Justin’s Comments (group member since Mar 13, 2016)

Justin’s comments from the Science Fiction Microstory Contest group.

Andy wrote: "Story posted now.

Some background music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga8yo..."

Andy! I love how you combined religion and sci-fi! Great story!

Chris wrote: "Justin,

It's always nice to have more stories to read! Every month, this group turns out some of the best and I look forward to reading yours. Its definitely load of fun! Welcome to the club!"

Thanks Chris! Much appreciated!

Paula wrote: "Thank you, Justin.
And I agree with Heather's characterization, here, of the group as a wide and variegated beach and pool, all open to you to explore and try and learn in from the rest.
Also, qui..."

Heather and Paula,

I agree completely. I entered this month just for the challenge of writing a short story with the designated themes. I really like the sci-fi compendiums of Clarke and Asimov and want to build up a collection of my own to create something similar. I love the golden age of sci-fi from the 40's and 50's where computers were all giant mainframes called MULTIVAC and everything revolved around nuclear power. (A huge generalization I know) Their stories are futuristic without bogging down in the technical details of how things work and let characters drive the story. What impresses me about everyone's work in this set is that they all feel very esoteric/stream-of-consciousness in their construction. And I mean that as a compliment to everyone because it is such a very different style than I am used to.

Paula wrote: "Wow, well you're on a roll, Jack.
And I keep hearing 'She's like a rainboww".
Ah well, and Jeremy, those Belarus ancestors indeed."

Paula and everyone, your stories make me feel like I have stepped into a pool that is waaaay too deep for me. Love your story Paula!

Jeremy wrote: "Mine's also up.

In case anyone is wondering if I left out one of the requirements, "Belarus" literally means "White Russia".

Time frame is roughly late tenth century. Berestye is modern-day Brest."

Very good Jeremy! I like it!

John wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hi all,

I'm new to posting stories in the monthly competition, but I've watched from the sidelines and finally decided to jump in. What a great challenge to write an interesting sto..."

Thank you John, I really appreciate it! I am amazed at the wide variety of stories for this month. The ideas are so different and everyone's writing is so unique. Really great work from everyone. I'm just happy to be here!

Paula wrote: "Brilliant story, JJ--I love it.
And 14 rabbits as well to everyone else's stories this month, so far anyhow.
Richard, I've seen you write very subtly sometimes--no saying otherwise!
Justin, welcom..."

Thank you Paula, much appreciated!

Richard wrote: "JJ- your piece is as always fascinating- but so far over my head that I've not a noggin'- I'm sure if I could find the key then the penny would drop- but you'll have to give me a bloody huge clue. ..."

I agree! The other stories are fascinating, but they're on a whole other plane of writing than me!

Richard wrote: "JJ- your piece is as always fascinating- but so far over my head that I've not a noggin'- I'm sure if I could find the key then the penny would drop- but you'll have to give me a bloody huge clue. ..."

Thank you Richard. Much appreciated! Oddly enough, I wrote it in the waiting room of a hospital while my spouse was having surgery (she's okay!). I'd had it kicking around in the back of my mind and figured I should put it out there.

Thank you Heather!

I did a guest blog on a site some time ago where I basically covered the same question and I am also on LinkedIn.

As I put my books and stories out there (you may have noticed I've self-published two short sci-fi books on Amazon), I continually have to remind myself that I'm writing because I enjoy it. Yes, I would like to earn extra income from my work, but if that's my main goal, I think I would just end up frustrated and disillusioned if I did not start raking in the millions.

I've seen several recent examples of an author's first book get picked up (like "The Martian) and skyrocket to success, but those are the exceptions and not the rule. I don't have a lot of time to do promotions, so I do what I can and work on expanding my stable of written work.

Probably went on too long here, but there it is. I'll be watching this more often and hopefully contributing more as well.

Best,

Justin

Jeremy wrote: "Welcome!"

Thank you very much!

Hi all,

I'm new to posting stories in the monthly competition, but I've watched from the sidelines and finally decided to jump in. What a great challenge to write an interesting story in 750 words or less. So far I find the other entries fascinating. Nicely done!

Best,

Justin

The Disappearing

I can’t say for sure when I began. All I know is that I wasn’t, and then I was. After receiving the mantel of consciousness, I joined the conclave and entered into the fullness of its shared knowledge. That’s when I first learned about the disappearances. I was young and eager to help, so I joined the special council tasked with solving this insidious problem that was claiming the lives of our conclave with alarming regularity. Time was of the essence. Even the council was not immune from its effects, and I wondered if the time with my new colleagues would be short-lived.

The support of the entire conclave around us was a supreme encouragement as we bent our collective minds to the task. Although we were each separated physically by what appeared to me as a gossamer veil of white, we were one in spirit. It is impossible to explain the sharing and intimacy within the massed experiences and infinite personalities endemic to this roaring stream of consciousness. The very foundations of the universe were laid bare before us, but the simpler concepts of taste, touch and especially smell eluded us all.

Despite our vast knowledge and concerted mental exertions, the answer to the disappearances remained beyond our grasp. Yet through our investigations we had managed to determine some of the precursors to this unsettling assault upon the conclave. Certain symptoms would manifest themselves upon the unfortunate souls each time with nearly mathematical precision.

What we observed was that each victim would begin complaining about “voices” or “sounds” from outside themselves. These were somehow outside of our collective consciousness, yet able to be projected into the victim’s mind. We knew in actuality this to be absurd, since there was nothing beyond the gossamer veil of white surrounding each of us. This fact is important to understand because the second, more distressing symptom we witnessed, completely upended what we knew about the universe on its head.

Those who heard the “voices” began experiencing a sense of diminishing physical space. Accounts of loved ones literally being crushed before they disappeared were ubiquitous and horrifying. This was extremely unsettling since almost our entire existence in the conclave was comprised of unity within the collective consciousness. The physical realm was unimportant and immaterial. We were fed and protected, nothing else mattered.

Time passed swiftly and the conclave pressured our special council to complete our investigation and provide it with desperately needed answers. We had experienced setbacks though, since nearly half of our council had disappeared and needed replacing. Although all our thoughts were shared, not all of them were preeminent in all minds at all times, and new council members had to be brought up to speed.

And then it happened.

I was analyzing the most recent batch of disappearances when I heard it. A sound, distant but distinct. My colleagues sensed my distress and asked me if anything was wrong. I was afraid to tell them the truth, so I projected resolute confidence and returned to my analysis. Secretly I began documenting my own impeding demise. If I was going to disappear, perhaps I could leave something for the next council member who took my place.

As I withdrew within myself, I had the distinct feeling of the space around me beginning to constrict. The gentle white veil drew closer to me while changing to an angry color I had never seen before in my life. Then an intense shock severed my connection to the conclave. I screamed for help and I managed to briefly reconnect with the council. I was scared, but there was nothing they could do for me. I quickly sent them all of my research before another shock broke our connection forever.

I felt as if the cord that tethered me to my very existence was straining to the breaking point. What would happen to me if the unthinkable occurred? Almost abstractly I noticed my consciousness was beginning to contract as well. The secrets and knowledge of the universe slipped between my mental fingers faster than I could remember it. What was my name? All I knew now was pressure and darkness and alien sounds I could not understand.

And then…and then!!

Darkness became light!

Warmth gave way to cold…then soothing warmth again…

A touch! A smell!

Mother!

(750 words in story) Justin Sewall © 2016

Fantastic story! I loved it!

Best,

Justin Sewall