Damn!!!! Hooked in the first chapter! I love how your narrator isn’t shy about his role as the storyteller, explicitly telling us about “the story”, feels casual like someone recounting it around a dinner table. The hook sunk in deep with the loosening tooth metaphor and then secured itself when Lefty scar-dreamed Kelly’s maze. So freaking smart.
Exciting start! Two characters I already care about. And this sentence is what grabbed me most of all: “He wouldn’t understand until many years later that he was wandering through a maze of her invention.” What could it mean?!
This is fantastic! I'm so excited to join this party, Ben. Your dialogue is top notch, and I'm smitten with the narrator. Totally drawn in to the characters- like slipping into warm water.
Thank you, Kate. Yeah those Passing Strangers sketches helped a lot. I’m so glad you’re here. To have a fiction writer with your talent read my work is the highest praise.
Really enjoying the way you’ve chosen to frame this. Of course, I’m hooked. Wondering who the narrator is and not too worried whether I’ll ever find out I’m just so absorbed in the story. There are many breathtaking images and phrases, this one is a standout: “The images would fade, but not in the way dreams do. They would fade as scars disappear, absorbed and assimilated.”
Thank you, Julie. I’m happy the story has piqued your interest. I feel really good about this one. After a couple of weeks of being in production mode, this morning, I finally had time to settle back into writing the endgame. I think it’s gonna be really satisfying.
Much like everyone else, I'm hooked. The visuals you're painting are SO alive in my mind. I'm very excited to see where you and your menagerie are going to take us...
I have been really looking forward to this new novel, couldn't believe — read so annoyed — every time I had a moment to listen I was disturbed but woah! you have drawn me in from the very beginning Ben! Not that I doubted you would....
I too love the way this is sewn together, the mystery of who the narrator is, and Kelly, I feel her pain as a tortured artist already.
Hi Susie, thank you so much. This is going to be a fun ride together. I’ve longed to have this kind of community of writers who elevate each other’s work.
I like the kind of cheeky narrator, this stayed with me: "Besides, the truth is always somewhere in between, so I will tell that version. I’m an expert at the in-between."
And also, same as Julie, "“The images would fade, but not in the way dreams do. They would fade as scars disappear, absorbed and assimilated.” I suppose this is what we hope for our art, right? That it ultimately becomes part of who sees it or experiences it even if/when they forget about it.
Great start, Ben! You know I am so curious about what Lefty saw in Kelly's notebook........ I feel like this could go in a million possible directions, including (possibly?) a supernatural one like Departures, it's that rich.
Damn!!!! Hooked in the first chapter! I love how your narrator isn’t shy about his role as the storyteller, explicitly telling us about “the story”, feels casual like someone recounting it around a dinner table. The hook sunk in deep with the loosening tooth metaphor and then secured itself when Lefty scar-dreamed Kelly’s maze. So freaking smart.
Thank you, Kimberly. You and Julie keep me going. It wouldn’t be a party without y’all. There’s so much more to come.
“Scar-dreamed” 🥰
Exciting start! Two characters I already care about. And this sentence is what grabbed me most of all: “He wouldn’t understand until many years later that he was wandering through a maze of her invention.” What could it mean?!
Hi Stephanie, so glad you turned up for this, and at the start this time! And yes, what could that line mean?! Time will tell...
Yes I’m so pumped to be joining in real time this time!
This is fantastic! I'm so excited to join this party, Ben. Your dialogue is top notch, and I'm smitten with the narrator. Totally drawn in to the characters- like slipping into warm water.
Hi Kendall, I’m so glad you made your way here. Welcome and thank you for reading and commenting. It means everything.
I'm so delighted that friends are sharing word of your work like a yellow brick road leading me here! What a gift.
And we’re off. I’m in already!
This narrator’s fantastic. And I love the five-year gap between meeting and what comes next.
Yay! So glad you’re here. It’s so fun to see everyone rolling in who joined me last time. It’s like gathering at base camp.
Oh I'm excited. Like these characters a lot! No doubt from all that character sketch work you've been doing.
Thank you, Kate. Yeah those Passing Strangers sketches helped a lot. I’m so glad you’re here. To have a fiction writer with your talent read my work is the highest praise.
Really enjoying the way you’ve chosen to frame this. Of course, I’m hooked. Wondering who the narrator is and not too worried whether I’ll ever find out I’m just so absorbed in the story. There are many breathtaking images and phrases, this one is a standout: “The images would fade, but not in the way dreams do. They would fade as scars disappear, absorbed and assimilated.”
Thank you, Julie. I’m happy the story has piqued your interest. I feel really good about this one. After a couple of weeks of being in production mode, this morning, I finally had time to settle back into writing the endgame. I think it’s gonna be really satisfying.
Much like everyone else, I'm hooked. The visuals you're painting are SO alive in my mind. I'm very excited to see where you and your menagerie are going to take us...
Hey, friend I was hoping you might turn up for this one. Thank you for being here. Now I feel like we can begin.
I'm so excited. The music is awesome, too, as I'm sure you know 👌
Gripping rhythm and control out of the gate.
Thanks for reading, Adam.
I have been really looking forward to this new novel, couldn't believe — read so annoyed — every time I had a moment to listen I was disturbed but woah! you have drawn me in from the very beginning Ben! Not that I doubted you would....
I too love the way this is sewn together, the mystery of who the narrator is, and Kelly, I feel her pain as a tortured artist already.
Hi Susie, thank you so much. This is going to be a fun ride together. I’ve longed to have this kind of community of writers who elevate each other’s work.
Oh my god. Already addicted. I have been looking forward to this so much and the first chapter did not disappoint.
Thank you, Emily! So glad you’re in.
Yep, hooked :)
I like the kind of cheeky narrator, this stayed with me: "Besides, the truth is always somewhere in between, so I will tell that version. I’m an expert at the in-between."
And also, same as Julie, "“The images would fade, but not in the way dreams do. They would fade as scars disappear, absorbed and assimilated.” I suppose this is what we hope for our art, right? That it ultimately becomes part of who sees it or experiences it even if/when they forget about it.
Hi Sara, it’s great to see you’re joining us for this one. As an artist I think you’ll find the arc of Kelly particularly fascinating.
Glad to be here! I find her character fascinating already - can't wait to get to know her better.
Oooo! I didn't even think of that, but what a great aspiration -- that our art has this effect on people. Yes.
Beautiful in its casual engagement Ben; I love the interdisciplinary format too.
Thanks for reading, Amantine.
Really great start. The audio is top notch too.
Thank you for subscribing, Dot. I’m glad you’re here.
Great intro - I already care about these characters and want to know their story; wonderful music and narration too!
Yay, thank you, Rose! I’m happy you’re joining us.
Beautifully done! And thank you for including the podcast.
Hi Shannon, so glad you’re coming along for this one.
Great start, Ben! You know I am so curious about what Lefty saw in Kelly's notebook........ I feel like this could go in a million possible directions, including (possibly?) a supernatural one like Departures, it's that rich.