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Dr. Mardy Grothe's avatar

Hi Harvey. I was going to say "That was a great backstory" on your clever "You don't have to agree with me" creation, but I think it qualifies more as a "frontstory." It also got me wondering, "Have you ever come up with a clever line--like that one--and then built an entire short story around it?"

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Hi Mardy, I'm sure "I" probably have. My characters are always popping into my head with pithy lines. In fact (and in retrospect) the whole 22-volume Wes Crowley saga was predicated on one such line: "Upright is not a matter of degree."

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Dr. Mardy Grothe's avatar

Ah, yes. I remember loving that line when you first shared it with me about a year ago. In fact, I immediately created a new UPRIGHTNESS category for my DMDMQ and made sure your observation was included: Ah, yes. I remember loving that line when you first shared it with me about a year ago: https://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/u#upright

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

One of Wes' primary character traits is that he tends to get to the heart of the matter pretty quickly. :-)

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Dr. Mardy Grothe's avatar

Let me add one more thing. I also regard your "Upright is not a matter of degree" creation as The Single Best Thing Ever Said (TSBTES) on the subject.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Wow, thanks! If I ever get back to Agua Perlado (a little south of modern day Acapulco in the Mexican state of Guerrero) I'll let Wes know.

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Matthew Gordon MacNeil's avatar

I always love learning about prior Literary periods and movements. The Algonquin Round Table is one I'm not too familiar with beyond recognizing the names (Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley in particular). Thanks for reminding me to study them more in depth!

And of course, as always, great article Harvey.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it.

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George P Farrell's avatar

Thanks for reminding us of the very entertaining Dorothy Parker, a true bitch if there ever was one.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

I absolutely loved her. And Mr. (Robert) Benchley was probably her true match.

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George P Farrell's avatar

Nothing like that group today, sorry to say.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Certainly not gathered in one place.

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