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About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin’s drive to understand what makes people tick led to a career in clinical psychology. That same curiosity now powers her fiction.
A prize-winning short-story writer, she has published three novels and a short story collection with small independent press, Inspired Quill. Her debut novel, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize.
Away from her desk, Anne guides book-loving walkers through the Derbyshire landscape that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Subscribers to her newsletter can download a free e-book of award-winning short stories.

TELL ME MORE

No two people will read the exact same story

20/4/2022

8 Comments

 
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Although many of us read for relaxation, our brains are far from passive as we do so. We actively process the words on page or screen through the filter of our own experience. Because everyone is different, we won’t find identical meanings in the same text.

As an author, I’m delighted when a reader makes a personal connection with my fiction that shows they understand what I set out to say. However, it’s perhaps more rewarding when someone enjoys my story but interprets it in a way I didn’t intend.

That’s when a story feels most alive to me. It doesn’t belong to the author as something fixed and static. A fresh version is co-created between the writer and each individual reader.

Some stories lend themselves to multiple perspectives more than others. One of mine is currently on Marsha Ingrao’s blog and we would love to know what you make of it. The Power of Verticality is the interior monologue of someone receiving a visitor but the precise relationship between the two characters is open to interpretation.

Is one caring for the other and, if so, is there cruelty behind that care? Are they mother and daughter and, if so, who is being visited and who is free to leave?

My 99-word story this week is born out of three factors: the comments on the short story mentioned above; the latest development in the ever-evolving literary community established by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch and my forays into TikTok culture, where building on each other’s creativity is king. The prompt is never ending. Let me know what you think.
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Endless sparks of creativity

"I can't share it before it's published, they might pinch my idea."
"How could they? It’s like nicking your big toe."
"Exactly. They'd be taking part of me."
"You could wear your heavy boots so it’s harder to get at."
"Hah bloody hah."
"You're not really worried, are you? What use is your idea to someone else? Like your toe, once they took it, it would be dead."
"They could revive it, like Frankenstein's monster."
"Then it would be a different story. Filtered through their separate minds."
"So I should submit my flash fiction?"
"Of course. Creativity never ends."
 
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Click on the image to see what I’ve been up to on TikTok lately.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
8 Comments
Charli Mills
21/4/2022 05:35:27 pm

Anne, your treatment of grief in last week's challenge masterfully creates this very environment you speak of in literature -- a space open to interpretation beyond the creator's intention. This is why I love to discuss what we write and read. Literary art exists between writing, reading, and discourse. Great post!

Now I'm going to swap hats hats. Your marketing is noteworthy! When we talk about author persona and platform (brand and branding) it can feel uncomfortable to many in our industry, especially among writers. But you execute both so well with themes that connect to why you write and expressions that share a playful side, too. If I didn't know you, I'd come to your website thinking I do want to know you! It makes me willing to read your books, which is exactly what we want to encourage, right? I love your tik tok campaign and how you've turned it into engaging play without losing focus on your books and writing.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
22/4/2022 01:42:46 pm

All, thanks, Charli, but I didn't realise I'd got so carried away with TikTok I forgot to check the post – don't know why this week's 99-word story didn't show up first time.

And I always appreciate your marketing feedback. You being one of the first to convince me that branding for authors wasn't like being scorched by hot iron, your approval means a lot. I just wish I could tempt more people to my books.

Reply
Charli Mills
27/4/2022 09:21:17 pm

I did miss your flash but returned to comment on it. Last week I read an interview with one of the professors from my MFA program who confirms that everything has already been written, but that the patterns and details of each stories are endless. The flame is already been lit but each spark is new and different. Your flash is good encouragement to writers.

We continue to refine, "who reads our writing, why, where do they hang out and how can I reach them?" But you have down who you are as an author, what your write and why its worthy of reading.

Anne Goodwin
29/4/2022 06:56:42 pm

Thanks, Charli, and also for adding your wisdom to the comments on my story on Marsha's site. I see you're up next, look forward to that.

Norah Colvin
25/4/2022 11:23:57 am

Hi Anne,
I've been out of the loop this week due to a tussle with covid which took my ability to concentrate for any length of time. Hopefully, I'm begining to return to what's 'normal' for me.
Hence, I haven't seen your story at Marsha's but am looking forward to catching up sometime.
I also haven't viewed your TikTok videos - will do so as time permits (so much to catch up on!)
I didn't get to write a response to the never-ending prompt, but I think yours is brilliant. I love that no one can steal our ideas and that creativity is never ending. Those two things are important for us to hold on to. Well done!

Reply
Anne Goodwin
26/4/2022 07:57:35 am

Sorry you've had Covid, such a drag. I really wouldn't bother trying to catch up, just take care of yourself. Your recovery is paramount.
Glad you like the ff.

Reply
Norah Colvin
15/5/2022 12:27:07 pm

All better now. 🤞 Trying to catch up. :)

Anne Goodwin
15/5/2022 05:18:50 pm

Glad you're better.




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    GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4 GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4
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    The Best of Fiction on the Web The Best of Fiction on the Web
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    ratings: 3 (avg rating 4.67)

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