I have been writing a story. Is this creepy?

[JayBerry]

I mostly write because I miss my wife. She's been gone about a year now. I have a lot of free time one my hands.

She kept diaries for her whole life. More than 50 years worth of them. I've been reading them, which I guess is kind of creepy, but we were married more most of those years and it's like I am with her again for a while.

Anyway, there are some interesting stories in those diaries. Things from her college years before she met me. Things I never knew about when we were married. Things we did together that were noteworthy and pretty sexually adventurous.

Would it be terrible to do some stories based on those diary entries? I wouldn't use names or anything of course, but I'd probably lift a lot of her words as she was a very chatty and funny writer.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Reading them when she was still alive might have heen creepy. Now? You'd be writing in her memory; I think the idea is kind of sweet. Good luck.

 

[ElectricBlue]

If she didn't want you to read the diaries she'd have burned them before she died.

Celebrate her memory, is what I'd do - especially if as you say she captures an age in a delightful way.

It's a form of social history, and a natural voice is important to better understand historical times. Ask any social historian what's the best source material - it's always diaries.

 

[NotWise]

Would it be terrible to do some stories based on those diary entries? I wouldn't use names or anything of course, but I'd probably lift a lot of her words as she was a very chatty and funny writer.

That doesn't creep me out. I hope you can feel closer to her by doing it.

 

[Rollinbones]

I think you are very blessed to have them. If they exist still, then she wanted you, maybe others to share her perspective on a life she obviously felt was worth writing down.

 

[SamScribble]

I think after all those years - and it sounds as if they were a least partly happy years - you will know what she would have wanted. I don't think that it sounds even slightly creepy. And, if you can do it well, you'll be honouring her memory. Good luck, sir.

 

[PuckIt]

I mostly write because I miss my wife. She's been gone about a year now. I have a lot of free time one my hands.

She kept diaries for her whole life. More than 50 years worth of them. I've been reading them, which I guess is kind of creepy, but we were married more most of those years and it's like I am with her again for a while.

Anyway, there are some interesting stories in those diaries. Things from her college years before she met me. Things I never knew about when we were married. Things we did together that were noteworthy and pretty sexually adventurous.

Would it be terrible to do some stories based on those diary entries? I wouldn't use names or anything of course, but I'd probably lift a lot of her words as she was a very chatty and funny writer.

All right, so for what it's worth, I'm going to shed my normal puckish demeanor for a moment.

And, for what it's worth, I lost my wife just last October.

From my own experiences, as I tried to write about us for Valentine's Day, it was too soon and much too painful. So, I adapted the story by incorporating a lot of fiction. Still, there was a lot of my wife and my own dealing with my pain that found it's way into "A Final Valentine."

I don't find it creepy at all. And for me, even the pieces of fact that worked their way into that fictional piece were cathartic.

I think you should, above all, do what you feel. And, if turning those events and deeds that were so important to her that she felt a need to record them into artistic works is something that you feel capable of, then I see absolutely no reason to not do so.

In my case, what I was trying to do was to share just a bit of the wonderful woman who graced this world and my life with her presence for too short a time, so that more than just I could appreciate and admire her. And I think, too, that might be where you are. What you are wanting to do.

And I, for what it's worth, see absolutely nothing creepy, morbid, or even askance about it.

Peace be upon your path, whichever you choose. And may the wind be at your back and the sun out of your eyes for a brighter tomorrow.

 

[_Lynn_]

I mostly write because I miss my wife. She's been gone about a year now. I have a lot of free time one my hands.

She kept diaries for her whole life. More than 50 years worth of them. I've been reading them, which I guess is kind of creepy, but we were married more most of those years and it's like I am with her again for a while.

Anyway, there are some interesting stories in those diaries. Things from her college years before she met me. Things I never knew about when we were married. Things we did together that were noteworthy and pretty sexually adventurous.

Would it be terrible to do some stories based on those diary entries? I wouldn't use names or anything of course, but I'd probably lift a lot of her words as she was a very chatty and funny writer.

I'm in the minority but here goes.

I instructed my daughter to burn all my journals after I die. Most of them have personal thoughts and observations. I filled pages with hopes and dreams. There are references to people my kids know. I poured my soul into those books.

I don't want anyone to read them . . . ever.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I'm in the minority but here goes.

I instructed my daughter to burn all my journals after I die. Most of them have personal thoughts and observations. I filled pages with hopes and dreams. There are references to people my kids know. I poured my soul into those books.

I don't want anyone to read them . . . ever.

That's not minority - lots of people burn letters and journals for exactly the reason you give. Others expressedly don't.

It came up after my mother died - my sisters both said, you shouldn't read her letters, that was their relationship. What they missed was the conversation I had with mum, about a month before her death, where she made it quite clear she expected us to read them. I haven't yet, but will, one day.

 

[_Lynn_]

That's not minority - lots of people burn letters and journals for exactly the reason you give. Others expressedly don't.

It came up after my mother died - my sisters both said, you shouldn't read her letters, that was their relationship. What they missed was the conversation I had with mum, about a month before her death, where she made it quite clear she expected us to read them. I haven't yet, but will, one day.

You'll know when the time is right.


I believe it's important to discuss things like journals and letters with family. Things are rough enough after a death. Trying to figure out what that person wanted is just something more to deal with.

 

[ElectricBlue]

You'll know when the time is right.

Yes, it'll be the right time, whenever it is.

I'm also planning at some stage to write of her death, because the last 2-3 weeks or so were quite extraordinary - for some reason, whenever I was in the room, my presence triggered ghosts and memories, hallucinations clear as day - her granny, her father - she was having conversations with them and me at the same time.

"Oh look, there's dad, with his favourite cap." I turn around to see, following her gaze. "He's just turned around to see. But he won't see anything." Utterly lucid, just don't worry about the 75 year gap!

Funny thing was, it was only me triggered whatever it was. My siblings never experienced it.

 

[Gentleman_G]

If you want to write the stories, please do so. There is no rule that says you have to publish them - you can easily write them for yourself and use it as a way to deal with your wife's death. If - at some point - you feel they are worthy enough to publish them and still honor your wife's legacy (and also not offend anyone she'd written about), you can still do so.

But the important thing is: if you enjoyed reading her diary and want to incorporate that into a story yourself, do it. It might just be your way of dealing with the grief and the loss.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I mostly write because I miss my wife. She's been gone about a year now. I have a lot of free time one my hands.

She kept diaries for her whole life. More than 50 years worth of them. I've been reading them, which I guess is kind of creepy, but we were married more most of those years and it's like I am with her again for a while.

Anyway, there are some interesting stories in those diaries. Things from her college years before she met me. Things I never knew about when we were married. Things we did together that were noteworthy and pretty sexually adventurous.

Would it be terrible to do some stories based on those diary entries? I wouldn't use names or anything of course, but I'd probably lift a lot of her words as she was a very chatty and funny writer.

I don't think it is creepy all.I think it would honor her. And I think you should be commended for respecting that she was her own person, with her own life and experiences.

 

[MelissaBaby]

And, for what it's worth, I lost my wife just last October.

Good thoughts for you as well, PuckIt.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I think it's a wonderful idea and a way to memorialize someone you loved. Especially if it's real. I have a bio of my great grandmother that my grandmother wrote for the family along with photos going back to my great great great grandmother when she was an old lady and photos were the latest and greatest and it's a fascinating glimpse into the past. Regardless of how you write it and what the content is, if it makes you happy and you know she'd like it, do it.

 

[TxRad]

As someone who lost a wife a number of years ago, yes it gets easier as the bad memories fade and the good ones come to the surface. I didn't have a diary or notebooks so everything is in my memory and a few pictures that have survived the years.

I've written a few stories about us from the past. My Memories of series. I haven't posted all of them. Some are just to be treasured for the present. Maybe sometime in the future I'll let them fly.

Creepy, no, therapeutic, yes.

 

[lovecraft68]

I have a journal that I've kept for years. I only write in them when I'm struggling with certain issues or times in life.

If the time comes and its a case of I'm told I'm terminal and clocks ticking....I'm going to destroy it. In the case I die unexpectedly, my wife has been instructed to destroy it and to please not read it.

There is nothing in there that involves her, but its a series of some dark thoughts and feelings I'd rather no one ever see, especially her. It puts my darkest writing to shame.

 

[ChloeTzang]

.....its a series of some dark thoughts and feelings I'd rather no one ever see, especially her. It puts my darkest writing to shame.

I have a few stories like that. I was tossing around whether to put them onto asstr under another name but then I thought no, my writing style is a bit obvious so no, I don;t want those dark thoughts out there. Altho maybe if I ever want to write a real horror story.....

 

[lovecraft68]

I have a few stories like that. I was tossing around whether to put them onto asstr under another name but then I thought no, my writing style is a bit obvious so no, I don;t want those dark thoughts out there. Altho maybe if I ever want to write a real horror story.....

They're not stories just...let's just say I've put some fantasies to paper. Things I'd do if I could and they're not exactly sane and certainly not pleasant. Let's just say the FBI would take interest...

Oh, wait they would have to do their jobs for that. I'm safe.

 

[Kantarii]

I’m glad I’m not the only one on this thread writing a story from a diary. Although, it’s from my diary using a small portion centered around one of my best friends. But, I didn’t stop there. I dug out the shoebox filled with love letters.

 

[ChloeTzang]

They're not stories just...let's just say I've put some fantasies to paper. Things I'd do if I could and they're not exactly sane and certainly not pleasant. Let's just say the FBI would take interest...

Oh, wait they would have to do their jobs for that. I'm safe.

Yes, that's kind of where I was with that one so I know where you're coming from.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yes, that's kind of where I was with that one so I know where you're coming from.

Have you ever seen those 'confession' sites or threads where people show up under anon names and say they did all these twisted crimes?

Always wonder how many are smoke blowers trying to get a rise out of people and how many are real...

And if he sites are tracking them?

Then of course the infamous dark web.

 

[Gentleman_G]

Things I'd do if I could and they're not exactly sane and certainly not pleasant. Let's just say the FBI would take interest...

I don't think that's neccesarily true ...

I remember reading at some point that in some X-files spinoff series they had an episode where terrorists would plan to crash an airplane into the Twin Towers. Does that ring any bells ...?

And it was shown on tv. If you have to worry about the FBI tracking you down for such thoughts written down, they'd probably have to hunt down the storywriters for some particular tv-series as well.

It's probably why I like to write horror. That way I can disguise those nasty thoughts in a creepy setting without people looking at me for being crazy

 

[Captainnumnuts]

I mostly write because I miss my wife. She's been gone about a year now. I have a lot of free time one my hands.

She kept diaries for her whole life. More than 50 years worth of them. I've been reading them, which I guess is kind of creepy, but we were married more most of those years and it's like I am with her again for a while.

Anyway, there are some interesting stories in those diaries. Things from her college years before she met me. Things I never knew about when we were married. Things we did together that were noteworthy and pretty sexually adventurous.

Would it be terrible to do some stories based on those diary entries? I wouldn't use names or anything of course, but I'd probably lift a lot of her words as she was a very chatty and funny writer.

Nothing creepy about it. I'm assuming she's helped make you the person you've become. Every person we've lived in close association with and remember them has had a significant impact on us. They live on in our hearts. I'm sure she'd be honored that you love her so much and her words live on.