17 Comments
Oct 8Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller

Closer and closer - I can't wait to get my hands on that painting... uh, I mean, Marie get her hands, yeah, that's it. ;) It is strange - strange to need to remind ourselves that yes, people do kill for money, and not always vast sums.

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Ha, you are entering the novel, Troy. Love it. A bit like Alexander's nodes...it could become something like that if I had the patience for all his layering of media. :)

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Oct 5Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller

Chapter 25 captures the mood of uncertainty brilliantly. The vivid scene in the church, where the protagonist contemplates, "What had I become? A dutiful worker? A solitary thinker?" adds a profound layer to the narrative. It’s a captivating blend of introspection and suspense, with every detail heightening the intrigue.

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Thanks Jon! Appreciate it, especially the comment on the mood.

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Getting there. I can feel we're a hair's breadth away from the painting, like we're asymptotically approaching it. Which is good, I think, because asymptotes get closer and closer without ever touching their objective. And I’m so enjoying the journey. Lovely episode, Kate! (finally trying to catch up)

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Thank so much, Silvio! Appreciate it and so lovely to have you here as a reader. Never a rush, my friend. I’ve seen your notes also about being very busy - I’m in the same boat. No stress and very nice to catch up with each other’s work when we can. Be well.

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Marie can't, nay, won't stop now. She's close. So close. Her new sense of purpose... we can feel its force. Great chapter, Kate.

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Thank you, Alexander!

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Oct 10Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller

"I realized it then. Something had shifted inside of me. Although others saw inaction and isolation, I had found a reason to live. I no longer craved importance or status as I once had. Instead, I wanted to simply do something good."

This is such a great realisation for Marie. I really like the internal and external journey she has been on so far in this tale, Kate.

And as Troy notes, we edge ever closer. The painting! A dead end, or is it?!

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Thanks Nathan!

Where is the ending?? I think I get lost in the concept of an ending. But don't worry, there will be one ;-)

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Oct 11Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller

Well, there is absolutely no hurry for that ending to come.

Is it all written already? Or are you still working on later chapters?

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Yes, I’ve written and scheduled the posts. I made some changes ahead to character and other things after feedback over the summer Thought I’d have time to do some work on it / other writing now but not at the moment 😅 I have been making minor edits for the ebook as I go though.

I’m not sure about a big serialisation after this one. I think that more in process writing works better for me on here and the books can be books, you know? I wanted to try one all the way through and see. Some aspects I like and it’s made me feel I really need to see it through!

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Oct 12Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller

Yeah I understand those feelings. Whilst I haven't had anything written through to the finish, the act of serialising I do find quite tough, despite being immensely enjoyable. I think, at the moment, I'm erring towards singular things or simple explorations, but I don't know, that could change. My mind is prone to flip flopping.

Anyway, you've done a tremendous job here with this one, so I'm glad it's all scheduled for the finish.

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I get what you mean!

Thanks :)

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"We danced between English and Japanese, peppered with a little German here and there. It was as if we embodied the power of multiple boundaries that spies had used after the war." Language is emerging as the key theme in the novel. Not just language as identity, but as a passport to knowledge and a way of literally crossing boundaries. Not to mention the whole" traduttore, traditore" thing. No wonder I'm enjoying it so much 🙂

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Not surprised that this part spoke to you! A true linguist. I would love to be an interpreter. Marie doesn't fully understand her power. Thank you :)

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I have great admiration for interpreters. I've worked with many. The best are like gold dust!

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