THE REAL LJ IDOL SEASON 8 WEEK 21 -- Intersection: Bridge

[ellakite]

Comments

[thunderflyer]

How izzit that your stories always manage to put a lump in my throat? I honestly expected Robert to jump. I could feel his despair as he lay crumpled in the back of his car, no doubt littered with reminders of the children he adored and the life he thought he had.

Your story also reminded me of the times people have reached out, not knowing theirs was the gesture that snatched me back from the precipice.

Well done.

[ellakite]

How izzit that your stories always manage to put a lump in my throat?

Maybe 'cause I crafted it that way; I felt like a right bastard putting Robert through all that crap.

Maybe 'cause we've all had *REALLY* bad days, and we've all wanted the pain to just go away... by any means necessary.

Maybe because I deliberately set you up to expect Robert to jump... right down to the title I used for the piece.

And maybe, juuuuust maybe... it's because I'm *THAT* *GOOD* at writing.

PS: If you haven't already done so, please read my partner's tale. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[thunderflyer]

I did read your partner's entry, just didn't want to reference it in my reply to avoid spoiling anyone who hadn't read it. I'm still trying to decide which part should be read first, or if the two could be meshed together somehow.

[ellakite]

I did read your partner's entry, just didn't want to reference it in my reply to avoid spoiling anyone who hadn't read it.

Got it. Thanks.

I'm still trying to decide which part should be read first, or if the two could be meshed together somehow.To a fair extent, we specifically designed our pieces so that they could be read in either order -- The stories show two very different people living very different lives who "intersect" one day. Each of them experiences that meeting in their own way, and comes away with something they never would have expected

[pixiebelle]

Very nice companion piece to your partners. I liked the message here as well... It's something I try to remember when I think everything is falling apart. There's always hope for putting things back together again, just perhaps in a way you'd never have realized before.

Nice job, you two!

[ellakite]

Thanks so much for the compliments/feedback. This project was *VERY* much a collaborative effort... and I think that shows.

What I especially like, though, is that the writing styles used in the two pieces are *VERY* different... but both good in their own way. And yet, the pieces mesh together extraordinarily well.

As for the message -- I used to be terrified of change, considered it a fate worse than death. It's only in recent years that I've been able to see that change can be beautiful.

[pixiebelle]

The writing styles are very different, they are each your own. You're both unique in that way and I think that's a good thing. It's better than trying to mimic someone's style when you can make two pieces work with different styles like you've done here.

It's only been a recent thing for me too. It took my family losing everything in a house fire, a divorce, the inability to find a job, etc before I found that some of the worst things in life can lead to new beginnings if you open your eyes and look for the opportunities. My life is so different; I never would have imagined the life I'm living now. Some things are wonderful, others not so much. But whenever I lose hope, I remember that moving to CA happened in 2 weeks. I had no idea I'd do such a thing until I was doing it. Who knows what change will pop up when I least expect it?

[ellakite]

To a fair extent, I think the two writing styles reflect the viewpoints of the two central characters. While n3m3sis42 and I worked very closely together to make sure the critical meeting between our characters had no major discrepancies, there are little differences which reflect the respective character's POV. While I never explicitly say so, Robert is obviously grounded in the physical world, while The Straw Man is very much a "spiritual" creature. Robert is Tao, while The Straw Man is Zen. Each of them bring something different to their encounter... and in a way, each benefit from the meeting.

Bottom line: I was *VERY* happy with the story idea while I was working on it... and if anything, the combined work exceeded my expectations. And that's always a good thing.

Anyway -- I *REALLY* gotta go sleep. But again: thanks for the feedback!

[basric]

Life has just dumped on this poor guy. I'm interested to see whether the stranger affects him so I'mm of to read your partner's entry.

[ellakite]

Life dumps on all of us at some point. I'll admit I was particularly rough with Robert... but what happened to him is entirely plausible. Which is why it hurts so damned much to read about him.

I saw you enjoyed my partner's entry. I won't ask you to play favorites... so *PLEASE* vote for both of us, if you don't mind. ;)

Thanks for the feedback.

[basric]

I thought you both intersected perfectly. Sorry if I didn't let you know how much I enjoyed both of your entries. And voted for both, too.

[ellakite]

I figured as much... but I appreciate the confirmation. Thanks.

[m_malcontent]

Love the speaker and want him to get Valerie and the rest of it...well done.

[ellakite]

I honestly don't know whether or not Robert "gets" Valerie, or any of the other things he's thinking about... but at least he's going to *TRY*, and that's definitely a step in the right direction.

Thanks for the feedback.

[myrna_bird]

Bravo! I really enjoyed reading this and the epiphany was such a great and hopeful ending. You two did an outstanding job with the intersection! :)

[ellakite]

Thanks so much! This very much was a collaborative effort, with a lot of back-and-forth between

[myrna_bird]

And just so creative!