Redemption Writing by Sharon Heagy

 

My new muse who sits above my desk. (I love bears)

Wow. What a challenge this month's prompt has been, at least for me. I decided to try writing some flash fiction as it is something I have tried only once. For those who may not have discovered the world of flash fiction it is a short piece, often a narrative, which still has character and plot development. They can be anywhere from 6 to 1000 words. When I took a gander to remind myself of what constituted flash fiction, I found out there are all kinds of labels for the craft. There is the six-word story, the 280 character story, also known as twitterature, the dribble which contains 50 words and is also known as the minisaga, the drabble, a.k.a. microfiction with 100 words, sudden fiction which can be composed of up to 750 words, flash fiction up to 1000 words and microstory. Some of you may be familiar with the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. It is considered a piece of flash fiction and not just a short story. It appears some writing form definitions may cross over with this style of writing. When I had first tried this genre I found it to be inspiring. This time not so much.

My first foray into the world of flash fiction was the story of a young couple whose child was in the hospital. The wife had fled into the park across the street from the medical centre thinking her child was dying when in reality the doctors had made a mistake. The husband, learning of the error, searches for his wife and finally gives her the good news and they head back into the hospital. It was a story of breaking hearts and sorrow that turned into a story of hope and encouragement.

The second story began with a young girl living in the Yukon who dreams of a glamorous life beyond the bush. She wants to be considered a one of a kind rarity. Someone special. But her dreams are interrupted by the reality of survival as her mother reminds her she needs to get out and pick berries to be canned before the early snows come. They need to get all the food they can because game is scarce that year. The girl leaves with a couple of buckets to get both berries and various mushrooms which are growing in abundance near her home. The story was going to end with her being eaten by a grizzly which would fulfill her dream of being a rarity as there are very, very few instances where bears of any kind have eaten human beings. I stopped in the middle of the story.  It was a tale so dark and grim and it kind of shocked me, even though my sense of humour is not always light. I thought of people who might read this story. There was no redemption, no hope, nothing to lighten the heart or bring a healing balm. I put down my pen, closed my folder and walked away upset. 

Feeling I had no fodder for my contribution to the blog, I began aimlessly scrolling around the internet. That's when I came across this quotation: "The difference between a good writer and a great one isn't raw talent. It's the willingness to tear their own work apart and stitch it back together - better, stronger and a little less embarrassing." (Sabyasachi Roy - The Art of Rewriting: Where Good Writing Goes to Die (and Get Resurrected)  I've never read this volume on writing but now I'm curious. This quotation, however, quickened my heart and planted a spark. Not that I am a great writer, but I do have the ability to re-work the story, change the direction and outcome and try again as I ask God for help. 

That's the plan. To try again. To redeem a grim tale into a beacon of hope.

 

It's also one of my prayers for all Inscribe Writers - to be beacons of hope and light as we hone our craft together. You have all been such an encouragement to me, and I am privileged to be witness to your encouragement for all. For that I am forever grateful. God bless.

Sharon Heagy writes from the little town of Rockglen, which is nestled in the hills of southern Saskatchewan. Her kids have flown the coop so she and her husband have retired to town. She writes to inspire and give hope with a chuckle or two along the way.... though maybe not in today's offering.