I am a little behind with reading, but as usual you are masterful in creating atmosphere and a sensation for the reader. Reading your pieces is literally going to school for me, I learn so much. You use words like the wind plays music in the woods: a choreographic effect by an invisible force.
I’m pleased you’re enjoying the story as well as the way it’s put together!
What do I aim to convey with fear? Do you mean why do I want to frighten readers, what message is in it? We’re heading for self-destruction with our western life style that grabs and uses up all the resources of the planet. We ought to be more frightened by that than the horror stories that scare us at an individual level but aren’t intended as a warning.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by ‘aim’. I don’t want to preach or ‘make a point’ in a very obvious propagandist way, but you’re right, this kind of story does have a message that I try to write via the characters. Emer is a victim of the times she won’t, can’t acknowledge, in the same way people vote for those who will ultimately destroy them. Dev is more willing to believe the worst, but apart from changing his own habits, he doesn’t see what else he can do. Only Bozo has no doubt that his world is ending, and being an animal, is resigned to what’s coming.
Yes, you could say the situations and the characters mirror what we are going through, but I don’t have any solution to offer except that it has to be a collective one.
I simply meant what you want to say. I think your point makes sense and it is powerful enough—there is a lot more, in my humble view—than what is beautifully written in the lines.
Thanks for the insight, helps me value your work even more.
That’s kind of you to say so, and encouraging. I feel strongly that with all the human tragedies going on in the world, we’ve forgotten about how we are ravaging the planet. One day, we’ll have mobile phones that can do dozens of useless things, but there will be no rain forests, no great apes, large predators, song birds or hedgehogs. I know which I’d rather have.
I feel dread! I’ve had to learn the hard way (and the lesson doesn’t always stick) not to touch wild creatures or plants without knowing something about them. Oh, Emer! What have you done? Excellent!
We’re messing about with nature all the time, knowing full well that there are consequences to all of it. One of them might be nature starting to mess with us.
(I think someone called Jess wandered in when really it was Emer.) I like the idea of using this exotic plant to create an atmosphere of fear and foreboding. Looking forward to where this one goes. xx
Do you remember when I found jimson weed growing in Riverside Park? It comes back every year in the same place. I also saw some growing in a pot in front of a brownstone last year. I was hoping it was far enough away from the sidewalk that no child would idly put their hand on it as they walked by...
I hadn’t realised jimson weed was the same stuff. I’ve seen hardly any of it since they tidied up the wasteland along the river, but I did see a tiny patch of it here, by the side of a field. Immediately gave me the shivers. I think your reaction was spot on.
I almost called to report it, but I didn't write down the address. I also hope the Riverside Park employees that clear it out every year know to wear gloves. They clearly don't get the roots as it keeps coming back.
At least they’re clearing it out. They must know that it’s an undesirable. I suppose it got here because some garden plant business thought it was a good idea to import some. Could have just slipped in unasked though.
Datura stramonium, aka jimson-weed, has naturalized over much of the US. We found some growing in a waste area behind a public garden where I volunteer in Michigan. We watched to see if it would return after the winter or spread, but haven't seen any more. It definitely had a "Little Shop of Horrors" look to it!
It does look unnatural, especially among very traditional wild flowers. Nothing around has the same exotic look. It doesn’t look as though it could survive hard winters, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
I can’t help thinking about all the household pets when the big thing hits. Or when life starts to get difficult. They don’t often get a mention in the speculations.
That’s what happens to the feral cats too. They’re better at survival than dogs, but they’re still not completely wild. The kittens especially don’t last long :(
Oh goodie! I'm going to dive into this now. Happy to have a longer, serialized story to sink into.
There are a couple more sections to come. I was going to post one today, but I think I’ll post a poem instead. Back to Behemoth tomorrow.
Thank you for the opportunity to read.
I am a little behind with reading, but as usual you are masterful in creating atmosphere and a sensation for the reader. Reading your pieces is literally going to school for me, I learn so much. You use words like the wind plays music in the woods: a choreographic effect by an invisible force.
One question—what do you aim to convey with fear?
I’m pleased you’re enjoying the story as well as the way it’s put together!
What do I aim to convey with fear? Do you mean why do I want to frighten readers, what message is in it? We’re heading for self-destruction with our western life style that grabs and uses up all the resources of the planet. We ought to be more frightened by that than the horror stories that scare us at an individual level but aren’t intended as a warning.
Thank you Jane, so you mean there is no particular aim, rather this is a result of the way we live now.
In a way, your stories “mirror” us—does that make sense?
I’m not quite sure what you mean by ‘aim’. I don’t want to preach or ‘make a point’ in a very obvious propagandist way, but you’re right, this kind of story does have a message that I try to write via the characters. Emer is a victim of the times she won’t, can’t acknowledge, in the same way people vote for those who will ultimately destroy them. Dev is more willing to believe the worst, but apart from changing his own habits, he doesn’t see what else he can do. Only Bozo has no doubt that his world is ending, and being an animal, is resigned to what’s coming.
Yes, you could say the situations and the characters mirror what we are going through, but I don’t have any solution to offer except that it has to be a collective one.
I simply meant what you want to say. I think your point makes sense and it is powerful enough—there is a lot more, in my humble view—than what is beautifully written in the lines.
Thanks for the insight, helps me value your work even more.
That’s kind of you to say so, and encouraging. I feel strongly that with all the human tragedies going on in the world, we’ve forgotten about how we are ravaging the planet. One day, we’ll have mobile phones that can do dozens of useless things, but there will be no rain forests, no great apes, large predators, song birds or hedgehogs. I know which I’d rather have.
This is great
I’m pleased you’re enjoying it!
Oh, this is very ominous... I'm loving it! 💕
That plant gave me the creeps. Nightmares. I’m not the only one either!
I feel dread! I’ve had to learn the hard way (and the lesson doesn’t always stick) not to touch wild creatures or plants without knowing something about them. Oh, Emer! What have you done? Excellent!
We’re messing about with nature all the time, knowing full well that there are consequences to all of it. One of them might be nature starting to mess with us.
(I think someone called Jess wandered in when really it was Emer.) I like the idea of using this exotic plant to create an atmosphere of fear and foreboding. Looking forward to where this one goes. xx
Oops! Thanks for pointing that out. I thought I’d got rid of her. She was a placeholder name, but I kept thinking it was more suitable for a sheepdog…
Do you remember when I found jimson weed growing in Riverside Park? It comes back every year in the same place. I also saw some growing in a pot in front of a brownstone last year. I was hoping it was far enough away from the sidewalk that no child would idly put their hand on it as they walked by...
I hadn’t realised jimson weed was the same stuff. I’ve seen hardly any of it since they tidied up the wasteland along the river, but I did see a tiny patch of it here, by the side of a field. Immediately gave me the shivers. I think your reaction was spot on.
I almost called to report it, but I didn't write down the address. I also hope the Riverside Park employees that clear it out every year know to wear gloves. They clearly don't get the roots as it keeps coming back.
At least they’re clearing it out. They must know that it’s an undesirable. I suppose it got here because some garden plant business thought it was a good idea to import some. Could have just slipped in unasked though.
Datura stramonium, aka jimson-weed, has naturalized over much of the US. We found some growing in a waste area behind a public garden where I volunteer in Michigan. We watched to see if it would return after the winter or spread, but haven't seen any more. It definitely had a "Little Shop of Horrors" look to it!
It does look unnatural, especially among very traditional wild flowers. Nothing around has the same exotic look. It doesn’t look as though it could survive hard winters, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
Oh, I think Bozo is afraid of that plant.
Dogs generally have more sense than we do.
Absolutely!
Oh, I'm afraid for poor Bozo...
I can’t help thinking about all the household pets when the big thing hits. Or when life starts to get difficult. They don’t often get a mention in the speculations.
All the poor abandoned pets in the boatyard. Around here, many become food for the coyotes, Bobcats, and owls... 😥
That’s what happens to the feral cats too. They’re better at survival than dogs, but they’re still not completely wild. The kittens especially don’t last long :(
I wish there was an "agree" button instead of a "like" button...
I know :(
Intriguing start Jane. Looking forward to the next instalment!
Thanks! I wrote it for my first publisher when they asked for shorter fiction. They didn’t want it. Said it was too terrifying for requirements.
Now I’m feeling a bit nervous about what comes next! 😁
You’re okay for a bit. It’s only the end that’s rather apocalyptic.