23 Comments
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Dascha Paylor 🇨🇦🍁🐻‍❄'s avatar

Justin, this is the best piece I've read by you, and one of the stories I've most enjoyed from any writer on Substack. 💖

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Justin Deming's avatar

Wow, Dascha! You have no idea how much that means to me, especially coming from you! Thank you so much. You made my day. 😀

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Dascha Paylor 🇨🇦🍁🐻‍❄'s avatar

🙂

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

That is what I like best about flash fiction. You give us the clear setting, the character, the conflict - the beginning, the middle and a step toward the end. Then you engage the readers to fulfill or complete it in their own heads. I love the part left unsaid, both as a reader and a writer.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Yes, same here! I think that’s what originally drew me into the genre.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Sometimes it really IS impossible to go home again. Travel changes us. A lot more is said in this story than what appears on the page.

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Justin Deming's avatar

It really does. Thanks, Sharron. To me this was a “tip of the iceberg” story with a whole lot underneath the surface left unsaid.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Nice. It sounds like she found out what is.really important in life.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks, Mark. I think so, too!

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Jenise Cook's avatar

My epiphany occurred during my senior year of high school. I was in the school library looking for books for my Spanish class. I found information on Spain, and studying abroad for a year. It hooked me in, I worked all through college to save up money, and I received an educational loan. Long story short, I spent one academic year at the university in Madrid, and it changed my life forever in so many good ways!

Love your story, Justin, and I so identified with your FMC. When I came back to the US after 14 months in Spain, I wanted to turn around and go right back to Madrid. ;-)

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Justin Deming's avatar

Wow, that really does sound life-changing! What an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing, Jenise. And thanks for your kind words regarding my story. I really appreciate it! 😀

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

What a beautiful story and very descriptive for a short fiction piece. Well done, Justin!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, Brian! I really appreciate it.

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Joy McCarron's avatar

Enjoyed though short was light easy reading. Thank you

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks for the kind words and for reading, Joy!

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Kim Smyth's avatar

Great story! Yes, the realization that the only way for me to grow up and get my independence was to join the service.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks, Kim. I have no doubt that’s something you’ll always remember!

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wallobooks.org's avatar

Hi Justin,

This one captured my attention. Really well written.

We work with children in adversity, giving them access to magical storybooks to help them connect with the world. Our storybooks print on a single sheet of paper. We would love to collaborate with you and publish your story in our tiny little book.

It will be great to hear from you! You can reach me out at swastika@wallobooks.org

Keep writing! Keep inspiring.

Regards, Swastika.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Swastika,

Yes, definitely! I would love to! I will reach out to you later today. Thank you so much for contacting me and for the kind words. You made my day! 😊

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Jason McBride's avatar

I love the theme of leaving the place where we belong and do our best work only to realize we have to go back. It’s an interesting twist on the hero’s journey

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks so much, Jason. It was one of those pieces that unraveled as I went. I’m happy you enjoyed it!

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Bill Adler's avatar

This is a beautiful and evocative story. I enjoyed it.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, Bill. I’m happy you enjoyed Nights in Uganda.

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