First off, I adore everything vampire and you had me with your old-world spelling Vampyre. Your writing is so beautiful. It's intoxicating! One of my favorite poets of all time is Baudelaire. Your story and style is reminiscent of his prose in Paris Spleen. I'm excited to read more. Your description of her alluring femininity was out of this world! I must re-stack it immediately!
Rachel, thank you! To have my work compared, however briefly, to Paris Spleen is an honor I’ll be quietly drunk on for days. Baudelaire has been a huge influence on me, along with the symbolists who followed in his shadow. I even quoted "The Albatross" during my annual review at work (I’m a lawyer, haha).
I’ve always felt the old spelling carries its own perfume: dustier, sadder, more ceremonial. Even a touch eldritch. I’m so glad you caught its scent. For me, it gestures toward a different metaphysical nature than the one usually tethered to the trope. I’m trying to reach back to the source and renew it, thread by thread.
Believe me when I say the like was earned before I have even finished the entire story. I am making my way through as time allows and enjoying every second. I'll comment again when I'm done but as always, my friend, fantastic work so far.
That means the world to me, Kerr. Knowing the story is resonating with you even mid-way through is encouraging. Take all the time you need, I wrote it with care, and I hope it stays with you long after the last line. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you finish. Grateful as ever for your presence on this strange road.
Thank you so much, your words mean a great deal to me.
“By circumstance or desire” felt like the question at the heart of every love story worth telling, or any good story at all. I am indebted to you for the inspiration you’ve provided me with your poem.
The debt is equal! Or maybe not, because 1. your writing is incredible and now I’ve found it 2. it’s meaningful and flattering to have served and then 3. the inspiration has cycled back around to me!!!! Mwahahaha
Since coming to Substack, I’ve realized that my favorite thing as an artist is participating in this great cycle of inspiration and influence. I am glad beyond words that Lira got caught in this cycle.
So I am very much looking forward to what you have in the pipeline.
They way you described lira’s beauty had me blushing! You captured her essence so beautifully she became real in my minds eye. This universe you have created is quite interesting, I’m excited to read more.
That truly means a lot—thank you! I poured myself into this story, not in layers of lore like The Haiduc, but in fragments of being, pieces of soul pressed between the lines.
And just so you know, I left that “Logofătu” detail in there especially for you—I remembered your comment on the last one about enjoying your own little intellectual scavenger hunts.
First off, I adore everything vampire and you had me with your old-world spelling Vampyre. Your writing is so beautiful. It's intoxicating! One of my favorite poets of all time is Baudelaire. Your story and style is reminiscent of his prose in Paris Spleen. I'm excited to read more. Your description of her alluring femininity was out of this world! I must re-stack it immediately!
Rachel, thank you! To have my work compared, however briefly, to Paris Spleen is an honor I’ll be quietly drunk on for days. Baudelaire has been a huge influence on me, along with the symbolists who followed in his shadow. I even quoted "The Albatross" during my annual review at work (I’m a lawyer, haha).
I’ve always felt the old spelling carries its own perfume: dustier, sadder, more ceremonial. Even a touch eldritch. I’m so glad you caught its scent. For me, it gestures toward a different metaphysical nature than the one usually tethered to the trope. I’m trying to reach back to the source and renew it, thread by thread.
Believe me when I say the like was earned before I have even finished the entire story. I am making my way through as time allows and enjoying every second. I'll comment again when I'm done but as always, my friend, fantastic work so far.
That means the world to me, Kerr. Knowing the story is resonating with you even mid-way through is encouraging. Take all the time you need, I wrote it with care, and I hope it stays with you long after the last line. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you finish. Grateful as ever for your presence on this strange road.
Very nice story! "Never put them next to your heart" I always like learning sayings like this 😀
Thank you very much for taking the time to read it, Josh!
We have many sayings that are fun to translate, but the real poetry lives in our profanities.
I saw the notification -- I've got a crazy weekend but I'm looking forward to reading this!
Wow wow this was beautiful reading, very devotional. By circumstance or desire!!!!!!
Thank you so much, your words mean a great deal to me.
“By circumstance or desire” felt like the question at the heart of every love story worth telling, or any good story at all. I am indebted to you for the inspiration you’ve provided me with your poem.
The debt is equal! Or maybe not, because 1. your writing is incredible and now I’ve found it 2. it’s meaningful and flattering to have served and then 3. the inspiration has cycled back around to me!!!! Mwahahaha
Since coming to Substack, I’ve realized that my favorite thing as an artist is participating in this great cycle of inspiration and influence. I am glad beyond words that Lira got caught in this cycle.
So I am very much looking forward to what you have in the pipeline.
They way you described lira’s beauty had me blushing! You captured her essence so beautifully she became real in my minds eye. This universe you have created is quite interesting, I’m excited to read more.
That truly means a lot—thank you! I poured myself into this story, not in layers of lore like The Haiduc, but in fragments of being, pieces of soul pressed between the lines.
And just so you know, I left that “Logofătu” detail in there especially for you—I remembered your comment on the last one about enjoying your own little intellectual scavenger hunts.
Ah! You spoil me, I indeed looked that up lol thank you ☺️. I’m excited to read more, keep writing from the soul.
Thanks for mention! I'll add this to my TBR list 👌🏻