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AnnieKate Nicholson-Phillips's avatar

Ah Sharon. This was so much fun to read. I knew from the beginning line that it could go one of two ways, but you just blasted a third into the mix. I was as horrified as 'the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen' when his tentacles were revealed, and then you rocked me with the mating call. Wow. I would love to know your process in writing these short, little flashes of fiction. :) I know I write quite a bit more than I "need" for the short and then condense it, reducing the "fluff" to leave just the bones. Thank you for enlivening my morning.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I nearly always start with a photograph as inspiration, Annie. Then I follow Hemingway's advice to just write "one true sentence." I come back later and see if my subconscious has found one more line. I usually don't know where it is going -- as is obvious with this one.... urp. There is no long version of this story. These 50 words are enough.

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Linda Brown's avatar

Oh, so creepy!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I know, right? It feels so good to get some of these things out of my head.

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Kate Henry's avatar

There are some funny dark spots in your brain. )))

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

True. I am slowly releasing them. Maybe I should give an opening disclaimer...

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Kate Henry's avatar

Nah. no disclaimer required. We already figured this out. There are dark things behind the curtain that make us laugh just as well as gasp. If you let them loose all at once, they'll eat your pencil.

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Helen Whelchel's avatar

Few words = big emotion. That's the formula for poetry, but you nailed it in "Love Rise." Way to go Sharron! Scary stories scare me, so I'll be careful reading your work in the future. However, I do admire your talent.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you so much, Helen. I write very few bizarre or scary things. I don't know where they come from, but am always glad to get them out of my skull. That being said, I do have stories in the SCI-FI folder on my home page, that are not scary. More like sci-fi romances if you can envision it... Why not?

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Whoa! I was NOT expecting that! I enjoyed listening to you read, as well.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

No, I was not expecting that either. But I made myself laugh, wondering where it came from. Thanks, Sharon.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Woah! I jumped! And I can see why you were interested in that photo. 😊

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you for letting me borrow Peter's gorgeous photo. I did not intend for the little lake-side romance to turn on me. I jumped, too. I never know where these micro-fictions are going.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

That’s the BEST! 😊

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James Ron's avatar

What? - Mating calls? - 👀! Whoa! Maybe he should make eye contact first. Much fun, Sharron! A pleasure. Great voiceover!!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ah, thanks, James Ron. Eye-contact first - good idea! Hold back on that tentacles thing to make absolutely sure they will be welcome.

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

VO! You did it! Fantastic Sharron. And a terrific twist at the end. Love it.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks so much, Alex. I try a lot of voice overs and usually delete them. This one came out okay. As for the twist, it was as unexpected to me as it was to you. ha ha ha

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

The best kind! :)

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

In 58 seconds you took me from serenely peaceful to totally freaked out!

What lurks in that sweet mind of yours behind that soft voice?!

I hope you do more voice overs. I really enjoyed hearing your words float off the page.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh noooo! Sorry, Heather! I should issue an introductory warning. I often do voice overs and then just toss them out before posting. I am a little shy. I'm glad you liked this one. It encourages me.

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

I really hope you do more. You have a wonderful voice.

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Wade Terry's avatar

Surprise!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes. Surprised ME too. Happy day to you, neighbor.

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Richbee's avatar

A spider to the fly to consume the delight of its eyes. Wrapped me up to the end. Left me hanging to read again. Savory deliciousness.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Richard. Glad you liked the flavor of this one.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

As is so often the case with your stories, Sharron, I read this one twice, to get the full effect.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, John. This started out as a romance but got derailed...

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

I thought it was going one way, then I was like, whoa. And I thought of the Creature from the Black Lagoon!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Creature from the Black Lagoon.... 1954. ha ha ha You weren't even born then!

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Wow, Sharron! I was honestly thinking love story and thought to myself, "Dude, you blew it. You can't just come up from behind and start rubbing some womans' neck! And then, oh my. This was really a lot of story in very few words. You are so good at that.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

These aliens! They could use a little cross-cultural education before they decide to fall in love. If you ask me. Thanks, Jim. I always appreciate your comments!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Oh my God! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that! That was one heck of a twist, my friend. Loved the story. Your voiceover is perfect, too!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I don't know what happened here. I may have blacked out for a minute... So glad you found it entertaining, Justin.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Well, I didn't see that one coming. Bravo!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

No, me neither. Totally unplanned silliness.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

You have a wicked sense of humor. 🤣

You should do voice overs more. You have a pleasant voice.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks so much, Mark. I do VOs all the time and just keep erasing them. Every once in a while I capture a tolerable one. I appreciate your encouragement.

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