As a highly creative person and writer, I am always experimenting with different mediums. For almost twenty years I’ve not only written novels for children and adults, but I’ve also written short stories, a play, part of a screenplay, lots of poetry, as well as experimented with different kinds of characters and voices just like an actor might. (i.e., a Native American boy, a middle-aged school teacher, a Savannah matriarch, a hundred year old African American woman, a 13-year old girl in 1949 Appalachia, etc.)
All this I have done in an effort to develop my chops, so to speak, just like a musician will play all sorts of different music to stretch themselves and develop their technique.
Well, here is one of my weirder experiments. I wrote a flash fiction story (flash fiction is a short story that is 1000 words or less) in the first person voice of a 50 year old male. In the story he has just died, yet he sees the humor in this event. I wrote it in the middle of the night a few years ago. Perhaps it was based on a dream, like some of my stories have been, but if it was I don’t remember it.
Say what? you might ask. I know. It surprises me, too.
This week, the story I’m referring to, entitled The End, is featured on an online literary magazine called Cease, Cows. The lit mag is named for a line from Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s book A Hundred Years of Solitude, where he says, “Cease, cows, life is short.” The by-line of the magazine is “Life is short and so is our fiction.” I was delighted that they wanted to feature this story, and I thought I’d share it with you.
You can go here to read the story at Cease, Cows Magazine. If you enjoy it or simply want to let me know that I’m a lot stranger than you imagined, feel free to tell me in the comment section. I can take it. After all, life is too short to pretend you’re something you’re not.
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Discover all of Susan’s stories here!
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Congratulations Susan. This just goes to show that trying different things that take you out of your comfort zone sometimes can be extraordinarily positive. Well done!
Thanks, Jilly. That’s very kind of you to say. Comfort zones can get boring. Trying different things is what creativity is all about. While failures are bound to come, too, the successes are to be celebrated, even the small ones.
It’s nice to hear from you. Thanks for commenting!
Here is what some friends on facebook are saying:
Anne: Who knew death was such a cute little guy? Congrats on the publication!
Z/Susan: Made me laugh (and think)! Congratulations!
Delilah: Fun read!
From me: Thanks everyone! Being a writer is like being an actor, you get to try on all these different voices and characters. This one was unusual for me (a 50 yr old dead white guy?) but also fun to write. xo
This is a great story! I could imagine that I was the man on the bed–and I chuckled at he’s various comments. I was surprised that it was only 850 words because there was so much impact to the story.
It inspires me to try to create a short story–not so intimidating when you know it can only be 1000 words or less. Thank you.
Thanks, Ann, for letting me know what you think. I’m glad you felt the story had impact. That’s the challenge with short fiction. As for wanting to create a short story yourself, I say go for it! If I inspired you in any way I am pleased. Thanks for commenting!
thanks you for a good read I enjoyed the unusual subject and the humour it is a good read
Thanks, Kerrie, I appreciate your feedback. I put a lot of humor (without the “u” here in the US) in my work. I try to cultivate it in my life, too. Thanks for commenting!
Great piece. Imagine being dead and watching what comes after. Loving this.
Thanks for letting me know, Tess.:) I hope you’ll stop by again. All best,
Susan
Here are some comments from Writer’s Hangout, a group I belong to on Linked-In:
“I quite liked your flash fiction story. And you also lead me to another magazine to check out. Thank you so much.”
By Penny T.
“Susan, ‘The End’ is wonderful. I’m not much into flash, but this one is fun. Still made me think it was the opening chapter of a book, though. Or a longer story.”
By D. Metzger
“This character definitely came across as male in his voice and point of view. I was thinking, the story could go on and on with “Papa Bear” floating around without a body, observing his family and friends, his funeral and so on, kind of like Mary Alice in Desperate Housewives.”
By Trent M.
“By the way, read your story and loved it!”
By P. Farrell