Short Story / Bush In The Mirror (Analysis)

I had to read this through slowly a couple of times to find the clarity. It’s a dark piece, very pessimistic, and I’m not even a Bush fan.
I found myself wondering if you knew Bush when he was younger, or if this is your impression on how he is. If you knew him, it’s very insightful; if not and this is your interpretation of his lust for power, then this is a truly very dark piece that focuses only on the negative.
Overall, this piece is rather intriguing, making me wish it were a longer short story so that I knew just a bit more of the writer’s point of view.

Interesting political commentary, and metaphor. THe only real advice I can give is to change up the ending a little. Jumping to an accusation of divinity at the end seems like a big jump when you’ve been establishing that Bush is a criminal the reset of the time. Perhoas something like: “Now you’re just a thief with nukes”, or somethnig like that. Anyway, good stuff, keep it up!

You seem to have a strong degree of social and political acumen for such a young man. But don’t mind me. Everyone under 30 seems like a kid to me. You may laugh, but God willing some day you will feel the same way and it will shock you as it does me.

I digress.

Good title—I didn’t think of W right away; I imagined something mystical.

The first 2 paragraphs: Are they based on research or your picture of W’s youth? If the latter, why would you imagine it to be such?

If you are drawing a parallel between playtime villains, movie gangsters, and cabinet goons, I think you can be a bit more incisive. The movies of the “Godfather”’s era that would most likely inspire him would be “The Conversation,” “All the President’s Men,” even “The Stepford Wives.” They are all tales of sneaky, underhanded dealings among the rich and powerful. As opposed to the more open violence of the Corleones.

You may be able to get the story published. There is humor and a political bent that strikes a popular chord. I don’t think it would attract literary publishers or agents, however.

Keep at it. You have a fine imagination. Thanks for the read.

This is an interesting piece. I should note, before going on, that whether it is “publishable in a book of [your] own writings” is completely relative to what your other writings are. So take the number with a grain of salt.

That said, I think this would work better fleshed out as a poem rather than a short story. It is considerably short, and chronicles a very broad topic of a very specific person, rather than a very specific scene, a moment of change. It has a conclusion that would make those who agree with you (that Bush is a megalomaniac) chuckle, but otherwise could be about anyone without the title—anyone who had sought out power. It could be about a celebrity whom no one can tell “no,” or a drug lord, or any other person of great influence.

I can’t say it’s particularly “creative” in thought. The number of pundits, news anchors, editorials, bloggers and people in general who think Bush is off his rocker feeds into the perception you have. It is, however, a well-written, original account of that view.

Regarding other numbers, I should say that my affiliation with the professional writing world is limited to three published authors I know and talk to frequently. Granted, one is an NYT bestseller, but I cannot comment on the “industry” with gaining publisher or agency attention strongly. Take all those with a grain of salt; I can only speak from my experience.

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April 15, 2008

by kidwitprobs

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Thank you, I’m kind of new at this so I’m working on it.

April 15, 2008

by Harkening

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Don’t get me wrong; you can write. It is a bit of a tired cliche, but “write what you know” and I think your natural talent, so succinctly captured in this piece, whether someone agrees with its sentiment or not, will come out.

It’s a good little piece; I just think it would work better as a poem. Keep working (I am).

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Amusing,to the point, and Oh how true

very interesting
a very nice irony