Beautiful and heart wrenching. The things we can't take back or do over haunt us, and forgiveness given back when we are harsh is a gift that burns when we're alone. Just a glorious story!
Striking word pictures make this story of adventure and reflection come alive. My wife is the rational thinker, the planner and organizer in our relationship, while I'm the absentminded, lost in thought, "It'll work out" partner. So I get where the main character is coming from with her regret for the resentments she held against her partner. I expected her to be making a pilgrimage to a gravesite. The carving in the tree worked better. Excellent writing and composition make this a classic.
Thanks KC! I haven’t met a couple yet where one person wasn’t the pragmatist, the other the dreamer—in part or whole. Maybe it’s the yin and yang of the universe?
Thanks CJ! Not quite a kitchen sink story but nearly. Glad you found the layered nature of it worked—it’s always quite a mystery if things will land until they do (or don’t)
beautiful snow motif, music and introspective layered story, makes me want to start a little fire in the backyard. Fun to have had a little sneak peak at this before too.
The cold carries weight--oh yes! The weight of the words, so precarious in the possibilities of survival in such a place, and how courageous of you to have given your protagonist a personality raught with the little horrors of her life, NOT a heroine, yet a person who can contend with the almost impossible frigid winter alone, as a human, but with such memories to sustain her! Beautifully said. Write and write and collaborate more!!
@J. Curtis , your mastery of words always astounds me. They resonate deep in my bones and place me *in* the story, the person. Then add in @Nolan Green's soundtrack, and I'm transported even deeper. A special treat on this last day of the year! Thank you, both, for sharing your talents.
Wow, gentlemen! A real tour de force here. Every word about this very complex relationship rang true. Detailed, enveloping descriptions of the landscape and animals, made me shiver. Subtle, beautifully-placed sound. This is a work to really take pride in. I look forward to your offerings in the coming year. (Q: Is the voice-over AI? I wasn't sure.)
Thanks Sharron! It’s quite a thing to live with regret, small or large, and it felt like the right setting for the reflection.
Yes, the voice is AI—sampled, really. It took a while to find the right cadence and texture for such a human story. It’s getting better but not nearly a “push play” kind of thing yet.
Very good work here! Good job.
Thanks Cade!
Beautiful and heart wrenching. The things we can't take back or do over haunt us, and forgiveness given back when we are harsh is a gift that burns when we're alone. Just a glorious story!
Thanks Liz! A harsh gift, indeed. Thanks for reading!
Striking word pictures make this story of adventure and reflection come alive. My wife is the rational thinker, the planner and organizer in our relationship, while I'm the absentminded, lost in thought, "It'll work out" partner. So I get where the main character is coming from with her regret for the resentments she held against her partner. I expected her to be making a pilgrimage to a gravesite. The carving in the tree worked better. Excellent writing and composition make this a classic.
Thanks KC! I haven’t met a couple yet where one person wasn’t the pragmatist, the other the dreamer—in part or whole. Maybe it’s the yin and yang of the universe?
This one has everything: woman vs man, woman v nature, woman vs self, man vs self - great story, very layered and satisfying ending
Thanks CJ! Not quite a kitchen sink story but nearly. Glad you found the layered nature of it worked—it’s always quite a mystery if things will land until they do (or don’t)
beautiful snow motif, music and introspective layered story, makes me want to start a little fire in the backyard. Fun to have had a little sneak peak at this before too.
Thanks, Jon! Go out and send up some face fur to the sky.
Another beauty, J. Thank you.
Thanks Lyndsey!
The cold carries weight--oh yes! The weight of the words, so precarious in the possibilities of survival in such a place, and how courageous of you to have given your protagonist a personality raught with the little horrors of her life, NOT a heroine, yet a person who can contend with the almost impossible frigid winter alone, as a human, but with such memories to sustain her! Beautifully said. Write and write and collaborate more!!
Thanks Jill! A heroine, even a troubled one, is still a heroine, right? 😉
…awesome story and collaboration…great work…
Thank you!
@J. Curtis , your mastery of words always astounds me. They resonate deep in my bones and place me *in* the story, the person. Then add in @Nolan Green's soundtrack, and I'm transported even deeper. A special treat on this last day of the year! Thank you, both, for sharing your talents.
Thanks CB! You know how it is—you write and never know if it will connect, until it does.
Wow, gentlemen! A real tour de force here. Every word about this very complex relationship rang true. Detailed, enveloping descriptions of the landscape and animals, made me shiver. Subtle, beautifully-placed sound. This is a work to really take pride in. I look forward to your offerings in the coming year. (Q: Is the voice-over AI? I wasn't sure.)
Thanks Sharron! It’s quite a thing to live with regret, small or large, and it felt like the right setting for the reflection.
Yes, the voice is AI—sampled, really. It took a while to find the right cadence and texture for such a human story. It’s getting better but not nearly a “push play” kind of thing yet.
Absolutely excellent!
Thanks, Dad.
Best comment ever.