"My new world had been set in motion." Nice final line to take us back to the Ferris wheel. Looks like we're in for quite a ride! I'm really enjoying this.
"An old man with a gold front tooth stood by the gate with a money belt around his waist. Keeping watch, he held a large lever tightly, although the wheel was static." Great image!
Also, great to be introduced to a new character here. Looking forward to "meeting" Marija.
I think this was also my favourite line. I really saw this moment in my eye. There's something really effective about the ", although the wheel was static."
Hey Kate, this is cool. So interesting to read and become drawn in…more and more.
I loved Brian and the older man getting on the Ferris wheel unseen. And the sighting of the two guys holding hands on the ground. I really like the way you write what it feels like to see certain actors in the midst of the other activity that will be going on around them.
I see others have picked up Marija’s missing word. It always brings me up short (like, how did that happen!?!?) when I do things like that, the junction between the story and its nuts and bolts on the page. Marija is, clearly, intriguing.
Thanks Nicolas! Intriguing is a good place to be. Appreciate the comments and feedback.
And yeah, I also had to wait until just now to have access to a computer to make the edit (phone wouldn't allow the update button even on browser...). This is fine though. It forced me to sit with a draft piece and be ok with that, like a psychological experiment. :)
Yes. I agree absolutely with your point about sitting with a draft and being cool with that, rather than plotzing. One can always make it right…and stay chilled. Which seems like a life skill in a space like Substack!
It's interesting that in keeping her distance from some people, she is also intentionally preserving her "stranger" status in this world. Good for observing, the same way Marija pretends not to understand German and English well.
Another great instalment, Kate! As others have said, the plot thickens! I'm very drawn the sense of thriller in that there are people that seem to be tailing her. Great scene with the wheel.
Another great section here DKW. I appreciate the way you are seeking out the periphery in your storytelling (addicts and vagrants, the gold toothed gatekeeper) to bring the margins of the city into focus as a contrast to the distinct landmarks that can often paint too rosy a picture to the reader, a type of touristy travel guide that cleanses the culture of its grit. And your strategy of utilizing the Ferris wheel to broaden Maria’s perspective on her situation, open up her world further from the narrow constructs she envisions are providing the motivation needed to engage with the uncertain and dangerous. Keep it up!
Yes, in this case, Marija jumps right in with a 'tu' but that's partly her personality. Basically it would be her call as the ambassador, also since Marie is younger. She allows herself to get closer to Marie right away by doing this (which first could feel like a power dynamic or talking down) then suggesting first names (like tutoyer-ing).
Enjoyed the dramatic tension when she’s on the Ferris wheel and sees the men tailing her. It also seemed like she was stuck at the top for a while (?) but then she’s off and I didn’t quite understand how that transition was made. The intro to Marija is intriguing! I like her, too. I caught a missing word here; what’s the other language? I assume French? “She also spoke Bulgarian, of course, as well as and had decided long ago that this was enough.”
Good catch! There is a word missing - English. The Ferris wheel is verrrrry slow but this is so useful because I think I can just add a couple sentences that could not only be useful but interesting. Thank you, this is so useful ☺️ and thanks for the kind comments, too, Julie!
Hi Mike! Thanks for checking ☺️ It’s not - it will be available as paper or ebook around November/December on Lulu. I’m making some tweaks or edits with feedback along the way. I know some people prefer to read in full or on paper, so you can look forward to it then! Also paid subs receive a free ebook at that point (comparable with Kindle). Thanks again.
"My new world had been set in motion." Nice final line to take us back to the Ferris wheel. Looks like we're in for quite a ride! I'm really enjoying this.
Thanks Jeffrey! Happy you caught that. 😉
"An old man with a gold front tooth stood by the gate with a money belt around his waist. Keeping watch, he held a large lever tightly, although the wheel was static." Great image!
Also, great to be introduced to a new character here. Looking forward to "meeting" Marija.
Thanks Alexander!
I think this was also my favourite line. I really saw this moment in my eye. There's something really effective about the ", although the wheel was static."
Thanks! I’m not even sure what I was going for with the mixed symbolism. Tension?
Heh, tension, unease, this permeating sense of there being something like a charade to Vienna 🤩
Hey Kate, this is cool. So interesting to read and become drawn in…more and more.
I loved Brian and the older man getting on the Ferris wheel unseen. And the sighting of the two guys holding hands on the ground. I really like the way you write what it feels like to see certain actors in the midst of the other activity that will be going on around them.
I see others have picked up Marija’s missing word. It always brings me up short (like, how did that happen!?!?) when I do things like that, the junction between the story and its nuts and bolts on the page. Marija is, clearly, intriguing.
Thanks Nicolas! Intriguing is a good place to be. Appreciate the comments and feedback.
And yeah, I also had to wait until just now to have access to a computer to make the edit (phone wouldn't allow the update button even on browser...). This is fine though. It forced me to sit with a draft piece and be ok with that, like a psychological experiment. :)
Yes. I agree absolutely with your point about sitting with a draft and being cool with that, rather than plotzing. One can always make it right…and stay chilled. Which seems like a life skill in a space like Substack!
And…yes, intriguing is often where one should be.
intriguing... the plot thickens!
Only one small niggle: too many 'seemed' in this chapter. (It happens to me a lot too, that's why I noticed) most of them may be unnecessary 🤔💭
Thanks Veronika!
Agree, solid feedback I can use for the full manuscript. Many thanks 💜
Never went on the Riesenrad 🎡…
I’m not sure you are missing too much :) Better to look at!
It's interesting that in keeping her distance from some people, she is also intentionally preserving her "stranger" status in this world. Good for observing, the same way Marija pretends not to understand German and English well.
Oh yes, good connection there.
You seem to know a lot about becoming a spy, Troy 🤔 😉
All credit to "Harriet the..." 😉
Another great instalment, Kate! As others have said, the plot thickens! I'm very drawn the sense of thriller in that there are people that seem to be tailing her. Great scene with the wheel.
Thanks Nathan! Or is it just paranoia? 👀
Which is why it's so brilliant! :D
Another great section here DKW. I appreciate the way you are seeking out the periphery in your storytelling (addicts and vagrants, the gold toothed gatekeeper) to bring the margins of the city into focus as a contrast to the distinct landmarks that can often paint too rosy a picture to the reader, a type of touristy travel guide that cleanses the culture of its grit. And your strategy of utilizing the Ferris wheel to broaden Maria’s perspective on her situation, open up her world further from the narrow constructs she envisions are providing the motivation needed to engage with the uncertain and dangerous. Keep it up!
Love this read of it, Brian! Thanks a lot for looking at the deeper meaning. Like the way you explain and frame it.
Language question: Would both the ambassador and the narrator tu/toi or just the ambassador because she's senior/older?
The wheel is a great symbol for the shifting loyalties ahead!
Thanks David.
Yes, in this case, Marija jumps right in with a 'tu' but that's partly her personality. Basically it would be her call as the ambassador, also since Marie is younger. She allows herself to get closer to Marie right away by doing this (which first could feel like a power dynamic or talking down) then suggesting first names (like tutoyer-ing).
Great question!
This, like the other parts, is another piece of top-drawer writing. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jon! ☺️
Enjoyed the dramatic tension when she’s on the Ferris wheel and sees the men tailing her. It also seemed like she was stuck at the top for a while (?) but then she’s off and I didn’t quite understand how that transition was made. The intro to Marija is intriguing! I like her, too. I caught a missing word here; what’s the other language? I assume French? “She also spoke Bulgarian, of course, as well as and had decided long ago that this was enough.”
Good catch! There is a word missing - English. The Ferris wheel is verrrrry slow but this is so useful because I think I can just add a couple sentences that could not only be useful but interesting. Thank you, this is so useful ☺️ and thanks for the kind comments, too, Julie!
I couldn't find An Interpreter in Vienna on Amazon. Not there, Kate?
Hi Mike! Thanks for checking ☺️ It’s not - it will be available as paper or ebook around November/December on Lulu. I’m making some tweaks or edits with feedback along the way. I know some people prefer to read in full or on paper, so you can look forward to it then! Also paid subs receive a free ebook at that point (comparable with Kindle). Thanks again.
I’m on a mobile so can’t edit *compatible not comparable!