By robyn corum
| Author Notes |
Author's Notes:
Noir = a genre of crime film or fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity. Pronounced: nwar |
By robyn corum
Bob was a Mastery
of crime
who dazzled me time
after time
Cleve was called on the case
and no time did he waste
as Bett's sister lay buried in lime
Bob, a great mastery
of prose
where his gift came, well God
only knows
He went falling up stairs
a few scars he did bear
but a good life only he could have chose
Dear Bob gave excellent
advice
I never made the same
mistake twice
His reviews, always fair
many tips he would share
now he rests in the arms of our Christ
| Author Notes | I will miss him dearly. |
By robyn corum
Bob Hartson (Mastery) was an illustrious author and a mentor to a number of FanStory members. I was deeply saddened to hear that he passed away. My prayer was that he would survive his difficult illness, and that he and his family would be blessed by the mercies of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hoped that he would continue doing what he loved -- writing -- and return to us, posting, reviewing and replying.
But sadly, that was not to be. We all have our time, and his time seems to have come too soon. My prayer now is that his family and friends will be blessed by both the comfort and mercies of Jesus Christ, Our Savior; Our Almighty Father God; and the Holy Spirit, Our Comforter.
Although we were not especially close, I had a lot of respect and admiration for Bob. In June, Raffaelina Lowcock (Ralf) did a book review on his memoir, Falling Up the Stairs. I was so intrigued that I purchased it for myself, on Amazon. Although I never thought I would have time to read it in the near future, I began to do so out of curiosity, and then I could hardly put it down.
While the book was based upon his own early experiences, and not literally an autobiography, I am sure it depicted his struggles in a very authentic manner. And so, I can't help but feel that the pen name he chose, "Mastery," reflected not only the hallmarks of his accomplishment in writing, his chosen craft, but his ability to prevail amid the misfortunes that came his way, unbidden, and amid which he became a stronger person as he grew into an individual of character and integrity.
***
MY BOOK REVIEW ON AMAZON:
| Author Notes |
I thought about promoting a chapter or two of "Santa's Diary," because I think it's so sweet, and I wanted to encourage people to read it, but I decided against the promotion. It might present an awkward situation because some people might not be aware that he is deceased and expect answers to their reviews. It wouldn't be a good way for them to find out.
The best thing is just to let people know that this enjoyable book is still available to read (for free!) and helps people get to know Bob a little better. At the time it was posted, it got many hundreds of reviews for just seventeen chapters. |
By robyn corum
Far beyond tomorrow, when grief's hold will cease to be,
I shall always treasure what your friendship meant to me.
Your kind and honest praise always carried me along
Quests I took to write of life with my poetic songs.
Though I never met you, I had always thought we could;
You lived not too far from my sweet haven in the woods.
Life, at times, seemed overwhelmed by Mother Nature's snow.
Then you'd write,"Stay safe. Relax. Just take it with the flow."
I adored your novels of noir fiction most sublime;
All the while I dabbled with my biographic rhymes.
"Never sell yourself too short, Diane," you'd often say;
Hopeful words encouraged me, and always made my day.
Nevermore to hear your voice again across this state;
Echoes will reverberate in poems I shall create.
Sleep in peace, belov-ed scribe, no sorrow or regret.
Mastery, you'll always be a friend I'll not forget.
By robyn corum
| Author Notes | Many thanks to avmurray for the lovely artwork. |
By robyn corum
Along my trek through the landscape of Fanstory
I met Cleve Hawkins unravelling the mysteries
Caring for his homeless friend
and romancing his lady love.
my heart lingered upon the travails of a young boy
tossed from one foster home to another
his little joys and greater pains
to find his feet on this earth.
His creative time over, the artist has taken a bow
applauding fans and friends would for ever cherish
his warmth and kindness to his fellow Fanstorians
Bob, you'll always be remembered for your mastery.
| Author Notes |
He was always there in the home page for so long.. His leaving is quite depressing.
I feel sad specially because he could not finish his novel. |
By robyn corum
Bob was on this site for many years and he was popular by most. He is well remembered for his book, 'Falling Up The Steps', which was indeed very well written.
He didn't have a great start in life, but he managed to excell, particulary in his writing.
I just wanted to add those few words to his memory, and that my thoughts are with his family in their time of mourning.
Rest in peace, Bob. Ulla:)
By robyn corum
When I look back on mentors here,
One man's advice rings loud and clear.
"Use verbs, more verbs, then more," he'd say.
Wise words I use until this day.
For Bob just knew which words would work;
His heroes rout and villains lurk.
Cleve Hawkins cracked the murder crimes.
While Santa cheered at Christmas times.
For me, I'll miss our Mastery,
Who helped this poet wannabe.
| Author Notes | I felt so privileged to watch Bob's books take shape and looked forward to his weekly chapters. He was kind to share his talents with us all those years, and we are blessed to have known him. |
By robyn corum
I first became aware of Bob as I read of his traumatic life as a foster child. I grew to think of Bob as though he were a member of my family. Things that angered or hurt him, angered and hurt me as well. I have gotten pretty old since I started reading Bob's work, but I remember a short story I am fairly certain that Bob wrote. It was about a group of foster kids who went to live at some type of dormitory. There was one boy who was picked on without letup or mercy. I really began to feel pity for the boy. At the end of the story the boy says with pride, just wait until they see me in my brand-new Nazi uniform. I was blown away. The takeaway for me was, many people we consider to be monsters, start life out as normal people who are shaped and formed by life's experiences. Bob was a true genius at writing stories that made you sit up and take notice.
| Author Notes | I will certainly never forget this wonderful writer/friend/mentor. The shocking news of his untimely death shocked me to my very core. In fact I have not yet gotten over the shock I felt at hearing this unwelcome news. |
By robyn corum
| Author Notes |
I wish I could have told my longtime friend
just how I valued all he did for me, but now it is too late, and I must send my thoughts to where he sails Forever's sea. On July 8, 2021, Robert Hartson (Mastery) relinquished his earthly home to enter his heavenly one, but left behind many accomplishments in both word and deed, and countless friends who will miss him greatly. |
By robyn corum
I have been a beneficiary of much help and advice and friendship of our dear departed friend and fellow FS'er Bob Hartson.
I appreciate this opportunity to recognize a long time of his help with my writing.
Bob Hartson was one of the main ones that always wanted me to get into fiction writing. I did start one piece of fiction but alas it is still in my files, incomplete. Bob will never see it now.
I wanted to buy more of his books but the exchange rate between our two countries made it so hard in the conversion rate between our dollars. But I do have a tome or two of his in my Kindle account I can always go back and read again to remember him. I am so sorry we never got to finish his latest Cleve Hawkins treasure. I wonder if someone might be able to take that up but sadly it won't be in Bob's very expressive, descriptive storytelling style.
I am so glad to have found this place to remember a good friend. I hope to see him in Glory, someday, as Bob professed to know my Saviour, as well.
He has joined Michael Cahill, Charley Lewis, Dean Kuch, Phyllis Stewart and some other ladies and gents I knew in this place and are with my Saviour, now. God Bless you, Mastery - Bob Hartson. We will miss you greatly on this side.
| Author Notes | So pleased to have found the "Multi-Author" option. Maybe now I can go back to some others I wanted to tribute. Picture is Bob and his four completed books. I now have them all on Kindle. They were not available before because of some quirk between American Amazon and Aus Amazon. |
By robyn corum
Cleve Hawkins' world of chiselers and cops,
muggs and pugs and friends in some flops,
gunsels with grit and fink lollipops,
all found a home with Bob.
Dames and twists, bimbos and molls,
jaspers and stoolies, pimps in pool halls,
crooners and hoofers, and what one recalls,
all found a home with Bob.
Our shamus was famous with bulls and hacks,
known by cuckoos and floozies, pikers and sacks,
now they have moved, and those are the facts,
gone to a new home -- with Bob.
| Author Notes |
Image from Bob*s site.
Chiseler - crook cops - police mugg - bad man pug - henchman flop - cheap place to sleep gunsel - hired gun fink - double-crosser lollipop - spineless dame- woman twist - girl on the side bimbo - easy woman moll - gangster girlfriend jasper - man stools - informer pimp - rents out women crooner - singer hoofer - dancer shamus - detective bull - cop hack - cab driver/ informants cuckoo - nut floozy - easy woman piker - crook sacks - liars |
By robyn corum
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| Author Notes |
Picture from the book jacket found on Amazon.
Mastery was special to me. He was always courteous and encouraging in his reviews. He created a memorable character in Cleve, and his "Falling Up the Stars" was a story I couldn't forget. We can grateful for the 16 years he spent on FanStory, and fans will continue to appreciate his contributions. Great writers never die. |
By robyn corum
When Mastery was writing Falling up the Stairwell many years ago, I mentioned I believed the story to be more autobiographical than he had let on. He private messaged that I was very intuitive. It marked the beginning of a rich friendship between us.
Whenever Bob reviewed any of my writings, I knew I could depend on it being both honest and supportive. Bob always made suggestions to improve one's writing, not to tear it down or to prove his writing superiority. He wanted everyone to be the best writer he/she could be.
Bob was both a sympathetic and empathetic friend. He did not hesitate to share personal stories from his life if he thought they would help me deal with issues in my life. Several times I left Fanstory for long periods of time. He was always one of the first to welcome me back. He would also ask if I planned to hang around when I returned.
Bob and I exchanged copies of some of our books. I will always keep his personal messages close to my heart. More than that, I will always cherish our friendship.
Godspeed, my friend, Mastery. My life was made better through knowing you.
| Author Notes | I just learned that my wonderful Fanstory friend, Mastery, died on July 8th. I will miss him terribly. A special thanks to avmurray for "Hymn at the End of the Journey." |
By robyn corum
When Bob arrived on the writing scene, many FanStory members immediately
recognized him as being a very special and talented person. I first connected with him
not long after I initially joined our writing community circa 2005.
I returned after having dropped out for several years, and Bob turned out to be one of my
first contacts and we became friends once more.
His presence is grievously missed by fellow poets and prose writers. Bob's detective stories
are first rate, and it was a thrill to discover his work was being published as a series--
an uplifting accomplishment giving hope to other FanStorians trying to be recognized
in the publishing world.
Bob shared his early childhood experiences in another published book, FALLING UP
THE STAIRS, telling about his terrible treatment in several foster homes; and it
raises great admiration in readers who have learned how much he was able to
overcome.
Bob is a shining star
in a galaxy
of stellar writers.
Rest in peace, my friend.
|
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