I'm reminded of the ending of "Annihilation" - the doubling - and the beauty of that film is the template for your scene in my mind. Lovely, Nathan - but what is the something???
Oh wow, I hadn't thought of that, but I will absolutely take that. I enjoyed the book a lot (less so the sequels, though they were interesting in their own way) as well as the film.
If this gets picked up and someone wants to cast Natalie Portmen as Brae then, well, I'm OK with that 😂
I loved the movie, especially the ending, and I wrote a note at some point that I wanted to write a fantasy story that evoked that same feeling, and you went and did it so yay!
"I looked at it, trying to grasp what I saw, the prismatic shift of a being indefinable. It was seamless; it oscillated between substance and nothing, etching itself into reality before returning amorphous to the night."
Brilliantly done, Nathan. I can understand why this one took you so long. The writing is so complex and detailed but, because of that, richly rewarding. Another excellent entry in this wonderful series. Can't wait to see what the "new" thing is that stirs in the clearing!
Aaaaaargh this was so intense!! Crikey! WHEN IS THE NEXT CHAPTER COMING TELL ME NOW I BEG!
Also, "With each step, the grass seemed to part, letting her pass in silent reverie as the stars kept on their eternal watch." I'm struggling to find words to speak to how beautiful this is, something in the quiet tonality of it. Such gorgeous writing, Nathan.
Too kind, Chloe, too kind. Once again, you locate the sentence that I rewrote the most times 😅 I'm glad that it ended in a place that elicited something. Thank you.
Wow! Big reveal in this one. You do such an incredible job of quickly bringing the reader into the body of your characters. It's a visceral experience - I can feel the rain.
Thanks so much Ben, that means a lot. I wondered on whether this entry was too short. The first draft was a lot longer, but, well, this is where it ended up.
Oooohhhhh - I have to start the same way Beth does here 🤣 - but that’s the word in my head!
The way she is formed from the rain!! This works so well. And the tone of ecstasy. This is really a special piece - a climax? - in the way you blur the mind / weather (pathetic fallacy again) / and the ideas. Along with pure human emotion. Really enjoyed this, Nathan!
"She smiled, a smile so pure that if it had been directed my way it would have crushed my heart."
"A scream that challenged all but the night’s thunder, one that ran through me, through my ears and into my spine, spreading to my chest like poison..." Both of these brilliant lines set us down right there in the middle of it all and made our hair stand on end. Super, Nathan!
Oh Brae! Metamorphosis? Lost forever? Poor Renn! But wait, something wicked this way comes. At least it seems wicked! Thunder, lightning, rain, Macbeth? What next, when the hurly burly is done? Praythee, continue!
I'm reminded of the ending of "Annihilation" - the doubling - and the beauty of that film is the template for your scene in my mind. Lovely, Nathan - but what is the something???
Oh wow, I hadn't thought of that, but I will absolutely take that. I enjoyed the book a lot (less so the sequels, though they were interesting in their own way) as well as the film.
If this gets picked up and someone wants to cast Natalie Portmen as Brae then, well, I'm OK with that 😂
I see Saoirse Ronan ...
Ah yeah, I can see that. Good casting choice ;)
I loved the movie, especially the ending, and I wrote a note at some point that I wanted to write a fantasy story that evoked that same feeling, and you went and did it so yay!
You should still do it, too, Troy!
"I looked at it, trying to grasp what I saw, the prismatic shift of a being indefinable. It was seamless; it oscillated between substance and nothing, etching itself into reality before returning amorphous to the night."
Brilliantly done, Nathan. I can understand why this one took you so long. The writing is so complex and detailed but, because of that, richly rewarding. Another excellent entry in this wonderful series. Can't wait to see what the "new" thing is that stirs in the clearing!
Thanks Dan, very kind.
The cliffhanger did feel a little cruel to leave at that point haha. Won't be long before the next one I don't think :)
Aaaaaargh this was so intense!! Crikey! WHEN IS THE NEXT CHAPTER COMING TELL ME NOW I BEG!
Also, "With each step, the grass seemed to part, letting her pass in silent reverie as the stars kept on their eternal watch." I'm struggling to find words to speak to how beautiful this is, something in the quiet tonality of it. Such gorgeous writing, Nathan.
Too kind, Chloe, too kind. Once again, you locate the sentence that I rewrote the most times 😅 I'm glad that it ended in a place that elicited something. Thank you.
Next chapter soon ... !
It’s a gorgeous sentence. Totally worth all that went into it.
Wow! Big reveal in this one. You do such an incredible job of quickly bringing the reader into the body of your characters. It's a visceral experience - I can feel the rain.
Thanks so much Ben, that means a lot. I wondered on whether this entry was too short. The first draft was a lot longer, but, well, this is where it ended up.
Oooohhhhh - I have to start the same way Beth does here 🤣 - but that’s the word in my head!
The way she is formed from the rain!! This works so well. And the tone of ecstasy. This is really a special piece - a climax? - in the way you blur the mind / weather (pathetic fallacy again) / and the ideas. Along with pure human emotion. Really enjoyed this, Nathan!
Hehe, thanks. And yes, I notice my own patterns here in the allure of the rain and storm, but it's what this entry required it seems.
Oh gosh don’t apologise for it! It’s a good pattern. I said again to highlight your expertise 😄
😄
Thanks so much again for your kind words Kate. Glad you enjoyed this one so much.
It certainly forms (in my mind, at least) a critical climax, which may be more evident come the next entry.
Oooohhhh!!! So many emotions!! Sigh.... (Thanks so much for the update. 🤗🤗)
Thanks Beth. If emotions were felt, then my work here is complete 😆
"She smiled, a smile so pure that if it had been directed my way it would have crushed my heart."
"A scream that challenged all but the night’s thunder, one that ran through me, through my ears and into my spine, spreading to my chest like poison..." Both of these brilliant lines set us down right there in the middle of it all and made our hair stand on end. Super, Nathan!
Thank you, Sharron. You're the best. I love hearing your thoughts.
This was a very emotional chapter. I’m waiting for the next one. I hope Brae is fine. Renn ruined it for her, didn’t he?
You're here 🤗
I've been waiting for you to get to this part.
Renn's actions seem to have a lot of consequences, yes ...
More soon, I promise.
“But what safety would I have against guilt if I stayed?” Love the striking turn of phrase, well done!
🙏 thanks Renee. I was particularly fond of this line too, if I may say so myself 😅
(Err, I mean, it's all Renn. They're all his words. I just translate them, so well done Renn 😅)
Beautifully written post, as always. The imagery reminded me a bit of the Stormlight Archive from Brandon Sanderson.
I enjoyed the use of DALLE3. Have you considered having it make more than just the cover photo? Maybe additional scenes would be fun to share!
Thanks David! I'll take the Sanderson compliment ;) (Though, admittedly, I've fallen off Stormlight a bit after the last behemoth of a book.)
That's a cool idea, thanks. I'll have to try that out. In my head, the final novella would have some sketches dotted throughout it.
Great installment and mystical imagery! 🌙
I went back to the TOC and am starting at the beginning....
Thanks Brian, I hope you enjoy :)
Such elegant writing. A film plays in my mind. I look forward to the next scene.
Thanks Jim, that's delightful to hear!
Oh Brae! Metamorphosis? Lost forever? Poor Renn! But wait, something wicked this way comes. At least it seems wicked! Thunder, lightning, rain, Macbeth? What next, when the hurly burly is done? Praythee, continue!
😄 Haha, all of the above? Or not? We shall have to see ... sooneth.
fantastic.
Thanks, Zachary!
Thanks so much Garrett. 🤗
Great to hear, Mitchell! Thanks for reading.