55 Comments

“Every story has to end. Readers rarely remember how a novel begins, but they always remember the endings. So the ending had better be good.” I predicted the ending here a quarter of the way through. You sure did fool me. Excellent.

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Thanks, Sharron. I like twists and I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

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Clever plot and an excellent ending: don't stop now.

Rob in Yauteoec

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Thank you, Rob. There's another fun story coming next week!

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Brilliant 👏🏻. Loved every bit of this story 🔥

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Thank you, Osasuyi. I'm happy to hear that.

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We come for the story we live for their twist. Lucky us AI sucks at both. :)

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Yes, 100 percent yes.

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I’ve got a new idea for an AI start-up. I just need to write a script to fix the fucking strangely distorted alien-like hands that image generators like Midjourney crank out like there’s no tomorrow.

Hm. Maybe that’s the point. There is no tomorrow. 😳

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AI is not really intelligent. Not yet. Not ever?

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I looked up “Etterretningstjenesten” because it’s so spectacular a word, I figured it had to be made up. It’s real. It’s a thing.

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I like the sound of Etterretningstjenesten, though I'm 100 percent certain I'm mispronouncing it.

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This was an amazing story, Bill! I’d love to read more stories about Lucas.

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Thank you, Justin. Lucas' adventures have just begun.

PS. I'm afraid by planting him in Norway, I'm going to have to go to Norway to do research. ;-)

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This sounds like a wonderful idea. 😃

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Well that was a cool little twist, wasn't it? Well done, Bill...as usual!

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Thanks, Ben. I glad you enjoyed Writer for Hire and especially the twist.

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Let's see the writer write his way out of this

working for the Norwegian boss.

He gets to decide how to protect the minister

if not, then it's his loss.

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I like that! Cheers!

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Such a good read. Yes please for more Lucas. Great twists.

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Thank you, Jayne. There's definitely more Lucas stories to come.

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Writing is a dirty job. 🤣 Does this mean Lucas has to start writing in Norwegian?

I agree about endings. Not much worse than a story with an unsatisfying ending.

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Writers can do anything! Learning Norwegian -- easy as pie. After all, it takes barely half a day of research for us to become experts in nuclear physics, botany, dinosaurs, or any other subject.

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Indeed.

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Such an enjoyable read! And I'd love a glimpse of your questionnaire if you will share.

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Thanks, Tree. I'm delighted you enjoyed Writer for Hire. I don't use a questionnaire; I'm the ultimate pantser.

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😁

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Very good story and I think it could also be quite plausible as well.

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Thanks, Scott. I'm sure you're right: Some governments somewhere are employing writers for our ideas.

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One of the risks of being a professional writer is that someone will be offended by what you write and want to have you killed...

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So true. I fear this is my fate. ;-)

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Classic thriller double ending! I like that we come into the story at just the right time to witness it.

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Thank you, Lisa. I had fun stitching the ending together and I'm happy you liked it.

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My ad produced much less satisfactory results. This is a fantastic read! Keep it going!

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Ha! I do know that feeling. But I'm glad you enjoyed Writer for Hire, Cyn.

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