All posts filed under: A Work of Art

A Work of Art, a novel in progress

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A Work of Art is a novel that has been in various stages of preparation for many years. I’ll be frank to say that I’m easily discouraged by people’s questions about what I do and whether I have published, because it is the same as asking a computer programmer whether he’s sold his software to millions. I did write software many years ago, and some of it got on widely distributed products, but frankly it didn’t have such a long life. There was pleasure and income in writing it, but also in knowing at least one user (sometimes happy!). Now I write this novel without seeing the need for getting an actual book out. I’ll be happy to have one reader passing by the Internet, perhaps leaving a comment about it. Why should anyone read Draft 3 of this novel, you wonder? I just think it would be encouraging. I’m not looking at producing the next To Kill a Mockingbird, and I’m not looking at having an Internet sensation. What it means is that should …

A Work of Art, Chapter 1

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That motorcycle noise from that neighbor behind the house, across the backyard, woke him into a headache. What time could it be? Max felt like he could be dead, or on his way to his death. His left eye discerned the number 12 on the digital clock and closed again. It would be one of those days, the day after too much drinking, something he had vowed to never repeat again. Download: Chapter 1 – Max falls apart.pdf About “A Work of Art”

A Work of Art, Chapter 2

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“A work of art!” Peter thought, wondering at the same time why he would so qualify the gigantic, mostly white, digitally rendered portrait of the Golden Gate Bridge. He reminded himself not to judge. Sam stood behind the print, laid out on the living room floor where they had moved the furniture aside, waiting for a word from the frame maker. Download: Chapter 2 – the framing.pdf About “A Work of Art”

A Work of Art, Chapter 3

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Peter! You have been at the party long enough! It’s time for you to stand up and leave these so-called artists, because it’s you that I need, because you are my artist. You, the chosen one, will paint me, and I’m not sure all that free booze has helped you stay focused on your goal, our common goal, in fact, my life. It’s almost twelve hours since you drew the first sketches, and what have you achieved since? Have you attained clarity in your mind about what it is that you want to paint? You must be tired, and I’m almost sorry this will be our night. Download: Chapter 3 – POV the painting.pdf About “A Work of Art”

A Work of Art, Chapter 4

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“Very well, Sir, your man will be there at 7:00pm. Have a good day.” Jeremy said to the phone before replacing it on its wired base. A difficult customer, this man, he thought, a guest at the hotel where Jeremy worked. It would be one for Max, he thought. Download: Chapter 4 – Tour Guides About “A Work of Art”

A Work of Art, Chapter 5

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“A work of art!” Peter thought, waking up to a beautiful sunny Saturday morning in San Francisco, opening the window shades to let the warm light in. It was September, the month that gives locals their blue sky Summer, after two months of fog, something like a second Spring. He rushed to the living room to see if the painting was still there, or had only been a dream.   Download: Chapter 5 – The Morning After About “A Work of Art”

A Work of Art, Chapter 7

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They drove in Sam’s little antique red MG, a gift from Gerald, driven by Gerald who, as Sam recognized, was more adept at driving it in town and parallel parking. They drove with the top off, enjoying the September sun and the warmth that those who had been in San Francisco only a few years called unusual. They had learned, anyway, that to enjoy the ride in a convertible car, you had to leave the heater at its highest setting. It made no difference on a hot day, and tempered the inevitable variations between shade, sun, and wind. Download: Chapter 7 – Convergence About “A Work of Art”

A Work of Art, Chapter 8

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They had reserved a table for three at Chez Matthieu, one of the newest French Fusion restaurants in the neighborhood. Reservations had to be made at least a week in advance, and Matthieu didn’t care if you were the Queen of England or a fabulous queen of the neighborhood. Patrons were never pushed out to make space for others, and they could stay for as long as they wanted, until closing time. Matthieu’s fans who had been to France said it was like being in France. You couldn’t ask for substitutions in the menu, which was short enough to limit your indecision. Download: Chapter 8 – Critics and love About “A Work of Art”