Hi, my name is Mort and I’m a “one-hit wonder.”
Last year, my story in the Times of Israel (TOI), “The Last Jew in Vinnitsa” received 5,720 shares.
Yes, you read that right—5,720 shares.
Yes, 5,720 people shared my story with their friends.
Instantaneously, TOI awarded me the coveted title—“One-Hit Wonder” and a certificate.
A parade of honors marched with me onto the pages of The Times of Israel.
“The Last Jew in Vinnitsa” made:
TOI‘s top five blog list (Popular Blogs).
TOI placed my name on their 20 POPULAR BLOGGERS LIST twenty-eight (28) times.
“The Last Jew in Vinnitsa” was given FEATURED POST status.
TOI twice added “The Last Jew in Vinnitsa” to their “Weekly Highlights” post.
Even Wikipedia Russia footnoted the my story in its article about the photograph.
Last year my readers, in the Comments Section of my blog, asked the following questions:
Q: Have any of your new stories beaten your 5,720 record?
A: I’m sorry to say, “I wasn’t even close.”
Q: How does it feel to be a one-hit wonder?
A: It’s quite sad. But I don’t cry. I’ve learned to live with the pain.
Q. How do you live with the shame?
A. It hurts, but I have lived with failure before.
Q: Can you write another story as good as “The Last Jew in Vinnitsa?”
A: I’m not sure, but I’m still trying.
Q: Has your TOI audience abandoned you?
A: Thankfully, they have not.
Q: Have you ever done any psychological research on why people share your posts?
A:Yes. The results showed that my readers have high IQs, love well-written stories that make them laugh and cry and they even enjoy a satire every once in a while.
Q: Has your small ego become obsessed with the number of shares you get on TOI?
A: Yes. I am 100% obsessed. My ass is epoxied to my computer chair and my eyes are glued to my desktop. From the moment I wake till I call it a day, I look to see if my shares are rising. Are you being sarcastic about my “small ego?”
Q: How have your other stories done?”
A. As you will see, my stories received lots of shares:
“Boy with Raised Hands” —356;
“Have You Ever Wondered Why Some People Think Jews Are Paranoid”—242;
“Tonight Is Going To Be A Good Night” —229;
“Listen To Bernie’s Words”—153;
“The Hanukkah Bunny”—144 shares;
“Pesach in the Time of Corona Virus” —129;
“A Prayer for all Courageous Knights”—115;
“Hamsa”—108 shares.
Note to Reader: If you haven’t read these stories, they are all available on my Times of Israel blog.
Twenty-eight (28) of my seventy-two (72) published short stories rose above 50 shares.
Note to Reader: Not all stories are intended to get shares. For example, some stories are written just to educate the reader about the blogger.
Q. Are you still a correspondent for the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel Jewish Journal?
A. Yup and fourteen (14) of my short stories have appeared on their pages but who is counting.
Well, that’s it folks.
The yearly update that I promised you has come to an end.
Stay healthy, safe and happy.
Protect yourself and your loved ones.
And don’t forget to share my stories.
