My aunt ran a one-woman bean-to-bar chocolate factory near the wharf in Port Townsend for quite a few years. I only got to visit a couple of times, since I was almost always pregnant or nursing a baby during those years and traveling was difficult. I loved it, though, and wish I could have/would have spent more time there. Maybe I'll visit anyway, even though she doesn't live there anymore. It's so fun to read a story in a setting that I'm at least somewhat familiar with on a personal level. And flash fiction...okay, this is fun. I've enjoyed reading it, but I haven't tried it much. I might have to! I love how it is unapologetically and artistically incomplete. You don't get to know everything, there isn't always a resolution, it's just that--a quick flash of a story, and then it's over. And yet your characters feel full, the setting is rich and tangible, and the hints at the rest of the story are subtle yet effective and spur the imagination on to fill in the blanks. Really well done!
I'm pretty new to Substack but your stories are quickly becoming some of my favourite things to read. Love the slow, subtle pull of the suspense of this one. Like the characters, we don't realise how deep we've found ourselves before it's too late!
I mean it's the fourth largest island in the contiguous US and it's right across from Port Townsend so I don't deserve too much credit for the guess ha ha. We absolutely LOVE Fort Casey. Love the wee beach down the hill from the camp site. Hope I'm not giving too much away but it's the only surfable wave I've found closer than Westport (shhhhh!). Crazy rip tide there though and not for novices.
I have read this story and now I feel inadequate with my 100 word stories. I feel obligated to write a longer something...what that longer something will be and when I have no idea...but something must be written. I am bit by the inspiration bug! I thank you!
So here's a question that always jumps out with oceans. Many authors (you didn't) will talk about the crisp, tang, SALT smell of the sea. But salt doesn't have a smell. Is this just an old literary trope that carries through?
Because the sea does smell of seaweed, dead fish, birds, etc.
Grew up on the North East of Scotland with predominantly North East winds. Most of my family were commercial fishermen and I surfed almost everyday. Any earlier memory I have is of the sea and yet I'd never pondered your question before. I think you're absolutely correct. Although I do think salt water has a smell to it even if dried salt itself doesn't really. But I don't believe it's the salt water that we are smelling in the ocean. Far more likely to be a smell of decomposing...stuff. That smell tends to be Hydrogen Sulphide if I'm not mistaken and that can actually kill you if it's strong enough. So my best guess is that the smell is part Hydrogen Sulphide but that the salt in the water partially preserves the docomposition which gives a more muted smell so in part the salt does have an effect in the sense. But...just a guess.
That's the only thing I smell too! Maybe that's the *tang* they refer to. But it's almost always cloaked as crisp and salty. So? Maybe a Literary trope...
Predominantly seaweed. I've read of salt air, which is definitely a thing, but don't recall seeing writers commonly referencing to salt smell of the ocean.
My aunt ran a one-woman bean-to-bar chocolate factory near the wharf in Port Townsend for quite a few years. I only got to visit a couple of times, since I was almost always pregnant or nursing a baby during those years and traveling was difficult. I loved it, though, and wish I could have/would have spent more time there. Maybe I'll visit anyway, even though she doesn't live there anymore. It's so fun to read a story in a setting that I'm at least somewhat familiar with on a personal level. And flash fiction...okay, this is fun. I've enjoyed reading it, but I haven't tried it much. I might have to! I love how it is unapologetically and artistically incomplete. You don't get to know everything, there isn't always a resolution, it's just that--a quick flash of a story, and then it's over. And yet your characters feel full, the setting is rich and tangible, and the hints at the rest of the story are subtle yet effective and spur the imagination on to fill in the blanks. Really well done!
Wow, SE. You're two months late for mermay but i'll take it anyway. Love this take. "Fishmaids"...barnacled grey hands...
Man Ferris Island is such a fun world to write.
I'm pretty new to Substack but your stories are quickly becoming some of my favourite things to read. Love the slow, subtle pull of the suspense of this one. Like the characters, we don't realise how deep we've found ourselves before it's too late!
💯🔥
Lordy I'm loving this! Nothing more to say! Except 'write on'...
Love this! I live on an island opposite Port Townsend...
Whidbey?
Lucky guess!
I mean it's the fourth largest island in the contiguous US and it's right across from Port Townsend so I don't deserve too much credit for the guess ha ha. We absolutely LOVE Fort Casey. Love the wee beach down the hill from the camp site. Hope I'm not giving too much away but it's the only surfable wave I've found closer than Westport (shhhhh!). Crazy rip tide there though and not for novices.
The segment from the boat ramp past Fort Casey to Ebey's Landing is one I have get to do in my effort to circumnavigate the island by kayak.
That's quite the effort! Good journey friend. Let us know when you have achieved your aim. We will celebrate with you.
Whoooo. So creepy, and yet profound. I really, really enjoyed this, Auntie Sally!
Deliciously dark! I like these fishmaids, and I suspect they’re in league with the yacht-smashing orcas. 👍
Gave me goosebumps.
I have read this story and now I feel inadequate with my 100 word stories. I feel obligated to write a longer something...what that longer something will be and when I have no idea...but something must be written. I am bit by the inspiration bug! I thank you!
So here's a question that always jumps out with oceans. Many authors (you didn't) will talk about the crisp, tang, SALT smell of the sea. But salt doesn't have a smell. Is this just an old literary trope that carries through?
Because the sea does smell of seaweed, dead fish, birds, etc.
Grew up on the North East of Scotland with predominantly North East winds. Most of my family were commercial fishermen and I surfed almost everyday. Any earlier memory I have is of the sea and yet I'd never pondered your question before. I think you're absolutely correct. Although I do think salt water has a smell to it even if dried salt itself doesn't really. But I don't believe it's the salt water that we are smelling in the ocean. Far more likely to be a smell of decomposing...stuff. That smell tends to be Hydrogen Sulphide if I'm not mistaken and that can actually kill you if it's strong enough. So my best guess is that the smell is part Hydrogen Sulphide but that the salt in the water partially preserves the docomposition which gives a more muted smell so in part the salt does have an effect in the sense. But...just a guess.
That's the only thing I smell too! Maybe that's the *tang* they refer to. But it's almost always cloaked as crisp and salty. So? Maybe a Literary trope...
Most likely. Good "catch".
So, Google throws up a few. Poor form for writers to confuse salt with sulphur.
Predominantly seaweed. I've read of salt air, which is definitely a thing, but don't recall seeing writers commonly referencing to salt smell of the ocean.