Welcome to StoriesByFergus.com, a reader-friendly website.
Introduction
Mind and Muscle 613 wds
Reader friendly means only words (and two photographs). To minimize distraction we post words alone. Reading, we are surrounded, enclosed and absorbed by the mind of the author and any interruption is a ‘focus jolt,’ a break in the dream. An effort of muscular mind is needed to return and remain enclosed.
As a literary magazine editor i focused complete attention on each manuscript received. I have done the same for Fergus. For each i dedicated enough time, ignored the phone and door bell and gave each contributor total credibility. If distracted, i returned to reread determined to give it a second or third chance to every author. I’m sure i slipped and some “gem of purest ray serene” escaped my eye, as is clear by rereading what i published. As for Fergus, he hasn’t commented on the quality of what i’ve chosen, no surprise there, we don’t talk much.
The meaning of some contributions to my magazine was impossible to decipher or too easily understood or riddled with clichés. Rarely did sludge at a first reading later glitter like gold. Even so, when it did shine and the sun rose behind my eyes i had to ask, is this a work of genius or am i fooling myself? Each deserved my best effort. Despite inevitable rotten spots, i believe most of what i published is re-readable.
A note was just slipped under my door; it’s from Fergus, he agrees with what i just wrote. How did he know what i just wrote? Not the only mystery about that guy.
I suggest readers intent on the best result make the same effort with the same total attention.
My goal was to discover new talent ignored by overwhelmed or sleepy publishers. A significant amount of literature now called classic was and may still be self-published or appear in small press books and magazines.
Paying attention is what an editor calls work, and we do it so a reader can abide with an author, intensely.
Today i read with the same complete focus. Why read anything if not to give or gain the deepest understanding?
As a reader friendly website and like a regular old paper book we deliver only words. Each title includes the number of words of each selection to help calculate how long to give it the love.
Interruptions, if there are any, follow selections. I have added no pop-ups and if any appear these will be hacked in by Russians, the GOP or the slithering tongue of Go Daddy. I did not approve of them. The only surprises should pop up out of insight and/or the lyrical virtuosity of Fergus.
In my opinion, and Fergus probably agrees (it’s hard to say what that guy thinks), readers need time to think. Reader friendly means time to ponder and reflect. In the past literate citizens chose a book and read 10-30 pages each day.
Aside from the satisfaction of seeing 10-30 pages falling right to left and a page marker advancing to the back cover i feel there should be no difference reading paper or a screen,. Quality depends on message not media. Above all the main goal, in my opinion, should be a complete understanding what we read. Whether by a scholar committed to absolute accuracy of detail or a long-haired (or bald) poet with a rose in clinched teeth, all deserve total concentration.
Following the last selection is information on how you can contribute to the arts. Make checks payable to me, C Lohmann. Fergus never handles money; he’s from Ireland and those people don’t have anything to do with money. Many thanks for your time and patience.
Charles Lohmann, Website gopher.
The work praises the man, woman or nonbinarian.
Irish proverb, adjusted
Contents
At least be sure you go to the author to get at his (or her) meaning and not to find your own. -- John Ruskin
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