Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers is Priceless Joy’s weekly writing prompt. Joy Pixley provided this week’s image:
The man is completely absorbed by his work. Bent over a sketch pad, he carefully adds details – shadows, contrasts, embellishments. Every so often, he pushes back from his “art” table, stands, bends forward and back at the waist, his prodigious beard almost sweeping the floor on his forward motions.
He props his stretch book up on a desk easel and walks backwards away from the work, skrinching his eyes. The wrinkles show then, the years of close work and sadness.
No quite satisfied, he wonders if he should begin again, or “fix” the visual plane issue.
“Maurits,” his wife calls, “time for lunch.”
He has his answer for the moment, and begins the descent from his attic perch to the main floor. For Escher, this house is life imitating art. {130}
“Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible. I think it’s in my basement… let me go upstairs and check.” M.C. Escher
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September 26, 2016 at 12:52 pm
I liked the hints about Escher at this stage of his life. I do find that sometimes fact based story’s need nearer 200 words. For me chopping to many words out can spoil the flow. I look forward to more stories from your pen. 🙂
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September 27, 2016 at 10:38 am
Thank you. I can see why “true” stories are harder to edit without choppiness with less than 200 words.
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September 25, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Great detail, but a little choppy in the story. Still for a 130 words, you make do with what you have. Good job. :)
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September 25, 2016 at 7:11 pm
A longer piece I was attempting to edit down — hence the choppiness you detected. Sometimes sentences remove themselves smoothly — other times not so.
Thank you for your insightful suggestions/critique of my poem. I appreciate your honesty.
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September 23, 2016 at 10:24 am
There seems to be much more to this story than is shown in this piece. I wonder why he’s had years of ‘sadness’, for a start. Some nice descriptive detail and I like the M.C. Escher quote. :)
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September 25, 2016 at 7:38 pm
I was imagining the man to be Escher, sadness from the years haunted by moves to avoid the Nazis and reactions to his work.
The story was much longer, you’re right, and I tried to edit it down — loosing meaning in the process. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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September 22, 2016 at 4:08 am
Very atmospheric, I got a real sense of the old artist obsessed with his work. Good writing.
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September 21, 2016 at 9:54 pm
Love it! I do detailed drawing so I could really relate to Escher. Life truly does imitate art. Great story!! I would like to welcome you to the FFfAW challenge! We are happy you have joined us. :)
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