Comments | halfshellvenus: The Real LJ Idol: "Clarity"

halfshellvenus

The Real LJ Idol: "Clarity"

Apr 02, 2012 10:33

Clarity
real lj idol | week 21 | 1024 words
Bridge - an Idol Intersection with similiesslip (her story is here).

x-x-x-x-x

( I think my wife is having an affair... )

original_fiction, my_fic, real lj idol

Comments 42

tsuki_no_bara April 2 2012, 20:51:06 UTC

i really like how you and similiesslip did this! i feel bad for both halves of the couple, and i like that the story has a hopeful ending.

halfshellvenus April 2 2012, 20:56:45 UTC

Thank you! It was interesting working on a collaboration, especially so that we were telling sides of the same story instead of a different story. And deciding on kids ages, names, and other details.

The ending is hopeful. This is one of those cases more of miscommunication and neglect than anything else, and once in awhile a marriage can survive that. When you have kids, it's sure worth it to try.

Thanks for reading, and I see that you commented on the other entry too!

notodette April 3 2012, 03:34:14 UTC

I really, really like this particular story. It's one not often told.

similiesslip April 3 2012, 03:55:17 UTC

And yet, very loosely based on some experiences of people I know (at least my half) it is a story that happens, or at least people start the first point...drifting apart, feeling unappreciated, and then there comes a choice.

In some ways, I'd like to think most marriages are "happily ever after" but I think many relationships do go through some part of this (at least the questioning and considering how unappreciated they are), especially people married about as long as me and many people I know IRL (I've been married 14 years.)

The idea was all halfshellvenus's and I am very glad she was good at coming up with ideas! I thought these prompts were hard to work with at first.

halfshellvenus April 3 2012, 05:15:31 UTC

This really was a collaboration-- this basic story option was a suggestion I had for the prompts, but how my part turned out was in response to similiesslip's part, after some negotiations.

My story is the other side of drifting into a bad situation without ever meaning to or even realizing that you've gotten there. It's an everyday tragedy of when 'well-meaning' isn't good enough.

One of the things I think men don't talk about much is the expectation that of course they're all about the job, and of course things that bleed into their personal time (like schmoozing) are part of the deal. How does a man tell an employer (who already expected that the guy would be 'on board' with that overtime) that he wants to work less and spend more time with his family? Women feel trapped enough when that issue comes up, but men are often expected not to even question whatever they're asked to do-- not if their job really matters. It's such an impossible bind ( ... )

sarcasmoqueen April 3 2012, 16:40:41 UTC

Haven't read simileslip's entry yet, but I had to say I really like this one.

halfshellvenus April 4 2012, 04:38:14 UTC

Thank you so much!

It was interesting to write this perspective, as the character is so different from me, but I always like exploring unexpected viewpoints. I think most of us assume we know how a guy in this situation feels, but he doesn't see himself or his situation the way an outsider would.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

(The comment has been removed)

halfshellvenus April 4 2012, 04:40:05 UTC

Thank you! My part is the "middle" of the story, and in weighing whether to have this 'bridge' the other part or to be like a bridge that remains while other things agitate underneath... I decided to do both. :)

myrna_bird April 3 2012, 19:00:34 UTC

The willingness to communicate and work through the crisis is what will make the marriage stronger than ever. I like that you two had the woman be the unfaithful partner in this case. It let your story portray a softer side of a man.

halfshellvenus April 4 2012, 04:45:46 UTC

It actually was similiesslip's idea to have the woman be the unfaithful partner. She took the first stab at the story, and then we negotiated toward something I could work with. But we were both open to writing either prompt, either side of the story, and either gender. She settled on "Straw", and after that the gender choice was hers.

When you read both of these, you see what a huge effect lack of communication can have. The love isn't gone, but each partner is drifting in the wrong direction and neither of them realizes it. They're each only seeing their own half of things.

But after understanding what the other person thinks is happening, and actually wants... I think they could easily go another 17 years and more. :)

myrna_bird April 4 2012, 16:55:37 UTC

Absolutely true!