Two people can look at the same thing and see something different

My friend Matúš, a professional actor, writes amazing short stories. He\’s only been writing them for himself mostly. It\’s exactly the writing style and genre I love. Sometimes, we will exchange a couple stories and then have long talks about them.
We basically write about the same thing and yet, the stories are completely different. In one way or another, we inspire each other in heaps. Matúš is one of the few people I\’m willing to let into my literary kitchen and let him peak under the lids of my overflowing pots.
I let him peak under the lid of my latest novel Caligo today. I was a bit apprehensive. You see, from time to time, I will get this feeling that some of the topics in this novel are “crossing the line“ a bit. He could see it in my face, which is why he said something to calm me down, “You are only limited and hindered by your own imagination.“
His short story Baba Yaga was written at the same time my Hugo, the Monster was. We had a laugh about it. We both wrote short stories about the same topic at the same time. The only difference being placing our bogeymen in different time periods.
Matúš\’s usage of commas (or lack thereof) drives me nuts. But he has a way with words and he\’s a gifted storyteller. I believe he\’s an up and coming master of the short story. This genre really becomes him. He reminds me of myself at his age, but he\’s much more strict and persistent.
I think it\’s a very nice thing for an author – to have a partner in crime like this. Especially one who belongs to a different generation. That\’s when you know it\’s real. He could easily be my son, but sons don\’t share these things with their mothers. Your own children\’s views aren\’t detached enough, more factors always come into play. And I\’m glad he\’s not my son.
I have to admit (mostly to myself) that I\’ve been feeling somewhat incomplete lately. Many things came crashing down on my shoulders at once and their weight makes it hard to pursue all the activities in every aspect of my life. Which is why I am grateful for afternoons like the one I had today. I survived it with green tea, my box of Malboro\’s, a pie, some martians, exorcists, monsters and Matúš.

Thank you.