The Adventures of Downtown Oliver Brown

I don't get this stuff. Like someone mentioned before... is this supposed to have that same effect Entourage has on people? "I wish my life was like Vince's life!" That's what it feels like with the random mention of freebies and celebrity guests.

I gotta wrap up this comment because Barack Obama just stopped by my office. We're going to go shoot some hoops with Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

I've never watched Entourage but Oliver Brown is 90% real--so pay attention and you might really get to hang with some cool people one day instead of just fantasizing about it.

Is he supposed to come off as a pretentious jerk?

George, Oliver mentions that he lives in someone else's place (this adventure), feeds the homeless (last adventure), and writes bad checks because he's broke (first adventure) and you come away with the fact that he's pretentious how?

Am I the only one to think its slightly ironic that the featured character in this particular L.A. story is named after a guy who played for the Giants and the Padres but never for the Dodgers. At least name the character Guillermo Moreno in honor of Ollie's big brother, Willie, who played for both USC and the Los Angeles Rams.

Well, Entourage is based on Mark Wahlberg's real life. I'm not a big fan of the show though.

Anyway, I don't spend my time fantasizing about hanging out with male porn stars and Hollywood producers.

I don't really get these stories. The writing style seems unnatural, and like others have said, a bit pretentious.

For example:

"I plopped down on the modern, tan, mohair sofa..."

would be more effective if it were written as "I plopped down on the tan, modern sofa, and immediately felt the comfort of the Mohair fabric."

That way the sentence doesn't seem so forced, with long adjective sequences.

Another suggestion that might help with how this literature is received is to keep the redundancy to a minimum. Tell the reader the description in exposition or dialogue, but not both. For example, we already know Eric Everhard is a pornstar, then he repeats it verbally. A more effective way of conveying humor would have been something like "“Oliver, you know my job--how bad can life be?"

Just some (hopefully) constructive suggestions, in addition to the ones made previously about name dropping and bragging about free stuff--it does come off kinda braggy.

I think it's a great idea to add some realistic fiction to the site, and I'd hate to see the idea die out prematurely just as the series is still finding its tone.

Best of luck!

Oh come on guys.. Stan’s just having a little fun. I can attest to the fact that Oliver’s life is almost as filled with twist, turns, and oddly fascinating tidbits as Stan’s. His stories really do reflect certain aspects of downtown, and it’s plethora of interesting people. I will concede that I’m tired of being reminded I just turned 40!!! Hahaha.

I think it's getting better. I definitely want this to continue, it's fun to read a story about your hometown. I thought the first story made "Oliver" sound pretentious but the next two stories toned him down and even made him humane. I like it, keep it up.

And I always liek having Ralphs mentioned -an Mike. Yay!! :)

Andy, Oliver doesn't fantasize about hanging out with male porn stars or Hollywood producers--it's just a fact of life for him because he lives in this melting pot we call Downtown. And by the way Eric is one of the coolest guys in the neighborhood. The dude, the writing style seems a bit pretentious because it is. Oliver has failed in Hollywood so he over writes his stories to compensate. Think Brett Easton Ellis and read about Oliver on the sidebar. David, I'm glad you get it. And sorry about all the 40 jokes but technically you are now older than forty since your birthday was a few weeks ago!

Yeah, that was me; made the Entourage comment.

I'm okay with trying new things out on blogdowntown; but I cant get into this character at all.

Since a lot of us are history/arch buffs, how about downtown olive brown living in the 1930s in LA on spring st? How awesome would that be?

Oliver in the 1930's??? I think his name was James Oviatt and he was having some great sex parties in his penthouse with Albert Walker. How's that history buff?

And thus was conceived the Fine Arts Building.

Well, if it's supposed to sound pretentious, then it's succeeding immeasurably. If you're getting a good following for this series, that's great--I just know I have a hard time getting into pretentious characters unless they also display some sort of emotional vulnerability/insecurity to keep them "authentic" or are wickedly hilarious (think Celia Hodes from Weeds, Julie Cooper from The OC, Gabby Solis from Desperate Housewives). I guess I was hoping for something a little more relatable, but different strokes for different folks.

Good to know, though, that this isn't your writing Oliver's Stories, but Oliver's Stories as told/recorded by himself. That being the case, hopefully the next few installments will feature some sort of "comeuppance" or introspection to flesh Oliver out more and keep him from remaining a one-note and superficial caricature.

"I've never watched Entourage but Oliver Brown is 90% real--so pay attention and you might really get to hang with some cool people one day instead of just fantasizing about it."

Man, I hope LC comes into play soon, as downtown oliver is shopping at Ralphs! OMG!

Attention Downtowners: beware of lurking media breath! It is one of the most unfortunate afflictions one can contract.

"“I’m working on a script about a writer that moves Downtown to get away from the pretentious idiots in Hollywood…"

Be careful what you wish for.

Sorry gang I've been out Downtowning but here goes: Juanito, thus the Oviatt built was conceived. The dude, it's only been three blogs, give Oliver a chance...you'll find something in common. Ankur, you've actually stumped me "LC"? Purple Haze, I actually did take whatever drug you're on Thursday night and I'm still hurting. Bert Green, I lived north of Sunset and moved Downtown, got what I wished for, a story with a happy ending--so far!

Albert Walker and Percy Eisen architected the Fine Arts....

Stan, I did not make a comment to you directly, but to the character. I am curious why you feel the need to rebut every single comment. This is not about you personally, but about the story, as far as I can see. Chill out.

i have great respect for this man. anyone who gets out (& probably laid) as much as he does, is meritorious of my sincere admiration. a true "downtowner" keep it up!

Bert, I don't think of it as rebutting every comment--I love you guys. I just think it's a blast to dialogue with readers about a blog. Juanito, you're good, they did design the Fine Arts' Building, but the Fine Arts' Building was built before the Oviatt, so you see what I mean about what building was conceived where? Victor, the hard 8 lounge is an inspiration to all true downtowners...And even though Bert wants me to chill out, I'll be out again tonight watching football and eating happy hour treats.

If nothing else, this story is certainly getting a lot of attention. I hope you continue, Ive started to look forward to them. I don't watch tv so this is my fiction fix.

The story will continue because nobody should have to rely on tv for a fiction fix.

Scott Mercer writes:

This is a fantastically good idea because nobody publishes serialized written fiction anymore, except maybe comic books, but those are a whole different animal, what with the drawings and all. But it used to be that pulp magazines, mainstream magazines, and even newspapers, would publish serialized fiction all the time. The only remnants of this one-time staple of American culture are a few genre titles and the occasional "experiment."

If they can bring back serialized written fiction, maybe blogs are worthwhile after all!

Thanks Scott. Fiction, allows us to slice deeply in to the essence of humanity. In the case of Downtown much is written about the buildings, transportation, and social issues--Oliver is an attempt to write about the birth of the community itself.

POST SECRET: I open this Oliver Brown series ONLY to read the comments.

Oh this series makes me want to re-read my copies of Tales of the City, which I do love.

This series however, has that vague general vibe of someone living downtown, but honestly I think the overt name dropping and lack of back story hurt a bit. The characters read like no one I know downtown and I guess that's why I also have difficulty with it. Maybe it's a different LA in a different universe. =)

That's what is great about fiction.. things can be what you want them to be. Keep at it.. Perhaps the ball takes a bit to get rolling?

meekorouse, Downtown is different things to different people. Hopefully, Oliver will travel through several universes, including one that you distinctly recognize. As for the name dropping, Oliver is about people and places, so try to think of it as context.

Now that I've learned about Stan's Blog. I will BOLG forever. I do hope they'll bring some type of outdoor furniture back to starbucks on 11th & Grand. Sometimes their airconditioner is on so high, I feel like I'm at the north pole. Cheers