'something to do with the stars' — yes you are, Kirstie! Thank you for this tenderness, this opening to the rock pool of wonder that life is, and the skill to say it (and speak it aloud, a rendition that deepens our experience), for giving us some hope of doing likewise.
Thank you so much Penelope, I appreciate your comment so much - as I am in absolute awe of your own writing. Your novel ‘Nell’ keeps me thinking and thinking. I love the history and the truth of Nell’s life, and the crystal-clear beauty of your writing. I keep thinking about Nell painting the hills. Words feel more like paint to me sometimes.
This is absolutely stunning, beautiful writing. You handle the second person delicately and powerfully which is not easy to do at all (I tried it in my latest piece too and was worried about how it comes across!). I'm intrigued to read more on your page :)
Hi Daniela, thank you so much. Yes, writing in the second person is definitely out-there; and the strangeness of the form gave me the way into the two stories which seemed like mine, and ours, or yours. I’ve made a commitment to play when writing - so second person is part of that. Posting it definitely felt like the deep end. Thank you for your warm feedback and subscribing. I look forward to some more chats about process.
I love this idea of that point of overlap between two stories. And I think Substack is such a wonderful place for exploring play and experimentation. I've definitely become a lot braver and bolder with my writing since starting and more and more I'm questioning what I could do myself rather than feeling like I need to copy what others have already done. Yes looking forward to more writing chats too :)
Yes, there’s a movement from the tension of: what does the editor want; to hard-core study of technique (ropes and knots of tension); and then - there was this moment when I started painting - the loose movement of paint and gradual balance on the page made me understand: I needed to participate with my ideas. Even immersed in the most serious subjects, art/writing can be play.
This was so lovely to read and listen to Kirstie! I'm glad a friend shared this with me as I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading some of your other pieces.
The way you wove the different places and parts of the story together was very satisfying, gentle but not so subtle that the changes in place and pace are washed away. I especially liked "He hasn’t seen you before and he wonders if you are something to do with stars?", it led me into a wonderful feeling of reciprocal wondering with the octopus!
Thank you for sharing, and also for including the recording - you might have inspired me to do the same with my own!
Kia ora Tūī! Thank you so much. Yes reciprocal wondering. I spend a lot of time in the water, and if I’m not freaking out, I kind of register that creatures are curious, they wonder what I am, as I wonder about them. I see this is a theme in your forest poetry too. Wonderful.
A remarkable piece, Kirstie. I loved listening to you read while I followed the text, slowly, slowly - perfectly paced, actually. And then I listened again with my eyes closed, and was transported. And oh, that final paragraph which speaks not only of closure and enclosure, but of opening into infinitude! 'And if you began to cry, the octopus would accept this as salt water...' I began to cry. I cried and cried. You touched something very deep here, dear Kirstie, and in me, too. Much to ponder! Thank you.
Amazing. I loved the way you wove together the meetings with different others. I loved whole piece. The telling here is acutely observed and very fine, and the honesty is telling.
Hearing you read this was great! Hope the book group goes well! :)
Dear Steve, thank you so much. It’s my first attempt a a voice over (nerves) - and so appreciate your positive response. Claire Beynon’s quote at the end exactly captures the heart of the thing. I didn’t record her quote in the voice over - as I love the way she says it in her own voice, and it didn’t seem right for me to say it. You and Claire have shown me the special nature of the voice in your recordings. So my attempt is partly gratitude.
Hey Kirstie, your storytelling is so amazing and how you got the two stories mixed up and come up with a same conclusion is beautiful to read. I wish I could be in Dunedin to attend your book club meetings but wish you good luck, it sounds like a nice initiative 💚💚
Hi Harneek, thank you so much for this amazing feedback. I’d love you to be in the Dunedin book club too! I might be up to a zoom-style one at some point. Will let you know if so. Feels good to be spending time with the substantial teaching in ‘Rising Strong’ by Brené Brown, and grateful there are others here in Ōtepoti curious to see what happens when we spend some serious time with a book. Thank you for your support for my writing. This is the first thing I’ve written in 2nd person. I love figuring out the connection points in disparate stories - that’s the play part of writing for me.
'something to do with the stars' — yes you are, Kirstie! Thank you for this tenderness, this opening to the rock pool of wonder that life is, and the skill to say it (and speak it aloud, a rendition that deepens our experience), for giving us some hope of doing likewise.
Thank you so much Penelope, I appreciate your comment so much - as I am in absolute awe of your own writing. Your novel ‘Nell’ keeps me thinking and thinking. I love the history and the truth of Nell’s life, and the crystal-clear beauty of your writing. I keep thinking about Nell painting the hills. Words feel more like paint to me sometimes.
Painting the hills with flowers, I mean 🌻 ✨
This is absolutely stunning, beautiful writing. You handle the second person delicately and powerfully which is not easy to do at all (I tried it in my latest piece too and was worried about how it comes across!). I'm intrigued to read more on your page :)
Hi Daniela, thank you so much. Yes, writing in the second person is definitely out-there; and the strangeness of the form gave me the way into the two stories which seemed like mine, and ours, or yours. I’ve made a commitment to play when writing - so second person is part of that. Posting it definitely felt like the deep end. Thank you for your warm feedback and subscribing. I look forward to some more chats about process.
I love this idea of that point of overlap between two stories. And I think Substack is such a wonderful place for exploring play and experimentation. I've definitely become a lot braver and bolder with my writing since starting and more and more I'm questioning what I could do myself rather than feeling like I need to copy what others have already done. Yes looking forward to more writing chats too :)
Yes, there’s a movement from the tension of: what does the editor want; to hard-core study of technique (ropes and knots of tension); and then - there was this moment when I started painting - the loose movement of paint and gradual balance on the page made me understand: I needed to participate with my ideas. Even immersed in the most serious subjects, art/writing can be play.
This was so lovely to read and listen to Kirstie! I'm glad a friend shared this with me as I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading some of your other pieces.
The way you wove the different places and parts of the story together was very satisfying, gentle but not so subtle that the changes in place and pace are washed away. I especially liked "He hasn’t seen you before and he wonders if you are something to do with stars?", it led me into a wonderful feeling of reciprocal wondering with the octopus!
Thank you for sharing, and also for including the recording - you might have inspired me to do the same with my own!
Kia ora Tūī! Thank you so much. Yes reciprocal wondering. I spend a lot of time in the water, and if I’m not freaking out, I kind of register that creatures are curious, they wonder what I am, as I wonder about them. I see this is a theme in your forest poetry too. Wonderful.
I’ve been very grateful for the voice overs of Samantha Clark https://lifeboat.substack.com/p/finding-buoyancy-in-rough-going?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link - her work inspired me to try recording. Definitely deep end. And fun too. Kā mihi nui.
A remarkable piece, Kirstie. I loved listening to you read while I followed the text, slowly, slowly - perfectly paced, actually. And then I listened again with my eyes closed, and was transported. And oh, that final paragraph which speaks not only of closure and enclosure, but of opening into infinitude! 'And if you began to cry, the octopus would accept this as salt water...' I began to cry. I cried and cried. You touched something very deep here, dear Kirstie, and in me, too. Much to ponder! Thank you.
Dear Claire, just so amazed, your quote is at the heart of this writing. Thank you. Tears and gratitude.
Wonderful Kirstie. Thank you.
Thank you dear Carolyn.
Amazing. I loved the way you wove together the meetings with different others. I loved whole piece. The telling here is acutely observed and very fine, and the honesty is telling.
Hearing you read this was great! Hope the book group goes well! :)
Dear Steve, thank you so much. It’s my first attempt a a voice over (nerves) - and so appreciate your positive response. Claire Beynon’s quote at the end exactly captures the heart of the thing. I didn’t record her quote in the voice over - as I love the way she says it in her own voice, and it didn’t seem right for me to say it. You and Claire have shown me the special nature of the voice in your recordings. So my attempt is partly gratitude.
Hey Kirstie, your storytelling is so amazing and how you got the two stories mixed up and come up with a same conclusion is beautiful to read. I wish I could be in Dunedin to attend your book club meetings but wish you good luck, it sounds like a nice initiative 💚💚
Hi Harneek, thank you so much for this amazing feedback. I’d love you to be in the Dunedin book club too! I might be up to a zoom-style one at some point. Will let you know if so. Feels good to be spending time with the substantial teaching in ‘Rising Strong’ by Brené Brown, and grateful there are others here in Ōtepoti curious to see what happens when we spend some serious time with a book. Thank you for your support for my writing. This is the first thing I’ve written in 2nd person. I love figuring out the connection points in disparate stories - that’s the play part of writing for me.