When I see a new story or post from you I think I’ll save it to savor when I’m free, but I can’t wait because I know your writing will free something in me. This piece - oh my, deep and light and beautiful. Thank you!
I loved this story for its details about being with Ann, the lived experience of spending time in the room with someone who cannot speak. Who can catch a ball with one hand and who bursts into tears at the sight of Scrabble tiles. But most of all, the thread involving the ring touched me and haunted me and made me think about other stories about a ring. Rings automatically conjure fairy tales to me, and they play such a specific yet unpredictable role in whatever tale they appear in.
Thanks so much, I agree about the fairytale aspect. There is an earlier stack post about an even more magical experience involving a ring, I’ll post here FYI: lauriestone.substack.com/p/ring
Such a compelling story and written so well. Sometimes, when I read someone who writes as well as you, I can feel like my own writing is not good enough. I'm sure that is what some people say about my photography. So glad you posted a photo by Vivian M. Love her work. linda www.lindawolf.net
Thanks, Laurie, this piece really touched me. I have my best friend currently in the state of Ann almost exactly. And you're painting that picture and weaving in and out of your different thoughts is just wonderful. Question: how would you describe the section where the man wakes up at age 64 and ends up missing his wife? Is that like a dream? Interlude he's having? A jump cut, a fanciful diversion? It reminded me of Virginia Woolf in passages where all the sudden I'm not sure of where I am in the telling. But it flows and and fits and carries everything forward at the same time.
Good question. Remember: everything I write is the narrator talking to the reader. It's always the thoughts of the narrator. The narrator is pulling back and seeing this picture in her mind.
oh gosh, such fantastic writing, laurie. i love how you unfurl these examinations of partnerships, the rules of engagement within each, how cam reconciles his and you and richard reconcile yours. the tacit compromises and acceptances. that moment with you alone with ann in the hospital was so lovely, i was almost sorry there was more to the piece because it felt like such a perfect ending. and then there you go and give us another one. i can't even articulate why your prose moves me so much, whatever it is you do that feels like life distilled. "you look like someone who could break a spell" caught my breath and held it. just GORGEOUS.
Such an intriguing piece. I shared it to Notes with my double recommendations. The voice pushed me forward even when the story made me want to turn away. Brava.
This was a wonderful piece! I got a fright when I saw the ring at the end, because it looked nothing like my imaginary ring; but then I realised, the ring in the photo is not the ring from your story, which has a diamond in the centre, not a sapphire. Anyway, I know you like to tinker to make a better story. I liked the certainty of the sylph. What a relief! She set you straight!
The ring the sylph sold is long gone. The sylph and I are still friends. The ring in the pic looks like the ring I bought, but the diamond and sapphires are reversed, as you noticed. I'm sure you know, there is much that happened I didn't include because it's not relevant to the story I wanted to tell, and the story I want to tell only becomes possible to know by starting to write and seeing what happens. There is nothing planned or pre-imagined. I'm delighted to have you as a reader. Best, L
Sorry. I am impressed by how fully drawn your people and their tensions are despite the economy of your writing. Hoping this is a bit less nebulous. All to say, thank you.
Such a devastating piece of writing. Thank you.
When I see a new story or post from you I think I’ll save it to savor when I’m free, but I can’t wait because I know your writing will free something in me. This piece - oh my, deep and light and beautiful. Thank you!
Thanks so much! Please come to a Zoom, some time, it's a conversation, ish, and it would be delightful to see you.
I loved this story for its details about being with Ann, the lived experience of spending time in the room with someone who cannot speak. Who can catch a ball with one hand and who bursts into tears at the sight of Scrabble tiles. But most of all, the thread involving the ring touched me and haunted me and made me think about other stories about a ring. Rings automatically conjure fairy tales to me, and they play such a specific yet unpredictable role in whatever tale they appear in.
Thanks so much, I agree about the fairytale aspect. There is an earlier stack post about an even more magical experience involving a ring, I’ll post here FYI: lauriestone.substack.com/p/ring
Such a compelling story and written so well. Sometimes, when I read someone who writes as well as you, I can feel like my own writing is not good enough. I'm sure that is what some people say about my photography. So glad you posted a photo by Vivian M. Love her work. linda www.lindawolf.net
I hope the writing helps people find their own voices. And if you can see a technique you like, just take it. Nothing is nailed down. xxL
Really, Laurie. This is so lovely. Every detail you choose to add, drops me in time and place and emotion so skillfully. I love this piece.
Thanks so much dear Maggie for this thoughtful comment.
Love that you included such a wonderfully apt photo by Vivian Maier!
Breathtaking - humanising. Thank you
Thank you!
Thanks, Laurie, this piece really touched me. I have my best friend currently in the state of Ann almost exactly. And you're painting that picture and weaving in and out of your different thoughts is just wonderful. Question: how would you describe the section where the man wakes up at age 64 and ends up missing his wife? Is that like a dream? Interlude he's having? A jump cut, a fanciful diversion? It reminded me of Virginia Woolf in passages where all the sudden I'm not sure of where I am in the telling. But it flows and and fits and carries everything forward at the same time.
Good question. Remember: everything I write is the narrator talking to the reader. It's always the thoughts of the narrator. The narrator is pulling back and seeing this picture in her mind.
I love what you made of all these happenings. :)
Thanks, love.
oh gosh, such fantastic writing, laurie. i love how you unfurl these examinations of partnerships, the rules of engagement within each, how cam reconciles his and you and richard reconcile yours. the tacit compromises and acceptances. that moment with you alone with ann in the hospital was so lovely, i was almost sorry there was more to the piece because it felt like such a perfect ending. and then there you go and give us another one. i can't even articulate why your prose moves me so much, whatever it is you do that feels like life distilled. "you look like someone who could break a spell" caught my breath and held it. just GORGEOUS.
I’m smiling because I see you smiling. ❤️
Such an intriguing piece. I shared it to Notes with my double recommendations. The voice pushed me forward even when the story made me want to turn away. Brava.
Laurie your writing is completely captivating. Thank you for sharing it.
I’m so pleased you are happy.
Lovely to ramble into your territory
Many thanks!
This was a wonderful piece! I got a fright when I saw the ring at the end, because it looked nothing like my imaginary ring; but then I realised, the ring in the photo is not the ring from your story, which has a diamond in the centre, not a sapphire. Anyway, I know you like to tinker to make a better story. I liked the certainty of the sylph. What a relief! She set you straight!
The ring the sylph sold is long gone. The sylph and I are still friends. The ring in the pic looks like the ring I bought, but the diamond and sapphires are reversed, as you noticed. I'm sure you know, there is much that happened I didn't include because it's not relevant to the story I wanted to tell, and the story I want to tell only becomes possible to know by starting to write and seeing what happens. There is nothing planned or pre-imagined. I'm delighted to have you as a reader. Best, L
Beautiful. I’m glad I’m on a mini-vacation so I could slow down and savor.
Thanks, love. xxL
Sorry. I am impressed by how fully drawn your people and their tensions are despite the economy of your writing. Hoping this is a bit less nebulous. All to say, thank you.
Yes, I understand. You pick your moment and explode it, you don't need a lot. xxL