The Cost of Living / Discussion

This is the discussion related to the wiki page The Cost of Living.

Egileye 27 Jan 2022 05:14

Thank you to Sunny, Progress, and many others for proofreading and critiquing this piece.

When the contest was first announced, I was struggling with existential dread. Writing this was like therapy to work through those emotions. I wanted to get the following things across with this:

1. You are more than your mistakes and shortcomings
2. The people around you think more highly of you than you think
3. You have no way of knowing or affecting what happens after you die, so worry about your life here on Earth first and foremost

If I was able to communicate those things to even one person, I'll consider this successful.

Take care and keep your heads up, Wanderers!

reptomaniac 27 Jan 2022 21:09

I don't think I have the words to describe the way I feel about this work, but it's really, really profound.
Hoping you win this one, Egileye! <3

LAN 2D 29 Jan 2022 12:24

This was really a wonderful read. Your prose is so evocative, and I loved the way you resolved James' story, as well as the open ending.

おかえり

Maxyfran73 05 Feb 2022 16:15

This was a truly amazing read, damn. When I read 'Iwo Jima' and saw the Vitalis theme, I knew this was gonna be good. The story was heartwarming, and just, the way you describe every situation is so, so good.

Easy upvote~

Rounderhouse 09 Mar 2022 05:22

This is one of the longest contest entries, I think, but I was still able to remain engaged and intrigued throughout. That's not entirely true - I'll be honest in saying that I found the beginning kind of boring and unengaging, but after the initial battle scene wore off I was fully immersed. That's probably reflective more of me and my tastes, but go figure. The prose here is also pretty good - it's highly readable and doesn't drag after that initial scene, manages to remain grounded with detail. I feel like you could go through this with a sharper eye and be more willing to cut some of the extraneous content, but overall it's pretty good stuff.

Fortanono 28 Feb 2023 20:47

A really touching piece about the horrors and hard choices of war, the concept of oneself and holding onto it, and so many other great things. Thank you for this. +1

+1 and sth about translation

hidasa_ 31 Jul 2023 10:02

It costs me 2 hours to read it thoroughly.I was completely stunned after the reading.
It was almost immediately before I made up my mind in translating this story into Chinese.
I’m just wondering whether it’s OK ,I mean am I been allowed to do so?(it is my first time here to do translation.)
All in all,this depends on Egileye.

Re: +1 and sth about translation

Egileye 03 Aug 2023 16:44

You are totally allowed to do so! I'm honored that you enjoyed it so much. Thank you!