A magical necklace that strangles whoever betrays its owner. A plum wine shared between a Japanese ghost and an American exchange student. A stalker who paints portraits of the love he can never see. Eight miniature science fiction and fantasy stories capture moments of love, loss, and choice that shape the characters and the world they live in. Perfect for those who want a daub of inspiration and a spatter of philosophy to brighten their day.
|
How Did Captured in Color Come About?
Six years ago, I moved to Brea, in order start the next stage of my life. Although I’d been writing for over eight years, I still didn’t feel very confident in myself. Was I any good? Would anyone want my writing? I’d never been published. Part of the problem was that I only wrote novels. Was I capable of writing short stories? Every time I tried, I seemed to get lost in a tangle of words.
Then I discovered something called flash fiction, fully formed stories that clocked in at under 1500 words or about 10 pages. Publishers seemed interested in this new form of writing, but could I do it? I sat down and tried it. To my astonishment, not only did I discover that I could write flash fiction, I even got them published. Two of my stories appeared in Ether, two in Daily Science Fiction.
Now I’m starting a different stage of my life, as a published novelist, moving to North Carolina. But before I began this new journey, I wanted to share with you the stories that helped give me the confidence to be a writer. These eight polished tales contain unique worlds, charming characters, and interesting ideas, while also capturing the moods and struggles I faced as a growing writer.
What Makes Flash Fiction So Awesome?
I’ve never been good at writing poetry, but I have an appreciation for it. What makes poetry so extraordinary is the way it vividly captures an experience--be it an emotion, a memory, or an image--with as few words as possible. Brevity doesn’t hinder the intensity of the words; instead, like a magnifying glass to a sunbeam, it concentrates their power. This collection of short stories is my own version of poetry. They are all short, only a few pages each, yet I find they are able to express feeling all the better for their briefness.
I wrote these stories in my late twenties and early thirties as a way to deal with the ups and downs of living a dream when you’re young, broke, and don’t know what you’re doing. They’re filtered through the lens of speculative fiction: a bad day leads to a deal with the devil, a root canal has me contemplating immortality. Fantasy and science fiction allow me to see worlds of possibilities, and in those possibilities, root out core truths.
Who Should Buy It?
This book is good for anyone who may not have much time on their hands, but still enjoys fully-formed stories packed with twists and turns, pretty writing, and food for thought. Although there isn’t material unsuitable for kids, thematically these stories are geared more for high school students and adults.
I wanted to sell Captured in Color at the cheapest price I could, so that as many people as possible can sample my writing and see if it's something they enjoy. This book is perfect to throw into a gift basket or to bring to a cafe to read while you drink a cup of coffee. One notable thing I added in the back of the book is a brief description of how I got the ideas for my stories. This can provide insight for new writers, who may be looking for ways to get inspired for their own stories.
How Can I Buy It?
Right now Captured in Color is available in a digital format at Amazon Kindle for 99 cents. The paperback version, which cost $6.00, is also available. In addition, I have a few hard copies I carry in my purse, so if you see me, I’ll be happy to sell you a signed copy.
How Can I Sample the Stories?
Amazon has features that allow you to sample the book on Kindle or look through the pages on the website. In addition, you can read the first two stories on my website. "The Necklace of DuChelle" is a tale of passion, betrayal, and a magic strangling necklace. "Second Chance" asks about the price of following your dream and the high cost of a do-over.
Vivid Fable Presents: Stories from captured in Color
A good friend of mine, Denton Lim (a talented voice actor and film-maker) has created YouTube videos of stories from Captured in Color under his "Vivid Fable" Banner.
In "Bad Days--We Buy 'Em, We Sell 'Em, Good Prices All" a hobgoblin advises his son on the best ways to make deals off human misery. In "Second Chance" a man on the verge of losing everything receives an offer from a mysterious stranger.
You can view the video below or click on the button to watch it on YouTube. Please give Denton a like, subscribe, or comment.
In "Bad Days--We Buy 'Em, We Sell 'Em, Good Prices All" a hobgoblin advises his son on the best ways to make deals off human misery. In "Second Chance" a man on the verge of losing everything receives an offer from a mysterious stranger.
You can view the video below or click on the button to watch it on YouTube. Please give Denton a like, subscribe, or comment.