Great chapter! I love how Grace's character is developing, finding out about her background, her relationship with her father, with her past...
The animation is beautiful! I didn't know about these islands...
Also, Schirra's quote -- I just finished reading Orbital and there too is this message from people who have literally fully seen our planet "in context", so to speak, and realised, truly, that it is our only home.
Why aren't we taking care of our home?
I am looking forward to the next chapters - I am a little behind, but hope to catch up this weekend.
Thanks for your thoughts here, Sara. I love seeing what resonates for people. I also thought of Schirra while reading "Orbital" (what a phenomenal read!). All this Mars nonsense is so . . . nuts? The Bay's islands have always been sinking from natural causes. Sea level rise is making it worse, for sure.
Orbital is great - it should become part of school curricula, maybe it would help kids get a larger perspective and understand that truly there is no freaking planet B. Mars is total nonsense, it's obscene that any money is being spent on that while we have so much to fix here...
I was just thinking this morning that we need more books, more fiction, more stories like this, like yours too... that don't shy away from the current environmental situation while telling a good, interesting story; we need to make it part of our reality, because it is. But I see it around me... people don't "believe" it.
When I workshopped a version of this a while back, my fellow writers didn’t believe the energy company would be so sloppy and egregious in fouling people’s drinking water and violating other safety regs. They insisted it was unrealistic when every detail was based on research — on reality. That incredulity extends to everything happening now in our government. It’s maddening.
Just catching up. A poignant chapter. I had forgotten Schirra’s quote “I left Earth three times. I found no place else to go. Please take care of Spaceship Earth.” I grew up with such great hope in the 60s and 70s…. 😢
Finally had a chance to listen to your first three chapters, Julie, and so excited to see where this goes! I’m really loving Grace and interested in her work during this insane period. I also love the use of the student’s perspectives on the climate crisis and what hope means to different people. Very cool.
Thanks so much for reading, Troy, and for sharing your impressions. The timing is indeed surreal, especially as I've been working on this for a lonnnnnng time.
Wonderful Julie. I sat down last night before dinner with only a few minutes to read a few paragraphs, but then found myself so absorbed that I couldn’t stop. Grace’s character, her passion, her inner conflicts—I’m so enjoying how you’re developing all of this!
Climate is a forest, weather is a tree..I love that. I enjoy your writing style, and I like where this seems to be going! That last letter is gripping, as is the ballad. I’m fond of the Metro/Bay region. I was born on Andrews and we returned to Calvert County/Solomons every year for vacation on the bay.
Love the imagery you weave into this, Julie! The dragonfly really stands out but even the way students shuffle into the classroom, etc
Great chapter
thanks, Kate! Glad you're enjoying it.
Great chapter! I love how Grace's character is developing, finding out about her background, her relationship with her father, with her past...
The animation is beautiful! I didn't know about these islands...
Also, Schirra's quote -- I just finished reading Orbital and there too is this message from people who have literally fully seen our planet "in context", so to speak, and realised, truly, that it is our only home.
Why aren't we taking care of our home?
I am looking forward to the next chapters - I am a little behind, but hope to catch up this weekend.
Thank you, Julie!
Thanks for your thoughts here, Sara. I love seeing what resonates for people. I also thought of Schirra while reading "Orbital" (what a phenomenal read!). All this Mars nonsense is so . . . nuts? The Bay's islands have always been sinking from natural causes. Sea level rise is making it worse, for sure.
Orbital is great - it should become part of school curricula, maybe it would help kids get a larger perspective and understand that truly there is no freaking planet B. Mars is total nonsense, it's obscene that any money is being spent on that while we have so much to fix here...
I was just thinking this morning that we need more books, more fiction, more stories like this, like yours too... that don't shy away from the current environmental situation while telling a good, interesting story; we need to make it part of our reality, because it is. But I see it around me... people don't "believe" it.
When I workshopped a version of this a while back, my fellow writers didn’t believe the energy company would be so sloppy and egregious in fouling people’s drinking water and violating other safety regs. They insisted it was unrealistic when every detail was based on research — on reality. That incredulity extends to everything happening now in our government. It’s maddening.
Just catching up. A poignant chapter. I had forgotten Schirra’s quote “I left Earth three times. I found no place else to go. Please take care of Spaceship Earth.” I grew up with such great hope in the 60s and 70s…. 😢
It sure is poignant now. 😢
Finally had a chance to listen to your first three chapters, Julie, and so excited to see where this goes! I’m really loving Grace and interested in her work during this insane period. I also love the use of the student’s perspectives on the climate crisis and what hope means to different people. Very cool.
Thanks so much for reading, Troy, and for sharing your impressions. The timing is indeed surreal, especially as I've been working on this for a lonnnnnng time.
Favorite nuggets in this chapter: Ansel Adams as enviroporn and people in a suburb referred to as the last crop. So good, Julie!
Thanks for reading, Ben. 😌
"Climate is a forest, weather is a tree" I wrote that down the moment I heard it Julie...
Once again your skill in telling the details is outstanding!
Wonderful, Susie! I can totally see those posters. Ha! Maybe I should open an Etsy. ☺️
Bloody hell, absolutely, yes!
Yes! Just here with so much admiration, Julie.
Thanks for all of it, Mary Beth.
Felt all the layered sadnesses of this chapter, skilfully revealed. Grace is a beautiful soul.
Thanks for being here, Sally.
Wonderful Julie. I sat down last night before dinner with only a few minutes to read a few paragraphs, but then found myself so absorbed that I couldn’t stop. Grace’s character, her passion, her inner conflicts—I’m so enjoying how you’re developing all of this!
Aww, thanks so much, Kimberly. I appreciate you.
Climate is a forest, weather is a tree..I love that. I enjoy your writing style, and I like where this seems to be going! That last letter is gripping, as is the ballad. I’m fond of the Metro/Bay region. I was born on Andrews and we returned to Calvert County/Solomons every year for vacation on the bay.
Thanks for reading, Rob. Glad you’re enjoying it. This is a special region indeed.