62 Comments
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Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Not just the most visual piece I've read from you (and that's saying something), but also the most emotionally powerful. Tempted to quote every other line. Tour de force, period.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Damn, Ken, thank you! That means a lot to me. I appreciate the uplifting words.

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Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Meant every word. The scene was crystal clear and the maestro’s words were powerful and sincere. I’ve shifted down to weekly for a while. Taking advantage to read backlog on my favourite stacks going back to August. Fully expect to quote and restack a lotta Sean. If they ever give you the chance: teleplay the shit out of this one!!

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Linda Cardillo's avatar

So agree with you regarding Rod Serling. And what a wonderful voice!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Absolutely! ❤️

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

The key: "For while creating, I learned how to lose myself, and I learned how to lose you.” You nailed it, Sean. The last paragraph is mystical. Once we lose the ego, we open the way for the creative spirit of the universe.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

I appreciate that, K.C! I've got your story queued up for today and I'm really excited. :))

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Logan Heron's avatar

Such a great read, Sean. Also love that the event was featured on rodserling.com. I am sure Rod would be proud of you folks for the stories you've created and continue to create. Bravo.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Logan! Sooo amazing to be up on rodserling. Maybe teared up a little. :)

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Logan Heron's avatar

Definitely understandable. I would have been weeping like a newborn baby, if I were you. Well deserved attention for all the work you do.

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Honeygloom's avatar

Loved this! He’s got to work out why he does what he does before he can start. It’s such classic TZ psychology.

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Thaddeus Thomas's avatar

Oh that was wonderful.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Thaddeus! I'm glad you liked it! ❤️

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Jessica W's avatar

This is beautiful. I like the quote by Sterling in the closing lines: making art as an act of courage and faith. The theme of music, the baton, the angels and the eternal question of why artists of all stripes (lit, music, visual, film) keep going in a nearly broken society that at times seems apathetic at best or cruel at worst to seeing and believing in the arts, the question raised in the story shows through in your vivid use of imagery and emotion, along with an undercurrent of nuance and empathy. I agree, there’s good reason to believe in writing and creating whole worlds through words and artistic languages in all of their forms. I like this. Thank you for writing a moving and uplifting tribute to the heroic creator of Twilight. So good.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Jessica! That means a lot to me! ✨

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Nick Winney's avatar

Beautiful.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Nick! ❤️

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Nick Winney's avatar

I usually find myself rambling on about how someones work made me feel and often realise im emulating their style in the feedback as a form of flattery i spose but maybe also like subconscious showing off. like "I can do that too!" so as i have become more conscious of this tendency I thought one word alone summed up your work here for me it really was beautiful how you captured those inner feelings in that moment.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

I don't think there is a better compliment to an any artist than the word "Beautiful." Bringing beauty into the world is a wonderful feeling! ❤️

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Keith Long's avatar

This feels so personal. Such an incredible story with nebulous atmospheric vibes.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Keith! ❤️ Means a lot to me!

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adv's avatar

I can hear Rod Serling’s voice overlaid on the story. The most Twilight Zone-esque one I’ve read yet. Great job!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! ❤️❤️

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Andy Futuro's avatar

Whoa. A maestro composed this indeed.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Andy! Excited to read your story later today! ❤️

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Shane Bzdok's avatar

Fantastic, Sean. I love the contrast here—starting with the man on top of his mountain and then taking it all the way back to his humble beginning, when both he and the creative process were most pure and innocent, creating for the sheer joy of it. For himself.

That ending paragraph, though. Poetry. Brilliant.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Shane! That means a lot to me! So happy to have done this alongside you.

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Miguel S.'s avatar

This was so awesome. So vivid and powerful 👏bravo 👏

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

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Hannah's avatar

sean!! this was so good!!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Aww Hannah thank you thank you! ❤️

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Leanne Shawler's avatar

Woah, featured on Rod’s website? That is cool.

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Garen Marie's avatar

An insightful take on what it means to be a creator. And so cool that the event is featured on rodserling.com!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Garen! ❤️

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