20 Comments
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Nicole Paton's avatar

This is brilliantly surreal. It flipped from a very normal dynamic to a slightly crazy one wonderfully well and very seamlessly. Thoroughly enjoyed!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! That means a lot to me! Writing Paper | Thin is an interesting experiment. It's very off the cuff, so it could fizzle out, or become something interesting. haha

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Patris's avatar

Splendid and as Nicole said - surreal. Though having lived in old apartment buildings in nyc I met ladies like this. Every apartment a different dimension. I love this.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

"Every apartment a different dimension." I love this.

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Tiffany S.'s avatar

I loved the surreality of this piece! "Aggie is wearing a robe of yellow and blue feathers extending to just above her calves, where a bone protrudes from between twin varicose veins." My eyes popped. Wonderful writing.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Tiffany! <3 That means a lot to me. These stories are fun to pick at. I'm hoping I can weave them into something interesting. :)

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Tiffany S.'s avatar

You will!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

❤️

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Sandy Shaller's avatar

May the bird of inspiration perch on your shoulder and whisper dark secrets in your ear. But be careful that bird might be Great Cthulhu in disguise.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Is it like a Scooby Doo, pulls-off-the-mask situation? haha

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Ken Flyingheart's avatar

This is great stuff, Sean. I hope you’ll add some more in this vein. Fun and dense, with a lot of heart and a bit of the grotesque. Love it! You are an artist (and make me a bit envious, cough) and can’t wait for more.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

High praise, Ken. High praise.

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Sandy Shaller's avatar

I hope you're going to write a sequel, or a series, about these two sisters and their 'cup-spying' neighbor. You've given us so much to chew on, such as the possible peculiarities of the sisters, the eavesdropping proclivities of the neighbor and....his very disturbing dream. Freud would call it an anxiety dream, and when you think of the elements...it definitely feels that way. Not only do I want more about the Sister, but I want to know more about their neighbor. A spectacular teaser of a tale.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Sandy! My plan is to take this all the way to 01/01/00. What will happen between now and then? I have no idea. Hopefully something will come to me. haha

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EJ Trask's avatar

my grandmother held on to this old

world superstition that birds are bad omens, and Sean EVERYTHING YOU WRITE IS ABOUT BIRDS. are you a bird? you’re successfully creeping me out.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Oh God, I'm like one of these sick people who don't know they're sick, because I didn't even realize how much I use birds in my stories until this moment. I'm going to start being known as the bird guy, aren't I? haha

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EJ Trask's avatar

the birds have you now.

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Jon T's avatar

yup yup. great writing. so delirious and funny.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Jon! <3

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Bridget Riley's avatar

I love this. It’s hilarious and fascinating and a little foreboding all at once, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

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