flash fiction about analysing in detail works of art

Meaning in each word

39 Replies

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about shards. You can write about the pieces, the item they once were, or who picks them up and why. Go where the prompt leads.

I had an idea I wanted to craft into a story. I’ve had a go. I’m not certain that it expresses quite what I was hoping, and certainly not as explicitly as I hoped. I had wanted it to stand alone, requiring no other explanation or padding and, while it fails, I’ve let it do just that.

Analyse the Detail

The artisan turned each piece to the light, this way and that, fitting and refitting, arranging and rearranging. Finally, it was done. Each piece necessary and perfectly positioned creating the whole— exquisite, harmonious, illuminating—not one greater nor outshining any other. It filled each open heart with hopes of dreams fulfilled.

Another sought to analyse its beauty, the power of its message to explore. He picked out all the pieces one by one and examined each in every detail. Too late he saw that, shattered and alone, not one shard revealed a secret. Only united did their meaning shine.

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

 

39 thoughts on “Meaning in each word”

  3. Jules

    While looking up things to do with shards, I actually saw a decorated flowerpot that had different china plate shards. And I thought that it was a lovely way to use up chipped pieces that once together created a new chapter in the life of those shards that may once have had individual stories, but once together created a unique piece of art. Just like literary art, when we use and select our 99 words. Each could stand alone but together they create beauty, a lesson, or just entertainment. Your piece conveys all those things. 🙂

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  5. Pingback: Shards « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

  6. Charli Mills

    To me, there’s a special relationship between writer and reader. I imagine a piece of literary art existing between the two of them. I see this relationship between artists and viewers, teachers and students. What matters is how they bring the pieces together for shared meaning. I like that we can read your story from different perspectives. Not failed at all.

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    1. Norah Post author

      Ah, you’re close to my intention when you mention writer, reader, teacher, student. Although my meaning wasn’t as clear as I’d hoped when I set out to write, the interpretations have all been close and show that what a reader brings to a text is individual and as important as what the writer shares. Sometimes the gaps are necessary to let the individuals in. Thank you. Perhaps I didn’t fail after all. Perhaps the piece was better to be not as specific as I’d hoped. I think there was a similar message in your post. 🙂

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          1. Charli Mills

            We could say that about all forms of communication. Yet we know it’s a balance between speaking and listening in turn. Art is similar and we don’t always know what we are communications in art. That’s the exploratory component.

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            1. Norah Post author

              That’s true. Perhaps there are greater possibilities in interpreting art. As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is meaning in the heart of the observer (reader).

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  7. D. Avery @shiftnshake

    exquisite, harmonious, illuminating

    Those words describe this piece. It is a brilliant take on Charli’s prompt, and adds another layer to the sentiments she put forth. I love the fable like quality and the twist of the un-doing; how many instances are there of studying and analyzing a thing and ruining it in the process, the realization too late? It’s real good Norah.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thank you, D. I think you’ve come closest to understanding the meaning I was trying to convey, but I have enjoyed reading everyone’s interpretations and am beginning to see that it may be better that I wasn’t too specific so that each reader could interpret it in their own way. 🙂

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    1. Norah Post author

      I like your interpretation, Jacqui. Yes, our interests do intersect with children, and I was thinking of children as I wrote but not in the way you read it. I’m pleased it can be interpreted differently by each reader. Perhaps that makes the piece more successful than I thought.

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  14. thecontentedcrafter

    It’s pretty hard to convey such a deep and complex thought in a stand alone story of 99 words, no more, no less. I got your meaning and intent clearly though – so it must work. It’s a little like a fable really and the moral is a moving and excellent one!

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