Man! That was unexpected and a bit harsh... I had to think about the state of their relationship. Perhaps it was just her scientific training kicking in, overriding the emotional impact of the situation. Good stuff. Love, Virg
ohhh, Trigger warning should have come first, I guess. Anyway, what a great comment. I’m finding myself being ok with being called “creepy” and “harsh” on Substack!
I think you’re the only “horror” genre writer I read here on Substack. There are a couple that are multi genres and I sometimes skip the horror. Yours are so good, I have to read!
Wow what a terrific comment; may I use it for a testimonial? Or maybe, If you have a chance say it on a recommendation for me? That would be super if you have the time!
Thanks so much I appreciate your reading and commenting. A very good writer, an actual scientist does a full publication on such: @The Biological Imagination
Also you may want to read my dangle on the firefly:
Then the reek hit her from the left, heavy and unmistakable. Blowflies.
He’s dead, then. >
Her stomach revolted, but her brain went completely on autopilot, reciting the forensics syllabus like a grim catechism: Oxygen deprivation. Immune collapse. Exponential bacterial proliferation. Methane. Ammonia. Putrescine. Cadaverine.
She had the terminology down to a science. A brilliant student. But there is a massive, unbridgeable gulf between a printed page and the smell of your husband turning into chemistry.
It was my great pleasure to read and comment on your horror story, and it was truly horrifying. You clearly demonstrated your expertise, no doubt about that, and you hit all my “triggers”. I am not sure if my reply was what you expected. If it wasn’t, it’s because I have learned to preemptively counter aversion therapy with immersion therapy Plus, I love adding a little macabre humor with shock value, just to lighten things up. Did it work? 🤪
I loved your comment. I took it at face value. I'm a little naive when it comes tto some humor. I'm good at satire--saying and receiving--I'm new at the horror genre so may not get the lil joke every time.
Eek Nothing to laugh about here Ginny! I once had to do CPR on my partner when he stopped breathing. I think your character, if trained as a forensic doctor, probably would not only have noted the signs but have over ridden them and rushed to try to save him, unless, of course she was glad to see him go!
I'm thinking from reading it sounds like they both are stuck on the ground and she probably not only realized he was dead but that she was next going through the process in her mind let her know the kind of time she may have left.....however I did not write it so just my theory.
Yes, thank you Ginny I was busy doing CPR and calling the ambulance at the same time at 1am. He started to breathe and they talked me through it until, I was able to go downstairs to let them in. Actually emergency first aid training sets in before logical analysis…
About 15 years ago, whether that’s a long time or not, is a perspective issue! This was the start of battles with the hospital system on my part to get the neurological assessments done that ultimately saved his life, though there was personality change and we split up about a decade ago.
Oh thank you. No, they don’t think it was anoxia, though who knows..there were a series of seizures, finally treated as a form of late onset epilepsy, that were initially thought to be due to sleep apnea. I won’t say more for the sake of his privacy, but it wasn’t fun. Thank you for good wishes☺️
Man! That was unexpected and a bit harsh... I had to think about the state of their relationship. Perhaps it was just her scientific training kicking in, overriding the emotional impact of the situation. Good stuff. Love, Virg
ohhh, Trigger warning should have come first, I guess. Anyway, what a great comment. I’m finding myself being ok with being called “creepy” and “harsh” on Substack!
I think you’re the only “horror” genre writer I read here on Substack. There are a couple that are multi genres and I sometimes skip the horror. Yours are so good, I have to read!
Wow what a terrific comment; may I use it for a testimonial? Or maybe, If you have a chance say it on a recommendation for me? That would be super if you have the time!
Feel free to use it. I can't find how to make a recommendation on your profile. G'head. Love, V.
The way you mix science with emotion makes it hit even harder.
It left me feeling unsettled but also impressed by your writing.
Thanks so much I appreciate your reading and commenting. A very good writer, an actual scientist does a full publication on such: @The Biological Imagination
Also you may want to read my dangle on the firefly:
https://virginialynns.substack.com/p/the-firefly?r=ql3sy&utm_medium=ios
Thank you
Ooh creepy ❤️
Great praise coming from you! Thanks
Good morning, Ginny. Knowing exactly what is happening doesn't always bring comfort or peace of mind, does it? 😇
I was not sure how to read this today.
Cold skin. A directionless drone.
Then the reek hit her from the left, heavy and unmistakable. Blowflies.
He’s dead, then. >
Her stomach revolted, but her brain went completely on autopilot, reciting the forensics syllabus like a grim catechism: Oxygen deprivation. Immune collapse. Exponential bacterial proliferation. Methane. Ammonia. Putrescine. Cadaverine.
She had the terminology down to a science. A brilliant student. But there is a massive, unbridgeable gulf between a printed page and the smell of your husband turning into chemistry.
Such a brilliant comment: "a massive, unbridgeable gulf between a printed page and the smell of your husband turning into chemistry"
I love it when other writers "riff" off one of my pieces!
Thank you for letting me keep the writing cycle rotating.
Bold, gutsy. I love it! ❤️🔥
It was my great pleasure to read and comment on your horror story, and it was truly horrifying. You clearly demonstrated your expertise, no doubt about that, and you hit all my “triggers”. I am not sure if my reply was what you expected. If it wasn’t, it’s because I have learned to preemptively counter aversion therapy with immersion therapy Plus, I love adding a little macabre humor with shock value, just to lighten things up. Did it work? 🤪
PS -I loved the song, as well. 💕
I loved your comment. I took it at face value. I'm a little naive when it comes tto some humor. I'm good at satire--saying and receiving--I'm new at the horror genre so may not get the lil joke every time.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Blew my mind!
Wow, perfect evaluation coming from you! Thanks!
Eek Nothing to laugh about here Ginny! I once had to do CPR on my partner when he stopped breathing. I think your character, if trained as a forensic doctor, probably would not only have noted the signs but have over ridden them and rushed to try to save him, unless, of course she was glad to see him go!
I'm thinking from reading it sounds like they both are stuck on the ground and she probably not only realized he was dead but that she was next going through the process in her mind let her know the kind of time she may have left.....however I did not write it so just my theory.
Also possible!
This paints some picture Ginny. Thank you.
Thanks so much for commenting.
I don’t think so…the blowflies were already there, so was the stench, no recovery from that, I’m afraid.
But, wow, I trust your partner survived? I should’ve done a trigger warning. Thanks for reading commenting.
Yes, thank you Ginny I was busy doing CPR and calling the ambulance at the same time at 1am. He started to breathe and they talked me through it until, I was able to go downstairs to let them in. Actually emergency first aid training sets in before logical analysis…
Oh , that’s very good. Was this long ago?
About 15 years ago, whether that’s a long time or not, is a perspective issue! This was the start of battles with the hospital system on my part to get the neurological assessments done that ultimately saved his life, though there was personality change and we split up about a decade ago.
I'm sorry for what you went through. Personality changes due to anoxia and brain damage? If so, I'm doubly sorry.
Oh thank you. No, they don’t think it was anoxia, though who knows..there were a series of seizures, finally treated as a form of late onset epilepsy, that were initially thought to be due to sleep apnea. I won’t say more for the sake of his privacy, but it wasn’t fun. Thank you for good wishes☺️