I hope you’ll continue the story. My novel is a mosaic of short stories exactly because I didn’t know how to write a whole novel beginning to end. I actually love the format so much now.
I do hope this story will continue soon too, Nathan. It was great to be back invited back into this vividly realised world, in such company.
Claudia, if you love the short-stories-assembled-into-a-novel format, I would thoroughly recommend „The Hair-Carpet Weavers“ by Andreas Eschbach, if you have not read that. Each chapter is linked together, more or less directly or indirectly, with an ever-expanding scope as the book progresses. Superb. And Nathan agrees. (I think!)
Loved this Nathan. It’s all about the characters for me, so the story can set anywhere as long as I relate to, and believe in them. But here you manage to do that but also keep me intrigued in the world around these two soul mates. Would definitely read a book of these short tales 👍🏼
I'm in, Nathan. In no particular order is fine with me. I don't mind fragments at all. Life is all fragments, right? Well... mine is, anyway. Your characters are well developed right from the beginning and they are interesting.
This might be the very episode of Precipice which first gave me that sensation, Nathan - these fragments ("snapshots") are incredibly engaging - they can be just as whole, in pieces. (Though of course I do hope you will continue with it... :) Thank you!
I still don't really know how to read Jisa & Cloud's relationship but it's good to see them again! It was fun to read your fragments the first time around, like peeking into their lives for a little bit at a time before leaving them for another while. Sometimes the writing is just like that & it's ok. A story I published recently (Lab Death) is actually a rewrite of a different version I wrote 4 years ago. I didn't know what it was missing until now. Keep going, I'm sure you'll figure it out too!
Nathan, I'm so sorry I missed this when it first came out. So wonderful to hear your thought process about Jisa. I think if it stays with you this long, it's begging to be written - continued - or turned inside out. Whatever that might be. Sometimes the end result looks totally different from the start and it's only you who will know how a got to b. Substack and its related fiction dialogue allows so much freedom in thinking about what a piece of writing should or can look like...there isn't a standard format anymore, but one can still play with or against formats. Thanks for bringing us back into this immersive world. It flows so naturally from you.
PS I also like that you are mourning your other fictional character - however I guess sometimes that mourning is the real abstract mourning of a loss as well.
Now I have to read more Nathan! In fragments or however it comes to you...
I have my own story, half written in fragments I have yet to put order to, and though far from similar, inspired by a bewitching story which I have never forgotten and remains my favourite on Substack ever, called...The Sernox.
One day I too hope to finish it and that day will be soon enough.
Your back! Glad you’re picking this up again. It’s an amazing amount of world building packed into such a short span of writing. Can’t wait for more of the story.
“Just slip in and taste the rain”, thank you, I will, and I did.I love this introduction, Nathan. A one sentence poem, if you will. A sensual invitation to an unknown place, drawing me in to the story. I am not a writer, but I have no doubt that world building is an extremely difficult task. So far, it feels dystopian.
“The underlying rock that in places drips with water” ( I don’t think I told you how the raspberry plants were watered, but coincidentally, very true, by the bored holes in the boulders! ).
I enjoy the care you take to build up this scene--not just physically, but emotionally. We slip through a doorway into this world. I like the fragments and agree with Sharron. This is how our thoughts come packaged: in rainy vignettes blurring the edges of feelings, people and places. Looking forward to another piece of the story as you enjoy the slow, patient crafting of it in whatever ways it wants to arrive . . .
"The Undertow is a cavernous expanse, a grotto carved into rock leaving small recessed seating along each wall. The centre of the room contains a dimly lit bar, a soft yellow glow catching on each bottle, jar and glass. A few couples occupy the nooks along one edge, but as I expected—as I hoped, I find myself realising—most are empty. Even at its peak, this is a place of intimacy and privacy. Two things I have never desired more.
Love reentering this world Nathan. Feels like Blade Runner in the Upside Down. And then you contrast that with something almost light and hopeful in Jisa—a strange, surreal foundation for a great story.
And the unnatural vacancy of this landscape is haunting!
“There is irony in the sustained rains being unable to ever quench that great riverbed. The bedrock just laps it up, sucks it down, funnels it away through the shafts we bored.”
I hope you’ll continue the story. My novel is a mosaic of short stories exactly because I didn’t know how to write a whole novel beginning to end. I actually love the format so much now.
That's great to hear!
I do hope this story will continue soon too, Nathan. It was great to be back invited back into this vividly realised world, in such company.
Claudia, if you love the short-stories-assembled-into-a-novel format, I would thoroughly recommend „The Hair-Carpet Weavers“ by Andreas Eschbach, if you have not read that. Each chapter is linked together, more or less directly or indirectly, with an ever-expanding scope as the book progresses. Superb. And Nathan agrees. (I think!)
Thanks. I hope so too!
And yes, full approval of THCW. Fantastic tale and a really interesting narrative structure.
Thanks for the recommendation! 💚
Loved this Nathan. It’s all about the characters for me, so the story can set anywhere as long as I relate to, and believe in them. But here you manage to do that but also keep me intrigued in the world around these two soul mates. Would definitely read a book of these short tales 👍🏼
Thanks so much, Dan. That's great (and comforting) to hear.
Me, too.
I'm in, Nathan. In no particular order is fine with me. I don't mind fragments at all. Life is all fragments, right? Well... mine is, anyway. Your characters are well developed right from the beginning and they are interesting.
Thanks, Sharron! Life is indeed fragments. Many of them.
This is my first exposure to these characters, and I’d say this story could be summed up with one word: delicious! Hoping for more… 😌
Aw, yay. Thanks Rose. That's wonderful.
This might be the very episode of Precipice which first gave me that sensation, Nathan - these fragments ("snapshots") are incredibly engaging - they can be just as whole, in pieces. (Though of course I do hope you will continue with it... :) Thank you!
Yay. I picked the correct one, hehe.
I still don't really know how to read Jisa & Cloud's relationship but it's good to see them again! It was fun to read your fragments the first time around, like peeking into their lives for a little bit at a time before leaving them for another while. Sometimes the writing is just like that & it's ok. A story I published recently (Lab Death) is actually a rewrite of a different version I wrote 4 years ago. I didn't know what it was missing until now. Keep going, I'm sure you'll figure it out too!
Thanks Vanessa. That's great to hear about your own story. I'm sorry I'm so behind. It is sitting there in my inbox waiting for me. ☺️
Nathan, I'm so sorry I missed this when it first came out. So wonderful to hear your thought process about Jisa. I think if it stays with you this long, it's begging to be written - continued - or turned inside out. Whatever that might be. Sometimes the end result looks totally different from the start and it's only you who will know how a got to b. Substack and its related fiction dialogue allows so much freedom in thinking about what a piece of writing should or can look like...there isn't a standard format anymore, but one can still play with or against formats. Thanks for bringing us back into this immersive world. It flows so naturally from you.
Thanks Kate. Nothing to apologise for!
I do think that too, that the fact this has been with me for song long makes me know it wants to be continued and finished. 🙏
PS I also like that you are mourning your other fictional character - however I guess sometimes that mourning is the real abstract mourning of a loss as well.
Yes, I think you're right here, it is a real mourning in a way. Partly, it's a morning of that time writing that story. It was a special time.
So many ways of mourning. Probably helps to create something new!
Now I have to read more Nathan! In fragments or however it comes to you...
I have my own story, half written in fragments I have yet to put order to, and though far from similar, inspired by a bewitching story which I have never forgotten and remains my favourite on Substack ever, called...The Sernox.
One day I too hope to finish it and that day will be soon enough.
Nathan you write magic!
🤗🤗🤗🤗
Thank you, Susie. Means the world.
I hope you're well.
(Unfortunately, I'm sick at the moment, which is doing nothing to help me catch up on here!)
Healing hugs are winging their way in the wind Nathan, get well soon! 🤗
Thanks Susie! 🤗
Your back! Glad you’re picking this up again. It’s an amazing amount of world building packed into such a short span of writing. Can’t wait for more of the story.
Thanks, Ben! I'm really behind, with several of your latest in my inbox.
Hope you're well my friend.
Precipice and Brae will be completed at your own pace. Trust in that. I have faith in you!
Thanks, Alexander!!
It's a film told in still photos. A short story in under half an hour. Black and white, which adds to the atmosphere.
Just a quick note before my laptop runs out of juice. RE: telling a story through snapshots. You are familiar with La Jetée? https://youtu.be/d6ZkUYCOmZw?si=qHjvdKbHLzdv2UQX
I’m not, no. Thanks for the link, Terry.
“Just slip in and taste the rain”, thank you, I will, and I did.I love this introduction, Nathan. A one sentence poem, if you will. A sensual invitation to an unknown place, drawing me in to the story. I am not a writer, but I have no doubt that world building is an extremely difficult task. So far, it feels dystopian.
“The underlying rock that in places drips with water” ( I don’t think I told you how the raspberry plants were watered, but coincidentally, very true, by the bored holes in the boulders! ).
Precipice, is a great title.
!! But of course that's how they're watered. The synchronicity/coincidence across this boulder-house keeps making me smile.
I enjoy the care you take to build up this scene--not just physically, but emotionally. We slip through a doorway into this world. I like the fragments and agree with Sharron. This is how our thoughts come packaged: in rainy vignettes blurring the edges of feelings, people and places. Looking forward to another piece of the story as you enjoy the slow, patient crafting of it in whatever ways it wants to arrive . . .
"The Undertow is a cavernous expanse, a grotto carved into rock leaving small recessed seating along each wall. The centre of the room contains a dimly lit bar, a soft yellow glow catching on each bottle, jar and glass. A few couples occupy the nooks along one edge, but as I expected—as I hoped, I find myself realising—most are empty. Even at its peak, this is a place of intimacy and privacy. Two things I have never desired more.
"Rainy vignettes blurring the edges of feelings, people and places."
This is gold!
Thank you, Ann. It's a warm feeling for me to return to these characters and their lives. I hope I can continue.
Love reentering this world Nathan. Feels like Blade Runner in the Upside Down. And then you contrast that with something almost light and hopeful in Jisa—a strange, surreal foundation for a great story.
And the unnatural vacancy of this landscape is haunting!
“There is irony in the sustained rains being unable to ever quench that great riverbed. The bedrock just laps it up, sucks it down, funnels it away through the shafts we bored.”
Thank you my friend. I like that combination. ☺️
I need to channel Ben and propel this towards a full novel!
Yes yes yes!!!!