Vivid. I felt that some of the changes in the piece moved too fast. At first the vultures "circle the sky" (all of it?) and then they circle Psyche and then the self-proclaimed Artist. The Artist is ecstatic, then sombre, then indifferent - it does happen quite quickly. I used to write these sort of parables as a self-therapy and I do think they have value in themselves, I wrote them in the days before the internet on paper and they are now lost. The dream-like quality of the piece is really convincing and surreal. I once was obsessed with the sentence (my own) "The vultures only circle when they are hungry." but I leave that one for you!
I can understand what you mean about it moving fast, but this was meant to be short so I was trying to keep a decent pace! Also meant to convey the dreamlike feel as you said, and if you read the description for my publication these stories are all roughly based on actual dreams I've had...and it's just for fun! 😊 After years of writing 10+ page academic essays I've just started getting back into creative writing, so sorry if you didn't think my writing was the greatest I'm still getting back into it! But thank you for reading!
This is a cool concept! Both Tibetan sky burials & the famed Buddhist self-immolations come to mind, but I'm not sure either of those are the right lens to use here.
Where do you stand on the question you ask at the end? Are you more partial to Psyche or the artist in this — or neither?
I'm glad you enjoyed it! And that's really interesting, I'll have to read more about those concepts!
And that's a good question, I think I meant the question at the end to be a bit rhetorical, because I'm sure a lot of people can relate to having a creative block, not following their passion even though they state that it's their passion, and/or letting others tear them or their work down (in this story it was literal, in most cases, it's figurative). It's meant to be open to interpretation, but also kind of a joke, how kind of dead inside those of us like "The Artist" all are. I added it because this vision called me out for real.
And another good question! I think Psyche represents the observer in all of us, she is named after the Greek goddess of the soul and today the word "pshye" is used to refer to the mind, so she is always trying to process what she encounters in her strange adventures. I think in that way, I'm more partial to her as a main character of this series, but all the other characters that appear also represent pieces of ourselves and often those we don't want to acknowledge, so I think the artist and other side characters who will appear are kind of my favourites in that way.
Yep. . .I've been there. Took a while to push through all the critics. But I'm there now. Thanks for putting it into words!
I'm so glad you've persevered Maya!! And I'm glad you enjoyed my story! 😊
I am loving learning about the bravery and self-compassion it takes to be an artist. Thank you for the perspective and the vivid story.
Aw thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and I feel the same 😊
Very nice. I loved how you brought it all together!
Thank you so much!!
Vivid. I felt that some of the changes in the piece moved too fast. At first the vultures "circle the sky" (all of it?) and then they circle Psyche and then the self-proclaimed Artist. The Artist is ecstatic, then sombre, then indifferent - it does happen quite quickly. I used to write these sort of parables as a self-therapy and I do think they have value in themselves, I wrote them in the days before the internet on paper and they are now lost. The dream-like quality of the piece is really convincing and surreal. I once was obsessed with the sentence (my own) "The vultures only circle when they are hungry." but I leave that one for you!
I can understand what you mean about it moving fast, but this was meant to be short so I was trying to keep a decent pace! Also meant to convey the dreamlike feel as you said, and if you read the description for my publication these stories are all roughly based on actual dreams I've had...and it's just for fun! 😊 After years of writing 10+ page academic essays I've just started getting back into creative writing, so sorry if you didn't think my writing was the greatest I'm still getting back into it! But thank you for reading!
Wow. Really beautiful. You captured what is really at stake for an artist who is not creating. Great piece.
Aw thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
This is such a hauntingly beautiful piece, the final question left me with a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing.
Aww thank you so much, I appreciate it! 💖 I'm glad it gave you that effect and made you think!!
This is a cool concept! Both Tibetan sky burials & the famed Buddhist self-immolations come to mind, but I'm not sure either of those are the right lens to use here.
Where do you stand on the question you ask at the end? Are you more partial to Psyche or the artist in this — or neither?
I'm glad you enjoyed it! And that's really interesting, I'll have to read more about those concepts!
And that's a good question, I think I meant the question at the end to be a bit rhetorical, because I'm sure a lot of people can relate to having a creative block, not following their passion even though they state that it's their passion, and/or letting others tear them or their work down (in this story it was literal, in most cases, it's figurative). It's meant to be open to interpretation, but also kind of a joke, how kind of dead inside those of us like "The Artist" all are. I added it because this vision called me out for real.
And another good question! I think Psyche represents the observer in all of us, she is named after the Greek goddess of the soul and today the word "pshye" is used to refer to the mind, so she is always trying to process what she encounters in her strange adventures. I think in that way, I'm more partial to her as a main character of this series, but all the other characters that appear also represent pieces of ourselves and often those we don't want to acknowledge, so I think the artist and other side characters who will appear are kind of my favourites in that way.
Thanks for reading!