What an interestingly satisfying story! Somehow, after finishing this, you have left me with what appears to be a similar feeling as at the end, what the narrator is going on about.
Here are my favorite lines:
"When you stepped out for a cigarette a little woozy, it was like you were in a movie or something, or in a high-quality work of photography, like a screensaver, for example."
"Reading into it, I’m pretty sure she said, with her eyes, I like you, and, at another stage in my life, maybe, but right now, it’s impossible. That’s a lot to read, but I swear it was there."
"I didn’t care about anything in the world at that moment besides holding onto that book and that feeling, whatever it was, for a just a little bit longer."
Thanks so much for reading, Maegan! And for calling out your favorite lines. I dig that. I'm going to adopt it when commenting on pieces of writing from now on. Again, very thankful you took the time to read -- and enjoyed. Smilies all around :) :) :) Have a great week.
Yes! Planning on it. What's your email? I wonder if we can find time to do a podcast while we're out there, if you're willing! I have a very scrappy one going on YouTube -- I'm figuring it out as I go... lol.
I stepped away from the story at one point. I can't recall what line made me do that.
But I was compelled to come back and finish, and I was glad I did.
"It was as if all the colors of the city had been sucked up by this one window, and I liked thinking that maybe that’s why the city was so gray, because all the colors of Paris had been captured here by these windows." This was a truly lovely image.
Meg! Thank you so much. Hearing that you hit eject but came back might be one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. And thanks for mentioning that sentence specifically! I liked it, but it really helps to know that it resonated. My character is a little harsh on Paris. It's a great city. When I visited, it was rainy and overcast, but that somehow made the stained glass shine even brighter.
I like what's starting to happen here Matt. I think you started to open an untapped region of my brain and most of all it left me really wanting it not to end. The highest compliment I can give to a writer or any sort of artist really, is, you have created something different and new, and the affect is compelling. Compelling in the hesitancy of the voice and the willingness to inhabit that uncertainty. It doesn't fit any model or structure I've encountered. I am intrigued. Nicely done.
Thank you times one million, Fred. That makes me feel great, because, yes, what I'd love to do with my work is pave a path all my own -- something characteristically Matt. I hope I can keep it up. It's been helpful, I think, to step away from reading: the sway of writers I love is almost too powerful. Right now I need only to love what I'm doing. And to be honest, it feels really good. Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope everything is going great for you. Thanks again, Fred. Really.
Rosy! Thank yo so so much. That's a great compliment and a great boost for me to KEEP GOING. I hope everything is going well for you. I wonder: is the weather starting to warm up in the UK? Winter has been great for me creativity wise, but when summer comes, who can say. It will be hard not to spend every hour I get basking in the sun, swimming, going on walks. We'll see. Thanks again, Rosy. Your readership and support mean the world to me. Have a great one!
Thanks, Matt. I was so impressed with your story that I shared it on my last post. Yes, the weather is warming up slowly here in the UK and the spring daffodils are out everywhere - it’s glorious!
Now that, Jeannie, is great to hear. Maybe that trance was the POV of this character, and, if so, I'm so glad you were able to get into that headspace. Thanks for taking the time to read. Hope everything is going great. Have a great Friday and weekend! Happy writing.
Kristen! Thank you so much. And sorry for the late reply. I really appreciate your comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed this little rambling story. Comments like these keep going, make me feel like I'm on the right track, and generally make me happy. So thanks for giving me that gift. Hope all is well with you. Have an excellent Friday and weekend.
Matt, reading this story has been such a fabulous start to my weekend - what an amazing experience! I'm so sorry about what happened with your grandpa.
Rebecca! I was just thinking about you the other day, so I'm so happy to see you in my comments. First, sorry for the belated reply, but thank you so much for this incredibly kind comment. That you felt the story was an "experience" sends me over the moon. Not only that, it keep me going and makes me feel like I'm on the right track. Thanks so much, Rebecca. Truly. I hope all is well with you. Have an excellent Friday and weekend! Catch ya later.
Mike! Thank you. I really appreciate it. Your opinions are always critical and spot on, I've come to realize, so your compliment means a lot. Hope all is well with you. Have an excellent Friday and weekend.
I didn't have time to read this but I did, and I'm glad. I get it! The book is a metaphor! Seriously though, what an evocation. That image is gonna stick with me.
Matt,
What an interestingly satisfying story! Somehow, after finishing this, you have left me with what appears to be a similar feeling as at the end, what the narrator is going on about.
Here are my favorite lines:
"When you stepped out for a cigarette a little woozy, it was like you were in a movie or something, or in a high-quality work of photography, like a screensaver, for example."
"Reading into it, I’m pretty sure she said, with her eyes, I like you, and, at another stage in my life, maybe, but right now, it’s impossible. That’s a lot to read, but I swear it was there."
"I didn’t care about anything in the world at that moment besides holding onto that book and that feeling, whatever it was, for a just a little bit longer."
Nice work.
Also--thank you for the mention!
Thanks so much for reading, Maegan! And for calling out your favorite lines. I dig that. I'm going to adopt it when commenting on pieces of writing from now on. Again, very thankful you took the time to read -- and enjoyed. Smilies all around :) :) :) Have a great week.
You coming next week?!
Yes! Planning on it. What's your email? I wonder if we can find time to do a podcast while we're out there, if you're willing! I have a very scrappy one going on YouTube -- I'm figuring it out as I go... lol.
I stepped away from the story at one point. I can't recall what line made me do that.
But I was compelled to come back and finish, and I was glad I did.
"It was as if all the colors of the city had been sucked up by this one window, and I liked thinking that maybe that’s why the city was so gray, because all the colors of Paris had been captured here by these windows." This was a truly lovely image.
Meg! Thank you so much. Hearing that you hit eject but came back might be one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. And thanks for mentioning that sentence specifically! I liked it, but it really helps to know that it resonated. My character is a little harsh on Paris. It's a great city. When I visited, it was rainy and overcast, but that somehow made the stained glass shine even brighter.
I love the light in the windows part too!
I like what's starting to happen here Matt. I think you started to open an untapped region of my brain and most of all it left me really wanting it not to end. The highest compliment I can give to a writer or any sort of artist really, is, you have created something different and new, and the affect is compelling. Compelling in the hesitancy of the voice and the willingness to inhabit that uncertainty. It doesn't fit any model or structure I've encountered. I am intrigued. Nicely done.
Thank you times one million, Fred. That makes me feel great, because, yes, what I'd love to do with my work is pave a path all my own -- something characteristically Matt. I hope I can keep it up. It's been helpful, I think, to step away from reading: the sway of writers I love is almost too powerful. Right now I need only to love what I'm doing. And to be honest, it feels really good. Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope everything is going great for you. Thanks again, Fred. Really.
A very enjoyable read, Matt. I didn’t want it to end! Thank you.
Rosy! Thank yo so so much. That's a great compliment and a great boost for me to KEEP GOING. I hope everything is going well for you. I wonder: is the weather starting to warm up in the UK? Winter has been great for me creativity wise, but when summer comes, who can say. It will be hard not to spend every hour I get basking in the sun, swimming, going on walks. We'll see. Thanks again, Rosy. Your readership and support mean the world to me. Have a great one!
Thanks, Matt. I was so impressed with your story that I shared it on my last post. Yes, the weather is warming up slowly here in the UK and the spring daffodils are out everywhere - it’s glorious!
This story put me in a lovely trance.
Now that, Jeannie, is great to hear. Maybe that trance was the POV of this character, and, if so, I'm so glad you were able to get into that headspace. Thanks for taking the time to read. Hope everything is going great. Have a great Friday and weekend! Happy writing.
This was an enjoyable read, you kept me reading while going many places within the piece , lovely ending paragraphs!
Kristen! Thank you so much. And sorry for the late reply. I really appreciate your comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed this little rambling story. Comments like these keep going, make me feel like I'm on the right track, and generally make me happy. So thanks for giving me that gift. Hope all is well with you. Have an excellent Friday and weekend.
Matt, reading this story has been such a fabulous start to my weekend - what an amazing experience! I'm so sorry about what happened with your grandpa.
Rebecca! I was just thinking about you the other day, so I'm so happy to see you in my comments. First, sorry for the belated reply, but thank you so much for this incredibly kind comment. That you felt the story was an "experience" sends me over the moon. Not only that, it keep me going and makes me feel like I'm on the right track. Thanks so much, Rebecca. Truly. I hope all is well with you. Have an excellent Friday and weekend! Catch ya later.
😊😊😊
A great one, Matt!
Mike! Thank you. I really appreciate it. Your opinions are always critical and spot on, I've come to realize, so your compliment means a lot. Hope all is well with you. Have an excellent Friday and weekend.
I didn't have time to read this but I did, and I'm glad. I get it! The book is a metaphor! Seriously though, what an evocation. That image is gonna stick with me.
What a great story. Thanks for taking us on that journey with you.