Before I sit down to read the "memory of ceramics", I just wanted to assure you, Nathan, that all of us who admire your work will read anything you have written ( new or old ) whenever you post it. We are not concerned with deadlines. We read as it comes. Should art be hurried? Can art be hurried?Take your time, get it right. We stand by.
I don’t know how you write fiction on deadline at all. I would go absolutely bonkers!
This is a lovely parable and the French gives it another mysterious layer. (Alexander has helped me with some German 😁). The personification of the ceramic works so well and the focus on the youth of the protagonist adds to the strangeness. A joy to read, Nathan!
I'm glad you're taking a break, Nathan. It gives me the chance to enjoy a piece that I wouldn't have otherwise seen. And let me tell you, I'm creeped out--in the best possible way :) That was fun!
Open me! This call I know from many a forbidden place of childhood. Your prose is a delight to read, Nathan. I can see these two brothers, sneaking into the room, the discovery!
I'm glad you didn't skip this week; otherwise, I would not have known about and have missed this truly delightful piece. I really enjoyed it, Nathan. It's so descriptively rich, and your prose here is as beautiful as ever. For instance: 'My little fingers, delicate unscathed digits untamed by age, reached toward the jugs, feet tottering as tiptoes extended on cushion’s edge, and handle hooked I retrieved one jar, nearly releasing it as I brought the glazed urn toward my face to peer over lip and lips and see into the abyssal reach of its belly.' Sublime reading, my friend.
Thank you, Silvio. So pleased to hear you enjoyed. It was certainly something of a challenging one to write, but I felt so inspired by Nabokov's style at the time. I'm happy that my reposting of older material worked out.
Do I need to even point it out!? Here you are again, animating the inanimate. These ceramic urns with their “bardic” names, each one so alive and collectively beckoning! I know this is a short but god what a great beginning if you ever decide to dig into each of those pasts…
You know, you did need to point it out!! My own brain didn't even make the direct connection, haha.
I also think I was subconsciously inspired from you to go digging through my own archive of posts. It's quite a lovely thing to be able to go look back on one's work/output.
Been a pleasure to read a second time. And as others have said, deadlines are there to be missed, they fly by! But the text endures. As Phil Collins sang, You can’t hurry text! 😀
"...lacquered slope, insectile legs, matching chair with plumage-stuffed cushion..." what a way to depict a desk. Your inanimate object descriptions are unmatched. I loved the voice for this one; something cheeky about it.
Fabulous writing! I felt the air of Nabokov; he would be proud! And please, never beat yourself up for not publishing regularly. Publish whenever you want. Your loyal readers will always come back because your work is always so magically transporting. Give yourself time and space to breathe and flesh out your writing.
Thanks, Nadia. I appreciate those words a lot. I’m also happy you can feel the air of Nabokov. I must admit, rereading this piece made me smile, which I will allow myself as a self-compliment haha.
Oh! The dreaded Toby jug pet cemetary! (I think? ;) Pretty sure we talked about this last time, or in another post - they really are the creepiest collectibles. Love this terror tale of childhood, Nathan.
Should you be inclined to write about either Lolita or Pale Fire for a guest post, I would not be upset.
"I had every plan to post what might be the penultimate entry to And it was lost (my short story about a strange rock1) this week, and though I have a slim draft that is being filled, I simply have not had the time to write. That pains me..." I feel your frustration Nathan, I imagined sitting in the shade of the walnut trees, with all the time in the world to hand during these holidays and yet... I think you know how the rest goes!
Perhaps, though, we are our own worst enemies, we set ourselves impossible tasks and then berate ourselves for not achieving them, a habit that leaves us despondent and disappointed - a bad habit!
I hadn't read this story, I love the interjection of French words - often so much more poetic than the English! And the temptress, the paper aeroplane lying just out of reach, Delilah coaxing Samson.
"...and never seeing, not then on that day (far later, in will’s receipt), the bardic names etched upon each base." Oh those Celts with their pagan beliefs!
Loved getting to read this piece again. And don’t worry my friend, take all the time you need. I’ll be posting something along the same veins this week. Creativity is unpredictable, and sometimes posting a scheduled newsletter just butts heads with that. Art is what matters, first and always. Have a great week!
“From all angles but one, there was nothing overtly wrong with the room.”
That’s a great opening line, Nathan. Almost gives me the same vibes as “Marley was dead : to begin with”. I’m sure there’s a clever literary description for this type of sentence but I don’t know what it is 😁 However, it immediately unsettles you. Everything is normal, except it really isn’t
With that in mind, the story reminded me more of M.R. James with its sense of creeping dread as the boy eventually examines what’s in the jars. Brilliantly done 👏
As for not getting the time to write, well, we have discussed that previously and I’ll say the same thing again. Take your time, get it right and don’t beat yourself up. Life always has a habit of stopping us doing what we love. You’re a great writer and the story will take as long as it takes to get done. It can’t be rushed so let it find its way and, in the end, it’ll be worth the wait 👍🏼
Before I sit down to read the "memory of ceramics", I just wanted to assure you, Nathan, that all of us who admire your work will read anything you have written ( new or old ) whenever you post it. We are not concerned with deadlines. We read as it comes. Should art be hurried? Can art be hurried?Take your time, get it right. We stand by.
Hear, hear!
100%
Absolutely.
Thank you, Sharron. These words are incredibly kind.
I don’t know how you write fiction on deadline at all. I would go absolutely bonkers!
This is a lovely parable and the French gives it another mysterious layer. (Alexander has helped me with some German 😁). The personification of the ceramic works so well and the focus on the youth of the protagonist adds to the strangeness. A joy to read, Nathan!
Thank you, Kate! A joy to have you here. :)
And don't worry, there is a small portion of my brain that goes bonkers each week, haha.
It was a pleasure to read. A second time. Also, happy to help with any German or French, albeit my French isn’t the best.
I'm glad you're taking a break, Nathan. It gives me the chance to enjoy a piece that I wouldn't have otherwise seen. And let me tell you, I'm creeped out--in the best possible way :) That was fun!
Thank you, Ann. I had my doubts a bit, to go digging from the archive, but this is great to hear.
Open me! This call I know from many a forbidden place of childhood. Your prose is a delight to read, Nathan. I can see these two brothers, sneaking into the room, the discovery!
Thanks, Holly!
A classic experience of many childhoods, I'm sure (it felt very much the case for me and my actual brother, in one grandparents house).
I'm glad you didn't skip this week; otherwise, I would not have known about and have missed this truly delightful piece. I really enjoyed it, Nathan. It's so descriptively rich, and your prose here is as beautiful as ever. For instance: 'My little fingers, delicate unscathed digits untamed by age, reached toward the jugs, feet tottering as tiptoes extended on cushion’s edge, and handle hooked I retrieved one jar, nearly releasing it as I brought the glazed urn toward my face to peer over lip and lips and see into the abyssal reach of its belly.' Sublime reading, my friend.
Thank you, Silvio. So pleased to hear you enjoyed. It was certainly something of a challenging one to write, but I felt so inspired by Nabokov's style at the time. I'm happy that my reposting of older material worked out.
Do I need to even point it out!? Here you are again, animating the inanimate. These ceramic urns with their “bardic” names, each one so alive and collectively beckoning! I know this is a short but god what a great beginning if you ever decide to dig into each of those pasts…
You know, you did need to point it out!! My own brain didn't even make the direct connection, haha.
I also think I was subconsciously inspired from you to go digging through my own archive of posts. It's quite a lovely thing to be able to go look back on one's work/output.
Too funny, it’s so in your fabric of creativity that you don’t even know when you’re doing it. Love that.
Your archive material is so wonderful. I’ve had fun poring through some in prep for our conversation next week!
I am very excited/nervous/excited about this. My week is so much calmer this coming week, I really appreciate you moving the date.
I‘m so happy that you liked Lolita! I love Nabokov‘s writing. Did you try Pascal Bruckner‘s ‚Evil Angels‘?
I did not, but thanks for the recommendation. Not even heard of Bruckner...!
Been a pleasure to read a second time. And as others have said, deadlines are there to be missed, they fly by! But the text endures. As Phil Collins sang, You can’t hurry text! 😀
Haha, great pseudo-quote ;)
A pleasure to have you read a second time, my friend. Thanks!
"...lacquered slope, insectile legs, matching chair with plumage-stuffed cushion..." what a way to depict a desk. Your inanimate object descriptions are unmatched. I loved the voice for this one; something cheeky about it.
Hehe, I just admit I enjoyed rereading this part after having forgotten the details. This is me trying my best to channel Nabokov's wordplay.
Glad you got to re-experience your writing! Wordplay, channelled. ✔️
Fabulous writing! I felt the air of Nabokov; he would be proud! And please, never beat yourself up for not publishing regularly. Publish whenever you want. Your loyal readers will always come back because your work is always so magically transporting. Give yourself time and space to breathe and flesh out your writing.
Thanks, Nadia. I appreciate those words a lot. I’m also happy you can feel the air of Nabokov. I must admit, rereading this piece made me smile, which I will allow myself as a self-compliment haha.
Aww. Well you totally deserve to smile. It’s a gem!
Oh! The dreaded Toby jug pet cemetary! (I think? ;) Pretty sure we talked about this last time, or in another post - they really are the creepiest collectibles. Love this terror tale of childhood, Nathan.
Should you be inclined to write about either Lolita or Pale Fire for a guest post, I would not be upset.
Thanks, Troy. Toby jug pet cemetery, hahaha. Amazing. Love it.
Noted re: guest post ;)
"I had every plan to post what might be the penultimate entry to And it was lost (my short story about a strange rock1) this week, and though I have a slim draft that is being filled, I simply have not had the time to write. That pains me..." I feel your frustration Nathan, I imagined sitting in the shade of the walnut trees, with all the time in the world to hand during these holidays and yet... I think you know how the rest goes!
Perhaps, though, we are our own worst enemies, we set ourselves impossible tasks and then berate ourselves for not achieving them, a habit that leaves us despondent and disappointed - a bad habit!
I hadn't read this story, I love the interjection of French words - often so much more poetic than the English! And the temptress, the paper aeroplane lying just out of reach, Delilah coaxing Samson.
"...and never seeing, not then on that day (far later, in will’s receipt), the bardic names etched upon each base." Oh those Celts with their pagan beliefs!
Belated praise my friend.
Thanks, Susie. 🤗
Yes, I very much agree. A bad habit, it seems, but also one that is perhaps infuriatingly capable of providing drive and motivation.
Intricate beautiful writing, only made better that it is narrating the mind and experience of a child…. I’m glad you resurfaced this!!
Thanks so much for reading, Brian.
Loved getting to read this piece again. And don’t worry my friend, take all the time you need. I’ll be posting something along the same veins this week. Creativity is unpredictable, and sometimes posting a scheduled newsletter just butts heads with that. Art is what matters, first and always. Have a great week!
Thanks, Andrei, appreciate it and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this in your post.
This is utter brilliance! I wish I had it on actual paper, to reread any time I liked. It demands that tactile engagement. Magnifique!
Aw, thank you Liz!
Ctrl+P ;)
If I ever manage to publish anything, I'll send it your way on paper.
“From all angles but one, there was nothing overtly wrong with the room.”
That’s a great opening line, Nathan. Almost gives me the same vibes as “Marley was dead : to begin with”. I’m sure there’s a clever literary description for this type of sentence but I don’t know what it is 😁 However, it immediately unsettles you. Everything is normal, except it really isn’t
With that in mind, the story reminded me more of M.R. James with its sense of creeping dread as the boy eventually examines what’s in the jars. Brilliantly done 👏
As for not getting the time to write, well, we have discussed that previously and I’ll say the same thing again. Take your time, get it right and don’t beat yourself up. Life always has a habit of stopping us doing what we love. You’re a great writer and the story will take as long as it takes to get done. It can’t be rushed so let it find its way and, in the end, it’ll be worth the wait 👍🏼
That's a great opening line (for a book I haven't read 🫢)
I also haven't read any M.R. James! Shame on me.
Appreciate your words of wisdom, Dan, thank you.
I only know it from The Muppet Christmas Carol 😁
M.R. James is a great story teller. His ghost stories are just masterclasses in dread 👍🏼
Yeah I listened to a podcast earlier in the year about ghost stories and he was mentioned. It’s on my list. :)