Fiction exercise #13
(The prompt was: to write a letter from one character asks another something that is difficult to ask for. Also: convince the readers that the writer deserves what is being asked.)
Envelope addressed to: Martin KrillsMartin Kirills.
M.,
I don’t know how to start. I seem to follow you around in my heart. I may not show it with my gaze but that is my intention - not to let my feelings show.
I decided to write to you because I am not good with speeches; might not be a good writer either, but I shall try. Besides, I am writing this only because I know that you will probably never read it. I would never have the guts to sent/give the letter to you. If I sent it anonymously what good would it do? Even such a way to let you know, to ask you my probing questions, scares me.
How should I say it? Just that: I am fascinated by your faith. Not even you so much, but your faith. Your faith defines you. That was the first thing that caught my attention. Your total devotion to God caught me off guard. You put God first in everything. You seem to be too real with God to be true. To me you appear to be a saint from medieval times. You are so close with your Lord, with the God of the Universe, that my own faith scares me. It makes me doubt how real I am. Am I an authentic Christian, or am I just a fake, a hypocrite? My soul is stirred to restlessness. I am confused. What is reality? Where to obtain it?
I want to know how you live. I want desperately to know who you really are. How is it possible to live such a life of abandonment in our world? How do you manage to be close to God? How does a relationship between a Holy Absolute God and a man work? Such a deep profound relationship that you seem to be in with God makes me think if it is real. But it is real. You are living proof that it’s possible. My only question is: how?
If only I knew it. If only… I can’t get the courage to ask you in person and this letter will never be sent. Am I hopeless? I cannot find rest. I am deeply troubled by my wonderings about you, about your relationship with God.
You are not of this world. I am a mere girl, a sinner. How can I ask such things from a man of God? Yet you do talk to commoners… Should I send this to you? Or should I come up to you and ask it to your face? I am afraid. I want your answers but am afraid to ask the questions.
You see, it’s not only your faith that fascinates me; it’s also you as a person. My feelings tell me that I am in love with you. Can it be so? I don’t know. All that I know is…I am restless and I keep on thinking about you, about your God. Who is He anyways that He keeps your unwavering attention? Could you ever love me, or is your love only for Him? Will I ever find out?
Affectionately,
Ella.
P.S. How would you define love?
***
***
I would never forget this day. Today, this carefully handwritten letter fell on my lap. It was Ella’s little brother who gave it to me. Mark wouldn’t tell me anything except, “This belongs to you. I saw your name on the sealed envelope. It has been lying in our little secret table for weeks. I thought it ought to be delivered to you if it was written.” Mark would never lie.
I was struck by the honesty of the words in this letter. How could I explain to her that I am just a sinner, just like everyone else, just like her, the only difference in me is that I have been saved by grace? I must try. I will. First, I need to pray.
QuestionsQuestions:
1. How does it fit the prompt? Is the last part helpful/necessary/not needed?
2. What do you think about formatting? (never mind this for @diary)
3. Does this sound like a letter to you? Is it believable?
4. Do the characters need more defining? Who? In what area?
5. What conflict did you notice?