All Comments on 'Out West Ch. 03: Martha Anderson'

The trouble with this chapter, Pixie, is that it's brought out my serious side. I liked your tree imagery at the outset and I very much enjoyed Martha's journal. I can think of two Shakespeare quotations appropriate to parts of the journal: Dick's plan for all the lawyers (Henry VI); and Lady Macbeth's efforts to cleanse her hands of blood. It looks as if your collaboration will be a great success. My congratulations on a first-rate chapter.

A different perspective ...

Being used to Pixie telling the story, it feels almost like this is written by a different author.

Perhaps the character of Martha Anderson is influenced by Pixie's coauthor: based on a story, an anecdote that could have easily happened during the civil war.

Having to kill a boy out of necessity to defend themselves puts in perspective the harsh reality and wrongness of war.

Even though the prevailing moral attitude at the time presumed that sex between women was wrong, this issue barely comes up when Martha finds Emma to comfort her. The simple truth is that causing harm is always wrong and healing wounds is always right.

In one sense Martha is exactly like Pixie. She is a giver of pleasure, focussing exclusively on her partner, never mentioning an unfulfilled need of her own. When Emma has an orgasm, Martha feels that she has received a gift from her lover rather than having given a gift to her. But then again, in love there is no difference between giving and receiving.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Martha and Pixie discover each other.

Wow! You seem to paint feelings just a s you write them. What a wonderful story! Abi

Thank you, Maonaigh, I am glad you are enjoying this. Serrada’s portrayal of Martha is so good xxx

Thank you darling Amadeus. Martha’s journal is Serrada, edited by me. It is a genuine collaboration, and a new venture for me. I am glad you are enjoying it xxxxx

Thank you so much, Abi ccc

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Such an amazing collaboration. I believe I am to understand that serradaC handled the responisibilities of voicing Martha from her journal, and the distinct style really leant an extra layer of authenticity to the story. Though Martha shares some of Pixie's sexual proclivities, Martha is definitely NOT Pixie. She speaks from a place of completely different lived experiences. I am especially grateful that serradaC filled us in about "darling Emma", because for a moment I though I had missed something important in the first two chapters. The quality of the writing and creative contributions by both authors is so fine, that the entire story seems "of a piece", and could be mistaken for the work of a single author. Kudos to the beautifully blended harmony of this duet.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much, Anonymous - yes, this really is a genuine collaboration, and Martha's "voice" is a critical part of this - Serrada is very talentedxxxx

Martha's backstory was told well by SerradaC. It was, of course, quite sad but also very compelling. I can imagine the heartache of both losing a spouse and then having killed someone who was young and at least somewhat innocent. Thankfully, she had Emma to help comfort her (the sex scene between them was amazing).

And now Martha has the company of Kate and Pixie, which seemed a great thing but now has some intrigue as they near St. Louis. I look forward to what these "problems" might be.

Thank you OneAuthor, I am so glad you are enjoying this collaboration, Serrada adds a lot xxx

Thats it our souls never forget and even sleep will be haunted ...... Worst case and we can't changed the event ..... Helpless

Thank you Franziska xxxxx

You don’t reference a specific year, but the context clues place the story from 1874-77, years of the South Dakota gold rush. Props to your description of truly wild. Famous gunfighter, Wild Bill Hickok, was rattling around Deadwood at the time, dying in 1876.

This time frame allows for the appearance of cartridges for both the pistol, Colt Peacemaker, and the lever action rifle, 73 Winchester, that tamed the West. Three days by train from New York to St. Louis seems a touch long but definitely in the realm of possibility.

thank you so much, anonymous, I had great assistance from SerradaC who know the period well xxxxx