John Shore

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April 19, 2020 Leave a Comment

Devil’s Grip: An excerpt from “Everywhere She’s Not”

From Chapter 12 (“Devil’s Grip”) of Everywhere She’s Not:

David started maneuvering his way off the bed. He’d be a monkey’s uncle, he thought, if he was going to let Kate see him looking like an actual monkey’s uncle.

With more wobbling than he would have preferred, he made it into the bathroom. With his hands on the sink counter for support, he stared at himself in the mirror.

“Yep,” he said. “That’s my face.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Everywhere She's Not

April 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

What she said

Thirty years ago I was a student at Cal State University at Bakersfield, CA. where I met Dr. Kim Flachmann, English prof extraordinaire, and head of the college’s writing program.

One of the first things I did when my novel “Everywhere She’s Not” was out was send Dr. Flachmann a copy of it, because . . . she’s awesome, and I’ve never stopped being grateful for everything she helped me learn about writing.

She has also remained, I know, an uncompromising critic. So . . . I knew I’d also be letting myself in for that, but whatever. I still wanted her to read the novel, because of course.

Here’s the letter Dr. Flachmann wrote me a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t particularly eager to share it, because it was a private email. But I asked her if I could, and she said yes, absolutely and of course, so . . . here’s what she wrote me:

Dearest John,

I just finished Everywhere She’s Not, and I’m sitting on the couch with tears running down my face. It is absolutely sensational. I love the content; I love the form; I love your voice as a writer. One of the many ways I respond to books as I read them is to rewrite sentences, think of changes I would make, and add missing words or images. One of the many reasons I love this book is because I wouldn’t change a word of it. You always say what I expected or something better. Your word choice is masterful. Your tone is masterful. Your story is masterful. And your mind is the most masterful of all. I can’t imagine unraveling this entire story the way you did, and creating it is a work of genius.

It took the virus to give me time to finish it, and I loved every word of it.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

March 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

Confucius At Studio 54: An excerpt from “Everywhere She’s Not”

This is from Chapter 7 (“A Fun Day”) of my novel, Everywhere She’s Not. It’s the scene where David, the novel’s protagonist, first meets Franklin, the boyfriend of his close friend, Jerald. David is twenty-three years old; Jerald and Franklin are older than he by about ten years. Jerald owns and runs a seaside motel in San Francisco. This takes place in Jerald’s apartment, which is accessible through a door behind the motel’s front counter. The year is 1979. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Everywhere She's Not

February 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

Can I still call myself a Christian when my marriage is non-monogamous?

Dear John,

Thank you for continuing your advice column on your page—I really appreciate it! I am an “unfundamentalist” reader with a question for you about faith and sexual choices. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Advice, Christianity

August 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

Thanking Melanie Safka

Melanie’s 1971 album, The Good Book

Dear Melanie,

You don’t know me. (Well, duh.) But for a very long time now I’ve been wanting to thank you, with all of my heart, for I believe quite literally saving my life.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Melanie

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My debut novel is Everywhere She's Not.

WINNER: BEST NEW FICTION, AMERICAN FICTION AWARD

FINALIST: PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOK-LIFE PRIZE

FINALIST: FIRST NOVEL, INDIE BOOK AWARD

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