Why would you want to use that plant? It’s a parasite she said with a shiver of disgust. It’s not just a taker I remind her it also gives. So really, it’s symbiotic. Nothing truly takes without giving something of value in return, at least not when you look at the whole picture. What have you given lately I asked her. But of course now she couldn’t answer. You’ll give now, won’t you? It was another rhetorical question because again, I knew the answer. It would take a bit longer before she began giving back. The flower trembled in gratitude.
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[...] 11, 2011 by Madison Woods The picture is posted with my story on this page. This time I tried something a little different. It’s almost run-on, maybe slipstream or [...]
Once again, this is quite beautiful. Like a poem. I miss the commas in the first sentences, though, but on reflection, I am not certain if you need them, as the sentences scan so well. grammatical question only. Still lovely. Mine is ugly. I got carried away with the corpse idea.
Here is is: http://fictionvictimtoo.blogspot.com
Thanks, from Linda Palund and Laura too
Hi Laura, I’ll get to read yours before I head to work. Mine deals with a corpse, too, but it’s subtle
I like the experimentation you did today. This shows your versatility and talent. Great job, Mads.
I’m bowing out of this week’s flash fiction, but hope to jump back in next week.
I’m going to miss you today! Thanks for dropping in to read and comment, though – I appreciate that. I think Doug (@ironwoodwind) is still out on vacation and @jshill is deep into NaNo this week so they won’t be here either. I think NaNo is going to make it harder for others as the month goes on and they have to really focus their efforts to make it through to the end, so we’ll likely either get thin or pick up newcomers as we did today. See you next week or next chance you can!
[...] prompt (courtesy of Madison Woods) was a picture of a strange plant that doesn’t have any chlorophyll, called Indian Pipes, or [...]
The lack of punctuation is almost hypnotic.I felt pulled in. Nicely done.
here’s mine:
http://cleveroldowl.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/friday-fictioneers-indian-pipes/
Good Job, Craig – we almost have the story of the Corpse Bride here. I am just not certain about repeating the line “The stranger was incredulous”
With only 100 words, I think you should put something else in there, perhaps about the townsfolk, or some creep or other….
Just saying…
Thanks, Craig
On lunch break now and finally getting to read a few!
Very nicely done! I agree with Craig, the lack of punctuation (while it did irk a bit at first) has a certain hypnotic effect!
This isn’t my first attempt at flash fiction, but it is my first time sharing, hope you enjoy: http://writepaniclive.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-fictioneers-november-11-2011.html
I love the comparison of the plant and relationships. There truly are symbiotic and parasitic ones!
Awesome!
Forgot to link to my story! 100 word flash
http://susielindau.com/2011/11/11/a-warm-welcome/
Oh, I liked your little ghost story! You need to come and do a segment in The Dream House now. We are all ghostly now.
Happy Birthday everyone!
I like the moral lesson. We all need to be givers.
Needless to say, my story is not nearly as deep or prophetic. Here’s the link http://russellgayer.blogspot.com
Thanks Russell
Heading your way next.
What a great little story, Madison. Again, I really like the ending! Thanks again, for another challenging prompt!
Here’s my link:
http://jansthoughtsovercoffee.blogspot.com/2011/11/fall-fridayflash-fridayfictioneers.html
[...] by posting your story and reading ours by following the links to everyone’s blogs over on my story page. Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora), also called Corpse Plant or Ghost Flower. A fragile symbiotic [...]
I found the lack of punctuated demarcation for dialogue, like “It’s a parasite she said,” distracting, but I know that’s a style some people enjoy. Otherwise I enjoyed the prose-poetry aesthetic and block-text approach to wondering about the scenario,
http://johnwiswell.blogspot.com/2011/11/bathroom-monologue-its-not-easy-being.html
I love the use of the flower and the ‘give’ and ‘take’ that run parallel to the story’s situation and what the flower does. I especially loved the last line “The trembled in gratitude.” I can visually see it tremble.
I actually did research on the Indian Pipe flower and learned a lot more than I wanted. Did you know that if you picked it, it would quickly turn black?
Well, I did research but no story came to mind – so I’m going to have to pass this time. Plus I really need to concentrate on NaNoWriMo – I’m getting a little behind. :/ Maybe next week when I’m a little caught up!
I did research on it years ago when I first learned of the plant and found one to photograph, and then refreshed my memory to write the blurb for the prompt. I just love this plant, it’s one of several that intrigue me
Good luck on your NaNo project!
The lack of punctuation and paragraphs gave me the feeling I was nibbling a morsel of myth. Lovely.
This prompt inspired me to write something delicate…let me know if it was too subtle, Robin
http://robinhawke.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/footsteps/
Thanks Robin. The Indian Pipes look very delicate, but I didn’t touch them because I didn’t want them to turn black so I don’t really know if they are or not. If ever I come across a bunch of them, I’ll test it to find out how quickly they turn black and how easily they break, lol. I want some to put in my apothecary but never take when there’s only a few of anything.
here’s mine http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.com/2011/11/come-back-to-me-fridayfictioners.html
Nicely done, Madison. Puts things into perspective, certainly.
Mine is here, hear the bottom of the blog post. There’s an adult content warning, but there’s no explicit writing in the blog posts this week.
Thanks for stopping by.
http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.com
Finally home and heading your way now
Hi Madison!
This is my first try at joining, so I’d love to hear what people think about my story. It’s here: http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/friday-fiction/
I enjoyed your stream of consciousness conversation. I thought you handled the lack of punctuation and attribution well, and it’s interesting to play around with these things in a short piece. you hint at a lot more behind the scenes and the last line is beautiful!
Jen
Glad to have you join us! I’m not caught up with reading yet but am making my way down the list. It might be once I get home before I can read the rest.
Glad you enjoyed the technique. I thought is was fun and effective for the mood of this one but not sure I’d like reading much over small chapters in that format.
Sent from my iPhone… Please forgive any typos!
I almost think that the person the speaker is talking to is dead at the end? And she’ll be giving back to the earth when she starts to decompose? Or I’m completely reading it the wrong way. Very compelling in any case!
Here’s my second flash–thanks so much for putting up these pictures every week! I’m having so much fun with it!
http://wp.me/p1UNyO-1K
You are correct! Starts out alive but will be providing organic matter by the end.
Sent from my iPhone… Please forgive any typos!
It took KD to make me reread your story. Clunk. Pretty slow on the uptake I was. I see it now and understand why you told me your story was also about corpses. Pretty unsettling, but in a good way?
I like! The lack of commas is a little odd, but if I read it out loud, it works. I like the way you describe the alive-to-compost life of the plant.
mine: http://storytreasury.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/friday-flash-the-good-mother/
Thanks Sonia, and yes, out loud works best for that sort. Just visited yours
Wow, you got quite a following here. Here is my story and my link:
http://truthsbyruth.blogspot.com/2011/11/birth-of-ghost-flower.html
Hi Mads,
You tread softly through the world when you write and I find myself hard pressed to follow where you’re feet are leading. Wondering what’s what in this story of yours. Perhaps reading all the comments will help me see. I think my brain is addled from the flinging about it received today.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Madison,
I owe KD a debt of gratitude for helping me to see what was there all along n your story. I blame……me! But I have it now and the verdict is subtle and moving as usual. The wheel of life slowly turning.
Aloha,
Doug
A little bit confusing (I think it’s because my mind is so slow these days), but I adore it mostly because it describes relationships very well. They’re not always good for us, and sometimes confusing, too. Just like your piece of work.
Here’s my contribution: http://lpssakura.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/the-warmth-of-a-hand/
You weren’t alone in your confusion, Caely. I’d say everyone was, but I can understand. I was very subtle and 100 words isn’t much time to get the point across. I will try harder next time
Just now getting a chance to see who I’ve missed in the reading – heading your way now. Sorry I’m the one being slow this week!