Oh Ben, I feel so sad for Kelly and likewise shocked that she felt need to turn to online chats to fill the gap she felt in her life... the anonymity of Daydalia Lefty was so determined hold on to appears to be falling to pieces before his eyes? though I am not certain he realises it even now.
I feel the desperation …reading about being a better mom…we’ve probably all felt that sensation to some extent, seeking answers when there seem to be none. Heartfelt and authentic.
Heartbreaking. Bless her. And of course she was going go searching. Anonymity over insane exposure seems, to me anyway, like the obvious preference, but she’s still a human being… and she was so unprepared for motherhood! Even being human is a big ask for some of us, so bless her for trying her hardest at occupying one of the most real versions of it…
Writing Kelly’s many contradictions has been some of the most fun I’ve had in all my years of making stories. There’s something so freeing for me about allowing her to run with scissors.
This chapter brought me into Kelly’s character more than any previous. For example, line seems to give us so much insight into her: I don’t know if I ever want to work again but I don’t know what else I’m good for.” You get us up close to her struggle to balance her need to make art with her desire to be a “good” mom and wife. Her loneliness, from being unrecognized and unseen. The character development is really getting good.
Hi Stephanie! Makes me so happy when I see you jump in every few weeks to binge through the last few chapters. I'm glad Kelly is becoming real for you.
Gosh, this is heart wrenching. Interesting twist with Kelly engaging online with her fans, feeling a sliver of ownership through those interactions. I really want a happy ending but I fear this might be heading in a different direction.
Poor Kelly. You write her heartache so well. As always, I can’t wait to read what comes next. Or I should say listen to. I’m sure I’ve it many times. But your recordings are stellar, just absolute works of art in their own right.
I look forward to these chapters so much. (I would be posting on the chapters themselves, but I keep getting asked to create a profile. I’m subscribed, so I don’t know what Substack is doing.)
Thanks so much, Lyndsey. I had no idea you were reading along. I’m not sure what’s preventing you from commenting on other chapters. I don’t have it restricted to pay subscribers or anything like that.
I've read every one. I'm not sure what's been happening. I just followed the instructions and subscribed again--I was subscribed as I could see it. It's so odd. ANYWAY..I am loving this. We'll see what happens from here on out.
This is heartbreaking, Ben. The irreversible toll on the family, Kelly’s longing to be a “normal” family. Isn’t that human nature, to want what we don’t have? The pain of questioning sacrifices driven by a clear sense of purpose and the promise of a brilliant future. I feel Kelly’s confusion, her isolation and self-blame, that closed-in feeling of no way out. Bravo.
Oh Ben, my heart is breaking for them all. We make our choices not knowing how the world will turn and what might be the consequences, and sometimes they don’t even feel like they are choices, just things we’re meant to do… cannot wait for next week!
But you are an actual artist too Ben! Although I realise you mean drawing 😊 so much of the emotion and conundrums around art transfers between different types of creativity, I’m sure you feel that with music and writing. You do a brilliant job of articulating them all through these characters x
You’re right, I think all artists have a common struggle and similar motivations. How do you conjure something out of thin air and then once you have, what do you do with it?
Oh Ben, I feel so sad for Kelly and likewise shocked that she felt need to turn to online chats to fill the gap she felt in her life... the anonymity of Daydalia Lefty was so determined hold on to appears to be falling to pieces before his eyes? though I am not certain he realises it even now.
I know. You can never underestimate the lengths we humans will go to for validation. Thank you for being here, Susie.
I feel the desperation …reading about being a better mom…we’ve probably all felt that sensation to some extent, seeking answers when there seem to be none. Heartfelt and authentic.
Thanks, Kate. I’ve definitely felt this. There is no harder job than being a parent.
Heartbreaking. Bless her. And of course she was going go searching. Anonymity over insane exposure seems, to me anyway, like the obvious preference, but she’s still a human being… and she was so unprepared for motherhood! Even being human is a big ask for some of us, so bless her for trying her hardest at occupying one of the most real versions of it…
Writing Kelly’s many contradictions has been some of the most fun I’ve had in all my years of making stories. There’s something so freeing for me about allowing her to run with scissors.
This chapter brought me into Kelly’s character more than any previous. For example, line seems to give us so much insight into her: I don’t know if I ever want to work again but I don’t know what else I’m good for.” You get us up close to her struggle to balance her need to make art with her desire to be a “good” mom and wife. Her loneliness, from being unrecognized and unseen. The character development is really getting good.
Hi Stephanie! Makes me so happy when I see you jump in every few weeks to binge through the last few chapters. I'm glad Kelly is becoming real for you.
Also loved this line: “Her asking me implied that I have a choice, that there are other rooms to live in.”
Gosh, this is heart wrenching. Interesting twist with Kelly engaging online with her fans, feeling a sliver of ownership through those interactions. I really want a happy ending but I fear this might be heading in a different direction.
Well, the ending is not yet written so you still have some sway! 😉 Thanks for being here as always, Kimberly.
Poor Kelly. You write her heartache so well. As always, I can’t wait to read what comes next. Or I should say listen to. I’m sure I’ve it many times. But your recordings are stellar, just absolute works of art in their own right.
Thanks so much, friend. I’m so happy to see you show up each week no matter where you are out there on the open road.
Really intense!
I look forward to these chapters so much. (I would be posting on the chapters themselves, but I keep getting asked to create a profile. I’m subscribed, so I don’t know what Substack is doing.)
Thanks so much, Lyndsey. I had no idea you were reading along. I’m not sure what’s preventing you from commenting on other chapters. I don’t have it restricted to pay subscribers or anything like that.
I've read every one. I'm not sure what's been happening. I just followed the instructions and subscribed again--I was subscribed as I could see it. It's so odd. ANYWAY..I am loving this. We'll see what happens from here on out.
This is heartbreaking, Ben. The irreversible toll on the family, Kelly’s longing to be a “normal” family. Isn’t that human nature, to want what we don’t have? The pain of questioning sacrifices driven by a clear sense of purpose and the promise of a brilliant future. I feel Kelly’s confusion, her isolation and self-blame, that closed-in feeling of no way out. Bravo.
Thank you, Julie. There’s no suffering that feels so hopeless like that need to feel “normal.”
Oh Ben, my heart is breaking for them all. We make our choices not knowing how the world will turn and what might be the consequences, and sometimes they don’t even feel like they are choices, just things we’re meant to do… cannot wait for next week!
Thank you, thank you, Emily. It’s so rewarding to know that this story about an artist is landing so well with an actual artist!
But you are an actual artist too Ben! Although I realise you mean drawing 😊 so much of the emotion and conundrums around art transfers between different types of creativity, I’m sure you feel that with music and writing. You do a brilliant job of articulating them all through these characters x
You’re right, I think all artists have a common struggle and similar motivations. How do you conjure something out of thin air and then once you have, what do you do with it?