
Flash fiction and I are an old pair.
Last few weeks have been an editing purgatory, and the next round is about to begin again, so I wanted to pop by and share a tiny piece with you.
This flash fiction was prompted by the work of a super-talented artist friend, Sarbani Bhattacharya, and a drabble challenge from a fellow-writer.
They’ve met many times now, inside his tent. It is never enough.
In her head, writhing snakes that never pause as she keeps pots from boiling over, snails from decimating the garden, snarling children from killing each other.
He sits quiet by the ponds that open like dark flowers on the grassland, rich-smelling, deep, filled with hulking, whiskered fish. Raises a mouth organ off and on, sending soundbursts into the air, like smoke from a burned home.
Tonight, they’ll meet again. One of them will vanish—never be seen again—the other return as food for fish and snails.
If you’d like to challenge me with more Wrriting Prompts for my new One-Shot Gazette where I’ll be sending out flash fiction, CLICK HERE. You can also subscribe to the other gazettes (I send out one with writing resources, another with reading hacks and recommendations, or the latest with short fiction) using the links below.
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What recent short stories or novels have you read? Do you write or read flash fiction based on art or writing prompts?
Here from IWSG. Loved the flash fiction. I write it often too, and this is beautifully written. Intriguing!
Thanks for sharing!!! I believe I have an idea of who may end up fish food.. 🙂
Until we meet again…
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
A great piece of flash fiction, but the artwork stopped my heart. What dramatic colors!
Thanks you, Denise. Sarbani is very talented, You can check out her instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/sarbani_bhattacharya/
Hi Damyanti – the author has managed to craft an enticing horror very short story – very clever … love it. Cheers Hilary
Thanks so much, Hilary.
Wow! I can never reign in my verbosity enough to do flash fiction, but I am a fan.
Thanks so much, Pam!
You keep inspiring with your onward journey and the little things you do in between. I love your flash fiction.
Thanks so much, Sonia.
Enjoyed the painting and the piece. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Jan.
Chilling and wonderful.
Thank you so much.
Your flash fiction piece is so poetic! To answer your question, I’m currently reading ‘Rewriting My Happily Ever After: A memoir of divorce and discovery’ by Dr. Ranjani Rao.
Thanks Aishwarya! I’ve read Ranjani’s memoir–it is very honest and moving.
That definitely has me thinkin, Damyanti. I like the joy of working, hard and tirelessly, but that’s not the point of this drabble. Intriguing.
Thanks, Jacqui. Yes, it is about a few things at the same time 🙂
I’ve been trying my hand at flash fiction this week. It’s always good to see some excellent examples of the form, such as yours.
Thanks for the kind words, Liz. I’m sure yours has turned out well.
Thanks Damyanti. Flash fiction is a good thing. Stay well between the editing.
Thanks for the kind wishes, John.