A beautiful conclusion to one of my favorite stories I’ve read on Substack. Society - and people - can change. I was happy to see the others accept the monogamous relationship, and to see Kathoc Bose find his place among them. Several questions remain, but like Kathoc says, perhaps we don’t need the answers to all of them. Fine by me. You’ve given me a lot to think about with this story, and here’s to hoping we don’t experience the year of fire. It sure feels like a possibility at this point! Thank you, Sharron!
Such thoughtful comments! Thank you Justin. Yes, questions remain. They always do. I don't know about you but my life has a lot of questions unanswered - past, present and future. I think life is just like that, not everything gets wrapped up neatly.
Beautiful story Sharron. I love the way this has all resolved in such a peaceful, loving manner to the benefit of all parties. The time travel aspect adds intrigue and explains so much. A well told tale from beginning to end.
Peace and love! Sounds like shades of 1969 have colored this piece a little. The best thing about writing my own story about the future, is that it can be anything I want it to be. Thanks again for your help.
The Time of Fire is now. Canada has over 1000 huge fires raging uncontrolled. Any trees left will make lumber VERY expensive. California has "fire season" every year. My daughter can see flames from her house to the West. Politics and riots are burning Chicago and Seattle. LaHaina is ash to the ground. Rainbows remind us floods will not end us again. Fire next time.
A fitting and interesting ending…. This paragraph is so poignant!
I am no longer concerned. I have accepted that not every question in this life has an answer. And I have learned that home is not where you are from. Home is where you find the light when you are the most lost.
BTW … Although I don’t always think of something to comment, I do read all your posts as I find them interesting and the writing immaculate.
Gorgeous ending to a beautiful story, Sharron. Please consider publishing this series as a whole book. If it hasn't reached novella length, I'm certain you could get it there with a few more vignettes, as there are so many stories to be told in this world. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thanks so much, Meg. I am following up a couple of submission leads, but I need to make sure that I am not disqualified by having my story posted on Substack. Some magazines would consider that previously "published". Can't hurt to ask. Right?
Part of me hopes that Kathoc is still on Earth... an Earth that has been cleansed by fire and is being restored with peaceful co-existence. You have created that place with your imagination. It's beautiful.
We see a LOT of dystopian stories these days, but even with a catastrophic event, I still like to have a tiny glimmer of hopeoff in the future somewhere. That is what Kathoc Bose is about, I guess... hope. Thank you Heather. I sure am enjoying your new publication, The After 21 Club! https://after21club.substack.com/
This was curious to unpackage, the unfolding of a culture. Love the names and how the groups fell together. The reverence for knowledge and the history of things--what an uncertain journey. Those metal cylinders of writings, how cool is that. Thanks for a glimpse into this other land; well told, Sharron. Appreciate Jim's insights, I'm sure also.
Thanks, Mud. This started out as a one page story. I thought it was finished. Five chapters later I was still in "Veylas" wondering where I was and where I was going. It was a challenge for me and I am not sure how successful it was, but the experimentation was exhilarating. I am so glad you found some interesting bits in it!
This is such a lovely ending, Sharron - it's an ending, but not the end, because 'mysteries remain'. I'm pondering them right now, in fact. Absolutely wonderful!
Oh, thank you, Rebecca. I confess, as is often the case, I fell in love with my protagonist and had a hard time saying good-bye to him. I can be so silly.. I have given my heart to six ( fictitious ) men in the past 14 months... sigh.
You are welcome! I think without knowing before hand, we can hit on something that takes on a life of its own. That is a joyous discovery and reward in itself.
I love a 'happily ever after" story, just to sort of balance out what we see in real life around us sometimes. Thanks for following this story to the end, Sharon.
A beautiful conclusion to one of my favorite stories I’ve read on Substack. Society - and people - can change. I was happy to see the others accept the monogamous relationship, and to see Kathoc Bose find his place among them. Several questions remain, but like Kathoc says, perhaps we don’t need the answers to all of them. Fine by me. You’ve given me a lot to think about with this story, and here’s to hoping we don’t experience the year of fire. It sure feels like a possibility at this point! Thank you, Sharron!
Such thoughtful comments! Thank you Justin. Yes, questions remain. They always do. I don't know about you but my life has a lot of questions unanswered - past, present and future. I think life is just like that, not everything gets wrapped up neatly.
Very good!
Thank you, Linda.
Beautiful story Sharron. I love the way this has all resolved in such a peaceful, loving manner to the benefit of all parties. The time travel aspect adds intrigue and explains so much. A well told tale from beginning to end.
Peace and love! Sounds like shades of 1969 have colored this piece a little. The best thing about writing my own story about the future, is that it can be anything I want it to be. Thanks again for your help.
The Time of Fire is now. Canada has over 1000 huge fires raging uncontrolled. Any trees left will make lumber VERY expensive. California has "fire season" every year. My daughter can see flames from her house to the West. Politics and riots are burning Chicago and Seattle. LaHaina is ash to the ground. Rainbows remind us floods will not end us again. Fire next time.
A fitting and interesting ending…. This paragraph is so poignant!
I am no longer concerned. I have accepted that not every question in this life has an answer. And I have learned that home is not where you are from. Home is where you find the light when you are the most lost.
BTW … Although I don’t always think of something to comment, I do read all your posts as I find them interesting and the writing immaculate.
Thank you Wade, for your comment. I am glad you liked Kathoc Bose. Sci-fi is something new for me and I found it quite challenging.
Gorgeous ending to a beautiful story, Sharron. Please consider publishing this series as a whole book. If it hasn't reached novella length, I'm certain you could get it there with a few more vignettes, as there are so many stories to be told in this world. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thanks so much, Meg. I am following up a couple of submission leads, but I need to make sure that I am not disqualified by having my story posted on Substack. Some magazines would consider that previously "published". Can't hurt to ask. Right?
Part of me hopes that Kathoc is still on Earth... an Earth that has been cleansed by fire and is being restored with peaceful co-existence. You have created that place with your imagination. It's beautiful.
We see a LOT of dystopian stories these days, but even with a catastrophic event, I still like to have a tiny glimmer of hopeoff in the future somewhere. That is what Kathoc Bose is about, I guess... hope. Thank you Heather. I sure am enjoying your new publication, The After 21 Club! https://after21club.substack.com/
This was curious to unpackage, the unfolding of a culture. Love the names and how the groups fell together. The reverence for knowledge and the history of things--what an uncertain journey. Those metal cylinders of writings, how cool is that. Thanks for a glimpse into this other land; well told, Sharron. Appreciate Jim's insights, I'm sure also.
Thanks, Mud. This started out as a one page story. I thought it was finished. Five chapters later I was still in "Veylas" wondering where I was and where I was going. It was a challenge for me and I am not sure how successful it was, but the experimentation was exhilarating. I am so glad you found some interesting bits in it!
This is such a lovely ending, Sharron - it's an ending, but not the end, because 'mysteries remain'. I'm pondering them right now, in fact. Absolutely wonderful!
Oh, thank you, Rebecca. I confess, as is often the case, I fell in love with my protagonist and had a hard time saying good-bye to him. I can be so silly.. I have given my heart to six ( fictitious ) men in the past 14 months... sigh.
🤣 Sharron, this has really made me smile - and shows you to be the lovely human I know you to be from your writing! xxx
I really enjoyed this story, Sharron. I was prepared for it not to end well. I always enjoy your writing!
Thanks, James, for sticking with Kathoc Bose. I hadn't planned on it being six chapters! Sometimes it just can't be helped. ha ha ha !
You are welcome! I think without knowing before hand, we can hit on something that takes on a life of its own. That is a joyous discovery and reward in itself.
Amen….what a wonderful closing! I love the story of Kathoc, and I feel happy for him, his family, and his little community.
I love a 'happily ever after" story, just to sort of balance out what we see in real life around us sometimes. Thanks for following this story to the end, Sharon.