequent chapters that I have scheduled for release every two weeks. I’ll keep going as long as readership and enthusiasm amongst my Subscribers continues to grow. I am indebted to you, and the many others here on Substack, who have been so kind as to restock and promote my fiction. Thank you!
I'm looking forward to reading more. I especially like the references to nature.
@Kathryn Cannon Thank you so much Kathryn! And, by the way, I always enjoy reading your posts about your life journey, and am continually impressed and inspired by your resilience in the face of the many obstacles that life has unfortunately placed in your path…
I’m enjoying where this is headed.
All of us singular writing introverts need to stick together.
@TEYANIWHITMAN Thank you Teyani! It seems like this series is indeed connecting with many introverts who love to write or read or both, and that is a wonderful thing.
Looking forward to the next installment!
Thank you for reading “The Aftermath” @Liz Gauffreau and for reaching out! The next chapter is ready for release two weeks from today.
You’re welcome, Douglas! I look forward to reading it.
Wonderful continuation of a great story. Looking forward to the next chapter.
@Anne Arthur Thank you for the positive review! I’ve also written the next chapters and it will appear on Intermittently Human two weeks from today.
What a great continuation of the first story. I love the ending of this installment. It's a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Good job Will. Mrs. Eastergaard would be proud of you. And next time you call home you can tell your mom, yes, I have met someone.
The first step is always the hardest.
@Rian Greeff May a friendly wave find you and carry you to wherever you wish to go.
I love this sequel, even more than the original story which I truly loved! You are an inspiration for me as I have spent the last few weeks staring at my computer and not working on my book as I should be doing. Maybe I was waiting for this sequel to give me a push! Thank you!
@SUEELAINE Suzanne: I greatly appreciate your positive feedback, and am glad that "The Aftermath" inspired you. Words tend to flow when they are ready to emerge. I hope that you will stay tuned for "The Date" which will appear on Intermittently Human on Thursday, April 10th. It is the third episode in the "She Died with Two Subscribers" series.