Rubin's Vase

Rubin's Vase was published on National Flash Fiction Day 2020 on June 6th.

I got the idea after I watched an episode of Tales from the Loop when a character was shown as being missing from everywhere they had been. I liked the idea of filling that space. 

I researched 'negative space' and started the piece on my phone before I went to sleep and finished it on my laptop next day, pushing for the NFFD FlashFlood deadline. 

'Ma' is used in my story, not just as a missing maternal family figure but as the Japanese word roughly translated as 'negative space'. 

Although the story started out with the name 'Negative Space' when I saw another flash of the same name I changed it. I knew of Rubin's Vase but didn't know that's what it was called. It fit perfectly with my themes around communication, shifting perspective and filling in the blanks.

On Writing: 5 Short Stories

Lost Words 

Words: 100

Theme/Genre: Flash fiction on memory 

Why? Poor memory, recent Alzheimer developments and the use of memory for writing bring my fears to mind. The challenge was to write those fears in 100 words.

Published by: Friday Flash Fiction

Soul Brothers

Words: 360

Theme/Genre: Flash fiction fairy tale on the struggles of individuals V's society

Why? My three brother's were the inspiration for this. I tried to capture something of their individual talents and characters and their unifying and universal quests as men.  

Published by: Flash Flood Journal

Rusted

The Shop of Preserved Curiosities

Words: 500

Theme/Genre: Short story addressing the set theme 'Curiosity'. 

Why? Initially 'curiosity killed the cat' came to mind, followed by the over -used Schrodinger's cat. I veered clear of cats turning instead to the fear and excitement of the unknown, from the curiosity shop window to that of a relationship.

Published by: Dear Damsels

Rusted

Words: 479
Theme/Genre: Flash fiction addressing the theme 'Punk'
Why? Relationships can get a little rusted, pins can hold  anything together and rebellion comes in many guises.

Published by: Paper and Ink Literary Zine

 Paper and Ink Literary Zine (2017, p. 17)

Under the Gaze of the Lion

Words: 710
Theme/Genre: Short story
Why? Prompted by visits to The Last Tuesday Society in London's East End and Ireland's Fota Wild life & Conservation Park in Cork.
Published by: Ellipsis Zine