Was this story inspired by the artwork, Sharron? They fit together perfectly, but the story seems so odd otherwise. You and Mark Starlin are good at this kind of thing!
Yes, Jack. Almost all of my flash fiction begins with a photo or artwork. It IS odd, I agree. Maybe it is a prologue to a longer piece? Not sure. Thanks for your comment!
Louise Foerster on Medium also bases her shorts for her “Cinderella’s Closet” series on stock photography she finds.
I did a shorts series (“Civil War Snapshots” about a company of volunteers during the — currently still hypothetical — 2nd American Civil War) that mostly had inspiration from the characters, but I had one story that I couldn’t find the right illustration for. Then suddenly *snap* and a free photo I found took me in a different direction entirely. I’ve not yet tried to start with a photo or illustration deliberately.
Stock photos make great story prompts. I just scroll until I find an interesting photo and then imagine a story or conversation to go with it. And it’s way easier than finding a photo to fit a story. 🤓
Oooo! Can't wait to see that! I find this photo so curious! Who is he? Where is he? Why? What happened to his clothes.... a real mystery. I wonder if I need a part two.... hmm...
Couldn’t agree more with you. I love how you base many of your stories off photos or other pieces of art. Part two sounds like a wonderful idea—you’ve got me hooked!
Wow! Thank you so much, Michael. I am glad you liked it. Welcome to Leaves! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment over here this morning! There are so many substack writers. I am always amazed when someone finds me.
First quilt pattern found of the day. Tie die teal, balanced on neutral. Usual 2.5 inch squares or just one block for center of the whole bed.... scale undetermined. You find the most interesting pics! Distress building combined with optimism. We're all waiting for something even if we don't think about it. Part of the lily garden dug up to repair #4 drain pipe. BIG hole. Heavy rain coming before noon. Cover and bail before opening pipe? or cut pipe and pray. Naked man pic fits.
Oh, Kate. I love the way you manage to fit my little stories into your busy days. It is like working on a jigsaw puzzle over there on your little piece of Indiana, as you piece together your day. You have stated something so very true - we are all waiting for something -- whether we acknowledge it or not. Sometimes the lines of "waiting" and "hoping" are blurred. Happy day to you - enjoy the rain! Oh how I would love to see rain right now
Galactic wormhole from your pencil to my kitchen window. Predicting 30 hours rain to fill the big hole. Dan cracked the pipe and got a half hour fountain. Whatever is stuck in it is reeeeally stuck. I'd like to reverse the general wind direction so you could get a batch of this lovely rain. Postage for gallon jugs is just silly so you're on your own. ))
Yes, I see your point. We will just continue to dream of October out here. Got to get through the fire season first. Sorry about the pipe problem. If it isn't one thing, it can be ten others. Rats!!
Sharron that was a very soothing read. I could never see myself being that calm and living with so little. The music was also so soothing and beautiful and being a quilter I have made that block several times.
Sharron, Between reading all the wonderful post here on Substack every day, trying to quilt, not successfully lately and do my Stain glass work. There is not enough time in the day. One can dream.
No past, no future, but something put him in need of rescue but he's not concerned about it much. Reminds me of reoccurring dreams or nightmares. Curious about what happened though. Good one, Sharron!
Intriguing tale, Sharron. And nothing negative in the whole thing. Bravo! It does spark internal dialogue like "why doesn't he get up and do something." "Why does he depend on the damned ship to come back." "Sounds like he's in a paradise there." "Oh shut up, Sue, he's mastered the fine art of 'let it be'." This story is kind of like "Waiting for Godot."
Thank you, Sue. As Kate suggested in a comment above, "We are all waiting for something even if we don't think about it." Even at my busiest, in the midst of all my "doing", I am still waiting.... or is it hoping? For what, I am not certain...
I believe that is the value of these short pieces, Jill, to provide just enough setting, just enough character development, just enough conflict... then step back and let the readers' imaginations take over. The game is afoot over at Jill's house!
Thank you, Jim - no doubt your inbox is full of back-logged reading, so I really appreciate your stopping by over here at Leaves to see what is going on. So many stories, so little time.
Excellent, Sharron! A vivid description of his surroundings. The fact that he's so vulnerable, and hanging on to hope, despite the bleak situation. And, leaving it up to our imaginations, to figure out whether he's on a different planet, or if he's an alien, left on earth. A lot of possibilities, in just 100 words.
This is one of those brilliant pieces where the first thing we perceive is the doorway of the artwork, intriguing, unique, interesting, and then come the words. It's a wonderful, concise piece, Sharron. Paired with the artwork it's brilliant.
This comment is exactly what I needed this dreary morning, Nathan. I have made a screen-shot and will wallpaper my desk top with it today Just for encouragement. Thank you.
Was this story inspired by the artwork, Sharron? They fit together perfectly, but the story seems so odd otherwise. You and Mark Starlin are good at this kind of thing!
Yes, Jack. Almost all of my flash fiction begins with a photo or artwork. It IS odd, I agree. Maybe it is a prologue to a longer piece? Not sure. Thanks for your comment!
Louise Foerster on Medium also bases her shorts for her “Cinderella’s Closet” series on stock photography she finds.
I did a shorts series (“Civil War Snapshots” about a company of volunteers during the — currently still hypothetical — 2nd American Civil War) that mostly had inspiration from the characters, but I had one story that I couldn’t find the right illustration for. Then suddenly *snap* and a free photo I found took me in a different direction entirely. I’ve not yet tried to start with a photo or illustration deliberately.
I find most of my inspiring photos on Unsplash.com. They are nearly all free to use.
Me too! Pixabay and Unsplash are excellent. And priced right. 😉
Stock photos make great story prompts. I just scroll until I find an interesting photo and then imagine a story or conversation to go with it. And it’s way easier than finding a photo to fit a story. 🤓
That would be my M.O. as well. Because great minds think alike.
You know it. 🤣
We must be on the same wavelength, Sharron, because I wrote and scheduled a similar 100-word story for Monday. Excellent work, my friend!
Oooo! Can't wait to see that! I find this photo so curious! Who is he? Where is he? Why? What happened to his clothes.... a real mystery. I wonder if I need a part two.... hmm...
Couldn’t agree more with you. I love how you base many of your stories off photos or other pieces of art. Part two sounds like a wonderful idea—you’ve got me hooked!
I am searching for the right response here: Oh, Good! or Oh, Nooooo! ha ha ha
🤣🤣
I love this story! Bless you, Sharron.
Wow! Thank you so much, Michael. I am glad you liked it. Welcome to Leaves! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment over here this morning! There are so many substack writers. I am always amazed when someone finds me.
First quilt pattern found of the day. Tie die teal, balanced on neutral. Usual 2.5 inch squares or just one block for center of the whole bed.... scale undetermined. You find the most interesting pics! Distress building combined with optimism. We're all waiting for something even if we don't think about it. Part of the lily garden dug up to repair #4 drain pipe. BIG hole. Heavy rain coming before noon. Cover and bail before opening pipe? or cut pipe and pray. Naked man pic fits.
Oh, Kate. I love the way you manage to fit my little stories into your busy days. It is like working on a jigsaw puzzle over there on your little piece of Indiana, as you piece together your day. You have stated something so very true - we are all waiting for something -- whether we acknowledge it or not. Sometimes the lines of "waiting" and "hoping" are blurred. Happy day to you - enjoy the rain! Oh how I would love to see rain right now
Galactic wormhole from your pencil to my kitchen window. Predicting 30 hours rain to fill the big hole. Dan cracked the pipe and got a half hour fountain. Whatever is stuck in it is reeeeally stuck. I'd like to reverse the general wind direction so you could get a batch of this lovely rain. Postage for gallon jugs is just silly so you're on your own. ))
Yes, I see your point. We will just continue to dream of October out here. Got to get through the fire season first. Sorry about the pipe problem. If it isn't one thing, it can be ten others. Rats!!
Good one!
Thank you, Linda. I was completely captured by the Slovakian art work
Sharron that was a very soothing read. I could never see myself being that calm and living with so little. The music was also so soothing and beautiful and being a quilter I have made that block several times.
Oh! A quilter! How fun! My reader, Kate, is a quilter, too. I love the idea of this traditional handwork being preserved. Good for you, Kathleen!
Sharron, Between reading all the wonderful post here on Substack every day, trying to quilt, not successfully lately and do my Stain glass work. There is not enough time in the day. One can dream.
No past, no future, but something put him in need of rescue but he's not concerned about it much. Reminds me of reoccurring dreams or nightmares. Curious about what happened though. Good one, Sharron!
Me, too. As I was writing it, I was thinking of a sea-faring ship, but suddenly. in the end. it morphed into a ship from space.
Intriguing tale, Sharron. And nothing negative in the whole thing. Bravo! It does spark internal dialogue like "why doesn't he get up and do something." "Why does he depend on the damned ship to come back." "Sounds like he's in a paradise there." "Oh shut up, Sue, he's mastered the fine art of 'let it be'." This story is kind of like "Waiting for Godot."
Thank you, Sue. As Kate suggested in a comment above, "We are all waiting for something even if we don't think about it." Even at my busiest, in the midst of all my "doing", I am still waiting.... or is it hoping? For what, I am not certain...
It's an evocative story. Are you going to read it to the writers group?
not sure -- maybe.
So unsettling! So fascinating, but undermining something basic about ideas and thoughts and freedoms...much to think about
I believe that is the value of these short pieces, Jill, to provide just enough setting, just enough character development, just enough conflict... then step back and let the readers' imaginations take over. The game is afoot over at Jill's house!
Yes it is!
Excellent work Sharron. - Jim
Thank you, Jim - no doubt your inbox is full of back-logged reading, so I really appreciate your stopping by over here at Leaves to see what is going on. So many stories, so little time.
Excellent, Sharron! A vivid description of his surroundings. The fact that he's so vulnerable, and hanging on to hope, despite the bleak situation. And, leaving it up to our imaginations, to figure out whether he's on a different planet, or if he's an alien, left on earth. A lot of possibilities, in just 100 words.
Thank you, Sharon. I am trying to conjure up part 2....
The artwork is just what the story needed! Well done Sharron. Also so much hope is hidden!
Thank you, Yael. I really liked the mood of the drawing. I had so many questions. I might manage a part 2 on this one. Happy day to you, my friend.
Interesting situation and skillfully described, as always. Sharron. I hope Kehn is rescued before mosquito season comes around.
Euw! Poor guy.
This is one of those brilliant pieces where the first thing we perceive is the doorway of the artwork, intriguing, unique, interesting, and then come the words. It's a wonderful, concise piece, Sharron. Paired with the artwork it's brilliant.
This comment is exactly what I needed this dreary morning, Nathan. I have made a screen-shot and will wallpaper my desk top with it today Just for encouragement. Thank you.
What do we have, if not hope?