This piece matches its wit and mythic drama: Petra isn’t just a drug addict, she’s a fallen angel of the Chelsea Hotel, a figure oscillating between comedy, horror, and spiritual revelation. Very interesting stuff all-around, definitely must dig deeper in your work, Rachel
Thanks so much, Stefan! Yes, please read the novel. I know it’s a big ask and commitment. Seeing as we’re all busy writing and living. I’m glad you liked it. Super fond memories!
Absolutely—I'll make time for it. It’s a joy to support work that comes from a place of care and memory. Looking forward to the read, and to carrying a bit of your world with me.
Back to your comment. "Petra isn’t just a drug addict, she’s a fallen angel of the Chelsea Hotel, a figure oscillating between comedy, horror, and spiritual revelation."
Life has shown me that we are all fallen angels divorced from our divinity. Like the caterpillar who passes by a mirror and says, "That's not right. I ain't no worm!" And then it suffers and melts and becomes food for its butterfly DNA. What a process we go through to remember!
Rachel, I’m so glad my comment landed with you. To be honest, I felt a little embarrassed after posting it, worried it might’ve come across as corny or insincere. The truth is, I had just finished writing "I’ll Keep Missing You, Lady Lich", so my brain was still in high gear, and I was riding that creative current.
For me, reading is a creative act in itself. One I often feel I fall short at, but I keep trying anyway. More often than not, I read something brilliant on here, and I’m struck dumb. I type, delete, retype, and end up posting something too vague or too safe. This time, though, I just spoke from the spark your piece lit in me.
I know I've said something similar in another chapter, but I feel like my idea of reality just got a severe beating with a heavy sack of holy sins. This one drove home.
Thank you Victor! And, at least from my sometimes skewed perspective, I am merely a journalist. Every word is true. I couldn’t make this shit up on my best day. Pretty sure Buddy Handler a.k.a. “The man in the white robes” is my narrator.
Don’t know about your narrator? Read Victor’s short story.
Yes, and that's part of what makes it hit. That it's true. There was an earlier part about the walls raining cockroaches which I can't get out of my head and I hope never to actually see. (don't like em [understatement]) . And thanks for the shout out, Rachel!
This piece matches its wit and mythic drama: Petra isn’t just a drug addict, she’s a fallen angel of the Chelsea Hotel, a figure oscillating between comedy, horror, and spiritual revelation. Very interesting stuff all-around, definitely must dig deeper in your work, Rachel
Thanks so much, Stefan! Yes, please read the novel. I know it’s a big ask and commitment. Seeing as we’re all busy writing and living. I’m glad you liked it. Super fond memories!
Absolutely—I'll make time for it. It’s a joy to support work that comes from a place of care and memory. Looking forward to the read, and to carrying a bit of your world with me.
Not corny. Insightful. Maybe when the book is ready for print, you will write me a review. That would be awesome!
I would be honored!
Your take on the chapter stuck with me and I wondered, "Who is Stefan and how did he read all that into the chapter?"
I read...
https://stefanbaciu.substack.com/p/ill-keep-missing-you-lady-lich
(Will post a comment on the story later.)
Loved it and your writing style. Subscribed.
Back to your comment. "Petra isn’t just a drug addict, she’s a fallen angel of the Chelsea Hotel, a figure oscillating between comedy, horror, and spiritual revelation."
Life has shown me that we are all fallen angels divorced from our divinity. Like the caterpillar who passes by a mirror and says, "That's not right. I ain't no worm!" And then it suffers and melts and becomes food for its butterfly DNA. What a process we go through to remember!
Thank you for your deeper understanding!!!
Rachel, I’m so glad my comment landed with you. To be honest, I felt a little embarrassed after posting it, worried it might’ve come across as corny or insincere. The truth is, I had just finished writing "I’ll Keep Missing You, Lady Lich", so my brain was still in high gear, and I was riding that creative current.
For me, reading is a creative act in itself. One I often feel I fall short at, but I keep trying anyway. More often than not, I read something brilliant on here, and I’m struck dumb. I type, delete, retype, and end up posting something too vague or too safe. This time, though, I just spoke from the spark your piece lit in me.
I know I've said something similar in another chapter, but I feel like my idea of reality just got a severe beating with a heavy sack of holy sins. This one drove home.
Thank you Victor! And, at least from my sometimes skewed perspective, I am merely a journalist. Every word is true. I couldn’t make this shit up on my best day. Pretty sure Buddy Handler a.k.a. “The man in the white robes” is my narrator.
Don’t know about your narrator? Read Victor’s short story.
https://dcreed.substack.com/p/none-of-this-makes-sense
Yes, and that's part of what makes it hit. That it's true. There was an earlier part about the walls raining cockroaches which I can't get out of my head and I hope never to actually see. (don't like em [understatement]) . And thanks for the shout out, Rachel!