I’m noticing you’re really very good at taking these big, high-concept sci-fi ideas like quantum recall, memory editing, population-scale compliance, and making them feel grounded and very human. The tech is chilling, but you root it in human emotion, to really stick the landing. It never reads as abstract. And as for the time element - this feels like the "wibbly wobbly timey wimey" of Doctor Who haha, but sharper and more personal.
Hahaha! Love the timey wimey reference - I think I'm learning a lot about myself in what I'm writing. Definitely a fan of the timey wimey. Really appreciate this, Gaby. Your point around taking high concept ideas and making them grounded is especially meaningful. Good to know I've got the balance right here. Thanks, as ever - so glad to have you as a reader.
like the flip in time here. and the realness to the epic sci-fi element. some can feel to far reaching. but like i said in the first i read of yours.. you keep close enough that it can be entertained as a possibility—especially today. great read and write!
Thank you so much - I really hope you know how much I appreciate you showing up again and again. That showing up is incredibly valued, and I would also hope you know that I value your voice and style. It's funny that I've read so much of your work and I don't even know your name, so I'll just say thank you, Drip!
This was a gripping story. However reading it whilst rocking my toddler to sleep was maybe a mistake, it certainly heightened the sense of motherly desperation for me. My favourite story youve written so far.
Thank you so much - you know, it’s really rewarding to know that the reread held that emotional gut-punch. Really, really enjoyed your story, ‘Desync’ as well. Glad to be appreciated by a writer I respect.
That was one of the most riveting reads I’ve experienced in a long while. Completely agree that you’ve managed to take big broad sci-fi tropes and find such a specific, relationship-driven take that felt so clear and heart-wrenching. I could happily read the novel version of this. I want to know more about this mother and daughter, the life they had before. But maybe that’s part of the magic too, as the reader, the not knowing fully. It makes it all the more powerful and heartbreaking. Excited to have found your substack and to keep reading along!
That's such a lovely comment - I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that my writing has really entertained someone. So thank you so much for taking the time to be so thoughtful and positive! Great to meet you, Rebecca!
I’m noticing you’re really very good at taking these big, high-concept sci-fi ideas like quantum recall, memory editing, population-scale compliance, and making them feel grounded and very human. The tech is chilling, but you root it in human emotion, to really stick the landing. It never reads as abstract. And as for the time element - this feels like the "wibbly wobbly timey wimey" of Doctor Who haha, but sharper and more personal.
Hahaha! Love the timey wimey reference - I think I'm learning a lot about myself in what I'm writing. Definitely a fan of the timey wimey. Really appreciate this, Gaby. Your point around taking high concept ideas and making them grounded is especially meaningful. Good to know I've got the balance right here. Thanks, as ever - so glad to have you as a reader.
A nice way of telling the story, a sort of backwards forward motion. We'll done!
Thanks so much, Tom. That's exactly what I was going for - like waves folding back on themselves even as the tide is going out.
like the flip in time here. and the realness to the epic sci-fi element. some can feel to far reaching. but like i said in the first i read of yours.. you keep close enough that it can be entertained as a possibility—especially today. great read and write!
Thank you so much - I really hope you know how much I appreciate you showing up again and again. That showing up is incredibly valued, and I would also hope you know that I value your voice and style. It's funny that I've read so much of your work and I don't even know your name, so I'll just say thank you, Drip!
This was a gripping story. However reading it whilst rocking my toddler to sleep was maybe a mistake, it certainly heightened the sense of motherly desperation for me. My favourite story youve written so far.
Very nice! This superficially reminds me of one of my favorite films, Memento, with the timeline and the memory theme.
I mean the comparison is high-praise. Thanks, Ryan - really appreciate you reading this!
Excellent. The reverse chronology is executed so well, it really serves the story. Going back to reread XII is heartbreaking with the full context.
Thank you so much - you know, it’s really rewarding to know that the reread held that emotional gut-punch. Really, really enjoyed your story, ‘Desync’ as well. Glad to be appreciated by a writer I respect.
That was one of the most riveting reads I’ve experienced in a long while. Completely agree that you’ve managed to take big broad sci-fi tropes and find such a specific, relationship-driven take that felt so clear and heart-wrenching. I could happily read the novel version of this. I want to know more about this mother and daughter, the life they had before. But maybe that’s part of the magic too, as the reader, the not knowing fully. It makes it all the more powerful and heartbreaking. Excited to have found your substack and to keep reading along!
That's such a lovely comment - I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that my writing has really entertained someone. So thank you so much for taking the time to be so thoughtful and positive! Great to meet you, Rebecca!
Sorry about that 😂 I'll put content warnings on next time.