Shalom

[medievallass]

Today in history class we had a Holocaust survivor come speak to us. He's a really sweet and funny man. I am lucky for a person of my age, that I've had a chance to hear two survivors speak. Mr. Al Wiener story seems particularly hard as he survived not only one camp, but four slave labor camps and a conscentration camp! He was fifteen when all this began and was librated at 18, three years completely lost. Also since he was a young man, he had a more developed memory than a child might have of such a situation. He seems to have an extrodinary amount of hope. Now that I'm older myself I can better process that type of information, and yet it's just so much, so much pain and inhumanity, that it's staggering, how in the world? He had a book for sale, unfortunately I have only a fiver in my pocket so I wasn't able to purchase a copy. It's strange how such a sad, terrible sorry can be so uplifting. I don't know whether I want to cheer or cry, it feels weird. He talked about how his survival has made him thankful of everyday and how he appreciates all  the things around him. I don't want to compare myself to what he has been through, certainly not, I've had a lovely peaceful life. However, not on such a big scale, I can understand how he feels. Having nearly died as a baby and living with the fact that I really shouldn't be here, at least definately not in as good a shape as I am, has made me really really appreciate life. I can, on the modest level, of my own understand his want to keep on living. Hearing his words has made me feel good. It echoes my own happiness to be alive and with the people I love. He lost so many of his family to me I think that would be the hardest thing to bear. He found his brother in a camp after he was taken away a year earlier, but then they were parted and never saw one another again. I can't imagine... I really  love my family and friends so much it's terrible to even think about.

I feel badly, I have two major stories I'm writing and in these stories some awful things happen to the characters. Warfare, slavery, presecution, I suppose it's not surprizing as most of my inspiration comes from history. Excuses aside though, I have wondered before and now after a presentation like Mr. Wiener's, what right I have to write about such horrible things? I who have had such a happy peaceful life filled with love, to the point where I don't know if I can even fully comprehend such pains. I try my utmost to be respectful of such things and show the consequences of them, yet I still wonder. I feel it's important to write my stories, even though they are just humble fiction, I just hope I'm not doing a bad thing. Any opinions on this would be very much appreciated

Love to friends and loved ones, holds you tight.

Hayley  ^_^  

Comments

what right do we have?

[seams-unusual.livejournal.com]

I've thought about this a LOT in the past. And I go back and forth about how I feel about whether-or-not I have the 'right' to write (or act,in some cases)terrible experiences I've never personally been through.
In general,though, I think if you do your research, write with genuine feeling & honesty and work hard to write what those experiences may have *really* been like... then you have done all survivors a certain justice. Because you have (as best as you can) brought yourself through their pain... and you will make others (your readers) appreciate it as well.
Loves!
--Katrina

Re: what right do we have?

[medievallass.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the input my friend. It's good to know I'm not the only one to wonders about these things. I agree with you, on the need to be respectful of what happens and mindful of it's consequences for people. Largely what draws me to history, is trying my best to extend empathy to people, what would that be like? I often ask myself. It sounds like the key is remembering to think of the consequences to people.

*loves* x x x

Hayley ^_^

[schmot-gurl.livejournal.com]

I think it's a good thing. People need to know about all the awful things that have happened or can happen, and not all of these things have survivors willing or able to write about them. But they still need to be remembered, over and over. And if no new writing happens, eventually we forget.

In case you're wondering who is this strange person commenting on your journal - I'm Nika, one of your prospective SDCC roommates ;)

[medievallass.livejournal.com]

Hello, Nika ^_^! It's good to know that it's not a bad thing I'm doing. My goal is that if I'm going to write something with a hard subject, I must be sure to show how it effects the characters involved and not take it too lightly. It is definately best that we don't forget about the despair and brutality in our past, so we are not doomed to repeat it. Thanks so much for the input on this Nika, I do feel better about it now. I'm really looking forward to meeting you at SDCC! Molly has told me lots about you, and I have read some of the scenes between Jenka and Dimo that you guys have made. You play Jenka really well, and your writing is really wonderful. I can't wait to read more. Take care!

Hayley ^_^

[schmot-gurl.livejournal.com]

Hello! :) I'm glad I helped.

So, is this related the novel you're writing? How is it going? When are you going to be done? Are you letting people read the parts you're done with? *is a silly impatient person* Oh, and I'm just reading the Robert/Dimo/Maxim IM log Molly gave me, which is pretty awesome!

I'm very much looking forward to meeting you, too! Molly showed me some pictures. :D I'm happy you like my writing - it's lots of fun, but it's really hard to figure out how I'm doing.

Hugs! (and way too many exclamation marks!)
Nika

[medievallass.livejournal.com]

Yep it's related to my novel^_^. I've been working on it for the past ten years, I enjoy it very very much. It's pretty slowly. I don't have much confidence in my writing, and college course work keeps me busy. My big goal for Spring Break is to finish chapter seven. I would love to give you feedback on your Jenka writings, if you'd like.

Hayley :D

[schmot-gurl.livejournal.com]

Feedback on Jenka fics - yes, please! :D

And I'd love to give you feedback on parts of the novel, or just read them, if you decide to show them to anyone.