90 Comments
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Leo thee Lemon's avatar

I still have no context for what a crumpet is? Is it a musical instrument? I thinks it’s like an English style bread but I cannot figure out what it is right now. I refuse to google, just let figure this out on my own. It will come to me.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

I’m sure it will come back to you at some point @Leo thee Lemon.

But whilst you’re waiting, I went downstairs and found these in the kitchen cupboard.

I didn’t realise this was your brand?

A famous British Bakers, almost world renowned.

imi's avatar

I love crumpets! It’s more like a fluffy pancake that doesn’t taste as good so eating it doesn’t make you feel as guilty lol

Terod Naej's avatar

Ouiiii🤙🏽

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Terod! 😊

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

It is very similar to an English Muffin in size and texture. I eat mine with clotted cream and usually whatever homemade jam I have available. Lots of little nooks and crannies to fill with delicious toppings.

PancakeSushi's avatar

Should make for an interesting ongoing series, with 2 great writers in the exchange

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks @PancakeSushi!

PancakeSushi's avatar

You're most welcome

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you so much MPS! Appreciate you!

Phoeby's avatar

Mark and Dorie — your collaboration feels so cinematic. I love how it brings back a time when people weren’t afraid of their own words, when they spoke easily and, most of all, with joy. In my head I’ve already set it in a pre–World War II era (I need a clear frame), so I can’t wait to read what’s next. There will be more, right?

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much for such a lovely reflection Phoeby 😊

We both had an idea of a cinematic undercurrent, so I’m pleased that came through, without any big camerars needed on set :).

There will be more, as this is just the start of the journey, and timeframe is not announced formally, but maybe think around early 1960’s if you are curious as the events of the time in both locations.

Phoeby's avatar

Thank you for clarifying. 1960 is a very interesting year. I’m really looking forward to the continuation.

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you so much Phoeby!

Andrea Thorfinson's avatar

This was such a delight to listen to and read. Although I admit, I quickly dropped off reading because I got completely lost in both of your voices.

I love how intimate and immersive this is, like we’re eavesdropping on a friendship traveling through time and distance. The pauses, the imperfections, the way voice carries feeling… it all works beautifully together.

And Dorie... I’m only half kidding when I say that if I ever do an audiobook, I want your voice reading it. This was such a joy to experience. Thank you both for sharing this with us. Truly a delight!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much Andrea, not just for listening and reading, but also drifting into the story and sounds.

The immersion is something we felt as we were speaking, almost as if we were back there in the 1960's.

And Dorie's voice — I can completely see that and I agree so much, and told Dorie the same yesterday.

Thank you! 😊

Andrea Thorfinson's avatar

I absolutely felt that too... like being transported back in time. This was a really fun experience, thank you both. :)

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Andrea, Thank you so much! It makes me feel so happy to hear this. We had such a fun time with this project. I too like that it represents a real person, pauses, mistakes, scared whispers, Harold's "bloody thing"!

LOL, I don't know about that, but I would give it my best shot for you!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

And I know you'd do a great job Dorie!

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

You are so kind!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

💛 🫶 💛

Andrea Thorfinson's avatar

I'm very much looking forward to the next episode. You can tell how much fun you both had; it came through in the reading. :) Oh, and I should say I love BOTH of your voices!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks Andrea! 🤗 🤗 🤗

You’re make me blush, and I’m sure I can feel Dorie’s too from here ☺️

Andrea Thorfinson's avatar

Haha, yep, I can feel it from here too. ☺️

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you! Yes very pink cheeks 🤭🩷

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

💛 ☺️ 💛

Andrea Thorfinson's avatar

Hehe, and I'm sure you are very cute with pink cheeks. 🩷

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

🤭🤭

Andrea 🌄's avatar

Hey Mark! This was really well done! I recently took a workshop on epistolary poems (letter poems) so this concept is really intriguing to me. I’m always up for collab but I’m still pretty new around these parts so I’m not sure what all types of collabs you two might be interested in. DM’s are open though so deff reach out if you think i would be a good fit for something!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much @Andrea 🌄 !

Although I posted this piece, @Dorie Snow/雪多丽 (Emiliy) is the shining lady of the story, and my partner in dictaphones, if that was a thing.

I’ll definitely be in touch 😊

Andrea 🌄's avatar

@Dorie Snow/雪多丽 is pretty great honestly! :D This was not my first treat from her :D

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

You are so kind!

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

You are so kind Mark! Made me blush 🤭

Marwa Mabrouk's avatar

It might seem like a story of an old time, but truth is we do the same now with apps… I love using voice messages instead of phone calls, it somehow works so much better for my nervous system 😊

I loved this piece

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks you so much Marwa 💛

Async messaging with time delays is something I can see so well how well it would work.

Beautifully said and so pleased you loved it ❤️

Neural Foundry's avatar

This format pulls you right into the moment like actully hearing someone fumble with tech. The way Harold's recording captures his unfiltered thoughts between the start-stop of that dictaphone makes the friendship feel tangible. Back when I used to recieve cassette letters from an old friend, there was somethign about those real-time hesitations that writing can't quite replicate.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much Neural.

We both felt the same when making these tape — like we were teleported back in time to the 1960's.

Such a wonderful memory to have come back as well 😊

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you so very much! We were hoping the esthetic would work well with the recordings and letters in written form. Harold being so forward and cussing his "bloody" is one of my favorite parts. Makes me giggle every time.

Kristina Ray's avatar

Oh, this was just lovely! I really enjoyed listening to you two. You both did an outstanding job with this I can't wait for the next episode.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Kristina!

We can't wait for the next episode to arrive too 😊

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you so much Kristina!

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

This is a wonderful work. Thank you.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you @Sara da Encarnação 😊

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

I didn't do it 🙃 you did.

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Sara!

IanDMTaniels&HouseOfChapters's avatar

Two beautiful voices, in written and spoken form.

Mark, you sounded a bit like Tom Hardy at the beginning !

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank Ian! 😊

I’ll take the Tom Hardy reference with a bow and a grin.

IanDMTaniels&HouseOfChapters's avatar

hahahahaha :) I meant it as positive as it can get!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

and fully taken as that with a massive grin 😂

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Ian! 😂🤭 you are right, a bit like Tom Hardy!

Words about things and stuff's avatar

This was utterly charming. I can’t wait to read more.

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Dave!

Dawnithic's avatar

Mark, you capture how voices carry more than words...weather, homesickness, affection, and quiet worry all travel on tape. There’s a rare tenderness here, reminding us that even when people move apart, presence can still exist in sound and silence.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much Dawnithic for such a beatiful read.

Really pleased how you felt the currents underneath the words, the tenderness, and feeling that even when distances are far, meaniung and presence can still travel.

Thank you for holding this space with us 😊

Dawnithic's avatar

Thank you, Mark, for your compliment.

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Dawn!

Mathew C. Bryant's avatar

This was very good! I felt immersed throughout, and enjoyed the elegance of both of your writing voices here. Bravo 👏

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much Mathew 😊

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Mat!

Mahmoud Owies's avatar

Wow! I love everything about this!

Thank you both!!!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Mahmoud!

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you so much Mahmoud!

AsukaHotaru's avatar

The “Oh bugger… Bloody new devices” bit made me laugh..! Then the whole thing turned soft and kind in my chest~ I honestly went 'awww~!' “as if you were standing by my side here in this room.” That line just clings to me, yeah~

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Haha - So glad you liked that line @AsukaHotaru !

Thank you for listening and reading 💛 🫶 💛

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Asuka!

Gub's avatar

I opted for the read and as soon as the dictaphone was mentioned I heard a crackle. I’m a fan, because I love letters. When they appear in a novels I sigh and re-read them. Creative yet classic presentation. Looking forward to sighing through this :)

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks Gub and so pleased to have you here in the fan club 😊

Can't wait to share the next one :)

Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

Thank you Gub!