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Sharron Bassano's avatar

What an unusual concept Barrie. I loved every line of this story, So unpredictable. So unresolved. These two parts especially resonated with me:

"there was a sadness in this room and those other girls were compensating, exaggerating their levity, over-emphasising the collective exuberance of their youth." I see evidence of this compensation in two young women I recently met! Something terribly false about their bubbling hilarity, their dramatic interaction ... I can only think it is perhaps a weird symptom of having spent so much time on line in "virtual reality" that they have never learned what real emotion in the real world is?

"The young girls thought the lives they are leading invented love, lust, friendships, acceptance and rejection. I wonder - don't most young people think that they have newly created everything themselves and older people are just of a separate, passé world? I mean, if a woman is 6o years old (euuw!) - what could she possibly know?

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

The premise from that line in Elif Shafak’s amazing book just sparkled with possibilities … initially, reading her words has made me second-guess my own writing - when you read an author who is SO on top of her game, it makes me feel daunted … so I decided to turn it on its head. The concept of ‘disappearing’ in the eyes of others in our senior years is one that nips away at my heels. The ideas just all funnelled into this wee piece. So happy you enjoyed the tale so much, Sharron. Thank you so much for reading it and for the encouragement.

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Sarah Moorcroft's avatar

I just loved the construct of unopened letters, of lives lived and loves lost. Compelling writing:)

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

As soon as I read the Elif Shafak line, months ago, the idea caught hold … and as I head towards a milestone birthday, I was pondering the invisibility of old age … and sliding doors, the lives we might have led … such a rich vein. Thank you so much for reading, Sarah.

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Sarah Moorcroft's avatar

I was captivated and inspired by the idea, I’m curious about letter writing as a fictional form, somehow freeing in style. I don’t know how to write fiction, and am just learning to write wearing my invisibility cloak of older womanhood. You are giving me ideas to try out which is fabulous, thank you:). All birthdays are opportunities to explore new doorways, enjoy stepping through this next one:) - and maybe that’s an idea as well - hmm, heads of into a dark space to think:)

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Ah, I love letter writing fiction. So much you can pack into the silences between letters. And old fashioned snail mail allowed for life to move along as the letters meandered through the postal system. I’m cycling now but I have an example I was pleased with. An imaginary exchange with Henry Miller. I can share it later. Happy writing.

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Helen Rowlands's avatar

I loved this - thank you :-D

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Thank you so much, Helen. So much lovely encouragement to wake up to!

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Mich Bondesio's avatar

Beautiful tale with a bittersweet ending, just lovely Barrie. :)

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Mich, so lovely to see you here and so fab that you peeked in on my words. Thank you so much. 😊

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Matt Inwood's avatar

A really clever run with Elif's inspirational idea. Love the twist at the end – something you do so very well. An idea that could also work well with a much longer exploration, and more. Beautifully done, B. x

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Aw, you’re the best, Matt … such an encourager! It truly is appreciated. I enjoyed this one; the idea, and the way it unfolded. So many possibilities in the unread letters. Thanks for reading, my friend x

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Stephanie Sweeney's avatar

Heartbreaking! Fascinating concept, and thanks for sharing what sparked the idea for you - I love learning those sorts of behind-the-scenes craft tidbits. I also really enjoyed the way you played with tension between the main character and the young coworkers -- the perspective shifts and insecurities on both ends, and the ways those insecurities and worldviews manifest to others.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

I love trying different prompts … photos, art, and now ideas from novels. I’m in a spell of not limiting my wordcount and it is unlocking some different stories with a few more meanders. Thank you so much for picking up on that interplay. As an ‘older writer’ I’m curious about young minds, perspectives, and attitudes. Interesting to challenge myself to see the world through their eyes. I wondered about a version of this from the young women’s perspective. Maybe, another time. Thanks so much for reading.

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