Haunting story, Ben. It's a lovely metaphor for any multifaceted creative life - how to find that balance of passion to create with simply being human (family, friendships). Which is explored movingly in that film, "The Turning Point," about the two ballerinas, one who chose family and the other who chose to dance. What we must sacrifice if we can't find a balance of both. . . . Now I wonder if "MM" is Kelly's daughter . . . hmmm.
Ummm, no comment. 🤐 Thanks for being here, Julie. I’ve not seen the movie but the srt up sounds very similar to my first novel, Rewind Playback. Just substitute dancers for musicians.
So mysterious Ben. I’m scratching my chin…so not everyone can feel/see/know themselves through Kelly’s paintings, huh. And those that can, it’s almost a kind of completion or returning to something they’d lost. And what that has to do with her story about the clockmaker? Ahhhh…I need to sit with this a bit!
Oh this is a tricksy chapter! Marabelle Mudd perhaps. Been thinking it must be M.Mudd for a little while! I felt more empathy for Lefty in this chapter. I understood his conflict but honestly I was with Kelly and I would have wanted to run away too. But she needed to run and to come back a butterfly.
I’m liking the flow into a dramatic text. Have you ever written a play? So many art forms for you to investigate, Ben. I was inspired to write a play after reading Hermione Lee’s biography of Tom Stoppard (!!!). Have yet to do it though…
I really enjoyed this chapter, finding out more about Kelly and getting maybe an inkling into who this mysterious MM might be... I too believe Julie may be on to something ;)
I also found the clockmaker story fascinating and tragic. Trying to find this balance between life and art is hard.
I feel these conversations with MM, although you give away few clues Ben, are too personal to be just a reporter or journalist. And given Kelly's leaning towards privacy I am not sure she would divulge so much of herself to such a person anyway... Julie is definitely onto something!
This and the first conversation with MM both felt as though Kelly was at last able to speak, there is still a hesitancy to her, almost as if she is learning through the enigma of herself and her paintings...
You all may very well be on to something. In a couple of chapters it will be clear. Thank you for being such a dedicated and thoughtful reader, Susie. I can’t tell you how much it means to me for these characters to occupy space in your beautiful brain each week.
I loved the Kelly’s description of having left LA as a crawling caterpillar and returning as a butterfly. Also how she’d changed physically and come into being who she was. Magical!!
Haunting story, Ben. It's a lovely metaphor for any multifaceted creative life - how to find that balance of passion to create with simply being human (family, friendships). Which is explored movingly in that film, "The Turning Point," about the two ballerinas, one who chose family and the other who chose to dance. What we must sacrifice if we can't find a balance of both. . . . Now I wonder if "MM" is Kelly's daughter . . . hmmm.
Ummm, no comment. 🤐 Thanks for being here, Julie. I’ve not seen the movie but the srt up sounds very similar to my first novel, Rewind Playback. Just substitute dancers for musicians.
Yes!! Julie I have this same feeling!
Ooh this theory is good!
So mysterious Ben. I’m scratching my chin…so not everyone can feel/see/know themselves through Kelly’s paintings, huh. And those that can, it’s almost a kind of completion or returning to something they’d lost. And what that has to do with her story about the clockmaker? Ahhhh…I need to sit with this a bit!
It’s all very mysterious. There was no plan, until the plan revealed itself. 🙃
…I think Julie might be onto something!
Oh this is a tricksy chapter! Marabelle Mudd perhaps. Been thinking it must be M.Mudd for a little while! I felt more empathy for Lefty in this chapter. I understood his conflict but honestly I was with Kelly and I would have wanted to run away too. But she needed to run and to come back a butterfly.
Tricksy indeed. Thanks for reading, Emily.
True about true stories :)
I’m liking the flow into a dramatic text. Have you ever written a play? So many art forms for you to investigate, Ben. I was inspired to write a play after reading Hermione Lee’s biography of Tom Stoppard (!!!). Have yet to do it though…
I know, and so few hours in the day! Thanks for reading and commenting, Kate.
I really enjoyed this chapter, finding out more about Kelly and getting maybe an inkling into who this mysterious MM might be... I too believe Julie may be on to something ;)
I also found the clockmaker story fascinating and tragic. Trying to find this balance between life and art is hard.
Oh and... Poland? :)
Yes, I thought of you, Sara when I picked Poland for the setting of this little vignette. Thank you for reading.
I feel these conversations with MM, although you give away few clues Ben, are too personal to be just a reporter or journalist. And given Kelly's leaning towards privacy I am not sure she would divulge so much of herself to such a person anyway... Julie is definitely onto something!
This and the first conversation with MM both felt as though Kelly was at last able to speak, there is still a hesitancy to her, almost as if she is learning through the enigma of herself and her paintings...
You all may very well be on to something. In a couple of chapters it will be clear. Thank you for being such a dedicated and thoughtful reader, Susie. I can’t tell you how much it means to me for these characters to occupy space in your beautiful brain each week.
I loved the Kelly’s description of having left LA as a crawling caterpillar and returning as a butterfly. Also how she’d changed physically and come into being who she was. Magical!!
Hi Sheri! Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying the story.