Love it. It's the only thing that a father could do in that instance unless he was evil enough to take the Doctor's watch 😛 --- and come to think of it who knows what Los Angeles and California would look like after that quake or whatever it was... could be a tough life for little Leah.
I started writing The Gift of Time years ago, but only finished it recently when I felt the ending was the one that worked. I wanted to create a world where something unimaged was the new rule. Having to wear a watch is what popped into my head.
I love the ways you manipulate and otherwise use time in your stories. This time (pun intended), measuring a life in the ticks of a watch. Great story, Bill!
Every time I read one of your stories Bill, I'm caught completely off guard. My watch battery died 3-4 years ago and I haven't worn a watch since. Now, being retired, I tell myself I don't need one. I guess I'm destined to be one of the six Billion...
Ha! No, I doubt I'll ever wear a watch again. Life is so much easier without one. I do remember I was in a store once and didn't have my watch (back in the days when I was wearing one). I saw a kid with a watch and asked him the time. He took his phone out of his pocket. I said, "But you're wearing a watch?" His reply: "Oh, that just a fashion accessory." No phone, no watch, life's pretty laid back out here.
What a great read. What a rush! Great theme, great idea. I was reminded of Logan's Run, where they have their life clock in the palm of their hands. Splendid work, Bill.
"Time is the fire in which we burn. —Delmore Schwartz"
The portrayal of life being directly linked to time (through the watches) is quite thoughtful, and I like the philosophical aspect of why the world became the way it was. It's also very realistic- the ending happened because of lack of preparation and an unexpected event.
This is such a cool concept! Wow!
Thanks so much!
Love it. It's the only thing that a father could do in that instance unless he was evil enough to take the Doctor's watch 😛 --- and come to think of it who knows what Los Angeles and California would look like after that quake or whatever it was... could be a tough life for little Leah.
Thanks, Dan. I live in Tokyo, earthquake central. Things can get crazy and complicated and even impossible after a big quake.
I'm glad you enjoyed The Gift of Time.
😢
I know. I cried when I finished writing this story.
Wow! What an ending! Love the creativity.
Thank you, Christina. It took time to figure out this story's ending, but I think it worked well. I'm glad you enjoyed The Gift of Time.
Wow, Bill! Excellent piece, well written and a fascinating plot.
Thank you, Shielagh. I'm delighted you enjoyed The Gift of Time.
Great story! Could you share some insight on your thought process while writing it?
Thanks, Terence.
I started writing The Gift of Time years ago, but only finished it recently when I felt the ending was the one that worked. I wanted to create a world where something unimaged was the new rule. Having to wear a watch is what popped into my head.
I can't believe you wrote a story with watches in it. 🤣
I thought for sure the doctor was going to give up his watch. "I am old. Take mine."
Great story, even if I guessed wrong.
I quit wearing a watch years ago. Like the kids say, "I always have my phone, so what's the point?"
Thanks, Mark. I'm glad you had fun reading The Gift of Time.
I didn't know how the story would end until I got there, so I was surprised, too.
I think somebody made a watch based on the Martian day/night cycle. I kind of want that.
I love the ways you manipulate and otherwise use time in your stories. This time (pun intended), measuring a life in the ticks of a watch. Great story, Bill!
Thanks, Dascha. I like to play with time because we can never, ever control it except through science fiction.
I need to wear my “The Citizen” Blue Eagle more often.
Good watch story Bill, thank you.
Thanks, Dan. Watches rock, right?
Thanks Dan. I'm in the US for the Memorial Day holiday and wore a Casio G-Shock.
Every time I read one of your stories Bill, I'm caught completely off guard. My watch battery died 3-4 years ago and I haven't worn a watch since. Now, being retired, I tell myself I don't need one. I guess I'm destined to be one of the six Billion...
Get a solar-powered watch! (They're actually kind of cool.)
I like exploring the surprises the universe has for us. There are so many.
Ha! No, I doubt I'll ever wear a watch again. Life is so much easier without one. I do remember I was in a store once and didn't have my watch (back in the days when I was wearing one). I saw a kid with a watch and asked him the time. He took his phone out of his pocket. I said, "But you're wearing a watch?" His reply: "Oh, that just a fashion accessory." No phone, no watch, life's pretty laid back out here.
I like that story and that time-free life.
What a great read. What a rush! Great theme, great idea. I was reminded of Logan's Run, where they have their life clock in the palm of their hands. Splendid work, Bill.
"Time is the fire in which we burn. —Delmore Schwartz"
Thank you, Alexander. This was a tough story to write, both emotionally and to get the science fiction in balance. I'm delighted you enjoyed it.
I'm one of those who believes that every story has already been written. But people like you on Substack keep proving me wrong.
Thank you, Jim. I have fun writing these stories and I"m glad you enjoy them.
The portrayal of life being directly linked to time (through the watches) is quite thoughtful, and I like the philosophical aspect of why the world became the way it was. It's also very realistic- the ending happened because of lack of preparation and an unexpected event.
Time controls us and we have no say over that. Time will always surprise us.
This is a disturbing but extremely well-written story. The tension is palpable and the ending is well worth the wait.
Thank you, Jim. I was a little teary-eyed when I finished writing this story.
I've had the same watch for a number of years, and it still keeps on ticking....
Fortunately, a good mechanical watch is virtually eternal. I hope you're enjoying yours. I love watches.