18 Comments
User's avatar
Meg Oolders's avatar

I love a good waking up shirtless story. And a good one-word title. And phrases like "thrumming like thrash metal."

Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you my friend!

Rolando Andrade's avatar

Love this micro fiction Justin. I identify a lot with your writing style, wich is very close to my writing style. Thanks for being here.

Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks so much for the kind words, Rolando! I’ll have to read some of your stories!

Rolando Andrade's avatar

I am hoping for it Justin.

Justin Deming's avatar

Any suggestions on where I should start?

Rolando Andrade's avatar

I'm writing in my substack "Outside de therapy room" since August. I usually publsh on Mondays. I have 2 kinds of publications

1. Short fiction stories

stories

2. A.secrion called inspirational words. In this one, I choose a word that inspires me and write freely from this starting point.

Since the world is facing some wars, i suggest you start with "Violins against war Machines"

https://open.substack.com/pub/rolandoandrade/p/violins-against-war-machines?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=20ov80

Mark Starlin's avatar

So much left to the imagination. I have a feeling he wasn't long for this world.

Bravo, Count Deming.

Justin Deming's avatar

I agree, Mark. And thanks so much! (Also, no one has ever called me that, mua ha ha!)

andrea tackach's avatar

First of all, congratulations, Justin, on having your story win the Lunar Award! It certainly is a well deserved honor. That story is fantastic!! This story is a scary one. Malaki seems a little crazed, if not a lot crazed!!! But who knows where he has just been and what he has just gone through..... Nice job!! Happy Halloween!!

Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Andrea! I was really excited to hear the news about the short story. And I agree with you! Malaki seems quite crazed to me, but I’m sure others might interpret his character differently. Thanks so much for reading! 😀

Sharron Bassano's avatar

Deliciously scary. Justin Deming has left us with so many questions: Who was Malaki? What had he done? Who was chasing him? How did he lose his shirt? Why was the house on fire? Why did he surrender? This perfect story confirms for us that writers don't need to have all the details. Readers have their own.

Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, Sharron! I was hoping there weren’t too many gaps to fill/unanswered questions, so I really appreciate your take on the story and overall reassurance! 😀

Feasts and Fables's avatar

Wow, atmospheric stuff!

Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks so much, Barrie!

Jason McBride's avatar

Great micro horror!

Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Jason!