Creatures of the ancient forest shared their slow horrific death, trapped in the sticky sweet sap. Their cruel reward for hungry curiosity? To be entombed for all eternity.
Light sparkled from polished facets as she slowly turned the amber jewel, her expert eye quickly searching for the slightest imperfection. Dark blemishes lurking deep within demanded her rejection. Unknowingly she returned the most precious of all the gemstones, to continue in her quest for sterile conformity.
Writers suffering the cursory inspection of their precious originality find consolation in knowing life is often truly stranger than the most finely crafted fiction.
For more flashes prompted by this week’s picture and to find out more about 100 word flash fiction, visit Madison Woods and explore.
'..knowing life is often truly stranger than the most finely crafted fiction' I love this line and it has got me thinking, really deep. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to bring that last paragraph to the attention of one or two editors of my acquaintance ...
ReplyDeleteAn excellent piece, poignant.
http://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/dark-heart-friday-fictioneers-2nd-march-2012/
It struck me that you could have turned this into a poem. Very meaningful.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/03/02/lost-in-translation/
Interestingly I had to stop myself from making it scan like poetry. (Just tweeted Lost In Translation - very original)
DeleteHMMM... very interesting. I like it. And I like the way it runs into a commentary on writing fiction, but in a way that feels natural.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post--loved all the subtle inferences: How we sometimes keep the mundane (sterile conformity) when we've discarded the truly valuable. It was a smooth slide into writers' cursory inspection of their precious originality. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteMine: http://www.vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com/blog.html
I have to say...I prize amber for its imperfections. Unfortunately, as I study to be a copy editor, I know the same does not hold true for the written word.
ReplyDelete~Susan (http://www.susanwenzel.com/)
Yes you will never run out of customers. I find amber fascinating, it is the perfect time capsule. Your post was inspired btw. Well done Susan :)
DeleteAh...thank you. I bought a little bit of amber for myself when I was in Poland. I wish now (20/20 hindsight) I'd purchased more!
Delete~Susan
Oh, sorry...I posted logged into the wrong blog. Oops.
DeletePerfection is boring, and unattainable. It's the imperfections and how people deal with them that makes life some interesting. Thought provoking story!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
Magical piece...poetic. Love the last line. PS: Did you forget the bug/insect trapped in the imperfect Amber?
ReplyDeleteHere's mine -
www.triplemoonstar.blogspot.com
A wonderful meditation on the creative process and the plight of all writers. Very original take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Doug
http://ironwoodwind.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/you-are-free-to-do-what-we-tell-you/
I enjoyed the musings of a writer in this story within a story.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your vivid description of amber here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice turn...
ReplyDeletehttp://tedeley.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/friday-fictioneers-1-semi-precious-gememoirs/
Interesting writing about amber.
ReplyDelete