Letter 8

4/14/11
Dear Mom,

I really enjoyed visiting with you and Renelle today. I don't feel I'll need to eat for a couple of days now, I jammed in so many groceries compared to what I usually get.

My celly is all ready to get a letter from Augustus. I told him it is not for sure, but I get the idea I'm only talking to myself. I think it's great you're so willing to help with every part of my "time of trial."

On the other side of things, part of what I wasn't able to get across to you during the visit (per regulations I guess) was about the analogy I've made between singers and writers practicing/experimenting to find their best "voice." Maybe parallell would be the more correct term. Anyhow, so far what works best is first person retrospective style, with the narrative being "it could onlly happen to me" refinement. I don't actually know if that is best for all my writing, but so far it works and it's not good to argue with results, even though I don't have any yet.

I included some of my latest efforts for you to proof. Let me know what you think of it when you write back to me. I'm interested and I value your input about things. It is still a bit messy.

From the sad-but-true files: I know this is a place where the worst type of incorrigible, deviant multiple offenders are held, but that knowledge does nothing to replace my white laundry bag. No one knows where it could be, so I have to get another one. The thing is, I need to have one to turn in so I can get a new one. I don't know how to solve this problem.

Another comparison occurred to me just now. Between the voice I've used in talking and the one I use most often in writing compared to the biblical St. Paul. In no way do I mean to suggest I have attained the renown greatness of Paul, only that, by his own admission, he is different when in letters than he is in person. This tells me I need to polish up on my oratory skills so as to keep up with my writing.

Oh, in case I didn't actually send his name to you already, my celly's name is: _____________
I hope it works out that he has someone reliable to write to. He definitely has a tale to tell! Apparently, for about a decade after the last escape attempt they move him to a different prison every 30 days. So I listen when he talks. He's sort of an E.F. Hutton in that regard.

Well, I guess it's time for my Porky Pig impression: Th-th-th-, that's all folks! I'll write you again soon, Mom.

Much love and all my best,
James