It takes special talent to tell such a complex story in so few words. I can always tell when a story is good when it leaves me with a weird, kind of sad feeling in my stomach.
I'm always in awe of writers who can write longer stories. I just can't process/function like that, so I write mostly little things. Thank you so much, Jim!
This was a good read I found waiting for me while I waited for my wife in the car. When I write, I write stories or I write poetry. I'm trying recently to write a little like you succeeded here.
Really enjoyed this! Flash fiction is such a tricky task (for me at least); distilling every aspect of the story to its most simple, yet potent form. Loved the metamorphoses as "a flower bloomed on her and in her." It is a poetic way of describing what, in some sense, happens to all those who end up burying in the soil.
Wow, thank you so much, Spencer! I have the opposite challenge of writing longer works. I can write essays, reviews, long-form non-fiction, but building a world and characters and actions in a longer stories is an impossibility for now. I only had patience to write one once lol.
I think it is really cool that there is a diversity of different writing forms to fit the diversity of writing inclinations and styles that we as humans have. I also think it is cool and refreshing to hear that your brain embraces these shorter forms, while mine is all about building sprawling tomes of new worlds.
Merci beaucoup!!! Phew, now that Alexander the Great thinks this is good, I can rest easy. Thank you so much for inspiring me to write it. You and Nathan are amazing! Thank YOU.
Excellent ... dreamy, imaginative, rich language ... gorgeous stuff. And the guiding link to the piece about 'openings' was just the trail of breadcrumbs I was looking for, without even knowing it.
Wow, thank you, thank you, thank you! I love talking a bit about the process. I myself am fascinated about learning what makes artists and writers tick. Everyone has a different story to tell.
I think that's what I am enjoying so much about Substack, which I am really warming into. There is so much openness about the 'how' and the 'why', so much generosity in the sharing of learning ... and SO much encouragement for us all to do our thing. I like that I get to read things I couldn't write - there is always so much to learn from different styles of writing, different ideas.
Absolutely! A lovely, supportive, creative, open space here. In other social media sites I felt like I had to hide my authentic self and here I get to flourish. And I love seeing others flourishing and opening up. So beautiful and inspiring.
"flourishing" ... now that's a thing. We offer a thing called Encouragement Sessions ... more often than not, I end up talking to people about doing more of the thing that brings them joy because that's where the sparkle is, that's where we flourish!
I absolutely adore how much detail and depth you weave into everything. This is dense with magic, and I'm utterly beguiled by the story behind "siren with the soft sign". It's such a treat, it's like getting to peak behind the doors of the words! Bravo, m'dear xo
Stunnnnnnnnnnnning. I see every frame Nadia. Lush. Aching. And freedom from pain in exchange for a floral demise. I could would want need to read an entire novel about on this theme.
The stuff of dreams. I enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed thinking on it. Every sentence felt soft. Made me wonder how words do this, and even more, how a writer arrives at such delicate prose. "Siren with the soft sign." I wondered where this came from, up to the point you explained its origins. Brilliant, Nadia. And may my dreams chance on wonderful encounters like this, and may no witch's curse permeate through to this other side from whence hope writes.
Obed, that is such a beautiful, wonderful comment. Thank you! I didn't mention it, but being chronically ill takes you to weird thoughts. The experience of such a life inspires absurdities like feeling trapped in one particular age mentally (when the illness robs you off years of liveliness in a way). I hope you have lovely dreams. And remember, they're only dreams. Or are they? ;D
Weird thoughts indeed, lol! Which nonetheless do not take away the illness; on it robbing you off years of liveliness, I can't begin to imagine how you feel. You'll be alright, and remember that you rock! I think most people here, including myself, cherish those absurdities of yours always told in memorable prose and meters. As for the dreams, are they only dreams? Perhaps they are sink-pits into the other side: a place composed of materials other than atoms, and so incomprehensible when material, logical means are used. This may be why absurdities help, for they instruct in the paradoxes that most of life happen within and because of.
Thank you, Obed! Such encouraging words keep me going on hard days! I'm glad you like my absurdities. I try to stretch the (im)possibilities of language and narratives. I love how you describe dreams, that is powerful.
What a way to go! Puts me in mind of the way Tessa Thompson's character is transformed in "Annihilation." A lot of people writing death-themed posts lately, myself included, but yours is assuredly the most beautiful, Nadia.
Oh, Troy, thank you my lovely friend. I also thought about that surreal film afterwards. It seems to be that time of the year we think on the heavy things and make beauty out of them, huh!
You're so welcome, and by the way, just received Aicha Martine's book yesterday here in Spain, we are both excited to read it - Leo especially loves a good witchy theme. THANK YOU!
Nadia, you surely dive deeply when you write! And with your themes as well. But they provoke and elicit pondering, no doubt! Marvelous writing. Ty!
Aww, thank you. Such a lovely comment!
This is one of the most beautiful stories I've read in a long time. Well done Nadia!
Felix, that means so much to me! Thank you, thank you!
It takes special talent to tell such a complex story in so few words. I can always tell when a story is good when it leaves me with a weird, kind of sad feeling in my stomach.
I'm always in awe of writers who can write longer stories. I just can't process/function like that, so I write mostly little things. Thank you so much, Jim!
A long story is just a bunch of short stories stuck together. :)
That's a good point. Maybe if I approach it from this way...
100% this.
Fabulous work as usual
Thank you phenomenal David!
This was a good read I found waiting for me while I waited for my wife in the car. When I write, I write stories or I write poetry. I'm trying recently to write a little like you succeeded here.
Thanks so much, Niall! Send me a link sometime! It's fun to just go cray sometimes with writing, no restrictions.
Really enjoyed this! Flash fiction is such a tricky task (for me at least); distilling every aspect of the story to its most simple, yet potent form. Loved the metamorphoses as "a flower bloomed on her and in her." It is a poetic way of describing what, in some sense, happens to all those who end up burying in the soil.
Wow, thank you so much, Spencer! I have the opposite challenge of writing longer works. I can write essays, reviews, long-form non-fiction, but building a world and characters and actions in a longer stories is an impossibility for now. I only had patience to write one once lol.
I think it is really cool that there is a diversity of different writing forms to fit the diversity of writing inclinations and styles that we as humans have. I also think it is cool and refreshing to hear that your brain embraces these shorter forms, while mine is all about building sprawling tomes of new worlds.
That is quite amazing indeed. I'm wholeheartedly enjoying your Substack. You're a phenomenal wordsmith and world weaver.
Thank you, Nadia. That is a very kind and moving compliment. I'm glad to be finding and contributing to such a supportive community of writers here!
Thank YOU. It is such a lovely space and community, so needed in other places. Here's to more!
Wow, Nadia. So poetic. Dreamlike. Beautiful. This is exquisite, I devoured it. Absurd it may be (not really), yet sublime it is.
And to think this came from a jest about A Purple Flower Eater! Chapeau.
Also, you are so kind to mention Nathan and me, truly. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Merci beaucoup!!! Phew, now that Alexander the Great thinks this is good, I can rest easy. Thank you so much for inspiring me to write it. You and Nathan are amazing! Thank YOU.
Born to inspire. ;) This is so great, to see such writing blossom out of light banter on notes. Pure Purple Flower Easter Power.
Awesome blossom, extra awesome!
Nadia, this is so so beautiful!!! You’re so talented, lots more of this please. 💕
Thank you so much, sweetie! <3
You’re welcome lovely 🥰
Excellent ... dreamy, imaginative, rich language ... gorgeous stuff. And the guiding link to the piece about 'openings' was just the trail of breadcrumbs I was looking for, without even knowing it.
Wow, thank you, thank you, thank you! I love talking a bit about the process. I myself am fascinated about learning what makes artists and writers tick. Everyone has a different story to tell.
I think that's what I am enjoying so much about Substack, which I am really warming into. There is so much openness about the 'how' and the 'why', so much generosity in the sharing of learning ... and SO much encouragement for us all to do our thing. I like that I get to read things I couldn't write - there is always so much to learn from different styles of writing, different ideas.
Absolutely! A lovely, supportive, creative, open space here. In other social media sites I felt like I had to hide my authentic self and here I get to flourish. And I love seeing others flourishing and opening up. So beautiful and inspiring.
"flourishing" ... now that's a thing. We offer a thing called Encouragement Sessions ... more often than not, I end up talking to people about doing more of the thing that brings them joy because that's where the sparkle is, that's where we flourish!
B
Yes, I read about that! That's marvelous!
Aw, thank you
I can smell the lilacs in your fairytale of a story. Just lovely.
Oh how lovely to hear, thank you so much sweet Wendy!
I absolutely adore how much detail and depth you weave into everything. This is dense with magic, and I'm utterly beguiled by the story behind "siren with the soft sign". It's such a treat, it's like getting to peak behind the doors of the words! Bravo, m'dear xo
Thank you so much, Chloe! I'm so delighted you like this little weirdling.
I adore it almost as much as I adore you. Which is saying something!
Well I adore you back!
Stunnnnnnnnnnnning. I see every frame Nadia. Lush. Aching. And freedom from pain in exchange for a floral demise. I could would want need to read an entire novel about on this theme.
I'm so delighted you liked the story, Kimberly!
This is incredibly beautiful. It has the eerie otherworldliness of a Jack Vance novel
Wow. Thank you so much, Amelia! 🤩❤️
Gorgeous, haunting and melancholic. Siren with the soft sign feels both ominous and seductive. A temptation not to be resisted.
Omg Sam, thank you so much. So happy to see you here. When are you gracing us with your sublime work ;-)?
The stuff of dreams. I enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed thinking on it. Every sentence felt soft. Made me wonder how words do this, and even more, how a writer arrives at such delicate prose. "Siren with the soft sign." I wondered where this came from, up to the point you explained its origins. Brilliant, Nadia. And may my dreams chance on wonderful encounters like this, and may no witch's curse permeate through to this other side from whence hope writes.
Obed, that is such a beautiful, wonderful comment. Thank you! I didn't mention it, but being chronically ill takes you to weird thoughts. The experience of such a life inspires absurdities like feeling trapped in one particular age mentally (when the illness robs you off years of liveliness in a way). I hope you have lovely dreams. And remember, they're only dreams. Or are they? ;D
Weird thoughts indeed, lol! Which nonetheless do not take away the illness; on it robbing you off years of liveliness, I can't begin to imagine how you feel. You'll be alright, and remember that you rock! I think most people here, including myself, cherish those absurdities of yours always told in memorable prose and meters. As for the dreams, are they only dreams? Perhaps they are sink-pits into the other side: a place composed of materials other than atoms, and so incomprehensible when material, logical means are used. This may be why absurdities help, for they instruct in the paradoxes that most of life happen within and because of.
Thank you, Obed! Such encouraging words keep me going on hard days! I'm glad you like my absurdities. I try to stretch the (im)possibilities of language and narratives. I love how you describe dreams, that is powerful.
What a way to go! Puts me in mind of the way Tessa Thompson's character is transformed in "Annihilation." A lot of people writing death-themed posts lately, myself included, but yours is assuredly the most beautiful, Nadia.
Oh, Troy, thank you my lovely friend. I also thought about that surreal film afterwards. It seems to be that time of the year we think on the heavy things and make beauty out of them, huh!
You're so welcome, and by the way, just received Aicha Martine's book yesterday here in Spain, we are both excited to read it - Leo especially loves a good witchy theme. THANK YOU!
I'm so thrilled to hear that! I hope you like it.