The Wordsmith's Forge

>> The first time I read this, it was the middle of the night. I burst out laughing at the last line, loudly enough to wake hubby. <<

Yay! I'm glad you found this so moving.

>> It just /resonated/ in ways that surprised me, as I have little experience with martial arts and wasn't expecting the details to be so /engrossing/. <<

When I write, I try to do two contrary things: to give readers an experience of something new, and to connect it with things they already know so it will make sense to them. The little details of martial arts are new and interesting to most people. But the experience of not performing as well as you expected you could is pretty much universal.

>> Getting to the lessons and back may pose a deliberate challenge-- one way to see /how/ serious Phil is, <<

There's an element of truth in this. Most people wouldn't put forth that extra effort for a casual interest. Me, I spent six years driving an hour each way for high school and college. I hated that part. But it was the only way to get what I needed, so I did it.

When you're better than average, just any old class won't suffice. Sometimes you have to go the extra distance for a teacher who can handle your level.

>> now that's he is on the verge of the high school years and right about the age when kids in our neighborhood are still encouraged to go door-to-door looking for odd jobs as a step toward building a work ethic and earning pocket money. <<

That's actually something I want to pick up with Stan and Lawrence over in Polychrome Heroics.

>> Really, really great. <<

Thanks!

>> (And I burst out laughing /each/ time I read the last line. I can totally picture young-Coulson's expression!) <<

Hee! Yeah, he was stunned senseless. And just wait until you read the next episode.

>> Thanks for continuing this! <<

You're welcome.