January 29, 2010 by Mark R. Trost
1. I don’t want to get lost in the prose. I want to find myself in it.
2. Okay, here’s a little secret: the novel is changing. Gone are the days of lengthy exposition and landscaped plots. The internet has changed attention spans in ways television remotes couldn’t. We now read in blurbs and bursts. Will there be space on the shelves for the lengthy and the loquacious? Perhaps one portioned shelf on the bottom near the librarian‘s knees. That’s why I’ve reinvented the novel.
3. Unexpected words make the eyes dance. When the mind and the eye and the heart are synchronized – you have art.
4. I think truly great literature is an oral medium and not a written one. I think great words demand to be allowed off a page. They must be aloud. When one chooses the proper word for clarity – you have literature. Well, because even it’s not clear – you have a story. A child can tell a story. Clarity isn’t necessary in a child‘s tale. Yet clarity is necessary for literature. When one chooses the proper word for clarity and for the way it dances on a tongue or teases an eye – you have art.
5. All writers are didactic. Some conceal the chalkboard – some scribble until their words screech.
6. You know – writing is really difficult work. I know. I’ve done it. Hell, I’m doing it. And then one day you take your hands off the keyboard and you sit back in your chair and you exhale. Because let’s be serious – the exposition is exhaustive. And everyone knows the cost of energy. That’s why they don’t offer a declarative yes or no. And that’s why they leave so many moments unmentioned and leave without offering a remark.
But the difference between great writing and merely telling the tale is that you have to take your hands off the armrests and wipe the sweat off your brow and start again.
The real work of changing writing from remarking on a story and making it remarkable – is trying all your words in the mouths of the participants. You have to put the words in your narrator’s and characters’ mouth and see if they fit. Do they slip and slide and slather out like spit on a blouse? Are your characters mouthy enough to enunciate your thoughts? Do they have the bite to make your pronouncements?
You have to test your words and find all the right ones.
And if you haven’t then you’re unjust to your readers. You’re requiring the readers to do all the work of creativity. And they don’t want to. Or they’d have written your book. And see? Your words don’t fit their mouths because it’s your tale. Don’t allow clichés to take the place of your creativity.
Posted in Blogs, Personal, Random Thoughts | Tagged About Me, Blogs, Fiction Writing, Random Thoughts, Writers, Writing, Writing Exercise | Leave a Comment »
January 16, 2010 by Mark R. Trost
Bill Clinton filmed a plea for donations to Haiti on Facebook. I watched it. And I grew so angry. I felt angry because it took him nearly 64 seconds to actually get to a subject that didn’t involve him. Jesus – hubris made flesh.
I am one of Clinton’s strongest allies. I voted for him twice and supported his wife for the presidency. I am willing to swing it and slap it on the table and say, “Bill Clinton was one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century and definitely the best president of the second half of the 20th century.” And not because he was a great communicator. Reagan was a better communicator and we all learned at Reagan’s autopsy that he was in fact not human but a creation of farina, Elmer’s Glue, crepe paper, and human spit. And I’m ballsy enough to say – and read this closely – that if it wasn’t for one of the top 5 best writers of the 20th century (Peggy Noonan) puppeting her words up and through Reagan’s ass and out his lips – Reagan would have merely been a cardboard cut out selling republicanism like a papier-mâchéd Tony The Tiger selling cereal in a grocery store.
Clinton had a style that made people want to please him. That’s a leader. Yet he had a way of making people want to be like him. That’s a great leader. In this case – and I’m back on topic here – Clinton should have been less the politician and more the humanitarian. Why does he have a script? Jesus, after all his years before a camera doesn’t he know how to speak from his heart? This is a speak from your heart moment. 
I’m disappointed in him. But not for the reason you may think. I’m disappointed because he has quit. He’s not trying. And it’s all because of “GAME CHANGE” by Halperin & Heileman. For the first time in their lives – the Clintons have no allies and have been shunned by their inner circle. They now consider themselves past their prime like egg nog on the grocer’s shelf.
And it’s a pity. This Haitian crisis is when Bill Clinton could do the most good and bring the most people together. He’s a politician. Anyone with a head knows politicians lack sincerity. That’s a given. You have to kiss too many asses to be earnest. Okay. But this video was a moment when it wasn’t / can’t be about politics. Why did he list his group’s (Clinton Global Initiative) accomplishments? Are we even going to pretend that it’s the best avenue for donations or has the best track record? No. Why mention it at all? He shouldn’t have. This isn’t about him. This is about the Haitians. I’m disappointed in him. I never gave a shit when he didn’t keep it inside his trousers. But by God I care he’s keeping his heart off his sleeve and using his hands that could be helpful busy with patting himself on his back.
Oh, and that’s Mark Trost on his soapbox. Yes I do care about politics. I am extremely political. But if you only sing one song – no matter how beautiful the voice – eventually the rote because all about the repetition and redundancy.
Posted in News, Politics | Tagged Bill Clinton, Celebrity, Clinton Global Initiative, Clintons, Disaster Relief, Facebook, Haiti, Haitian Earthquake, Media, News, Opinion, Peggy Noonan, Politics, Ronald Reagan | 1 Comment »
January 15, 2010 by Mark R. Trost
Dread is the most difficult emotion.
Its core is the absence of hope.
Posted in Life, Random Thoughts | Tagged Baby Boomers, Emotions, Life, People, Random Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
January 13, 2010 by Mark R. Trost
And then one day you see your loved through another’s eyes. And you realize you weren’t wearing rose colored glasses … you were wearing heart-shaped ones. And you take them off and face your future without her.
Posted in Life, Personal, Random Thoughts, Relationships | Tagged Break-ups, Couple, Couples, Courtship, Culture, Dating, Divorce, Ex-Girlfriends, Life, Male Behavior, Male Point of View, Men & Women, Men vs Women, Personal, Relationships, Romance | Leave a Comment »
January 9, 2010 by Mark R. Trost
A pediatrician is charged with raping his patients.
Where were the parents during these examinations?
The secondary aspect of this story that disturbs me (the primary aspect is obvious) is the total lack of parenting & cognitive skills of the parents.
Who would place the responsibility of healthcare on the shoulders of a toddler?
1. A toddler doesn’t understand probing, injections, touching, most verbal commands, or any sort of physical examination. A toddler can be disquieted by atmosphere and unfamiliarity. The parent should stand beside the child to offer emotional and physical security and succor. Adults feel uneasy at doctor appointments. Why hold children to a higher standard?
2. A toddler cannot be held responsible to offer a litany of symptoms, a description of habits, or provide any factual tools in the aid of diagnosis.
3. A toddler cannot be held responsible to retain or recite physician instructions. Children are distracted by anything. They loose concentration when they notice their thumbs. And frankly, requiring a nurse or medical transcriptionist to offer a complete, enter, no omission paper of instructions is asking too much. What – she should not only type the instructions with her hands, she should be required to be the ears of the parents?
And ethically – is the physician required to provide healthcare and childcare?
Oh and BTW – I’m saying the parents are partially to blame. Yep. I hold them as responsible for their child’s healthcare as I hold the physician. Yet I hold them solely responsible for their child’s care.
Posted in Culture, Healthcare, News | Tagged Child Care, Childcare, Children, Culture, Doctor, Healthcare, News, Parenthood, Parenting, Parents, Physician | Leave a Comment »
December 2, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
Okay – I didn’t know this.
This weekend, I lost all my confidence as a writer. I told myself my novel was worthless and I felt humiliated and ashamed of the extent of my effort and of my exhibition. Yet I’d put so much work into it, I wasn’t prepare to leave it orphaned. So I had decided to rework it.
But I’ve read my words so many times I could no longer find the logical or grammatical errors. I’d paid a woman to read it and find the errors. And yet I found more.
I had an idea. I asked my sister to read my novel to me. Yeah, really. She agreed. As Carol reads my words aloud, I’m able to hear my errors. It’s the most marvelous writing exercise. I’ve done this for theatrical pieces. I’ve done this for orations. But, never for prose.
So Carol reads to me and I hear my words. I hear errors and lapses of logic. So I’ve tweaked. My tenses are now taut. I’ve revisited; I’ve removed; I’ve reworked; I’ve retooled.
Okay, my novel has merit. And I am one hell of a gifted writer. Ballsy? If I didn’t think I had talent, then why in the name of the good Christ would I waste my time or waste yours?
Now here’s my point:
Writers often ask me for advice. Here’s the second greatest piece of advice I can offer to my fellow writers: Have someone read you to you. Listen to your words. Listen to the syncopation of your syntax. Notice your rhythms. You’ll hear the errors and marvel at the mastery of your gift. Seriously, it’s an invaluable exercise.
Oh you’ve noticed that I typed it was the second greatest piece of advice. The first? Tell the truth.
Posted in Blogs, Personal, Random Thoughts | Tagged About Me, Blogs, Personal, Random Thoughts, Writers, Writing, Writing Exercise | 1 Comment »
November 30, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
1. Jon & Kate Gosselin – TLC should change its name to TMI
2. Tiger Woods – Why? How? What-did-she-do-to-his-face? Nope.
3. Lady Gaga – Gaggable. It’s disco people.
4. Michael Jackson – No. Let’s expand this. Any Jackson: Latoyota. Janet. Jesse.
5. Susan Boyle – God love her but she didn’t invent sound.
6. Adam Lambert – Boy George wore eyeliner dude. It’s not as radical as you hoped.
7. Levi Johnston – Love Palin or hate her. I don’t even want to see dead rats gnawed by maggots. His porn name should be “Pair-A-Sight.” But apparently he kept his meager pair out of sight.
8. Lou Dobbs – Want to be a credible voice of reason? Sport credible hair. When he left CNN did he take Lady Clairol with him?
9. Chastity Bono – Just because your mother enjoys the goodwill of the American public …
10. Tie: Jimmy Carter / Bill Clinton – Hate the Republican presidents but at least they go away.
Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Media, News, Personal, Politics, Random Thoughts | Tagged Adamn Lambert, Bill Clinton, Celebrity, Chastity Bono, Cher, Culture, Entertainment, Humor, Jimmy Carter, Jon & Kate Gosselin, Lady Gaga, Levi Johnston, Life, Lou Dobbs, Media, Michael Jackson, News, Opinion, People, Politics, Random Thoughts, Sarah Palin, Susan Boyle, Tiger Woods, TLC | Leave a Comment »
November 26, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
Happy Thanksgiving.
My friend Mike says that men should be grateful for three things:
1. Beer
2. The 2 cycle engine
3. Sundresses.
There’s a lot of truth to that. But those are his words. They’re not mine. I know what I’m supposed to be grateful for: Liberty. Freedom – but those are concepts that aren’t real to me. Those are concepts that are appreciated by the bound and the enslaved. Frankly in America – most of us will be concerned about eating too much today and not whether or nor we’ll be eating any.
So what am I grateful for?
Oh, I’m grateful for parents who put themselves at the last of the line. I know what it’s like to not take a turn because I want a child’s life to turn around and because I know they need the opportunity more than I need the escape from the responsibility.
I’m grateful I have two sisters who love me and don’t compete against me. And they’re completely supportive of me.
I’m grateful I have a brother who completes me. He is everything that I am not. He has talents that I lack. But we share the exact same marrow.
Because no one has more in common with us than our brothers and sisters. I’m mean think about it. When we were conceived a piece of a father’s soul and a piece of a mother’s soul joined in union and became and came into existence. And no matter how we vow or how we birth – our brothers and sisters are truly US. All US. In a very real way our brothers and sisters are in our hearts, souls, minds, and literally – in our bodies. I love that. So even in death they’re never really gone at all …. It’s more just a question of geography.
I’m grateful for my friends who support me, educate me, chastise me, cheer me, entertain me, and love me. You know in movies how the protagonist sits at a bar and talks to his buddy about his heartaches? I have that. I’m grateful for that. I know it’s rare.
I’m grateful for smartass women who love me, entertain me, and remind me when I’m a horse’s ass.
I’m grateful for Brett Favre. And I’m grateful God’s answered my prayers so that man can pass some pigskin. I didn’t like how he was treated.
And I’m grateful for the gifts of God. I’ve yet to meet a man who has more gifts than I have. God’s given me everything. And I’ve never met a man who was more undeserving. I haven’t worked for it, earned it, or deserved it. But I recognize it. And I’m grateful.
Oh and I’m grateful for the sweater vest.
Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends. Thank you for being my friends.
Posted in Friendship, Humor, Life, Personal, Random Thoughts, Relationships, Roman Catholicism | Tagged About Me, Catholic, Culture, Friends, Friendship, Humor, Life, People, Personal, Random Thoughts, Roman Catholicism, Thanksgiving | Leave a Comment »
November 26, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
I went into a major supermarket on the day before Thanksgiving. I know – risky huh? I bought one item. I thought you’d enjoy seeing the world’s record for the least ever spent at a major supermarket the day before Thanksgiving. Yeah, it can be done. I’ve shot the snap. Here’s the receipt. Now – on to Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster…
Oh I don’t mind shopping. I live by two grocery stores: Lunds & Whole Foods. Lunds is very pricey. I’d just as soon buy from a less expensive store – but I boycott Whole Foods. I hate the duplicity of the place. I’ve boycotted it for years. I can’t fathom why they have a parking lot there. Isn’t the emission from the cars contradicting the whole idea of green and organic? Nothing more organic than leg power. And the idea of livestock grown without chemicals – is there a secret source of water or air that I’m not aware of? I mean didn’t the car driven to the grocery store just put chemicals into the air that those chickens and cows breathe? Get my point? There’s no wisdom in all that.
It’s like pro-lifers who support the war. Don’t stick your toe off the curb man – march in the Goddamned street. Stand for a principle or not. I don’t give a shit either way – I just hate duplicity and half-assed. Yesterday I saw a sign on a SUV: “Attack Iraq? NO!” Okay where in the name of Christ do they think they’re getting the gasoline for that big-ass car? People use these causes and principles so they can feel inclusion with some sciolistically smug ideology that purports there is intellectual superiority associated with liberal causes. And conservatives claim some sort of moral superiority with their conservative causes. When in fact, neither side actually puts their testicles on the table and stands for the principle. Mother Teresa said, “give until it hurts.” I say – you have a cause – stand for it even when it costs you friends, family, cash, and community.
Posted in Culture, Environment, Marketing, Personal, Politics, Random Thoughts, Roman Catholicism | Tagged Conservatism, Culture, Environment, Food, Green, Liberalism, Life, Lunds, Marketing, Media, Opinion, Organic, Organic Foods, Personal, Politics, Random Thoughts, Spirituality, Theology, Whole Foods | Leave a Comment »
November 24, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
I’m straddling the line between exhaustion and exhilaration. Considering my encroaching desperation, I’m strangely optimistic. So, I’m embracing possibility. I haven’t a single fact to support it, but it seems the most sensible and sagacious decision of my life. If I have to live shallow-breathed, then it might as well be because I’ve surrounded my heart with hope.
Posted in Life, Personal | Tagged About Me, Life, Personal, Random Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
November 22, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
I accept that all men are created equally.
The hands of God forms them.
The breath of God fills them.
I believe hatred is a deformity.
It unforms the likeness and image of God.
Hatred is the desecration of His creation.
I had imagined men to be noble. I had sought to be liked.
I sought an alike.
I tried to inform.
I tried to reform.
I sought a uniform.
I recreated myself and participated in their recreations.
I saw hatred where love should live.
I saw that kindness was as absent in men’s hearts as toes were inside my shoe.
I disliked their alike.
I tucked my unshed tears.
I gathered my broken heart.
I pivoted my damaged foot.
And I walked home alone.
Posted in Culture, Life, Personal, Relationships, Roman Catholicism | Tagged About Me, Catholic, Culture, Life, People, Personal, Relationships, Roman Catholicism, Spirituality, Theology | Leave a Comment »
November 22, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
Every man is conservative. It just depends what he wants to keep.
I’ve never met a liberal who was tolerant of a differing opinion.
Posted in Culture, Life, Politics, Random Thoughts | Tagged Culture, Life, People, Politics, Random Thoughts, Relationships | 2 Comments »
November 21, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
Two things:
Edith Piaf is one of my favorite singers. I listen to her often. I could claim it’s our shared ethnicity that attracts me. But that’s not true. I love her passion. This week I watched the film “La Vie En Rose.” I thought it was hollow. But it reminded me of her arthritic hands and her balled fists.
Each day I take three small walks around my block. My diabetic foot seems to draw towards my knee if I don’t stretch it with a stroll. I’m humiliated each time I pace the pavement because it’s such a limited space. Yesterday I was in intense pain as I plotted around the periphery. I prayed with each pounce. The pain was intense. I considered taking something for the pain but I try to tolerate the ache. As a realistic diabetic I know that more pain-filled days await me, so I try to pace myself with pain pills. As of now, I take nothing but one aspirin a day. I manage my diabetes with diet and exercise – well, if I can count three small strolls around my block as exercise – and I know that insulin and a pain management plan are as certain in my future as stooped shoulders and shuffling shoes. Yesterday I walked with soundless and concealed tears. I was in intense pain. I prayed the Hail Mary with each step and offered my pain for the forgiveness of my sins. I used to count the Rosary on my fingers, but yesterday I forced my fists into balls to refrain my eyes from bawling. I thought of Edith Piaf. I realized her stance and gestures were more a nod to her pain than her performance.
Last night my buddy invited me to his house for beers and a bonfire. I can’t call him a buddy anymore, Geoff is now my friend. We sat around his bonfire until the autumnal air forced us inside. We talked about biking and my history of exercise and my limited movements. He asked to see my foot. Without care or concern, I shucked my shoe and rolled down my sock. I looked at my limb and I saw my foot through my friend’s eyes. Geoff was kind and caring and didn’t show discomfort at his view.
I reviewed my foot.
I’m used to seeing it. I’ve gotten used to gratitude for its use. Each morning I place a mirror under my foot and I examine it from toe to heel. I’m accustomed to the sight. Last night I saw that it is mangled and misshapened. It is ugly. I looked at my foot and I realized I’m crippled. Geoff is not the first person who has seen my foot – women have seen my foot many times. But shame guides my showing when I roll down my sock in front of a love. Last night I didn’t feel ashamed as I revealed the amputations. Until I exhibited it.
And then I felt humiliated.
Last night my shame balled my hurt into a fist and punched my pride. And although it wasn’t a performance, I’m still shamed by my show.
My French is as limited as my steps, and yet I sing along with “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.” I have too many regrets to sing more than the rote. This morning I thought about some of my regrettables. When I was younger, I’d tell myself: “At least I have my pride.” This morning I realized that I’m not at my least anymore; I’m at my most.
From this moment on:
This is the most foot I will retain. This is the most eyesight I will have. This is the most active I can be. I’ve faced that. I can live with that. For now, I can be happy most of the time.
I’ve lived most of my life as a two-fisted man. I’ve grabbed and grasped and grappled. I will live the rest of my life with two fists. I can handle that. I’ll be grateful to Almighty God for giving me the fortitude to endure. I will offer up my pain in petition for fortitude and in contrition for my sins. How many feet does a man need when his obligations require him to spend his life on his knees?
I will withstand. I will stand with God. I may only have one and one part of a foot, but I will endure and I will be grateful. It’s the least I can do and the most I can give.
Posted in Healthcare, Personal, Random Thoughts | Tagged About Me, Catholic, Diabetes, Personal, Random Thoughts, Roman Catholicism, Spirituality, Theology | Leave a Comment »
November 21, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
There are only two types of people in the world:
Those who seek to obtain.
Those who seek to attain.
One is discontented without the contents.
One is contented within the context.
Posted in Culture, Life, Random Thoughts, Relationships | Tagged Culture, Life, People, Random Thoughts, Relationships | Leave a Comment »
November 18, 2009 by Mark R. Trost
Here’s what I want to know this morning:
If women resent the fact that men often require women to be their sexual vibrator, then why are women often insistent that men are their emotional vibrator? If a man is self-centered to require a woman to fulfill his sexual needs, why is a women not considered equally as self-centered to require a man to fulfill her emotional needs? Why does a woman require a man to be emotionally available for her and yet resent the fact when he asks her to be sexually available for him?
Where’s the equity?
Posted in Culture, Life, Male Point of View, Random Thoughts, Relationships | Tagged Arguments, Break-ups, Couple, Couples, Courtship, Culture, Dating, Divorce, Ex-Girlfriends, Life, Male Behavior, Male Point of View, Marriage, Men & Women, Men vs Women, People, Relationships, Sex | 2 Comments »
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