They actually released him a few years back. He came to see me, I think just to see how I landed out here, then told me he was heading back down south to take care of a few things. In clear violation of his parole standards. He simply vanished. He used to tell me he was going to disappear into the Southern Appalachian mountains when he got out. I like to think that's exactly what he did.
I had a feeling this was going to come full circle - too much warmth and recognition to think otherwise - and I was happy when it did. Brotherly love and influence often comes from unexpected places. Great story. ZL
BTW, have you read The Executioner' Song by Norman Mailer, about Gary Gilmore? It is a masterpiece about a bad guy who could not stop being a bad guy. But he was not a king he was a vicious misfit. A brilliant book. Long but worth it. Beautifully written. One of my all time top ten novels.
Yes, that book is unspeakably good. Yet, for whatever reason it seems to have been forgotten. I only know about it because I love Joan Didion, and she wrote a rave review all of it. The first page is so beautiful that I literally got choked up reading it, I knew I was in the hands of a maestro.
Thank you darlin'. Twitter was getting me into trouble, you know how I am. I had to get out of there before an online thing turned into a really-real world thing.
I found that too! I keep adding new supplementary chapters to my autobiography as my memory is frequently triggered and I think "Damn, I forgot that bit!" or "I missed out talking about such and such!" - the whole process is decidedly therapeutic. We relive our pasts and, if we think deeply enough about them, we find peace in understanding ourselves and others via the lens of our growing wisdom. Writing my autobio was something I promised my mum that I would do before she died. It took me 15 years to actually shift my arse enough to keep my promise and I am very glad I did it.
I got into a routine. I posted a new chapter every Sunday morning and I was amazed how quickly the 40 odd chapters were assembled. I loved adding music and links to events along the way. This medium (Substack) allows these links whereas a book would not and the music was especially evocative and important for atmosphere while reading the related stories.
This was unexpectedly heart warming... Did not think the story was going that way at the beginning! Great story well told, and he sounds like what I call a real human being. lntelligence, strength of character, courage and perseverance came across in your account and clear respect on your part. Respect from me to you!
"Almost thirty years after his original conviction, Moe found himself watching a scrawny new kid being absolutely destroyed by the man he was trying to fight. Yet this kid just kept getting back up. After he had seen enough, Moe stepped in and ended the fight with his presence alone."
I knew you were the "scrawny new kid." And I was just floored. I figured it had to tie into your past somehow although in the beginning you had me wondering for a bit but man am I glad it turned out the way it did. You definitely have the gift of storytelling.
I do however have a curiosity: Are you this good at telling the story out loud as you are at writing it?
An interesting backstory, Moe is an interesting character, it is interesting that he is so quickly taken with the narrator. Definitely gonna have to check out the next chapter.
More, please sir.
That is all.
This is great.
No one makes crazy, don't-give-a-fuck outlaws like America, especially Jacksonian, southern-accented America.
Eager to hear the rest of the story.
Glad you lived to tell the tale.
They actually released him a few years back. He came to see me, I think just to see how I landed out here, then told me he was heading back down south to take care of a few things. In clear violation of his parole standards. He simply vanished. He used to tell me he was going to disappear into the Southern Appalachian mountains when he got out. I like to think that's exactly what he did.
I had a feeling this was going to come full circle - too much warmth and recognition to think otherwise - and I was happy when it did. Brotherly love and influence often comes from unexpected places. Great story. ZL
Thank you. I actually enjoyed wearing a smile while writing this one.
Absolutely brilliant writing again. A full loop back to another story. You have a real gift J keep them coming! 👏
I was wondering if anyone would notice this is a prequel lol
BTW, have you read The Executioner' Song by Norman Mailer, about Gary Gilmore? It is a masterpiece about a bad guy who could not stop being a bad guy. But he was not a king he was a vicious misfit. A brilliant book. Long but worth it. Beautifully written. One of my all time top ten novels.
I haven't but I think I'll need to find it now
I think it's true crime rather than a novel. Let me go check...Surprise! It's both like Truman Capote's IN COLD BLOOD. A nonfiction novel.
I think you'd be really good at this genre, J. I think you're already doing it...
Decent movie as well. Brought Tommy Lee Jones into the spotlight.
But the book is stupendous. Thanks for the recommend.
Yes, that book is unspeakably good. Yet, for whatever reason it seems to have been forgotten. I only know about it because I love Joan Didion, and she wrote a rave review all of it. The first page is so beautiful that I literally got choked up reading it, I knew I was in the hands of a maestro.
Your writing is getting even better. Miss you on Twitter understand why you don’t come back. I look forward to these stories. Keep going! -S
Thank you darlin'. Twitter was getting me into trouble, you know how I am. I had to get out of there before an online thing turned into a really-real world thing.
What a window into a world that I have no idea about! Thank you Mr Coleman! xx
Telling these stories, for lack of a better word, has become surprisingly therapeutic
I found that too! I keep adding new supplementary chapters to my autobiography as my memory is frequently triggered and I think "Damn, I forgot that bit!" or "I missed out talking about such and such!" - the whole process is decidedly therapeutic. We relive our pasts and, if we think deeply enough about them, we find peace in understanding ourselves and others via the lens of our growing wisdom. Writing my autobio was something I promised my mum that I would do before she died. It took me 15 years to actually shift my arse enough to keep my promise and I am very glad I did it.
https://francesleader.substack.com/p/my-autobiography
That's awesome
I got into a routine. I posted a new chapter every Sunday morning and I was amazed how quickly the 40 odd chapters were assembled. I loved adding music and links to events along the way. This medium (Substack) allows these links whereas a book would not and the music was especially evocative and important for atmosphere while reading the related stories.
As a man who loves his routines, I can see where that would be a good rhythm.
Loved this. I agree, you are a great writer.
My first thought was "Man, what a waste that society couldn't make Moe an offer to do something productive."
My second thought was "Duh, the "something productive" they'd offer that guy would be doing more of the same, for them".
You got me at "hid it in his urethra". Ouch. One tough mother. I truly wasn't expecting the end either.
He had a plan and only one way to do it
WOWWW
Excellent!
This was unexpectedly heart warming... Did not think the story was going that way at the beginning! Great story well told, and he sounds like what I call a real human being. lntelligence, strength of character, courage and perseverance came across in your account and clear respect on your part. Respect from me to you!
Thank you
Whoah! Well told.
When I read this paragraph:
"Almost thirty years after his original conviction, Moe found himself watching a scrawny new kid being absolutely destroyed by the man he was trying to fight. Yet this kid just kept getting back up. After he had seen enough, Moe stepped in and ended the fight with his presence alone."
I knew you were the "scrawny new kid." And I was just floored. I figured it had to tie into your past somehow although in the beginning you had me wondering for a bit but man am I glad it turned out the way it did. You definitely have the gift of storytelling.
I do however have a curiosity: Are you this good at telling the story out loud as you are at writing it?
I'm not a writer who tells stories, I'm a story teller who writes.
If that makes sense
Yes it does. Thanks.
An interesting backstory, Moe is an interesting character, it is interesting that he is so quickly taken with the narrator. Definitely gonna have to check out the next chapter.
Already wrote it lol. Moe is an incredible man. Best I've ever known
Gotcha, will go check it out later, after my job-training