i'm so in love with this!!! i love the fairy tale vibes and your writing. the main character's such an easy person to like, and i'm really looking forward to more of her backstory and the event that led to her getting cursed.
You know, I absolutely adore your voice. It takes me back to something deep in my teenage brain—maybe the first time I read Lewis or Tolkien, or cracked open a Steve Jackson gamebook. There's something timeless about it. The kind of storytelling that feels told, not written.
Now that I’ve hit chapter three, I feel comfortable gushing just a bit: what you’re doing here isn’t just interesting—it’s rare. There’s a quiet confidence in how you build this world. The dream-logic, the restraint, the emotional current underneath… it’s deeply admirable. If I tried to write something like this, I’d probably overdo it. (I'd definitely overdo it.) But you don’t. You trust the atmosphere—the mythology—to carry the weight, and it does.
Also… I’d buy this book. No hesitation. (Naomi Novik might be the closest thing to this right now—but only loosely, in tone and her current folklore inspirations.)
This chapter in particular felt right in lockstep with its own theme. (I appreciate the three and three.) I do think chapter one could use a little expanding now, but that’s more of a gut check than a critique—something to revisit once I finish the rest—It just feels like it could become a stronger “anchor” before the encounters start.
Anyway. I’m having a great time catching up—one chapter at a time.
Again, your comments are very thoughtful and much appreciated! Grateful to inspire that nostalgic feeling! And if I *tried* to do it, I probably couldn't either, lol - I think the story is just building itself that way. Plus, I like brevity. I'm trying to do as much as I can in as few words as possible (that's the copywriter in me). I do hope to polish all this up and turn it into a book when I finish the story - I will definitely keep you posted on that! Many thanks again!
It’s kind of fun getting to peek into your process and comment along the way—it doesn’t seem like you mind, so I’m really enjoying the journey (and maybe the sound of my own voice?) quite a bit!
You’re smart to appreciate brevity—“the soul of wit,” as they say! I saw you wrote a book on marketing, and I work in that world too. Simplicity is everything, and brevity’s a big part of that. You can probably tell from my babbling that I’m still learning it… but I am learning—especially through your work.
Couple thoughts that came up: I do a lot of visual work, and brevity’s just as critical there. Maybe that’s true across all art. When artists start out, there's often a tendency to overdo—to fill in every bit of negative space, rather than let it breathe. I see that constantly when directing people. And I think I’m still figuring that out as a writer, honestly.
Some of my flash fiction pieces are 500 words, and it’s hard not to keep filling. “Should I flesh out this emotional beat more?” “What if we explore the character’s internal logic?” But the truth is—economy is beautiful. You seem to already know that. I think that’s what I’m chasing. (Oh, I'm going to write about this!)
Awesome that you also work in marketing! I think it’s a great field for writers because of how much you learn about getting products into the marketplace. Most writers are uncomfortable with selling. And the industry is always changing, so I think it’s important.
Being brief is a real challenge but well worth it! And yes with visuals that’s so important too! My career experience has really helped with that. But I think I’m still a bit wordy for a copywriter. And to be fair, 500 word flash fiction is really tough - you’re doing well if you’re taking that on!
Oh, Anna! I’m definitely one of those artists who feels weird about selling… and yet, here I am. 😅 I completely agree it’s important—turns out I’m much better at marketing other people’s work than my own. Maybe I’ll ask for tips sometime, but I won’t bore you now.
What do you do in marketing, day to day—if you don’t mind sharing? I’m pretty heavy on design, but I do write a lot of quick copy for the big platforms. Tight on characters, high on emojis. 😂
Also… is Flash Fiction really supposed to be 500 words? Still figuring that part out! I do love a challenge, though.
I agree that it’s quite different when you’re marketing your own work instead of someone else’s! You don’t have the same third party perspective - it’s a little more mentally and emotionally complicated. I’m a professional copywriter so I write all kinds of things… but I also combine that with web design for a number of projects, as well. Makes it more streamlined when you can write and design a website at the same time! I also write research articles for healthcare clients since my background is in healthcare. So I’ve run the gamut of many things marketing. Doesn’t mean I can execute all that well for myself, but I’m glad to know what the best practices are! RE: Flash Fiction, I have no idea about the 500 words… but that sounded right, lol!
Thanks so much! Yes, these are episodes of a larger story, but I’m hoping that the reader doesn’t have to know too much to get into the episode if they haven’t read all the preceding pieces. There’s a little recap at the top of each one that gives some context, then hopefully you can enjoy each one as-is.
i'm so in love with this!!! i love the fairy tale vibes and your writing. the main character's such an easy person to like, and i'm really looking forward to more of her backstory and the event that led to her getting cursed.
Thank you! She continues to surprise me. :)
Okay, I’m officially hooked.
You know, I absolutely adore your voice. It takes me back to something deep in my teenage brain—maybe the first time I read Lewis or Tolkien, or cracked open a Steve Jackson gamebook. There's something timeless about it. The kind of storytelling that feels told, not written.
Now that I’ve hit chapter three, I feel comfortable gushing just a bit: what you’re doing here isn’t just interesting—it’s rare. There’s a quiet confidence in how you build this world. The dream-logic, the restraint, the emotional current underneath… it’s deeply admirable. If I tried to write something like this, I’d probably overdo it. (I'd definitely overdo it.) But you don’t. You trust the atmosphere—the mythology—to carry the weight, and it does.
Also… I’d buy this book. No hesitation. (Naomi Novik might be the closest thing to this right now—but only loosely, in tone and her current folklore inspirations.)
This chapter in particular felt right in lockstep with its own theme. (I appreciate the three and three.) I do think chapter one could use a little expanding now, but that’s more of a gut check than a critique—something to revisit once I finish the rest—It just feels like it could become a stronger “anchor” before the encounters start.
Anyway. I’m having a great time catching up—one chapter at a time.
Again, your comments are very thoughtful and much appreciated! Grateful to inspire that nostalgic feeling! And if I *tried* to do it, I probably couldn't either, lol - I think the story is just building itself that way. Plus, I like brevity. I'm trying to do as much as I can in as few words as possible (that's the copywriter in me). I do hope to polish all this up and turn it into a book when I finish the story - I will definitely keep you posted on that! Many thanks again!
It’s kind of fun getting to peek into your process and comment along the way—it doesn’t seem like you mind, so I’m really enjoying the journey (and maybe the sound of my own voice?) quite a bit!
You’re smart to appreciate brevity—“the soul of wit,” as they say! I saw you wrote a book on marketing, and I work in that world too. Simplicity is everything, and brevity’s a big part of that. You can probably tell from my babbling that I’m still learning it… but I am learning—especially through your work.
Couple thoughts that came up: I do a lot of visual work, and brevity’s just as critical there. Maybe that’s true across all art. When artists start out, there's often a tendency to overdo—to fill in every bit of negative space, rather than let it breathe. I see that constantly when directing people. And I think I’m still figuring that out as a writer, honestly.
Some of my flash fiction pieces are 500 words, and it’s hard not to keep filling. “Should I flesh out this emotional beat more?” “What if we explore the character’s internal logic?” But the truth is—economy is beautiful. You seem to already know that. I think that’s what I’m chasing. (Oh, I'm going to write about this!)
You're clearly more mature than I am! 😉
Awesome that you also work in marketing! I think it’s a great field for writers because of how much you learn about getting products into the marketplace. Most writers are uncomfortable with selling. And the industry is always changing, so I think it’s important.
Being brief is a real challenge but well worth it! And yes with visuals that’s so important too! My career experience has really helped with that. But I think I’m still a bit wordy for a copywriter. And to be fair, 500 word flash fiction is really tough - you’re doing well if you’re taking that on!
Oh, Anna! I’m definitely one of those artists who feels weird about selling… and yet, here I am. 😅 I completely agree it’s important—turns out I’m much better at marketing other people’s work than my own. Maybe I’ll ask for tips sometime, but I won’t bore you now.
What do you do in marketing, day to day—if you don’t mind sharing? I’m pretty heavy on design, but I do write a lot of quick copy for the big platforms. Tight on characters, high on emojis. 😂
Also… is Flash Fiction really supposed to be 500 words? Still figuring that part out! I do love a challenge, though.
I agree that it’s quite different when you’re marketing your own work instead of someone else’s! You don’t have the same third party perspective - it’s a little more mentally and emotionally complicated. I’m a professional copywriter so I write all kinds of things… but I also combine that with web design for a number of projects, as well. Makes it more streamlined when you can write and design a website at the same time! I also write research articles for healthcare clients since my background is in healthcare. So I’ve run the gamut of many things marketing. Doesn’t mean I can execute all that well for myself, but I’m glad to know what the best practices are! RE: Flash Fiction, I have no idea about the 500 words… but that sounded right, lol!
I bought your books! For some reason, they aren't listed together. *Shakes fist at Amazon*!
Thank you!! Hope you enjoy them! Yeah Amazon lol 🙃
I loved this line, "The magic in my veins buzzed against the lie." It makes me want to know more about her.
Thank you Bill! More will be revealed :)
"They were the richest men I had ever met, but from their eyes I knew they had never been poorer."
Such a sad sentence! With a truth inside of it.
Thank you Jeremy!!
Hey Anna! Thank you for writing this! I’m not much of fictional writer and your writing is probably the first fiction that I’ve read in years!
This is very interesting! And I am trying to understand about what happens next? So you meet the three brothers. And looking for treasure.
Much of non fictional reader myself, perhaps, I just appreciate the beauty of what you wrote as it is?
Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks so much! Yes, these are episodes of a larger story, but I’m hoping that the reader doesn’t have to know too much to get into the episode if they haven’t read all the preceding pieces. There’s a little recap at the top of each one that gives some context, then hopefully you can enjoy each one as-is.
Pulls you in right away. Keep writing! Fanciful and daring…
Thanks so much, Donald!
This is genius.
Many writers would have just said tree. Fewer might have told us the species or type. A gifted writer uses an adjective like misshapen.
🙇
I love a good adjective. Thank you James!