This was great, S.E.! I love the way you described the bar, like so many I spent time in during my days sailing the North Atlantic. Very descriptive without egregious embellishments.
I’m a sucker for a ghost story so add another star sticker. ⭐️
Hmmm...interesting that you land on "sasquatch monster" being the entity that got Scott Candle. Interesting that you land on "monster" firstly and then that you land on that monster being a "sasquatch". I ask S.E. repeatedly what "it" is hoping to catch her in a weak moment that she will let slip what the answer is.....but to date I have failed to get a response :-(
I feel like maybe you have a fisherman's cap which hosts a bottomless supply of Ferris Island characters and unusual tales, maybe? This one is another delight. Looking forward to more, yes?
Very sweet, and loved the Scully reference! Especially because she was the skeptic ;) Along ghosty lines, do you believe in them? This is the second flash fiction piece you've done with a ghost, and I know you like historical hauntings...
Great question! I know this is probably a cop-out, but the way I explain my thoughts about ghosts is that *I believe in their cultural importance*, even if I don't necessarily believe in what we think they are (the whole paranormal investigation thing).
I believe that ghosts say a lot about what we value, how we handle death and grief, and what stories we hold onto. I LOVE reading ghost stories and I LOVE including them in my own stories. They are such a rich well of meaning. ✨
Not a cop-out at all. I always ask because I'm totally divided and also have no real interest in "figuring it out." By that I mean ghost hunting, seances, etc. I have had a couple of strange experiences, but remain unconvinced. Still, those experiences were enough to make me a little superstitious. I do certain things *just in case* while not really believing wholeheartedly in a whole host of paranormal things.
Eeeee! The pitter-patterer in me is swooning now! Could totally feel and smell the setting, and vibe the characters. I love what you did with this prompt! Me? I got nothin’ but that is usually the case. 🤣 Now I’m all...how did she die? How did they meet? What did he do? Can she talk to him? Does he have a hard time seeing her or does he cling to her ghost as much as she clings to him?
Ugh. Hence why I’m a sprawling series novelist. 🤣🤓🤪 Y’all who do all these short stories on a whim from a prompt just astound me. I covet your skills and watch with great interest, feeling into the rhythm like trying to get the flow of double-dutch.
I think it's awesome that you take little "hooks" from stories created by others and run with those to let your mind create additional stories. That in an of itself is an awesome talent to have. If you came up with fan fiction stories based on the Ferris Island world I for one would definitely read them.
Thank you so much! 🥰 They’re usually such different mechanisms. It’s the same process, but other people’s stories trigger reader-brain and let me escape from the never ending cacophony of my own clown house. Or one of mine will jump up and start waving their hands, saying, “OMGs that reminds me of this time I...”
However, your comment just made writer-brain ping and consider, “Hmmmm...well, could I ever--?”
I then promptly found myself pinned on the neurological floor of my mind with a gazillion Greek Gods and characters from the 4 worlds of my own, shouting, “Don’t even think about it, missy! You already lack enough clones to do all of us justice!” So I shall continue to let our mariner and our ghost dangle misty imaginings at the fringes of my mind.
This story is still with me today. Reader brain always wants to know, but she is equally contented by the simple excitement of having that many questions sparked. I love questions. Often I love them more than I love answers. Thanks for inviting another!
You sound a lot like S.E.!!! It's almost impossible...wait...no...it IS impossible to get her to answer any questions about her stories. Delightfully teasing and frustrating in equal measure. I llike the way you describe the battle inside your head although I'm sure at times it can feel like something's about to burst.
This was great, S.E.! I love the way you described the bar, like so many I spent time in during my days sailing the North Atlantic. Very descriptive without egregious embellishments.
I’m a sucker for a ghost story so add another star sticker. ⭐️
Thank you, L.C.! I'm glad it properly evoked that coastal dive bar flavor. 😁
You sailed the North Atlantic?? For me, that's basically a horror story. I'm terrified of the ocean (though I really wish I wasn't).
Sure did. I spent 8 years at sea. Sailed the Atlantic, Caribbean, the Med, and Black Sea. It gets in your blood.
I loved the descriptions. The suspense with the possible termination, if caught, was masterful.
Then the heartfelt request from the old sailor
and then, my gosh, the ghost was happy, not wailing.
Err. If it's okay, I'll stay away from that island.
Between the sasquatch monster that got the pastor
to the happy ghost, I'm safer (psychically) staying in Texas.
You did a great job. I almost felt as if I were there.
Hmmm...interesting that you land on "sasquatch monster" being the entity that got Scott Candle. Interesting that you land on "monster" firstly and then that you land on that monster being a "sasquatch". I ask S.E. repeatedly what "it" is hoping to catch her in a weak moment that she will let slip what the answer is.....but to date I have failed to get a response :-(
I feel like maybe you have a fisherman's cap which hosts a bottomless supply of Ferris Island characters and unusual tales, maybe? This one is another delight. Looking forward to more, yes?
I'll keep writing them as long as y'all keep enjoying them! 😁
If I was being crassly commercial, I would be asking when does The Ferris Island Collection go to print!
I’d buy it :)
Very sweet, and loved the Scully reference! Especially because she was the skeptic ;) Along ghosty lines, do you believe in them? This is the second flash fiction piece you've done with a ghost, and I know you like historical hauntings...
Great question! I know this is probably a cop-out, but the way I explain my thoughts about ghosts is that *I believe in their cultural importance*, even if I don't necessarily believe in what we think they are (the whole paranormal investigation thing).
I believe that ghosts say a lot about what we value, how we handle death and grief, and what stories we hold onto. I LOVE reading ghost stories and I LOVE including them in my own stories. They are such a rich well of meaning. ✨
Not a cop-out at all. I always ask because I'm totally divided and also have no real interest in "figuring it out." By that I mean ghost hunting, seances, etc. I have had a couple of strange experiences, but remain unconvinced. Still, those experiences were enough to make me a little superstitious. I do certain things *just in case* while not really believing wholeheartedly in a whole host of paranormal things.
Eeeee! The pitter-patterer in me is swooning now! Could totally feel and smell the setting, and vibe the characters. I love what you did with this prompt! Me? I got nothin’ but that is usually the case. 🤣 Now I’m all...how did she die? How did they meet? What did he do? Can she talk to him? Does he have a hard time seeing her or does he cling to her ghost as much as she clings to him?
Ugh. Hence why I’m a sprawling series novelist. 🤣🤓🤪 Y’all who do all these short stories on a whim from a prompt just astound me. I covet your skills and watch with great interest, feeling into the rhythm like trying to get the flow of double-dutch.
I think it's awesome that you take little "hooks" from stories created by others and run with those to let your mind create additional stories. That in an of itself is an awesome talent to have. If you came up with fan fiction stories based on the Ferris Island world I for one would definitely read them.
Thank you so much! 🥰 They’re usually such different mechanisms. It’s the same process, but other people’s stories trigger reader-brain and let me escape from the never ending cacophony of my own clown house. Or one of mine will jump up and start waving their hands, saying, “OMGs that reminds me of this time I...”
However, your comment just made writer-brain ping and consider, “Hmmmm...well, could I ever--?”
I then promptly found myself pinned on the neurological floor of my mind with a gazillion Greek Gods and characters from the 4 worlds of my own, shouting, “Don’t even think about it, missy! You already lack enough clones to do all of us justice!” So I shall continue to let our mariner and our ghost dangle misty imaginings at the fringes of my mind.
This story is still with me today. Reader brain always wants to know, but she is equally contented by the simple excitement of having that many questions sparked. I love questions. Often I love them more than I love answers. Thanks for inviting another!
You sound a lot like S.E.!!! It's almost impossible...wait...no...it IS impossible to get her to answer any questions about her stories. Delightfully teasing and frustrating in equal measure. I llike the way you describe the battle inside your head although I'm sure at times it can feel like something's about to burst.
I do?! 😻 Cool. (I’m new around here.) And yes. The explosion does happen. All over the page or the stage. Blurp! Sometimes it’s messy. 🤣
Miss Phelan is quick becoming one of my favourite characters in Substack fiction!
LOVED THIS STORY. More please.
Beautiful and haunting. Loved this so much.
Scully. I love it. I suspect she has a laptop named Mulder. 😉
I'm so glad someone caught that! 😅
The camera always seeks the truth, right?
I was wondering if that was an intentional reference! I never should have doubted you 😂
My wife and I are making our way through X-Files again, and so it's top of mind. 😂
Sweet tale!
This was so lovely and sweet 🥰
Ah! Unexpected sweetness! Thanks.
I did not expect a sweet tale of lost love. You wrote it perfectly, and I'm beginning to see that you have a gift for an unexpected ending. Well done!
Thank you so much, Felicia! I'm glad it was a welcome way to start your day. 😁☕