Wow, Evelyn, this is a mind trip in a great way! It has the feel of mythology or an ancient text, even though it refers to advanced technology. But then again, we're talking about unfathomable time spans and time travel, so maybe ancient doesn't really mean anything in this context! Also I like the idea of having a cycle every four or five summers. That sounds ideal!
ive read this twice and each time it seems to have the effect of creating a dream-like state of mind. i wonder if you were in a dream like state when you wrote it? having read some of your other work now i can see how you are drawing from a larger imagined universe and mythology which means there isnt as much exposition as there would likely be if this was a completely new train of thought for you. Always enjoy reading your work Evelyn.
Yes, I am drawing from a much larger setting, which may seem like a flaw to some readers who are unaware (yet) of more details about that setting. I often make these oblique references which obviously mean something to me, but might be confusing to others. So from that point of view it’s a flaw.
On the other paw, I’m also kind of hoping that I’m creating unanswered but intriguing questions, which is a significant aspect to narrative theory and, well, reading - if you get the reader’s engagement then they will be asking their own questions (i.e. creating their own subtext, with the help of the writer’s suggestions) - but it is important for the writer to be mindful of what those questions might be, and to make sure you don’t ultimately leave your readers frustrated by either taking too long in the narrative to answer those questions, or not answering them at all.
In regards to this first story, I am hoping that it provides enough unanswered stuff for people to indeed want to know what happens next. After arrival on this planet in the cretaceous, I mean. And how, timeships notwithstanding, or why, did they end up 120 million years in the future (i.e. now, lol).
You are also on to something there when you mentioned the dream-like state - I do indeed get into that trance-like state when I write, like a kind of method acting perhaps. Or meditation. So I’m kind of ‘there’ and just writing down what I’m seeing/hearing/feeling/experiencing etc. It’s a dissociation thing.
...and the stories we carry with us too.
Wow, Evelyn, this is a mind trip in a great way! It has the feel of mythology or an ancient text, even though it refers to advanced technology. But then again, we're talking about unfathomable time spans and time travel, so maybe ancient doesn't really mean anything in this context! Also I like the idea of having a cycle every four or five summers. That sounds ideal!
ive read this twice and each time it seems to have the effect of creating a dream-like state of mind. i wonder if you were in a dream like state when you wrote it? having read some of your other work now i can see how you are drawing from a larger imagined universe and mythology which means there isnt as much exposition as there would likely be if this was a completely new train of thought for you. Always enjoy reading your work Evelyn.
That’s a lovely thing to say, thank you!
Yes, I am drawing from a much larger setting, which may seem like a flaw to some readers who are unaware (yet) of more details about that setting. I often make these oblique references which obviously mean something to me, but might be confusing to others. So from that point of view it’s a flaw.
On the other paw, I’m also kind of hoping that I’m creating unanswered but intriguing questions, which is a significant aspect to narrative theory and, well, reading - if you get the reader’s engagement then they will be asking their own questions (i.e. creating their own subtext, with the help of the writer’s suggestions) - but it is important for the writer to be mindful of what those questions might be, and to make sure you don’t ultimately leave your readers frustrated by either taking too long in the narrative to answer those questions, or not answering them at all.
In regards to this first story, I am hoping that it provides enough unanswered stuff for people to indeed want to know what happens next. After arrival on this planet in the cretaceous, I mean. And how, timeships notwithstanding, or why, did they end up 120 million years in the future (i.e. now, lol).
You are also on to something there when you mentioned the dream-like state - I do indeed get into that trance-like state when I write, like a kind of method acting perhaps. Or meditation. So I’m kind of ‘there’ and just writing down what I’m seeing/hearing/feeling/experiencing etc. It’s a dissociation thing.
Hopefully it works…
Oh - thanks for reading it twice! That’s a real compliment!
I love all the threads you wove into this. And I think I have a Paetri living in my house.
'Of course' if I was judging this would win. But then if I was judging no other entries would be read. Which I imagine isn't really fair?
Course it’s not fair! Got to give the other guy at least a fighting chance, eh!