tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post1261343303711172386..comments2024-02-22T07:47:22.661-05:00Comments on The Bathroom Monologues: Bathroom Monologue: Petra’s GhostJohn Wiswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07416044628686736927noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-66780448014237721672011-12-12T09:56:39.092-05:002011-12-12T09:56:39.092-05:00Unfortunately, people talk only in terms of what t...Unfortunately, people talk only in terms of what they know... even when they don't know what they're talking about. I like the defiant attitude in this, not be labeled as a possession. She just is. Thanks for sharing.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753736809917062955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-63133345075185934952011-12-11T13:53:12.781-05:002011-12-11T13:53:12.781-05:00Petra is one beautiful person and I want to read m...Petra is one beautiful person and I want to read more from this viewpoint.<br /><br />The annoyance Petra has with weight living people talk about her and her view that “sharks are awesome” were what initially enticed me in her voice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14170148559429001125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-37110978337070921432011-12-10T18:18:47.707-05:002011-12-10T18:18:47.707-05:00Petra was, and is, a forceful person. " I wen...Petra was, and is, a forceful person. " I went into Marine Biology because sharks are awesome..."<br /><br />Love that line and the strength of the character that's clear in every statement she makes about herself.<br /><br />Love it.KjMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17691028465137798738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-35037991786845918142011-12-10T13:33:15.159-05:002011-12-10T13:33:15.159-05:00I liked the ghost's sense of what on this Eart...I liked the ghost's sense of what on this Earth she wants to embody, her power over her fate as a ghost. I also liked the way you told us how Petra died; not a day goes by I don't think of dying suddenly, out of the blue and without any control whatsoever over the fatal event (maybe I'm strange for thinking that way, but it forces me to appreciate life, and the thoughts of death come unintentionally). A thought provoking story.liminalfictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08762010680878316253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-50787504958177857242011-12-10T11:40:37.053-05:002011-12-10T11:40:37.053-05:00John, you asked what other line stuck with me and ...John, you asked what other line stuck with me and it's "He was wrong." Every time I read it I pause there and just let the words hang in my mind. Three simple words but they carry so much weight.Danielle La Pagliahttp://www.daniellelapaglia.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-3402305210762292182011-12-10T01:04:56.515-05:002011-12-10T01:04:56.515-05:00I love how the title is exactly what the character...I love how the title is exactly what the character rails against and how, in a few words, you've captured the 'spirit' of Petra's personality.Quinn Smythwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277558923979736635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-73687309678438902842011-12-09T23:19:56.682-05:002011-12-09T23:19:56.682-05:00Dear John,
Went looking for something by you for ...Dear John,<br /><br />Went looking for something by you for FridayFictioneers and I'm glad I did. Petra's Ghost is the best piece of yours that I've read. We exist on a plane that prevents examination of other possible planes except through out of body experiences, imagination and dreams. <br /><br />You captured the voice of being.<br /><br />Compelling.<br /><br />Thanks for writing.<br /><br />Aloha,<br /><br />DougDouglas MacIlroyhttp://ironwoodwind.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-48776343229574881562011-12-09T22:02:32.417-05:002011-12-09T22:02:32.417-05:00I like her determination, her drive to continue to...I like her determination, her drive to continue to be who she was — IS. I think "I am not Petra's ghost. I am Petra." summed it up.<br /><br />Trying to figure out how the sentences about her parents & her virginity fit in though. They sort of imply this was excerpted from a longer piece, but you've said in the comments above that it's not so.<br /><br />But no matter. These short, punchy pieces (evocative of Danni's work) are always a delight to read.<br /><br />Verification word: "prized." 'Nuff said.Larry Kollarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317037795075278427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-4743907737379578592011-12-09T20:25:20.955-05:002011-12-09T20:25:20.955-05:00@John I took it to mean that she acknowledges who ...@John I took it to mean that she acknowledges who she is and who she has become—not what others believe her to be. I found it powerful because she understands herself. <br /><br />Is this some sort of test for me John? ^__^Helen A. Howellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12748128819820230841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-1964499895627263512011-12-09T17:24:33.638-05:002011-12-09T17:24:33.638-05:00Tom, since it was going to be so much shorter I wa...Tom, since it was going to be so much shorter I wanted the language and details to be more evocative. Very relieving to read you folks found them functional. Still not sure if I could expand her and her alone into a tale, but as part of one, Petra might live on.<br /><br />Sonia, ever felt any chills around such things?<br /><br />Raven, I could see approaching this from the philosophy of identity. So happy this one spoke to you, Raven.<br /><br />Jack, between you and me, that's my favorite line, too. It is funny, and it does break up the characterization she'd otherwise get. I'm really glad it sunk in for you.<br /><br />Madison, exactly, Petra doesn't like that she'd be viewed as anything but herself.<br /><br />Michael, I must always try different things or I'll go stiff and stale. Nobody'll want me then.<br /><br />Craig, Chuck, Scribbler, Louise and Anonymous, thanks for the kind words.John Wiswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07416044628686736927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-34983420344102713972011-12-09T16:46:07.948-05:002011-12-09T16:46:07.948-05:00Wow, this little slice of dark really highlights h...Wow, this little slice of dark really highlights how versatile a writer you are. Great job.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16518183823230864763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-38518364825762368212011-12-09T16:39:26.448-05:002011-12-09T16:39:26.448-05:00Great little snippet. The ending was perfect.Great little snippet. The ending was perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-22273792861006737392011-12-09T16:37:14.709-05:002011-12-09T16:37:14.709-05:00I get the feeling Petra doesn't view herself a...I get the feeling Petra doesn't view herself any differently now than she did while she was alive. The idea that others *do* is what seems to irk her so much. I liked it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-12025201200582483132011-12-09T15:24:34.430-05:002011-12-09T15:24:34.430-05:00Brilliant stuff, John. Really enjoyed it.
I thin...Brilliant stuff, John. Really enjoyed it.<br /><br />I think this says more about me than anything, but my favourite line was: "I went into Marine Biology because sharks are awesome.." <br /><br />It's powerfully and maturely 'spoken' all the way through, but this line seemed to be showing the more youthful/childlike side of Petra.<br /><br />Plus, it's funny.Jack Holthttp://jackkholt.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-4296973889801075362011-12-09T14:48:36.416-05:002011-12-09T14:48:36.416-05:00My jaw is on the floor, and I must applaud you. Th...My jaw is on the floor, and I must applaud you. That was a damn interesting take on being a ghost. It was, dare I say, even a little philosophical.Raven Corinn Carlukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06014248975870886289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-8412750999826473222011-12-09T13:46:28.597-05:002011-12-09T13:46:28.597-05:00Brilliant piece, J.Brilliant piece, J.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-65769316048494481672011-12-09T13:14:41.721-05:002011-12-09T13:14:41.721-05:00I love Petra's perspective - "I am Petra&...I love Petra's perspective - "I am Petra". The attitude made it fun to read.Chuck Allenhttp://www.chuckallen.us/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-868673343406418732011-12-09T12:57:09.003-05:002011-12-09T12:57:09.003-05:00A character study of a ghost: great idea. I also l...A character study of a ghost: great idea. I also love that line "I'm all i ever was...."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-69913048042628798442011-12-09T12:11:41.035-05:002011-12-09T12:11:41.035-05:00Petra is a defiant ghost. ;) I like the idea of po...Petra is a defiant ghost. ;) I like the idea of possessing concrete and sea breezes.Sonia Lalhttp://storytreasury.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-62642267817430088692011-12-09T12:05:46.297-05:002011-12-09T12:05:46.297-05:00Beautiful, poetic and thought-provoking. Your choi...Beautiful, poetic and thought-provoking. Your choice and use of language is sublime, John. I also love Petra's voice. I agree with Lacy that you could expand it with back story, future story or just weird story. It reads like a prologue (but it is still a thing of beauty out on its own).<br />great stuffTom Gillespie : @tom_gillespiehttp://www.tom-gillespie.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-68599380722064433862011-12-09T11:26:00.658-05:002011-12-09T11:26:00.658-05:00I agree with Icy. Petra has definitely taken charg...I agree with Icy. Petra has definitely taken charge of the situation!Craig Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07176851401465801580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-5184437151203337742011-12-09T11:23:01.440-05:002011-12-09T11:23:01.440-05:00Danni, glad that line stuck for you. It's cert...Danni, glad that line stuck for you. It's certainly the thesis statement of her monologue. Did any other bits stick on the re-reads?<br /><br />Helen, what meaning did you take from the line?<br /><br />Icy, yes, she's definitely bitter to some degree, but I didn't want to make it exclusively like that. I'm glad the defiance also clicked for you.<br /><br />Tim and Tony, I'm a proponent of "man is a ghost who haunts himself."<br /><br />Lacy, what elements would you like to see expanded?<br /><br />Deanna, thanks! Did anything in particular seem to capture frustration for you?John Wiswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07416044628686736927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-44111725000289845842011-12-09T09:56:52.051-05:002011-12-09T09:56:52.051-05:00John, I love how perfectly you caputred the frustr...John, I love how perfectly you caputred the frustration in her voice. This is a favorite.Deanna Schrayerhttp://theothersideofdeanna.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-33764135398262409742011-12-09T09:24:45.912-05:002011-12-09T09:24:45.912-05:00Loved this! You should expand and turn it into a s...Loved this! You should expand and turn it into a short story!Lacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01862278909024965491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337042377966398742.post-89026369249116997362011-12-09T08:36:48.787-05:002011-12-09T08:36:48.787-05:00Great perspective on this. We don't say, "...Great perspective on this. We don't say, "I am Tony's adult self" in order to differentiate ourselves as we are now from ourselves as children. I could see Petra talking about "Back when I was alive..." in the same way people talk about any former stage of existence. "Back when I was at university..." or "Back when I was married to Jennifer...".<br /><br />I like your vision, John.Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.com