“She felt it within the basement of her dreams…” God what a great expression. It immediately threw me into that heavy, paralytic state that still has one nerve ending tuned to reality. And what a great metaphor for the way some relationships never quite leave us, lurking somewhere in the crawlspace of our psyches.
As the wife of a drummer, I can attest to the constant beat running through a drummer’s head and body (and the ripples in my cup of tea). Beautiful imagery, Ben.
"When she stepped out onto the sidewalk, a light rain was beginning to fall, turning to steam before it hit the asphalt. The music had stopped and she was grateful to have her heart beat according to the rhythm it required, not one dictated."
I found myself just lingering here--such a moment of agency and atmosphere. . . really nice work, Ben. I hope you keep painting these portraits.
Thanks Ann, I plan to do this series for at least a couple of months. I’m just trying to build myself enough buffer to finish the first half of this novel.
What a treat. This series is a great idea because nobody does character sketches the way you do. “smelled like a mango smoothie spilled into the patchouli moccasin of a Phish fan.” Is but one of the images that made me smile. And the deft rendering of power imbalance with her always wanting more and him unwilling to give it. Bravo!
Thanks, Julie! I hope these will be fun to read for folks. I grew tired of trying to come up with personal essays each week so this is hopefully a wave I can ride for a while until I'm ready to begin publishing the new novel.
Thank you, Susie! I hope this series will be fun for my readers. I really enjoy doing them so much more than trying to come up with personal essays each week during the periods I don't have a serial going.
Hi friend! Thanks for stopping by. Congrats on all the new stuff you’re working on. I was happy to read about Vivian and to see your Substack thriving.
“In the shower, she yawned and shampooed with something that smelled like a mango smoothie spilled into the patchouli moccasin of a Phish fan. “ — brilliant
This is such a great idea to do these character sketches, Ben. Brilliant.
Plucking out Kimberley's favourite line, too! “She felt it within the basement of her dreams…” -- brilliant phrase.
Thank you friend. I’m excited to find another vein I can tap for a little while until the new novel is ready.
If you can tell me where that vein is then that'd be great. 😆
“She felt it within the basement of her dreams…” God what a great expression. It immediately threw me into that heavy, paralytic state that still has one nerve ending tuned to reality. And what a great metaphor for the way some relationships never quite leave us, lurking somewhere in the crawlspace of our psyches.
Character sketches. This is going to be fun!
Kimberly Warner, you’re possibly the best commenter on Substack. Thank you. ❤️ I hope these will be entertaining for folks.
I’ll take that award!
As the wife of a drummer, I can attest to the constant beat running through a drummer’s head and body (and the ripples in my cup of tea). Beautiful imagery, Ben.
Thank you, CB. I’ve spent much of my life around drummers so I had a lot of experience to draw from!
"When she stepped out onto the sidewalk, a light rain was beginning to fall, turning to steam before it hit the asphalt. The music had stopped and she was grateful to have her heart beat according to the rhythm it required, not one dictated."
I found myself just lingering here--such a moment of agency and atmosphere. . . really nice work, Ben. I hope you keep painting these portraits.
Thanks Ann, I plan to do this series for at least a couple of months. I’m just trying to build myself enough buffer to finish the first half of this novel.
What a treat. This series is a great idea because nobody does character sketches the way you do. “smelled like a mango smoothie spilled into the patchouli moccasin of a Phish fan.” Is but one of the images that made me smile. And the deft rendering of power imbalance with her always wanting more and him unwilling to give it. Bravo!
Thanks, Julie! I hope these will be fun to read for folks. I grew tired of trying to come up with personal essays each week so this is hopefully a wave I can ride for a while until I'm ready to begin publishing the new novel.
Nice first piece, it has it all. Memory, Longing and Rhythm. I can't wait for the next piece in the series.
and btw, I have a personal question I left in your inbox. You can check it out when you have some time.
Thanks Mkwawa - I'll take a look.
For someone who sees barely another soul from one day to the next except her students...
I love this Ben!
Love letters to strangers... I wonder what they'd think if they were sent to each?
Thank you, Susie! I hope this series will be fun for my readers. I really enjoy doing them so much more than trying to come up with personal essays each week during the periods I don't have a serial going.
strangers as a collection of love letters. 💕
Looking forward to the next one.
And thrilled you’re working on a new novel (drums fingers with enthusiastoc anticipation).
Hi friend! Thanks for stopping by. Congrats on all the new stuff you’re working on. I was happy to read about Vivian and to see your Substack thriving.
'Paradiddles tapped across her back,' what a great image of this couple, and this lover in particular
“In the shower, she yawned and shampooed with something that smelled like a mango smoothie spilled into the patchouli moccasin of a Phish fan. “ — brilliant