This week I'm going to start with the blurb I usually put in Flash Fiction Diary because I really hope that people read it. Yesterday was World Book Day and I really hope you have the time to take a look at their website and offer support to them or Book Aid International. After looking at these two websites yesterday, I tried to imagine my life without books. I couldn't. This week's flash fiction was inspired by that thought.
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The Power of Words
'What's this?'
'It's a book.'
'Booook,' he said slowly, trying the words out on his tongue.
'That's right.'
'Do you eat it?'
'No, no,' he chuckled. 'You read the words.'
'Woords?'
He pointed at a page, a paragraph, a sentence; words. 'They tell you a story.'
'Those black and white things can talk?'
He shook his head. 'No. You read and in your head you make a story.'
'Why?'
'Stories make your life better.'
'Food makes your life better.'
'Well, yes, that too. Food is a basic need like water, air, somewhere to sleep. Stories are the next level up.'
'Hmm.'
'But some people think stories are a basic need.'
'Why?'
'Reading a story can change your life.'
'How?'
'The message is really strong. Or the magic overpowers you.'
'Hmm.'
'Let me read one to you and you'll see.'
They sat down together, the old man and the young boy. Together they turned the pages, read the words and went on a journey afar.
Laura Besley
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The Power of Words
'What's this?'
'It's a book.'
'Booook,' he said slowly, trying the words out on his tongue.
'That's right.'
'Do you eat it?'
'No, no,' he chuckled. 'You read the words.'
'Woords?'
He pointed at a page, a paragraph, a sentence; words. 'They tell you a story.'
'Those black and white things can talk?'
He shook his head. 'No. You read and in your head you make a story.'
'Why?'
'Stories make your life better.'
'Food makes your life better.'
'Well, yes, that too. Food is a basic need like water, air, somewhere to sleep. Stories are the next level up.'
'Hmm.'
'But some people think stories are a basic need.'
'Why?'
'Reading a story can change your life.'
'How?'
'The message is really strong. Or the magic overpowers you.'
'Hmm.'
'Let me read one to you and you'll see.'
They sat down together, the old man and the young boy. Together they turned the pages, read the words and went on a journey afar.
Laura Besley
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Spag Bol is a simple story of a couple preparing dinner for friends. Or is it? You'll have to read on to find out. Click here for Flash Fortnightly #9 - Spag Bol.
News: As mentioned previously, in March this year I'll be featured in IMPRINT, the annual anthology of Women in Publishing Society. Also, the committee have asked me to read my piece at the launch party on 15th March. Very honoured and excited to have been asked. Despite getting up to talk in front of my students every day, reading in public makes me extremely nervous. I can only hope it goes as well as last time. I'll keep you posted!
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Flash Fiction is short enough to read whilst you're waiting for the kettle to boil. It's fairly quick to write too, but with it being so short, every word has to count.
On 4th May 2012 I decided to embark on a project: to write a piece of Flash Fiction every day. I'm hoping this will keep the creative juices flowing and ultimately help me hone my craft. Every Friday I'll be posting 'the best of the week' onto my blog for you to read. If you have anything to say (good or 'constructive'!), I'm open to comments.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Is this set after iPads and tablets die out, too? I've watched babies learning on them, and thereby finding physical books to be broken swipe-pads.
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's so true. One day kids won't know what a 'real' book is...:(
DeleteA world without books? No, can't imagine it.
ReplyDeleteNope, me neither. Hope it never happens.
DeleteBeautiful. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, that's very kind of you to say!
DeleteHow sweet! I still think the little boy would enjoy a cookie WITH the book though. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha! Hadn't thought about that...he should definitely be allowed a cookie too :)
DeleteYou had me worried when you said you wanted to imagine what life would be like without books *shudders* but then I felt safe when the old man started talking about books and I have to hope he's converting the young kids one at a time. Great last image to leave us with of the old man and the young boy journeying off into fiction together - and I loved his explanations of what books can do to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Kath. I really hope in this digital age that 'real' books don't die out. That's worth a *shudder* too!
DeleteThat was a lovely little snapshot on how a book can create a bigger picture for young and old alike, and entice them into an exciting or unknown world for them to explore at their own pace.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments! :)
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