Schäfer's Round Up

I've wanted to do this for a while. It seemed a bit pointless when my stats were in my shoes. It would be a nice gesture, I guess, but not much of a leg up, from a practical point of view.

I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and share with you a few pieces that stood out to me, with a particular focus on highlighting some bits and bobs that (in my opinion) didn't get the recognition they deserved.

I don't know how many pieces I'll shout out to, or how often I'll do it. Maybe I'll never do this again. Or maybe weekly - isn't that how these things go?

If a piece has already had plenty of eyeballs on it, I might skip it. If it already won a challenge or got Top Story, maybe it doesn't need another shout out (even if it does deserve it).

Just like with recipes, I like a minimal amount of waffle before jumping into it 😁

Here we go:

I stumbled on Are You a Good Citizen by Ian Read a little while ago.

Why I think you should read it

It's brilliant spot of dystopian fiction. I love the mantras! If you like Handmaid's Tale, or 1984, this could be right up your alley.

Stand out line

Hard to pick, but this one stuck with me:

Good citizens ask no questions.

+++

Next up, His Mother's Portrait by Christopher Donovan.

Why you should read it: It gave me chills in a Black Mirror/Jurassic Park "I can actually sort of see this really happening" kind of way. I also quite like his character's thoughts on skiing, and I fully agree.

Stand out line:

if walls could talk, it's a very good idea if they don't sound like your mother

+++

A Letter From the End of the World - another bit of dystopian fiction, this one from lucyjb. Can you believe, when I stumbled on this one, there were no likes or comments or insights on it at all.

Why you should read it: It's beautifully written and thought provoking. I especially like the character's musings on death and belief.

Stand out line:

even in the face of their own doom, humanity would not believe it until it happened. Some would call that foolish, and it is, but those who believe before they see are fools, too, and there are no in-betweens. One either believes or they don't, and that makes us all fools in the end.

+++

And diverging from the dystopian theme a little, The Writing Circle by Hannah Moore. Some writing about writing - why we write, and who for, and its value. I was convinced this one would get a Top Story. Convinced!

Why I think you should read it:

Because it will resonate with you. Multiple lines will jump off the page at you and you'll find yourself going, yes, me too!

Stand out line

We yearn to express. Perhaps driven by an ever-present consciousness of our own aloneness, we are frantic and perpetual in offering some piece of ourselves to someone else, in taking in the pieces offered by others.

+++

And last up - this beautifully written bit of short fiction from Teresa Renton, "The Gingerbread Baker".

Why I think you should read it

It's well written, with voluptuous descriptions of food, and just the right amount of creepy.

Stand out line

He tasted, he ate, and discovered he liked the taste of these juices and the salty sweat of imperfection.

+++++++

Thank you for reading! I hope this inspired you to check out some of the stories listed. Go and give them some love.