Vera Clark
I’d like to give a huge Shoutout to ABCtales writer Vera Clark. I’ve been reading some of Vera’s material lately. Vera has an exquisite writing style, epitomising what every struggling scribbler is attempting to create when they attend a `creative writing' course and have been set exercises to complete before they go back to the scout hall or Fuchsia's house next Tuesday to read their pieces to the group. Vera however, has cracked it!
I am totally in awe of the manner in which she draws the reader in and brings to life the various ‘ordinary day-by-day’ settings in which we find the differing protagonists.
Judging by Vera’s choice of subject matter – the elderly, old people’s homes, dementia, alcoholism – I’ll take a stab in the dark here and guess that Vera isn’t a youth worker. But even if you don’t want to read about old people smelling of unwashed urine and boiled cabbage, don’t be misled. Vera’s stories can catch you off guard. We’ve got the expert graphologist whose only way of achieving an erection is by examining stolen shopping lists and imagining the “insatiable sexual desire” that causes a woman to extend the loops of the letters ‘Y’ and ‘G’ into the “lower zones of the paper with heavy pen pressure.”
And then the horror of seeing his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer, accuse him of …… hold on a minute, I’m no ‘spoiler.’ Read The List (2) for yourself.
Burger Van 1, 2 and 3 are nothing to do with smelly old people. They’re about sex in a caravan, with a very funny yet repulsive ‘twist’ at the end. Twist is really the wrong expression but Vera has an assuetude for hitting the reader with something shocking, something humorous, something scary at the end of the piece.
Vera writes more about sex. The frustrations of premature ejaculation (thankfully not with smelly old people) are apparent in at least three pieces. Her protagonist’s acceptance of the challenge to “shag the ugliest holiday maker on camp” in The Pornography of Grief brought smiles to my face, but for me Tuppences is the funniest piece, discussing the names children are forced to use for – dare I say it? – the vagina and penis.
Vera can at times captivate from the first sentence of a remarkable, beautifully written tale. At other times does she not shy away from the abhorrent and unspeakable. And I suspect that more than a small percentage of her written work is auto-biographical.
Vera, I think you’re ace!
Not only that she leaves nice comments strewn over everyone's work.
Can't argue with any of the above. Vera's work is superb. Including her generous comments.
Linda
For once, I'm mute. My face is hotter than when I used to pretend to play hockey at school.
Karl, this post is the most unexpected thing. When I saw 'Vera Clark' as a thread title, I was utterly confused and thought ;'What the heck have I bloody done?' Not only is it very generous of you to spend time reading all that work, writing your thoughts in such a sharp, highly entertaining way is another thing entirely. I'm flabbergasted and rosy red faced, but very encouraged by your positive post. Thank you sincerely.
(P.S That stab in the dark.. .I worked with homeless adults for years. But I'm in the horrific world of child social work.. think that's why I stick to writing about dirty old men.)
Thank you Celtic and Linda, very kind of you. Off to hide.
No need to thank me, babe. I just enjoy reading your work. It makes me smile.
I'm in awe of Vera's work. What a good call, Karl.
Here! Here! She's aces.
Rich
Vera,
This is no more than you deserve your writing is special, very special. I also know you write under difficult circumstances and that despite being a big fish you give time to the minnows on this site as you have encouraged myself and many others and for those reasons I am thrilled to see your talent acknowledged.
Moya
Thank you very much.Very kind of you all.
Well said. Vera's writing is exquisiite, sharp and funny - to name just a few. She's also extremely generous with her time for other writers and an all round good egg. x
Couldn't agree more.
Thought it was your bloody obituary Vera!
Parson Thru
Lost it laughing, Parson. 'She spent hours writing about impotency, with real concern for the condition.'
Alo Vera, all wish we could write like you....honestly,,,:-))
regards
Terry
I've just written my mates epitaph, "Right, fuck off the lot of you. There's £2000 hidden under that loose paving slab. Go and get pissed somewhere and leave me in peace."
Well, if you can't have a cracking time at a funeral, where can you? You knew, aunty Kath. They all tutted, but not one was sober. Very pleased you're still alive anyway, VeraClark. Crack on, then. You can't be sitting around reading this all day. You've lots of mouths to feed.
Parson Thru
I'm a big fan too. Vera leaves me breathless, and as celticman rightly says... she is very generous with her time and praise of others and she never takes offence if a comment isn't totally gushing in praise of her own work. She is modest, in spite of her talent, and has the good grace to consider well-meant advice, even when that advice may not be valid. She has literally exploded onto the scene here at ABC. Don't know why she took so long to find us, but I'm so glad she did. Nice 'flag' Karl.
Trevor
TVR
I agree. Vera's pure concentrated quality!
Thank you.