30 Comments
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M.E. Proctor's avatar

Cute... but now he will have to operate without anesthesia... have you thought about that?

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Bill Adler's avatar

Maybe there's a magic potion?

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Jeannine Lawall's avatar

Didn't they use whiskey in the old days?

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Jeannine Lawall's avatar

...though that kind of makes me glad I'm not living in the old days! 😉

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

I never know what to expect from your storytelling, Bill, but a medieval war between rival kingdoms in a miniature world was not in the cards. I do understand why Josh chose to join them; I would have, too.

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Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you, K.C.

I know I would want to travel to that land, too.

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Meg of the North's avatar

Me too! Especially with an instantaneous chemical attraction to the Queen… and obviously he was willing to abandon conventional physics after being presented with proof to his own two eyes and accept magic. A ‘Grand Adventure’ is just what this guy needs! 😊

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David Perlmutter's avatar

They do have sharp points, but I would think the minute hand would function better than the hour hand since it's longer.

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Bill Adler's avatar

Yes, you're right. It's likely that the hour hand is for backup. :)

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David Perlmutter's avatar

A sheathed dagger.

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Kim Smyth's avatar

I'm not much into fantasy, but I liked the story.

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Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you, Kim. I'm glad you enjoyed Sword Hands.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Leave it to Bill Adler to blur the edges between fantasy, fairy-tale and noir... Who else could do that?

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Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you for your kind words, Sharron. I had fun writing Sword Hands and I'm very happy you enjoyed it.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

My partner and I were just watching a video about collecting fine watches, minutes before I found your story! What a strange coincidence! Maybe I’d better take a look under the bed… Wonderful story! Will there be a sequel?

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Bill Adler's avatar

I’m glad you liked Sword Hands.

(I’m a watch collector.)

I began this story as a novel, but after 10,000 words, I didn’t like the direction it was going in, so I transformed Sword Hands into this short story.

There will be a sequel because we need to know what happens to Josh when he’s in this strange and magical land.

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Kat Rigel's avatar

I totally enjoyed this story and am more than glad to read in the comments that you’re going to flesh out a novel around this because it warrants one.

That being said….didn’t you say not too long ago that you took some watches in for repair….

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Bill Adler's avatar

Uh oh. I need to check on those watches to make sure they're intact!

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Kat Rigel's avatar

Uhhh huh…but I digress with my suspicions…that Grand Seiko you have pictured has a damn fine sexy face… just saying..

Enjoy your afternoon into evening there.

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Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you! I have to admit that is one of my most favorite watch dials.

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Meg of the North's avatar

I am not afraid to say this is a wonderful opening to a potential novel, as all the pieces are ready and waiting. Please consider expanding the tale, even though I was incredibly satisfied with the story as is.

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Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you, Meg.

I started Sword Hands as a novel, but got caught by plot twists I could not unravel. Now that things are clearer in the short story, I plan to return to the novel. I’m glad you liked it.

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Meg of the North's avatar

And I am happy to hear a very good possibility exists that it will grow to an even grander tale. Woo hoo!!! I can envision so many directions it could go, I’ll be excited to see the organic path it ends up taking. Congrats on the birth of a great story! May it grow into something you are very proud of.

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Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you. I want to find out more about this magical land, too. And what happens with him and the queen.

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Vince Roman's avatar

Thanks for sharing and happy Monday

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Bill Adler's avatar

You're welcome, Vince.

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Jeannine Lawall's avatar

That was fun! Though it's too bad he didn't have time to grab the rest of his watches...

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Bill Adler's avatar

I know! He had to leave his watches behind. Very sad. :(

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FranB's avatar

I definitely didn't see that one coming!

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Bill Adler's avatar

I'm glad I could surprise you.

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