I was on the brink of crying through most of this story. But the ending built to such a hopeful place in a hopeless situation that the tears didn't come. Instead, the precise details of the characters' physical and psychological existence as they reconnected haunted me like a ghostly love story. We don't have to survive to live and love. Such a beautiful and moving story.
I came back to this piece today because I can't stop thinking about it. Maybe that's because it touches on a tender question for me: can we learn to love again after it fades. The loss of love feels so final. Or maybe hollow? But your story makes it feel not just possible but also beautiful. Who would have thought a story about the end of the world could be hopeful? Thank you. I'm sure this won't be the last time I come back to this.
Ps: Second-person was such a unique and powerful choice here. Creates urgency and closeness. Which works so well because that feels like the point of your whole story.
Thank you so much, Sara! I got a few comments from friends that it does feel really hopeful for an end of the world story, and I’m glad that comes across. I really wanted to experiment with the theme of “frontiers” that Soft Star put forth, and the ultimate frontier I could think of was learning something new about a person you’ve known for years. And how people themselves are full of new frontiers, how love can discover itself over and over. I’m so happy this spoke to you and I truly appreciate your comments so much; as a writer that’s why I write, to connect with people. ❤️
I love that insight on frontiers! It absolutely comes across. And as a writer myself, I very much appreciate writing as a form of both exploration and connection. 💕
I was on the brink of crying through most of this story. But the ending built to such a hopeful place in a hopeless situation that the tears didn't come. Instead, the precise details of the characters' physical and psychological existence as they reconnected haunted me like a ghostly love story. We don't have to survive to live and love. Such a beautiful and moving story.
Thank you so much, John! I’m so glad you connected to it.
I came back to this piece today because I can't stop thinking about it. Maybe that's because it touches on a tender question for me: can we learn to love again after it fades. The loss of love feels so final. Or maybe hollow? But your story makes it feel not just possible but also beautiful. Who would have thought a story about the end of the world could be hopeful? Thank you. I'm sure this won't be the last time I come back to this.
Ps: Second-person was such a unique and powerful choice here. Creates urgency and closeness. Which works so well because that feels like the point of your whole story.
Thank you so much, Sara! I got a few comments from friends that it does feel really hopeful for an end of the world story, and I’m glad that comes across. I really wanted to experiment with the theme of “frontiers” that Soft Star put forth, and the ultimate frontier I could think of was learning something new about a person you’ve known for years. And how people themselves are full of new frontiers, how love can discover itself over and over. I’m so happy this spoke to you and I truly appreciate your comments so much; as a writer that’s why I write, to connect with people. ❤️
I love that insight on frontiers! It absolutely comes across. And as a writer myself, I very much appreciate writing as a form of both exploration and connection. 💕