I think the faceless reporter was appropriate. The story is told from the ex-cultist's POV and she hasn't been able - or, maybe, even tried - to connect with anyone "outside". Why would she take any notice or interest in the reporter?
It was super engaging from the get go. I'd maybe have liked a little more insight into why she was doing the interview and the meta-cognitive thoughts around that. The parallels and differences between talking to a therapist, talking to a reporter, and talking in a cult's "meditation circle" were interesting to me. On a related note, I think you'll find this clip from 'How To With John Wilson' about his youthful run-in with NXIVM interesting:
Thanks, Adam! You're right, some thoughts behind why she was doing the interview would be good. I'm not sure myself what her motivation would be when she's clearly still early in her recovery.
I imagine the way certain self-help type cults work would make therapy difficult, or even receiving kindness, when manipulation has previously been interweaved with apparent kindness.
Thanks for the link! I keep meaning to look more into NXIVM - my housemate listens to the podcast A Little Bit Culty, run by two ex-members.
I felt (still feel) a bit angsty about writing about a non-supernatural cult. There's a certain level of removedness when writing fantasy/horror, but when writing normal-world stuff I worry I could come across as flippant or offensive somehow about something I haven't experienced.
That seemed like a realistic experience of someone who would have been in a cult. I don't think it's necessary to flesh out the reporter so much as the focus should be on the survivor of the cult. That was poignant!
I think the faceless reporter was appropriate. The story is told from the ex-cultist's POV and she hasn't been able - or, maybe, even tried - to connect with anyone "outside". Why would she take any notice or interest in the reporter?
It was super engaging from the get go. I'd maybe have liked a little more insight into why she was doing the interview and the meta-cognitive thoughts around that. The parallels and differences between talking to a therapist, talking to a reporter, and talking in a cult's "meditation circle" were interesting to me. On a related note, I think you'll find this clip from 'How To With John Wilson' about his youthful run-in with NXIVM interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7nA9CGjyBE
Thanks, Adam! You're right, some thoughts behind why she was doing the interview would be good. I'm not sure myself what her motivation would be when she's clearly still early in her recovery.
I imagine the way certain self-help type cults work would make therapy difficult, or even receiving kindness, when manipulation has previously been interweaved with apparent kindness.
Thanks for the link! I keep meaning to look more into NXIVM - my housemate listens to the podcast A Little Bit Culty, run by two ex-members.
I felt (still feel) a bit angsty about writing about a non-supernatural cult. There's a certain level of removedness when writing fantasy/horror, but when writing normal-world stuff I worry I could come across as flippant or offensive somehow about something I haven't experienced.
I think if you do your research it would be okay. You're a thoughtful writer and person!
That seemed like a realistic experience of someone who would have been in a cult. I don't think it's necessary to flesh out the reporter so much as the focus should be on the survivor of the cult. That was poignant!