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Lucy Norton's avatar

i liked how this piece was written in a non-linear format, really interesting way to write. i relate to the stopping drinking and realising it was a bit of a crutch socially, that was one of the main reasons i stopped. i think being neurodivergent, i was masking in ways i didn’t even realise. and there’s a kind of comfort in knowing that the people i meet or socialise with are getting to see me as i actually am, rather than who i wanted to present myself as, if that makes sense. and it means i’ve been able to build the things that i felt drinking afforded to me - courage, confidence, stuff like that. anyway, another great read!

Ben Searle's avatar

Thank you for the kind words. The non linear format was something I had been fighting against for a while I think, but I realised that’s how I naturally think/am and it made the process of writing much easier; at least for this piece anyway. I have the novel Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser in part to thank for it, the novel, while still having a strong narrative, is structured in way that jumps forward in time, perspective, and a few other things. I can’t do it justice here, but highly recommend. Feel you on non drinking enabling you to build courage, confidence, etc, rather than being what facilitates it. I realise now there are people seeing me as I am, but also that now will never know this version of me that did drink, which is really nice. Thanks for taking the time to read it, appreciate it.

Mitch Boessen's avatar

This was a great read chur

Ben Searle's avatar

Thank you, dude! Appreciate you taking the time :)

stacey roberts's avatar

omg its me!!!

meanwhile that pic perfectly illustrates the two writers binary hahah

Ben Searle's avatar

☺️☺️☺️☺️