I encourage feedback

[tapati]

As I write the saga of Mahasraya I encourage feedback. For now I am mainly trying to get the basic outline of these events down as my preliminary work on a future book. It is useful to know, therefore, whether these accounts are interesting, readable, make you want to know more, are too depressing (maybe need more injections of humor to lighten

Comments

sigh

[equani_tsula]

I will look forward to reading it properly soon. Its been forever since I even had a chance to glimpse my friends page :( sorry. Next week...next week we think we'll get Internet at the ranch and I'll be sooooooo catching up with everyone :D

Re: sigh

[tapati]

Oh yeah, I know your access has been problematic to say the least!

It'll still be here...

[anonymous]

Having known Mahasraya, your children and, to a lesser extent you for quite a while, I find these tales fascinating.

Of course, there is a sense of a taboo being broken too that seems to add some excitement in addition to the voyeuristic fascination/horror.

One thing: your story-telling seems remarkably devoid of bitterness and judgment--it seems pretty matter-of-fact. I imagine there must have been a lot of pain and anger at some point, but it seems like you've worked through that.

[tapati]

Thanks!

I'd like to think I've worked through the bitterness about my abuse. I've done a lot of reading, writing, and therapy over the years to deal with that.

What fuels my remaining anger, bitterness and yes, judgment, is how Mahasraya treated my children and in particular what he did to my daughter. I have her permission to tell her part of the story as well. After all, the shame rightfully belongs to him.

[lunaetstellae]

I like your writing style exactly as it is. I wouldn't change anything.
I think the episodes are very readable, and very compelling. I think that if there were any humorous asides in it, it would make it much less so. The subject matter/events are serious, gut-wrenching and difficult, and I like the direct recounting of what you went through. Humor sometimes has it's place later when we look back at some things, but I think it would dilute the story. I am interested and compelled to read your saga because I feel it is taking me through the events 'along with you'; and I think you should preserve the style you are using.

...there's my 2-cents' worth :)

[tapati]

I really appreciate your feedback. I've really been worrying that it's the kind of story that is too heavy and depressing to ever be marketable. Fortunately the whole book won't be about the abuse and there are humorous events in my life that can serve as a relief after wading through this kind of stuff.

[mariadkins]

too heavy and depressing to ever be marketable

Not at all! And don't you let anyone tell you otherwise!

[tapati]

Thanks, I'm sure you have a better sense of the market than I do since I haven't been writing for sale lately.

At some point, when I'm far enough along and have organized what I'm writing for the rest of the book, I have to look for an agent who knows about selling memoirs.

[skyearthandsea]

Keep doing what you are doing. I haven't found it to be too heavy, or even triggering. I think that's because of your writing style. It's smooth and clear and light in and of itself. I think bitterness or anger present in the narrative would make it more difficult to read, so I appreciate the lack of it. I don't think you are going to have any trouble finding an agent or selling your book.

[tapati]

Thank you so much for the encouragement!

[skyearthandsea]

It's my pleasure, really. I'm inspired by your writing. In fact, I'm going to take the time out this morning to write about something your writing reminded me of from my life. I don't usually do nonfiction (unless it's poetry, haha), and I have no idea what I would do with it, but I feel compelled to write it nonetheless. :)