Solitaire Stories by Andy Hoover | Podcast in RSS.com

Solitaire Stories by Andy Hoover

Solitaire Stories by Andy Hoover

di Andy Hoover

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Stagione 1

Swordfight Study No. 1 (Story #106)

This is a bit of an experimental one; I wanted to see how the Solitaire Stories system works when applied to a single "climactic" fight scene. In this one, a character known as the "Young Duke" squares off against his childhood friend, who is now a notorious (but perhaps heroically justified) "Outlaw". Who will emerge victorious from their rooftop clash? Be forewarned that this one has a somewhat (semi-comic) gore moment (of the sort one might expect in a closely-described life-or-death swordfight). It also has some grammatical confusion -- I kept switching between past and present tenses -- which, for a certain subset of listeners, might gross them out even more. On the whole, I'm not sure I'd call this "successful"... but I like the idea of applying the Solitaire Stories technique to more narrow purposes (scenes vs. stories,) and this was a fun (for me) attempt to do so. Enjoy!

Little Jed's Big Dumb Idea (Story #98)

This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 5/21/26. In this one, a young man recently hired by a lumber transport company tries to get in good with his bosses, a father-son team from whom he learns a great deal in a short time. Unfortunately, his sense of loyalty and morality is strained by a bone-headed scheme, and he soon finds himself an accomplice to a stupid sort of crime. Will his beloved, departed grandmother's advice see him safely through this crisis with his honor intact? Or is it all too late already?

Angler Bros. Swamp Tours, LLC (Story #93)

This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 5/14/26. In this one, an ambitious corporate lady commits to an idea-generating solo retreat in the wild and mysterious Banjothorn Swamps. So as to get a good feel for the region, she (or her company) engage with Angler Bros. Swamp Tours, LLC. Due to circumstances (i.e., the cards,) she ends up with the "wrong" brother... but he ends up being the right brother (in a way.) Enjoy!

Go Copperheads (Story #89)

This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 5/7/26. Per my notes, the synopsis is as follows: "A former collegiate tennis player who went on to professional glory but has since retired returns to his alma mater for the unveiling of his commemorative bronze bust. He hates the wretched thing, the way its eyes look, and the resulting emotions confuse and upset him, and drive him towards making some changes in his life." Mostly comedic, though it can be argued it has a bit of a downer ending (I think it's pretty ambiguous, though.) Enjoy!

The Slump (Story #85)

A first-person account of a fictional baseball team's terrible fictional August and miraculous fictional September. I ended up doing this one (semi-intentionally) as a bit more of a monologue than usual. I have a bit of a cold on top of that, so this one might sound a bit "off." I think it's an interesting one, though... it's somewhat ramshackle in structure and has a lot of digressions but perhaps you're into that sort of thing, in which case I salute you. Enjoy!

Earling Mortimer Impresses (Story #86)

This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 5/1/26. In this one, a bookish earling (like a princeling, but for earls) feels pressured to excel on a hunting weekend at the beautiful but dangerous estate of his father's political frenemy, Baron Elgin. The young nobleman performs surprisingly well in multiple ways, but there may be plots brewing in the shadows, and a certain sorrow building on his heart.

Week Eleven (Story #84)

This is the story I wrote on 4/28/26. From my notes, the synopsis is as follows: "Once upon a time (in like the 90's) two counselors fell in love at the (once) iconic and beloved sleep-away summer camp known as Camp Longfox. Now, decades later, their daughter arrives to see if she might be able to restore the mostly-abandoned camp to its former glory." This is sort of a love story, and includes an abrupt time jump... hopefully fans of one or both concepts will enjoy. So, enjoy!

Exploding Princess Arrows (Story #75)

This is the Solitaire Story that I wrote on 4/15/26. This one is a light fantasy tale, or at least as light as a story centering on the unexpected death of a mostly-beloved monarch is likely to get while still retaining some emotional truth (hopefully.) Come watch Crown Princess Emmalisa as she navigates a trying but not-entirely-sorrowful week, punctuated by unexpected banquets, sibling rivalry, and near-nightly explosions over Benevolence Harbor.

Danger's Kid Sister and the Cannibal's Son (Story #69)

This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 4/2/26. It's a love story featuring two hardworking entrepreneurs in the meatpacking/catering trade (for narrative convenience their professional roles are somewhat vaguely defined). Will a troubling rumor regarding one of their father's purportedly unsavory business practices scuttle this relationship before it even begins? (This one gets a little weird, but I would argue not that weird.) Content warning: rumors of cannibalism. Enjoy!

The Sullen Song and the Lucky Baby (Story #62)

This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 3/24/26. In this one, small-time, mostly-legit hustler with his fingers in a lot of local pies contemplates buying a boat. He gets a bit obsessed with the idea, in fact! Can his no-nonsense waitress girlfriend reel him in? How about the various carnies he employs? How about a retired Marine? How about the ocean itself?

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