20 Comments
User's avatar
Will Boucher's avatar

such power, beauty, and violence in this little flash. Beautiful work!

Expand full comment
Hassania's avatar

do you want me to cry? is that what you want? because im crying rn 😭 thanks a million literary genius Will Boucher!!!

Expand full comment
Will Boucher's avatar

yup, I only comment to make people cry lol seriously, loved it :)

Expand full comment
Vladimir Ivanov's avatar

Beautifully written!

Expand full comment
Hassania's avatar

I appreciate it! Thank you for taking the time to read it 🥹

Expand full comment
Oscar Ruto Chemelil's avatar

…and it was his house…

That’s beautiful

Expand full comment
Hassania's avatar

Thank you so much, Oscar. Looking forward to reading your stories and telling you what I think😁

Expand full comment
ARC's avatar

Excited to check this out! I gotta listen and read your stories!

Expand full comment
Hassania's avatar

Yay! Can’t wait!

Expand full comment
ARC's avatar

I enjoyed this story. Very powerful and evocative. I love that it managed to create a dynamic main character while also keeping the poetic flow and passion to the story.

Expand full comment
Glenn Brigaldino's avatar

... a little unsettling, but I hope it is not autobiographical ....

Expand full comment
ARC's avatar

This is kinda inappropriate in a way. Let writers write fiction and leave it at that.

Expand full comment
Glenn Brigaldino's avatar

It seems rather more inappropriate to be presumptuous and want to speak for someone else. If the writer has anything to remark or respond to regarding the comment, I trust the author can and will do so, no spokesperson needed

Expand full comment
ARC's avatar

Oh my point wasn't for this writer, but all writers period. You should not place a writer inside a story, for whatever reason you seek, even if its for the sake of empathy. Its disrespecting the intent the author said when they called the work fiction. So no matter what this writer thinks, that rule is one you should follow going forward if you want to respect writers. That is my opinion. I am so intelligent and talented at writing to call me presumptuous is an understatement. I am the spokesperson for all of fiction, sucka. You better study up.

Expand full comment
Glenn Brigaldino's avatar

Seems you are not interested in what the writer thinks. Maybe ask the writer.

Expand full comment
ARC's avatar

We are off subject. Great work. I'm glad it impacted you.

Expand full comment
Hassania's avatar

Hi! I let this one rest a bit before replying. Thank you, Glenn. I really appreciate your comment and taking the time to read my story and to give feedback. I see where you’re coming from, and I know your intentions are good, so I wouldn’t question them. However, I agree with Andrew that it can be detrimental to works of fiction to interpret them through a reality/biography/autobiography lens. I’d say (in my opinion) every writer undeniably pours a part of themselves into any story they write, and that’s fine. On the other hand, if it were autobiographical, it might be hurtful to say that to someone whose reality is actually like that. But don’t worry, you didn’t hurt my feelings. What did actually hurt my feelings, though: this is a precious space for exchange and sharing. You’re both talented and skilled writers, and I hate seeing this tension between you. I think we can all agree that none of us want to see Substack turn into just another trashy social media platform 😭😭😭

Expand full comment
Mathieu's avatar

Amazing ! This is your best work yet 👏

Expand full comment