Guest Post: UNDERCASE G by Stephen D. Rogers

Long time readers of this blog know that I have reviewed and enjoyed some of Mr. Stephen D. Rodgers work. He is another one of those authors that I like, but have a hard time keeping current reading wise, as he has so much going on at a variety of markets. I was thrilled when he recently reached out and asked to do a guest post on writing and his new short story in the Groovy Gumshoes: Private Eyes in the Psychedelic Sixties anthology. Without further ado, please welcome Stephen D. Rodgers to the blog today.

 

 

 

UNDERCASE G by Stephen D. Rogers

 

It's not uncommon to consider writers the gods of the stories they create, able to shape geographical features, control the weather, and fashion human beings out of nothing more than words.  For me, at least, that's not even close to true. 

When I'm writing a short story, I'm not God with a capital G, not god with a lowercase G, not even god with an undercase G, which I don't know how to represent.  Subscript? 

Instead, I'm a servant to story, character, and art.

 

First, story.  Yes, I can make things happen.  Lightning!  Plague!  Plot twist!  In rough draft, anyway.  Once editing begins, which starts while producing said rough draft, anything that doesn't serve the story goes.

 

(And that was a heck of a lightning bolt.  One of my best.)

 

Second, character.  A character is burning desire complicated by everything that keeps that desire from being appeased.  A writer can force a character do or say anything.  Anything that doesn't relate to desire or its frustration must then be cut.

 

(Novels are more tolerant of looser writing than short stories.  Or so some writers would like to believe.)

 

Finally, art, which is less pretentious than it could be.  In writing, art encompasses the sounds of the words, the flow of the sentences, the rhythm of the punctuation.  Clarity.  Truth.

 

(Maybe pretentious with a lowercase P.)

 

Sometimes, the situation is even less empowering.  Take "Ugly" (Groovy Gumshoes: Private Eyes in the Psychedelic Sixties), for example, a story which was born not out of muse-infused inspiration but assignment:  write a private eye story that takes place during the 1960s.

 

Honestly, if you need to believe you're the one in charge, stay as far away as you can from writing.  Maybe try children.

 

 

Stephen D. Rodgers ©2022

 

Stephen D. Rogers is a multi-published writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Over eight hundred of his stories and poems have been selected to appear in more than three hundred publications, earning among other honors two "Best of Soft SF" winners, two Derringers (with seven additional finalists), a Shamus Award nomination, a Black Orchid Novella finalist, a Rhysling nomination, two "Notable Online Stories" from storySouth's Million Writers Award, honorable mention in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, mention in The Best American Mystery Stories, and numerous Readers's Choice awards. Stephen is a proud member of the Mystery Writers of America, the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Learn more, including a list of current publications, at https://www.stephendrogers.com/index.html

FFB Review: Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England by Stephen D. Rogers

From the massive archive ….

 

Reviewing anthologies and collections is always tough. A novel can lag in spots providing an uneven and yet enjoyable read. That same effect can happen in an anthology or collection where not every story is going to work well for a particular person. Then there is the fact that space limitations often prevent the reviewer from ever going into any depth on all the stories. These situations and others make reviewing such books problematic. 

At the same time, readers are asking more and more for anthologies and collections. Subsequently, the last couple of years there has been a surge in publication of anthologies and collections. Most collections and anthologies pass pass right on by due to time constraints. However, when this was made available for review by Stephen D. Rogers, it seemed like one that should be a good book.

My expectations were met with a few personal favorites being: 

“C.O.D.” points out that damaging a mailbox is both a federal crime and a personal offense with repercussions for all in the area. 

“Fill It with the Cheapest” isn’t just about the gas, the road trip, or the unnamed driver in a story that isn’t clear until the very end.

 

Twists are guaranteed in this book and that certainly is also the case in “Last Call.” Training the new employee can come back to get you in not so obvious ways.

 

“One-Eyed Jacks” blends a unique drinking game, several friends with secrets, and a need for final justice.

 

Justice along with making things right are the twin themes of “Smoking Gun” where a mother simply has no more choices.

 

While the New England settings of these tales is often vague or not defined at all, meaning the tales could be located anywhere, the sense of desperation comes through clearly in each one. Whether told from the perspective of the good cop, the bad cop, the petty thief, the hard working parent, or the many other character choices the author uses in each story, the sense of immense desperation comes through in every single case. Often the reader is left with the feeling that characters involved never had a chance because everything always had been and always would be stacked against him or her. 

While bodies and crimes abound in the collection, that sense of desperation makes this a good book that is not easy reading. These are stories that nestle under your skin like chiggers and don’t go away easily. The fact that they linger is a basic part of what makes a good writer and a good book.

 

Review copy provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2010, 2011, 2013, 2021

Flash Bang Mysteries: No. 12 – Summer – July 2018

Flash Bang Mysteries: No. 12 – Summer – July 2018

FFB Review: "Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Murder & Mayhem" by Stephen D. Rogers

While working on my review of Three-Minute Mysteries Bonus Pack by Stephen D. Rodgers yesterday I came across my review of his book, Shot To Death. Those who read this blog on a regular basis realize I have reviewed that before as part of FFB. In fixing outdated links and such on those reviews I realized that the book is now available in e-book format from the good folks at Untreed Reads. That seemed to warrant an update on my review.

So, below is the original review first written in 2010 (that seems like a lifetime ago now) with the updated links. I also corrected a couple of typos and tweaked the title as it had changed slightly. For the rest of the suggestions today for Friday’s Forgotten Books head over to Patti Abbott’s blog.

Reviewing anthologies and collections is always tough. A novel can lag in spots providing an uneven and yet

enjoyable read. That same effect can happen in an anthology or collection where not every story is going to work well for a particular person. Then there is the fact that space limitations often prevent the reviewer from ever going into any depth on all the stories. These situations and others make reviewing such books problematic.

At the same time, readers are asking more and more for anthologies and collections. Subsequently, the last couple of years there has been a surge in publication of anthologies and collections. Most collections and anthologies pass right on by due to time constraints. However, when this was made available for review by Stephen D. Rogers it seemed like one that should be a good book.

My expectations were met with a few personal favorites being:

“C.O.D.” points out that damaging a mailbox is both a federal crime and a personal offense with repercussions for all in the area.

“Fill It with the Cheapest” isn’t just about the gas, the road trip, or the unnamed driver in a story that isn’t clear until the very end.

Twists are guaranteed in this book and that certainly is also the case in “Last Call.” Training the new employee can come back to get you in not so obvious ways.

“One-Eyed Jacks” blends a unique drinking game, several friends with secrets, and a need for final justice.

Justice along with making things right are the twin themes of “Smoking Gun” where a mother simply has no more choices.

While the New England setting of these tales is often vague or not defined at all, meaning the tales could be located anywhere, the sense of desperation comes through clearly in each one. Whether told from the perspective of the good cop, the bad cop, the petty thief, the hard working parent, or the many other character choices the author uses in each story, the sense of immense desperation comes through in every single case. Often the reader is left with the feeling that the characters involved never had a chance because everything always had been and always would be stacked against him or her.

While bodies and crimes abound in the collection, that sense of desperation makes this a good book that is not easy reading. These are stories that nestle under your skin like chiggers and don’t go away easily. The fact that they linger is a basic part of what makes a good writer and a good book.

Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Murder & Mayhem

Stephen D. Rogers
http://www.stephendrogers.com/
Untreed Reads Publishing
http://www.untreedreads.com
September 2011
ASIN: B005LTJPG0
E-book

262 Pages

$2.99

Review copy provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2015

FFB Review: "Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England" by Stephen D. Rogers

With Sandi in Medical City Dallas Hospital this week as she starts chemotherapy and the bone marrow stem cell transplant program book reviews continue to be on hold around here. However, this is Friday and that means Friday’s Forgotten Books. Besides my entry below here, you can find the complete list of always good reading over at Patti’s blog.

Reviewing anthologies and collections is always tough. A novel can lag in spots providing an uneven and yet enjoyable read. That same effect can happen in an anthology or collection where not every story is going to work well for a particular person. Then there is the fact that space limitations often prevent the reviewer from ever going into any depth on all the stories. These situations and others make reviewing such books problematic.

At the same time, readers are asking more and more for anthologies and collections. Subsequently, the last couple of years there has been a surge in publication of anthologies and collections. Most collections and anthologies pass pass right on by due to time constraints. However, when this was made available for review by Stephen D. Rogers it seemed like one that should be a good book.

My expectations were met with a few personal favorites being:

“C.O.D.” points out that damaging a mailbox is both a federal crime and a personal offense with repercussions for all in the area.

“Fill It with the Cheapest” isn’t just about the gas, the road trip, or the unnamed driver in a story that isn’t clear until the very end.

Twists are guaranteed in this book and that certainly is also the case in “Last Call.” Training the new employee can come back to get you in not so obvious ways.

“One-Eyed Jacks” blends a unique drinking game, several friends with secrets, and a need for final justice.

Justice along with making things right are the twin themes of “Smoking Gun” where a mother simply has no more choices.

While the New England settings of these tales is often vague or not defined at all, meaning the tales could be located anywhere, the sense of desperation comes through clearly in each one. Whether told from the perspective of the good cop, the bad cop, the petty thief, the hard working parent, or the many other character choices the author uses in each story, the sense of immense desperation comes through in every single case. Often the reader is left with the feeling that characters involved never had a chance because everything always had been and always would be stacked against him or her.

While bodies and crimes abound in the collection, that sense of desperation makes this a good book that is not easy reading. These are stories that nestle under your skin like chiggers and don’t go away easily. The fact that they linger is a basic part of what makes a good writer and a good book.

Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England
Stephen D. Rogers
http://www.stephendrogers.com/
Mainly Murder Press
http://www.mainlymurderpress.com/
February 2010
ISBN# 978-0-9825899-0-8
Paperback
$14.95


Review copy provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2010, 2011, 2013

FFB Review: "Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England" by Stephen D. Rogers

It is Friday and that means it is time for Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott. Patti is taking this Friday and the next off which means Todd Mason is filling in for her. Somebody else you should be reading on a regular basis by the way.

Despite recent events, I seem to be getting more and more requests for reviews--- especially on books that are anthologies or collections. Of course, some of that is due to the ease of self-publishing. At least, many folks seem to be claiming it is easy to submit and publish through several different portals. I have no idea if it is easy since I have not tried to put out my own collection of published work yet.

Something that I now plan on doing in the coming weeks as Sandi has made it clear, regardless of her health and our future together and how short it may now be, that she absolutely wants me to keep writing as much as I physically can despite my own worsening health issues. Right now, I can’t say no to her on anything. How I am going to make anything fiction wise happen, when everything seems so fractured and forever broken, I have no idea. That is a thought for another day.

The surge the last few months in requests for collection and anthology reviews also seems reader driven to me. I suspect that e-book devices such as the Kindle have something to do with that. Whatever is causing it, it should hopefully bring back an appreciation for the well done short story. To me, a very well done short story far shorter than the traditional novella, has always struck me as the ultimate mini novel. If done right, the short story could easily have nearly as much complexity as a novel.

Today’s review from earlier this year showcases one of many good anthologies/ collections I have read this past year.

                                                           *****************

Reviewing anthologies and collections is always tough. A novel can lag in spots providing an uneven and yet enjoyable read. That same effect can happen in an anthology or collection where not every story is going to work well for a particular person. Then there is the fact that space limitations often prevent the reviewer from ever going into any depth on all the stories. These situations and others make reviewing such books problematic.

At the same time, readers are asking more and more for anthologies and collections. Subsequently, the last couple of years there has been a surge in publication of anthologies and collections. Most collections and anthologies pass right on by due to time constraints. However, when this was made available for review by Stephen D. Rogers it seemed like one that should be a good book.

My expectations were met with a few personal favorites being:

“C.O.D.” points out that damaging a mailbox is both a federal crime and a personal offense with repercussions for all in the area.

“Fill It with the Cheapest” isn’t just about the gas, the road trip, or the unnamed driver in a story that isn’t clear until the very end.

Twists are guaranteed in this book and that certainly is also the case in “Last Call.” Training the new employee can come back to get you in not so obvious ways.

“One-Eyed Jacks” blends a unique drinking game, several friends with secrets, and a need for final justice.

Justice along with making things right are the twin themes of “Smoking Gun” where a mother simply has no more choices.

While the New England settings of these tales is often vague or not defined at all, meaning the tales could be located anywhere, the sense of desperation comes through clearly in each one. Whether told from the perspective of the good cop, the bad cop, the petty thief, the hard working parent, or the many other character choices the author uses in each story, the sense of immense desperation comes through in every single case. Often the reader is left with the feeling that characters involved never had a chance because everything always had been and always would be stacked against him or her.

While bodies and crimes abound in the collection, that sense of desperation makes this a good book that is not easy reading. These are stories that nestle under your skin like chiggers and don’t go away easily. The fact that they linger is a basic part of what makes a good writer and a good book.


Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England
Stephen D. Rogers
http://www.stephendrogers.com/
Mainly Murder Press
http://www.mainlymurderpress.com/
February 2010
ISBN# 978-0-9825899-0-8
Paperback (also available via Kindle)
$14.95
270 Pages



Review copy provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.



Kevin R. Tipple © 2011

Reviewing: "Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England" by Stephen D. Rogers

Reviewing anthologies and collections is always tough. A novel can lag in spots providing an uneven and yet enjoyable read. That same effect can happen in an anthology or collection where not every story is going to work well for a particular person. Then there is the fact that space limitations often prevent the reviewer from ever going into any depth on all the stories. These situations and others make reviewing such books problematic.

At the same time, readers are asking more and more for anthologies and collections. Subsequently, the last couple of years there has been a surge in publication of anthologies and collections. Most collections and anthologies pass pass right on by due to time constraints. However, when this was made available for review by Stephen D. Rogers it seemed like one that should be a good book.

My expectations were met with a few personal favorites being:

“C.O.D.” points out that damaging a mailbox is both a federal crime and a personal offense with repercussions for all in the area.

“Fill It with the Cheapest” isn’t just about the gas, the road trip, or the unnamed driver in a story that isn’t clear until the very end.

Twists are guaranteed in this book and that certainly is also the case in “Last Call.” Training the new employee can come back to get you in not so obvious ways.

“One-Eyed Jacks” blends a unique drinking game, several friends with secrets, and a need for final justice.

Justice along with making things right are the twin themes of “Smoking Gun” where a mother simply has no more choices.

While the New England settings of these tales is often vague or not defined at all, meaning the tales could be located anywhere, the sense of desperation comes through clearly in each one. Whether told from the perspective of the good cop, the bad cop, the petty thief, the hard working parent, or the many other character choices the author uses in each story, the sense of immense desperation comes through in every single case. Often the reader is left with the feeling that characters involved never had a chance because everything always had been and always would be stacked against him or her.

While bodies and crimes abound in the collection, that sense of desperation makes this a good book that is not easy reading. These are stories that nestle under your skin like chiggers and don’t go away easily. The fact that they linger is a basic part of what makes a good writer and a good book.


Shot To Death: 31 Stories of Nefarious New England
Stephen D. Rogers
http://www.stephendrogers.com/
Mainly Murder Press
http://www.mainlymurderpress.com/
February 2010
ISBN# 978-0-9825899-0-8
Paperback
$14.95


Review copy provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.



Kevin R. Tipple © 2010