You've done it again, Jib....made me feel inferior. This is such powerful writing. I often mock (I know I have no right to) D&M, but this is un-mockable. It's beautiful. All of it, but especially your list starting 'My every goose pimple...' soooo powerful (got a bit rude here and there though!)

You, insubstantial? Are you kidding?

Just one point. I was a little concerned about Mr Bengali. If you can pass on a message, could you just say that cyclones are okay initially, but that they fade to nothing quite quickly, so not to worry himself too much. I had to say that to get me back to 'shallow mode', which you took me away from for a few minutes. Beautiful.

I initially wrote this by hand in my notebook. And, it didn't contain the Bengali poet explaination. There, I had simply written:

May be Kabi Nazrul Islam was right when he said, “I am cyclone!”

I think this works better. But, I thought that I better explain, so I did.

But, to further explain, Kabi Nazrul Islam was a famous Bengali poet who got up the nose of the British so much during the days of the Raj that they imprisoned him. So, his work can be quite angry sometimes.

Again, glad you like the piece. And cheers for the positive words of support, Rog.

It's a beautifully charged piece of writing. I have to confess to being interested in whether being in China when you wrote it influenced it, in the way that I know places can do. As a lover of wind and sky I really loved reading it as well. I'd like to be able to see it in the context of what comes before and after, although I know that can be difficult if it's part of a novel.
Becca.

Thanks Becca.

Did being in China influence this piece? Personally, I can't see it. But then again, Qufu was the birthplace of Kung Fu Zu (or Confucious as known to the west).

I will upload some longer parts from this novel. However, I have sometimes just gone with the flow and written my characters' thoughts, while I'm (even if just for short spaces of time) doing the writer's version of method acting. Might be considered ill disciplined by some. But, I enjoy it.

So, what goes before and after this bit... well, we'll see.

The book also has 3 different narrators: Shaquilla, Matthew and Uma.

Let me know what you think guys as I put up more.

Cheers.

I love your choice of words, so powerful and descriptive. A thought provoking piece of writing. Well done.

Cheers Stacey. Glad you like it.

Shaquilla is becoming strangely real - powerful yet enigmatic. Looking forward to more, and waiting for the story to unfold. Best, Nell.

Another lovely piece, very evocative and thought-provoking. I can just see these little snippets coming together really well as a novel - it's a great idea.
Yours, Kate.