Category Archives: writing

Opening paragraphs of ALMOST A DEAD MAN

March 20, 2025 – 12:17 pm

Hamburg 1982 The scurry of claws across the filthy floor startled the woman on the battered chair and she lifted her black stiletto heels in horror. Rats were the least of her problems. Over the phone her lover had suggested a nocturnal rendezvous on Kaiserkai. No one came to Hamburg’s harbor at night. The woman […]

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Lady Snowblood (1973) 修羅雪姫 – Movie Trailer – Far East Films

February 21, 2025 – 10:23 am

From ALMOST A DEAD MAN The casino at Hamburg’s Hotel-Intercontinental was quiet on weekday afternoons. The only action was a solo woman at the roulette table and a Japanese businessman playing baccarat. The head executive in a Savile Row suits displayed no emotion, as his fingers slashed down like samurai sword to take a hit. […]

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A MOTHER’S LAST WISH by Peter Nolan Smith

May 13, 2023 – 10:39 am

After Christmas 1997 my mother entered the final stages of her battle with cancer. These last rounds were not a pretty site, but her beauty remained intact to the end. Several days after the New Year my mother held my hand and said, “I’m so happy I made Christmas.” “Me too.” I thought about John […]

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The End of NORTH NORTH HOLLYWOOD by Peter Nolan Smith (unpublished)

March 27, 2023 – 7:31 pm

PAGE 291 Their lovemaking lasted until midnight. They showered together and packed their bags. They didn’t have much. Vanessa locked the door to her friend’s bungalow. She sat in the passenger seat and Sean got behind the wheel on the Lemans. They bought coffee at a 7/11 on Ventura Boulevard. Sean restarted the engine. “You […]

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12:09PM Prosecco High Noon

June 18, 2022 – 1:19 am

In 1970 Xaverian-Westwood High School was all-boy. I was a math major. My foreign language was German. Typing 101 was for football players. Our team was State Champs. 9-0 in the Catholic Conference. Typing 101 class was taught by a woman instead of a black robed brother. Every student was male. I took Creative Writing […]

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