So, so good! As with each description of the events you describe, I see it in my mind’s eye. Guys standing around a fire, burning stuff - I see it - not likely as you do, but a scene created “AI like” in my head, but better. Your acquaintance from the road, met by chance, met again by chance. That visual is just there in my head.
I read a lot - I knew what hobbits looked like before the movies were made because kindly Professor T had already created them in his mind and transmitted them to mine (and many millions of others). Your writing is much the same - your description works so well of the circumstances and physical surroundings that the meaning of guys around a fire burning stuff is a given. Of course you were going to have a final conversation with a person you’d shared some positive, meaningful interaction with, because that loop wouldn’t have found its resolution without that particular place in time. You have an extraordinary ability to place the observer, the unseen reader “right there” - the one place, the only place that will work for the reader to discover the necessity of that particular moment of insight. We’ll done, sir!
This is really generous of you, Michael and thoughtfully explained. A lot of this I think is being fortunate enough to be on the same wavelength as some of your readers. And then the wavelength does all of the work. It’s really satisfying when there’s a real connection with someone. Thank you for getting it down. 🙏
Fascinating take-away. And not dissimilar from my own after traveling through Europe solo in my early twenties. I avoided hostels, American and Aussie's and instead shared company with my journal, my backpack and the many kitchens, gardens and communities that traded a bed for work. Without attachments, each day became an opportunity to listen to life and respond to where he/she/it wanted me to go. What conversations I needed to have. What experiences were the next part of my shaping. And the more I shed, the more easily it all seemed to happen, serendipity and magic became regular occurrences. Perhaps that's what you mean by God as a Steering of Selves— a force of collision so life may know itself through infinite relation.
This entire 28 chapter journey is a starburst (the supernova, not the candy) of awesomeness. This isn’t personal opinion; it’s fact. There’s even an epilogue of an epilogue.
You attacked this piece - the highest honor, although your comment is also a contender. There was a long road to publishing this piece, and it is the reason I'm even on Substack. I had a couple rounds with agents and publishers and it couldn't close the deal. It ended up in my desk drawer for three or four years after the last round of that, and it would have stayed there if my brother hadn't told me about Substack. It's been enormously rewarding finding readers for this that weren't skimming to see if they could sell it, only a small handful of people ever read it. I may edit down the first few chapters and self-publish and promote here. The stuff I'm publishing now (365) were all written the same year as this. Only about half of what is here is recent which may explain the volume of posts you commented on elsewhere. I do have a fair amount of output though (whether that's advisable is another matter).
Hey, I would love it if you could put together a couple sentences on my work that I could use for my About page. Lmk offline if that's something you're comfortable with.
So, so good! As with each description of the events you describe, I see it in my mind’s eye. Guys standing around a fire, burning stuff - I see it - not likely as you do, but a scene created “AI like” in my head, but better. Your acquaintance from the road, met by chance, met again by chance. That visual is just there in my head.
I read a lot - I knew what hobbits looked like before the movies were made because kindly Professor T had already created them in his mind and transmitted them to mine (and many millions of others). Your writing is much the same - your description works so well of the circumstances and physical surroundings that the meaning of guys around a fire burning stuff is a given. Of course you were going to have a final conversation with a person you’d shared some positive, meaningful interaction with, because that loop wouldn’t have found its resolution without that particular place in time. You have an extraordinary ability to place the observer, the unseen reader “right there” - the one place, the only place that will work for the reader to discover the necessity of that particular moment of insight. We’ll done, sir!
This is really generous of you, Michael and thoughtfully explained. A lot of this I think is being fortunate enough to be on the same wavelength as some of your readers. And then the wavelength does all of the work. It’s really satisfying when there’s a real connection with someone. Thank you for getting it down. 🙏
Fascinating take-away. And not dissimilar from my own after traveling through Europe solo in my early twenties. I avoided hostels, American and Aussie's and instead shared company with my journal, my backpack and the many kitchens, gardens and communities that traded a bed for work. Without attachments, each day became an opportunity to listen to life and respond to where he/she/it wanted me to go. What conversations I needed to have. What experiences were the next part of my shaping. And the more I shed, the more easily it all seemed to happen, serendipity and magic became regular occurrences. Perhaps that's what you mean by God as a Steering of Selves— a force of collision so life may know itself through infinite relation.
Exactly.
This entire 28 chapter journey is a starburst (the supernova, not the candy) of awesomeness. This isn’t personal opinion; it’s fact. There’s even an epilogue of an epilogue.
You attacked this piece - the highest honor, although your comment is also a contender. There was a long road to publishing this piece, and it is the reason I'm even on Substack. I had a couple rounds with agents and publishers and it couldn't close the deal. It ended up in my desk drawer for three or four years after the last round of that, and it would have stayed there if my brother hadn't told me about Substack. It's been enormously rewarding finding readers for this that weren't skimming to see if they could sell it, only a small handful of people ever read it. I may edit down the first few chapters and self-publish and promote here. The stuff I'm publishing now (365) were all written the same year as this. Only about half of what is here is recent which may explain the volume of posts you commented on elsewhere. I do have a fair amount of output though (whether that's advisable is another matter).
Hey, I would love it if you could put together a couple sentences on my work that I could use for my About page. Lmk offline if that's something you're comfortable with.
I long to walk the Camino!
Truly that's the only criteria for doing it. It was the most powerful thing I've ever done that didn't involve loving other people.
Now Playing: Sloop John B, The Beach Boys
Adam, this is wonderful. That's it. End of. From my pilgrim soul, to yours.