Omg! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have Ren and Brae back in my consciousness! And I’m glad you didn’t link back to the old one, I often get flustered when there are too many places calling my attention at once. Within is sane. Now, are you for real about this journal NOT a fiction? I own the Codex Seraphinianus btw. Never thought I’d meet another. ☺️
Thanks for the reassurance, Kimberly. I wasn't sure if it was the best option or not, but that's great to hear.
You own a Codex? 😮 I don't own one, sadly, but I'd like to purchase one. It sure looks gorgeous. I first read about it years ago and pored over some pictures of the text and illustrations. Honestly not quite sure why I've never bought a copy.
(And don't worry, the journal is purely fiction. It's just me being me here 😉)
You 💯 had me going. I’m in Joshua Dolezal’s group reading “My Antonia,” and we’re considering the way that 19th century novelists framed their stories with that narrator who passes off to the protagonist to narrate. Your setup here was very effective.
Thanks, Julie. It wasn't my original intention, but then the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. I've only read a small number of books where this kind of thing is done. I wasn't aware of "My Antonia", so thanks for the note on that 😊
This is my intro to Brae and Renn. And I am here for it!!
Also, I totally get finding “lost” stuff in places people might laugh to hear about. I think sometimes those things have simply gone on journey, and returned when they were ready. 😅
Nah, just this first part that had the link to the table of contents at the bottom. Next entry will resume the story from where we originally got up to.
Gahhh! Now I’m hooked on another of your brilliant serialised fictions… this is so not good Nathan, you are halting my flow ! But already I can’t wait for the next chapter… I’m not going back though despite not knowing the story, although I do hope you’ll add some of the sketches!
Do you have a copy of Codex Seraphinianus… please say yes so I can be green with envy! I have always dreamed of owning this book, the price though!
Very mysterious... I like starting fresh though. It was too much homework to go back and find all the old stuff so I just jumped right in, but other entries I've read were pretty nice. I look forward to seeing where they fit in eventually.
Wow...I nearly fell for the journal, but remembered previous instances and was a tad cautious!
So many phrases and sentences that I love, trying to pin down a favourite takes me to this:
"It burned bright in the sky, a corona of cool blue cloaking a heart as fierce as ember. It was beautiful. Then it winked out, leaving us motionless, the night sky re-emerging in dim jealousy."
Oh, I didn’t realise quite how much I had missed Renn and his bumbling ways until he retuned! What a treat it was to read. Your descriptions are so rich, “The light struck the myriad branches lining the path, casting each leaf and twig into darting shadow-shapes” - I so love the images that get planted in my mind through this novel. Long live your creative wave.
This is delicious, Nathan - as you know, I'm a big fan of found texts ;) This must undoubtedly go back to the "Red Book of Westmarch" which as a child I was convinced was real. Hooray for the return of Brae and Renn!
A different place entirely. A different time entirely.
Some snippets of answers hopefully start appearing in the subsequent chapters (table of contents linked at the bottom of the page, should you wish to venture there).
Omg! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have Ren and Brae back in my consciousness! And I’m glad you didn’t link back to the old one, I often get flustered when there are too many places calling my attention at once. Within is sane. Now, are you for real about this journal NOT a fiction? I own the Codex Seraphinianus btw. Never thought I’d meet another. ☺️
Thanks for the reassurance, Kimberly. I wasn't sure if it was the best option or not, but that's great to hear.
You own a Codex? 😮 I don't own one, sadly, but I'd like to purchase one. It sure looks gorgeous. I first read about it years ago and pored over some pictures of the text and illustrations. Honestly not quite sure why I've never bought a copy.
(And don't worry, the journal is purely fiction. It's just me being me here 😉)
You 💯 had me going. I’m in Joshua Dolezal’s group reading “My Antonia,” and we’re considering the way that 19th century novelists framed their stories with that narrator who passes off to the protagonist to narrate. Your setup here was very effective.
Thanks, Julie. It wasn't my original intention, but then the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. I've only read a small number of books where this kind of thing is done. I wasn't aware of "My Antonia", so thanks for the note on that 😊
Ahh, it's like meeting an old friend again. Now, don't you dare lose it again! Looking forward to what lies ahead.
🫡 noted, sir.
I am looking forward, too.
That's more like it! The world needs to know what the heck is going on here. :)
This is my intro to Brae and Renn. And I am here for it!!
Also, I totally get finding “lost” stuff in places people might laugh to hear about. I think sometimes those things have simply gone on journey, and returned when they were ready. 😅
Thanks Holly, I'm glad you're here for it :D
Oh, they are back! Loved reading Brae and Renn again. But hadn’t she disappeared last time we read?
😆 this is the very beginning again, reposted essentially for new readers.
Or was my introductory preamble confusing? Sorry if so.
This was the first part? Will you repost the whole series? I didn’t get it from the preamble but it doesn’t matter. It was entertaining to read.
Nah, just this first part that had the link to the table of contents at the bottom. Next entry will resume the story from where we originally got up to.
Would've been interesting to see an experiment where you publish from the beginning and then write the rest in the meantime.
They’re back! Them and the very tricky narrator. 😉 metafiction to the max.
Teehee ;)
Thanks Kate.
Gahhh! Now I’m hooked on another of your brilliant serialised fictions… this is so not good Nathan, you are halting my flow ! But already I can’t wait for the next chapter… I’m not going back though despite not knowing the story, although I do hope you’ll add some of the sketches!
Do you have a copy of Codex Seraphinianus… please say yes so I can be green with envy! I have always dreamed of owning this book, the price though!
Thanks so much Susie :)
Alas, I do not own a copy. I have only read about it. I would love to have one, though. Someday I will purchase one.
Very mysterious... I like starting fresh though. It was too much homework to go back and find all the old stuff so I just jumped right in, but other entries I've read were pretty nice. I look forward to seeing where they fit in eventually.
Thanks Jenny, appreciate you jumping right in :)
I’m so glad to see this installment! And not the first time she’s seen them? That line, where placed gave me goosebumps…
🤗
Thanks Brian! Welcome to Renn's recounting of his journey. I hope you stay awhile and snuggle down by the fire to read all he has to say.
Wow...I nearly fell for the journal, but remembered previous instances and was a tad cautious!
So many phrases and sentences that I love, trying to pin down a favourite takes me to this:
"It burned bright in the sky, a corona of cool blue cloaking a heart as fierce as ember. It was beautiful. Then it winked out, leaving us motionless, the night sky re-emerging in dim jealousy."
Thanks for reading, Mya. I wasn't sure if you'd read any of these before, so I hope this reposting of the very beginning was useful and enjoyable 🤗
It was indeed!
Oh, I didn’t realise quite how much I had missed Renn and his bumbling ways until he retuned! What a treat it was to read. Your descriptions are so rich, “The light struck the myriad branches lining the path, casting each leaf and twig into darting shadow-shapes” - I so love the images that get planted in my mind through this novel. Long live your creative wave.
Thanks Chloe 🤗
I hope the wave continues, too, and that there are many, err, surfers to enjoy the waves ;)
This is delicious, Nathan - as you know, I'm a big fan of found texts ;) This must undoubtedly go back to the "Red Book of Westmarch" which as a child I was convinced was real. Hooray for the return of Brae and Renn!
Yes, The Red Book is a great early example and probably a simmering inspiration deep within my brain.
Thanks Troy!
I’m so happy to see the return of our old friends and I’m glad you chose to start with the first chapter. It’s such a conventional idea I know!
Hehe, I know right ;)
Thanks, Ben!
What planet are we on, and in what universe is the month/date/year format?
“What significance had that meteorite brought?”
“It is a decision I have forever had to live with.”
A brand new story for me.
Sitting on my coach, hot chocolate in hand, I’m ready and waiting for answers…
Good questions ;)
A different place entirely. A different time entirely.
Some snippets of answers hopefully start appearing in the subsequent chapters (table of contents linked at the bottom of the page, should you wish to venture there).
Thanks, Lor!
So lesson learned; never ever, ever, tidy up the house again with anything unfinished visiting....
Haha, wise words, Bertus :)
Brilliant, once again. I can’t wait for this series to return!
Thanks Andrei. Return it will!
Brae -- a woman to be obeyed! In that setting I would gladly let her boss me around. Hoping to see more.
Hehe, thanks Sharon. She certainly is.
There's more in the table of contents linked at the very end of the post, should you be curious 😁