10 Comments
User's avatar
Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Love that his conflict is not being blind, but being moved like a pawn, which leads into learning chess. Brilliant choice!

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you for the kind words, Brian. I’m happy you pointed this out because it was an important piece (no pun intended) of the story for me while writing it!

Expand full comment
Mark Dykeman's avatar

Hi Justin, just a short comment. I've noticed with a few of your short fiction pieces that when you introduce the protagonist by name you make a point of including first and last name. Is that a conscious choice to help quickly establish their identity?

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks for the comment, Mark. Yep, that’s exactly it. It is a conscious decision...sometimes I spend a few minutes figuring out the character’s name! (Most of the other story details don’t take that long, ha.)

Names are so important for me because they can tell so much about a person or a character. Sometimes when I envision the character they look a certain way, and in selecting their names I want to make sure they are depicted as closely as possible to how I’m seeing them in my mind.

Expand full comment
Jenise Cook's avatar

Absolutely love the ending, Justin! Love the positive force of this story...a wonderful respite from reading the news.

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Jenise. That makes me happy to hear you say that!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

GO BENNY! I love the strength of this kid. He is NOT an underdog. Nice work, Justin.

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, Sharron! He is a very strong character indeed! 💪 😀

Expand full comment
Kim Smyth's avatar

Heartwarming, Justin 🤗

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Kim! 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Expand full comment