“I need to work. It’s like a terrible itch, an itch inside my brain, inside my gut.” I’ve been feeling this myself lately. Rooting for Kelly to give in and just start working again!
It is an itch, right? A gnawing kind of thing. I’m rooting for you. I see you’ve got a new story. I’m adding it to my read list. Thank you for being here, Stephanie.
Ben, please forgive my binge reading / listening. I’ve wanted to give it my full attention, and I do so love having a string of episodes to enjoy one after another as I fall ever deeper in the story, the characters and the extraordinary visuals you conjure. And oh, Kelly. I hate how inadequate she feels, when in reality she’s navigated a burden (a curse-gift) which most people would have collapsed under long ago!
Chloe, never apologize for love-bombing my work! Thank you so much for all the kind words and encouragement. It’s this connection to you and the handful of other readers who show up here each week that makes me feel like all this effort is not some self-indulgent waste. Big love to you and David.
Nowhere near a waste of time. Wildly important, in fact. It’s miraculous, what you manage to get on the page. The layers and the complexity of the story itself but then, in fractal manner, of all the characters, too. It’s brilliant, Ben.
There are so many rich metaphors in this one, Ben, and they flow so effortlessly though the narrative. I'm sorting on a rock right now on a sunset walk so I can clumsily reply to this. I loved the line about the blunt end of a charcoal stick trying to draw a feather.... yes. I feel so seen! This was a whole sad sigh....
Hi Kendall! I’m so happy the writing is landing for you, especially the threading of metaphors through the narrative. That’s my favorite thing to do. I love that your comments always come from the field, walking in the real world.
You do it so incredibly well! Honestly, the best writing looks effortless (unless you are a fellow writer, in which case you regularly say, "daaaaamn" while on walks in the woods, and then need to find a signal to say so or you'll burst). ;)
Oh Kelly, it seems Ona was her only friend and she betrayed her, and now she’s even more lonely. I think she never really wasn’t lonely, even when things were better between her and Lefty. My heart is so sad for her. It’s so clever how you’ve woven together this need within her to create and the conflict of it too - this “Just because I shut down the production line doesn’t mean the idea machine stops.” God I feel this in every bone. It almost feels like some kind of addiction…
Hi Emily, it makes me so happy that the story has engaged you in particular. Making art can bring joy and misery for many people I know. I’m glad it brings you mostly positive the former. Thanks for reading and commenting. I always look forward to hearing your perspective.
Oh Ben, I feel so sad for Kelly! This is such a brilliant and heartbreaking chapter... I hope she finds the way to break away from her feeling of inadequacy.
My heart aches for Kelly. She’s so self-aware and strong in her resistance to Ona’s pull, and isolated from what helps her to be soft. I can feel her longing for family connection and the pain of self-denial from loyalty to her loved ones. Her negative self-talk is so poignant.
“I need to work. It’s like a terrible itch, an itch inside my brain, inside my gut.” I’ve been feeling this myself lately. Rooting for Kelly to give in and just start working again!
It is an itch, right? A gnawing kind of thing. I’m rooting for you. I see you’ve got a new story. I’m adding it to my read list. Thank you for being here, Stephanie.
Thanks, Ben! It’s always a pleasure to spend some time in this connected and deeply felt storytelling nook you’ve built here.
This chapter was brilliant. Sent you a DM on IG of an artist that popped up right after listening. Think you’ll feel an echo of Kelly in her bio.
And this! “Grass is defined by its plurality. It’s everywhere and virtually invisible. I guess that’s a good way to describe me.”
Thank you, Kimberly. Look at you creeping into my DMs on the IG. Is that what the kids say? I will definitely check out the artist.
Def we gangsta. So ris. (Said out loud while niece rolls her eyes at me.)
Poor Kelly. What a life she has had. I really enjoy reading her journal. You’re quite the storyteller, my friend.
Thank you, Holly. I appreciate you.
Ben, please forgive my binge reading / listening. I’ve wanted to give it my full attention, and I do so love having a string of episodes to enjoy one after another as I fall ever deeper in the story, the characters and the extraordinary visuals you conjure. And oh, Kelly. I hate how inadequate she feels, when in reality she’s navigated a burden (a curse-gift) which most people would have collapsed under long ago!
Chloe, never apologize for love-bombing my work! Thank you so much for all the kind words and encouragement. It’s this connection to you and the handful of other readers who show up here each week that makes me feel like all this effort is not some self-indulgent waste. Big love to you and David.
Nowhere near a waste of time. Wildly important, in fact. It’s miraculous, what you manage to get on the page. The layers and the complexity of the story itself but then, in fractal manner, of all the characters, too. It’s brilliant, Ben.
Big love to you, from us both.
Thank you, friend.
There are so many rich metaphors in this one, Ben, and they flow so effortlessly though the narrative. I'm sorting on a rock right now on a sunset walk so I can clumsily reply to this. I loved the line about the blunt end of a charcoal stick trying to draw a feather.... yes. I feel so seen! This was a whole sad sigh....
Hi Kendall! I’m so happy the writing is landing for you, especially the threading of metaphors through the narrative. That’s my favorite thing to do. I love that your comments always come from the field, walking in the real world.
You do it so incredibly well! Honestly, the best writing looks effortless (unless you are a fellow writer, in which case you regularly say, "daaaaamn" while on walks in the woods, and then need to find a signal to say so or you'll burst). ;)
Oh Kelly, it seems Ona was her only friend and she betrayed her, and now she’s even more lonely. I think she never really wasn’t lonely, even when things were better between her and Lefty. My heart is so sad for her. It’s so clever how you’ve woven together this need within her to create and the conflict of it too - this “Just because I shut down the production line doesn’t mean the idea machine stops.” God I feel this in every bone. It almost feels like some kind of addiction…
Hi Emily, it makes me so happy that the story has engaged you in particular. Making art can bring joy and misery for many people I know. I’m glad it brings you mostly positive the former. Thanks for reading and commenting. I always look forward to hearing your perspective.
Oh Ben, I feel so sad for Kelly! This is such a brilliant and heartbreaking chapter... I hope she finds the way to break away from her feeling of inadequacy.
My heart aches for Kelly. She’s so self-aware and strong in her resistance to Ona’s pull, and isolated from what helps her to be soft. I can feel her longing for family connection and the pain of self-denial from loyalty to her loved ones. Her negative self-talk is so poignant.