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Wow. I really love the last line of this drabble—"True life was out there, but her door wouldn't open."
This one reminded me a lot of the Disney movie Aladdin. Jasmine is so headstrong in the movie and learns a lot about her kingdom by sneaking away from the palace, but her only real companion is her tiger. And, I mean, my kitty is my only companion except my husband. But I definitely feel the loneliness that quarantine has brought on. It's almost been a year of not seeing friends, so that can be hard.
Oh, to be a princess locked in a tower...
Good job!
Author's Response:So glad you liked this one, too! :)
I love the parallel you make with Jasmine. Of course, there is a big difference, because Jasmine actually has the strenght of sneaking out and experience (although indirectly) the life of her subjects, while this princess remains in her "blessed ignorance". But yes, the loneliness is so real for both characters... and lockdown has been so hard for all of us, I believe... :/
Thank you so much for your thoughts! <3
Hello, my dear! I am finally, finally here to review for you for my drabble challenge! And to remind myself of all your lovely writing. :) Some of my reviews will be quite short, but I promise to review every chapter. Let's begin!
Aww. This is such a sad moment in an aro/ace person's coming-out journey. It can be so hard to feel like there's something wrong with you. This was a lovely look into those emotions, which you write so poignantly. Well done!
On I read!
Author's Response:Emily!!! :D
Thank you so much for hosting this incredible challenge and taking the time to review every single chapter of every entry, I know it's been a massive work and I commend you on your commitment! :D Also, sorry if I'm replying so late... I've fallen quite behind with review answering, but I'm trying to slowly catch up... ;)
I'm so glad you liked this first drabble... it is very hard to feel like there's something wrong with you... so glad you felt I wrote those emotions well! <3
Thank you so much! <3
Chiara
Hey Chi <3
I'm here for the event as these drabbles have been recommended to death by everyone! and omg, this was amazing! I think sometimes I find it a bit tough to connect with drabbles as there are so few words but honestly. I thought this was just stunning because there is just so much raw emotion that is packed into this piece. I feel for the narrator who obviously struggling so much with what 'society' things and so smiling keeps those questions away. It's really hearbreaking for this person that feeling like this (aka bad for not fitting in) but it's who they are at the same time which should be celebrated.
The isolation of this character is sobering but hugely powerful and strong. You've pick all the words so well. I love the questioning matter of it. I found the line 'how can you admit that the life everyone dreams is not for you?' is an amazing line which just sums up the whole piece so perfectly.
Abbi xx
Author's Response:Abbi! Hello, my dear! Here to reply to a few reviews... thank you so much for stopping by! <3
I'm so glad you enjoyed this first drabble, especially because it's one that's very personal to me... asexuality is complicated because, at least I think, it's so hard for people to comprehend? Harder than other identities in a way? Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know... but there is this expectation that everyone should find someone to fall in love and share their life with, and it does make you feel like an outsider not really wanting/feeling like you can't have the same... I'm not sure if I'm making any sense here... :P
I'm so glad you could feel for the character here, and that the way I wrote the drabble seemed effective! Thank you so much for the great review! <3
Chiara
Oh my god this is so me. Lol! You’ve gotten the thought process down so perfectly. Step one. Be ok with doing something that you don’t particularly like. Step two. Tolerate the things for as long as possible. Step three. Leave as soon as polite, and as late as comfortable. You’ve done a good job with your descriptions as well, the longing for things to be easier, the general uncomfortableness, but with underlying currents of enjoyability. You did the introverts a solid, not making us look like weirdos. I mean, Superman had a FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE so… can’t be that bad to be introverted. Lolol
Go foxes!
Author's Response:Well, all of us introverts are like this, am I right? :P Glad you liked the thought process, the tolerating things even if they make us uncomfortable and leaving as soon as polite, but we are also enjoying ourself in some ways so maybe we can stay a little longer... :P And yes, if Superman has his own fortress of solitude, we are clearly in good company, lol! :P
Thank you so much for the review! :D
Oh, this is fun! I have a soft spot for the kids who are good at hiding. I am a major introvert, so there were many occasions when I was young my mother would find me hiding in some cabinet or other to compose myself. It is always a bit different when you’re hiding for a game, especially if you have to make it back to base. You’ve done an excellent job of highlighting the excitement that is laced with fear and the desire to have a co-conspirator as it were. This was very fun. The boys and I will have to play hide and seek soon.
Go foxes!
Author's Response:I wanted to make a lighthearted one :P And I enjoy writing children a lot, so... hide and seek seemed a fun variation on the theme to include! So glad you liked the mix of excitement and fear, and the desire to have a co-conspirator... :P Thank you for another lovely review! :D
This is beautiful in its simplicity. You have done the contrasting ideas of life and death very delicately with the flowers on a gravestone. It is a traditional, common idea that works beautifully here. I think everyone find peace in the solitude of a cemetary. It is a personal thing, speaking to your dead, and the reverence in a cemetery almost demands solitude. I enjoyed how you put her doubt in there. She isn’t sure if it really means anything outside of bringing her comfort, but maybe, just maybe he is still there too. Beautifully done.
Go foxes!
Author's Response:I'm so glad you liked this one, too. Delicacy is exactly what I was going for here. Glad you liked the contrast between life and death, and the peaceful atmosphere. And I like to think that he was still there in some way... thank you so much!!! <3 <3 <3
I am starting to think that juxtaposition is your calling. With a title like “funfair” you expect something happy, and descriptions of families and kids to lend to a nice happy mood. Starting with waltzing as a description, when there is only one character, it leaves you feeling that bit that really takes you to that solitude theme. Shutting out all the sights and sounds just being alone is very powerful when in such a busy and loud environment. If you aren’t ace, and you do want the kids and the family, going to the fair and being surrounded by everything you’ve not been able to achieve would be very lonely indeed.
Go foxes!
Author's Response:Juxtaposition might be my calling, now that you mention it... I really enjoy playing with opposites and turning concepts upside down... anyway... :P
Is there anything lonelier than experiencing something like a fair, where it's full of people enjoying themselves, families, groups of friends, etc, while being on your own? It is very lonely, indeed... I'm glad this piece also worked well with the theme!
Thank you so much for the review! <3
Oooo. Envy as a sin was always very intriguing to me, so it is refreshing to see it as an object for solitude as well, because I suppose that’s all it really does in the end. It separates you from those around you by pitting them against you. Like you said separate by what they got that you don’t have. Very nicely put, and a crude, immature voice on the piece. It reminds me very much of a character in The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix. Very creepy, and would not recommend it if you aren’t older and enjoy creepy things. There is a driver who is employed by a very generous and well meaning family, but he has created this division in his head that eventually leads to departure. It reminds me very much of this, as though he could’ve written it. Very nicely done, once again.
Go foxes!
Author's Response:I feel like envy does that, separates you from the other people, leading to isolation... it's much more self-destructive than anything, the only person you end up hurting is yourself (or maybe not the only person, but it definitely impacts mostly the person who's feeling it...)
I'm not familiar with the show (let's be honest, I'm not familiar with the majority of TV shows... :P) but it does sound fitting. If I had to think of a fictional character to associate to this, I was very much going for Peter Pettigrew vibes here... :P
Thank you so much for another lovely review! <3
The feeling of looking at others and realizing that they’re leading their own personal lives is called ‘sonder’ and I absolutely love feeling it! Hahaha. Once again you touch on very real subjects here. The amount that these drabbles speak in such a short amount of words is truly amazing and I think you’ve done a wonderful job. People talk all the time about how having a single deep personal connection with someone is so much more beneficial to the human psyche than it is to have dozens of superficial acquaintances, and yet we find it so much easier to send a friend request than to actually make a friend. So glad I found this. I feel like I could give a TED talk about each of these. Lol
Go foxes!
Author's Response:I had no idea there was a word for it... I just learnt something new, thank you! :O
I'm so glad this one speaks to you and that it gave food for thought. Deep friendship are definitely so precious, but they also require so much more effort, so it's not really surprising that we'd rather look for superficial acquaintances instead...
Thank you for another great review, I love hearing your thoughts!
I like how you’ve once again taken the connotation of a word and turned it’s on it’s head. Boundaries are usually thought of as a means of keeping one safe. You have personal boundaries to keep your feelings getting hurt, or stressing yourself out. Countries have boundaries so that they can protect people inside of their territories. Construction sites have boundaries so that others can’t get hurt coming in. But you’ve demonstrated that the more boundaries you put up to keep yourself safe the more you’re depriving yourself of what really matters in life. It is the balance of risk and boundaries that make someone complete. The writing in this is impersonal and sterile, precise with the only real passion and feeling coming out when expressing what she is missing in her life, and I feel that is what connects this piece to the solitude theme. The impersonal nature of the writing and the subject. Once again, very well done.
Go foxes!
Author's Response:So glad you enjoyed this drabble, too!
Once again, I love your interpretation and it makes so much sense: boundaries are meant to protect you, but if you protect yourself too much you miss on the experiences that make life worth living... I'm glad this seemed to work within the theme and that the style somehow enhanced it, too! Thank you so much for another great review! <3
I remember seeing this challenge and trying so hard to make it work, but I couldn't think of a theme. This is an amazing endeavor that I can't wait to finish.
It took me a minute, honestly. And it shouldn't have, because hetero isn't normal-o, but I was thinking, ah, yes, the one, the ace, I get it. But no. You mean ACE ACE!! And kudos to you for it! I feel like they certainly don't get enough recognition. I'm so happy to see that your first bit in the piece on Solitude is about someone who is more comfortable being alone than in a relationship. It takes everyone's preconceived notions of solitude being negative and turns it on it's head. It is also a reminder to keep in mind that not everyone's version of a happily ever after involves settles down with someone. Thank you!
Go foxes!
Author's Response:Hello, Chelts! Here with a very late reply to your review (and hopefully all the others you've left me... :P) Thank you so much for stopping by my AP! <3
When I saw the challenge I almost immediately knew what I wanted to talk about. I've put a lot of myself (maybe too much) in this collection, and it's been incredibly freeing, honestly. I did struggle to fit the whole alphabeth, but it worked in the end and I'm very proud! :P
I meant ACE ACE... lol... it isn't an identity that gets a lot of attention/recognition, probably because it's kind of hard to get if you're not part of it? (And sometimes even if you are part of it... totally not referring to myself here... *cough*)
Yes, some people can be more comfortable alone... and yes, happily ever after is not the same for everyone...
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, it was very appreciated! <3
Hi Chiara!
Final one and this one is just as amazing as the rest. I love the descriptions here, especially that last paragraph. The idea that each perfect moment inn time is being frozen on a piece of paper, ready to look at another day. It's a really nice thought, that those memories won't ever be lost and they'll be around forever, captured on film, regardless of what happens to us.
I think that's a really nice idea and a great link to all the other dabbles. It almost feels like if we can take pictures of more moments they won't ever be lost, or people won't ever be forgotten and you might never have to be truly alone.
I've loved this series, I think you did an amazing job with the prompt and the use of the word solitude across all the letters. An amazing job!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Yay, last one! And I'm finally caught up with your reviews on the collection, I'm proud of myself! :P
So glad you liked this final one as well, all the descriptions and the image of the moment frozen on the photograph. So glad you felt it worked as a close and it felt like it all came full circle.
Thank you so much for reading through the whole things and all your lovely thoughts! <3
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Hi Chiara!
Okay, so maybe this is another favourite of mine. It really made me just want to get up and start doing stuff, to start living life. It's true that you only get one life, so you can't really waste it. You also can't waste time because you'll never get it back. I love the use of the metaphor with the train as well, I think that sums it up perfectly to be fair, because once the train has left there's no going back. You've missed it and that's that.
This was another great chapter, i can't believe there's only one left!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:I often feel like I'm wasting so much time and so many opportunities, so this one is basically me telling myself to get a move and live my life fully :P Which is still hard to put into practice, but... :P Glad you liked it, and the train metaphore!
Hi Chiara!
Oh, this one was such a hard read, bit in a good way. It's horrible that there are still people out there who act like this, who have such hatred for people based on what they look like and how they act. I wish your last line could come true, hopefully one day it will, even though you look at what happens in the world and it's hard to see how that could ever happen. I think you got the feelings of someone who's experienced this across really well, I really felt for them. There's no reason for the behaviour except what people think, and it must be horrible.
Another amazing chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:This one was really hard to write, especially because is a sensitive topic and it's easy to mess up, but it just made sense to include, and I'm glad the feelings seemed to come through the right way...
Yes, it's horrible that some people feel the need to judge and discriminate other people based on... nothing, really. And experiencing that discrimination must be so, so horrible and hard... and yes, it's hard to imagine a world in which all these "differences" are overcome, but I still hope it is possible to build such a world...
Thank you so much for your thoughts on this! <3
Hi Chiara!
I think this one might be my favorite. Who hasn't just wanted to run off to somewhere in their imagination, or even somewhere they got from a book one time. To just jump into that world and get away from real life. I know I have, It's so much better there, why wouldn't you escape if you could? I love the way you explain the reasoning, there's no limitations and you can just be you without any explanation or expectation. It's so freeing, it's like dreaming but you're in control,and it can be whatever you want to be. Ahh, I love this one so much!
An amazing piece!!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:I think many people would relate to this one... especially FFT people... :P that's exactly why we write fanfic, after all, isn't it? To escape to the worlds of our imagination or of our favourite books/stories, and be free from the constrictions of real life for a little while... at least, it's like that for me... :)
Glad you loved this one! <3
Hi Chiara!
Aww, another sad one. This one felt really painful because it felt like she really cared and loved for the person and they either didn't know about it, or even worse, they did but they didn't care. That's got to be such an isolating feeling, to feel like you love someone who doesn't feel the same way. It almost felt like he was being really cold and harsh towards her. It's heartbreaking that she couldn't even be near him without getting so upset she had to go and hide away in the toilets. sO close but so far. It's really tragic.
Another amazing chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:When I wrote this what I had in mind was the aftermath of a bad breakup, but I suppose it can be interpreted in many different ways and it doesn't really matter how... in any case, yes, it is so hard when you have strong feelings for someone who doesn't reciprocate them... and it's so hard to be physically close to someone but being so distant emotionally... definitely a painful one... :/
Thank you again for your lovely thoughts! <3
Hi Chiara!
Oh wow, at first I thought you were talking about humans and living on earth and then the ending just completely switched that up. This is such a curious idea, because i do think there has to be other life out there. The universe is just so big,as you pointed out, it's so vast that how can we have any idea what else is out there? It's a nice idea that there might be other life out there who also have no idea about us, and we're just floating along in space thinking we're all alone.
This was a really different take on the prompt and I really liked it, another fab piece.
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:I'm absolutely convinced there has to be life somewhere else in the universe... it makes no sense that with the billions of galaxies and stars and planets, our planet is the only one inhabited... of course, we can't know for sure, and if there is life somewhere, they probably are in our same position... I thought this would be a fun idea to highlight that, I had a lot of fun creating that twist at the end... :P
Glad you enjoyed this one, too! <3
Hi Chiara!
Ah, the pain of the work day. Waiting for it to end only to not do anything afterwards because you've used up all your energy and any you do have left is probably best kept until the next day,when you'll have to do it all again. It can feel like such an endless, repetitive cycle. Like there is nothing else to life except work, eat, sleep, repeat. I really felt the relation in this, just watching the clock go by, it can feel like your whole life is slipping away but there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Another great chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:It is so hard, isn't it? You wait for the end of the work day, and then when you're finally home you don't really feel like doing anything, and it feels like you are wasting so much time... I hate it a lot... and I'm sorry that you can relate to the feeling, too... :/
Thank you! <3
Hi Chiara!
Wow, I think this may have been one of your shortest drabbels yet, but it definitely felt like one of the most powerful, and most touching. I love the idea that the silence is giving them the strength to start again, sometimes that's all we need. A moment to collect your thoughts, to be by yourself and then you can tackle anything that the world has to offer you. I suppose that's why people tell you to sleep on it if you've got a big decision to make. It gives you time to think, to get away from the noise and any distractions.
Another amazing chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Glad you liked this one as well! I do think that sometimes you need a quiet moment with yourself just to recharge before tackling the world again. And yes, sleeping on it is always wise. :P
Thank you!!!
Hi Chiara!
WHat a peaceful chapter. The rain can be so soothing and calming at times, especially when you're alone at home and you don't have to go anywhere or really do anything. YOu can just spend your time at home, listening to the rain and relax and enjoy it. That's what it makes me think of, just relaxing and being warm inside while the outside is so cold and wet.
THis also felt a little sad, like there was an absence of something, or everything. THe quiet streets, the rain just washing everything away and everyone indoors. I really felt the loneliness of this.
Another great chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:So glad you liked this one as well! It is peaceful, but it has also a sad aftertaste... or melanchonic, I guess, at least... but yes, staying inside just watching the rain falling can be very relaxing and that's definitely something I was trying to express along with the solitude of the moment...
Thank you for another lovely review!
Hi Chiara!
Ouch, this one was far too real. I also live alone, and this quarantine has felt a lot like how you describe it. At first I was obsessed with the numbers, the rates and everything that went with it. Watching it, hoping it lowered and things started to get better. It's a shame it never really felt like it did. I also think i should be thankful that sometimes I've been able to go to work, so I've not been totally alone, but at times it can be so lonely. This was such a great, topical piece. I loved it, and I also hope that this year ends on a better note than the last!
Another great chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hi again!
I pretty much described my lockdown experience here, so I guess it would be relatable, especially if you also live alone... it has been quite hard, and yes, very lonely, too... and no, it never really felt like things got better... I'm still hoping vaccines will make the difference, but who knows (sorry for being a bit negative here...)
Thank you so much for the review! <3
Hi Chiara!
Wow, I really love all these pieces., especially these more abstract ones. There's something about a piano, how it can have all the different notes and volumes depending on the person playing it and the hands that are instructing it, it can feel so personal and I think that's the feeling I get from this one. THe way the music moves through the different cycles, i'm not very musically inclined but you can just hear it starting off quietly, then building up before it comes crashing back down to end in silence. It's so beautiful!
Another amazing piece.
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:I'm so glad you are enjoying the collection, and that you are liking the more abstract pieces in particular... I have to say, Pianoforte is one I'm especially proud of... :P
I think music has a special magic on its own in the way it speaks to us... and yes, piano music in particular really has that personal feeling because each touch is different and gives the music a different feel. I'm so glad you liked the dynamic here! <3
Hi Chiara!
Another more abstract piece and I think this one is just as beautiful. love the way you describe the ocean, and everything that's going on around him, you can just imagine him standing there,with the ocean washing in and out and the sun setting.
This one also makes me miss going to the beach, and I'm lucky to live so close to the coast as well. I've never really taken the time to think about it this way though,a dn it's such an interesting perspective. How the ocean can be so many things at once, so big and overwhelming but also so calm and gentle at the same time.
Another great chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:So glad you liked my descriptions of the ocean in this one, that you could picture the scene and that you appreciated the different aspects of the nature of the ocean itself... glad you found this one beautiful! <3
Thank you so much for another lovely review!
Hi Chiara!
Oh this was so sad. They're not alone at all, but they must feel so alone being surrounded by people who know them but who they don't know. This is heartbreaking, especially knowing how real this situation is for so many people. I feel like you normally hear about how hard it is for the family,watching someone they love fade away, but I think you did a great job showing the feelings of someone who's going through this. It must be so strange to know your memory is slowly fading, and you're forgetting people or things you've always known.
A beautiful chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hi again, Shaza, my dear! :D
This one is very sad... amnesia must be so hard, both for the person suffering it and for their loved ones... and yes, it must be so isolating, being unable to remember all the people around you... :(
Thank you so much for reviewing! <3
Hi Chiara!
This is such a lovely piece, very abstract which I think was perfect because I can really relate to it. Walking around museums, looking at all the different art pieces, it does feel so magical. Especially when you're on your own, and you find a piece that really connects with you. I think you got that feeling across perfectly, and also the idea that just because you're on your own, it can be a blessing as well. This seems like one of those opportunities where being alone just adds to the experience.
Another fab chapter!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Glad you could relate to this one! There is something magical about walking around museums and enjoying the art. And yes, doing it on your own can add to the experience, definitely a situation in which solitude is welcomed. :)
Thank you for another lovely review! <3
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