Embodied writing is something I've been working on recently. I loved this line you wrote:
"I remember that same professor harping on how often I described characters’ clothes. Why do we need to know what they’re wearing? she would ask, again and again."
Perhaps because it makes me feel vindicated when a critique partner didn't like my description of a character's outfit. My response: "The narrator is completely infatuated with that character and notices absolutely everything about her." The description stayed, although I removed a few details.
Aah, thank you for this, it was just what I needed to read to get back to a story idea I’ve been trying to flesh out with an emphasis on the actual fleshy embodiedness I’m sure it needs. (Also, Nana unfortunately has a conflict that night but we’re thrilled that Mateo Askaripour has joined our wonderful roster of hosts.)
I love short stories! I get SO excited when I find a new (and new-to-me) collection. It feels like a gift!
Fat Swim was a fantastic read. These lines really stood out to me: "Flesh gathers on their backs like wings. Alice would like to run a finger through the crease this flesh makes." Those two sentences blew me away. Comparing the folds of skin to wings is a brilliant image. I also loved that Alice was practically touching these women in her mind; she was so enamored with them that I could picture her standing on the stoop and reaching out her hand as though she could touch them from afar. I'm still thinking about the ending, too. Really—wow!
Embodied writing is something I've been working on recently. I loved this line you wrote:
"I remember that same professor harping on how often I described characters’ clothes. Why do we need to know what they’re wearing? she would ask, again and again."
Perhaps because it makes me feel vindicated when a critique partner didn't like my description of a character's outfit. My response: "The narrator is completely infatuated with that character and notices absolutely everything about her." The description stayed, although I removed a few details.
Yes! Noticing what someone's wearing communicates so much about the energy between two characters
Love this reflection, can't wait to read the short stories. (And also kinda love gas station croissants? Or gas station sushi?!)
Aah, thank you for this, it was just what I needed to read to get back to a story idea I’ve been trying to flesh out with an emphasis on the actual fleshy embodiedness I’m sure it needs. (Also, Nana unfortunately has a conflict that night but we’re thrilled that Mateo Askaripour has joined our wonderful roster of hosts.)
Yay so glad! Ah alas but shall be wonderful
I love short stories! I get SO excited when I find a new (and new-to-me) collection. It feels like a gift!
Fat Swim was a fantastic read. These lines really stood out to me: "Flesh gathers on their backs like wings. Alice would like to run a finger through the crease this flesh makes." Those two sentences blew me away. Comparing the folds of skin to wings is a brilliant image. I also loved that Alice was practically touching these women in her mind; she was so enamored with them that I could picture her standing on the stoop and reaching out her hand as though she could touch them from afar. I'm still thinking about the ending, too. Really—wow!
thank you so much for reading! Alice was such a fun character to write <3
Gas station croissant moments really do shine brighter in stories!! Can’t wait to read your collection 🥐
Hehehe thank you Nic!!