#microfiction

The flowering third stage, of the nine life cycle stages, of the Continane. As it floats through space it forms and reforms itself according to changes in climate that we don’t understand, sometimes classified as a plant and sometimes an animal. There is a theory that they do not die, forever changing into the next cycle, an infinite loop. But that begs the question, how did the loop begin? Anyway, it’s pretty, floating in the vastness of space, gently.

#scifi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

The flowering third stage, of the nine life cycle stages, of the Continane. As it floats through space it forms and reforms itself according to changes in climate that we don’t understand, sometimes classified as a plant and sometimes an animal. There is a theory that they do not die, forever changing into the next cycle, an infinite loop. But that begs the question, how did the loop begin? Anyway, it’s pretty, floating in the vastness of space, gently.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

Softly floating spaceship
in no hurry
six month get away from everything tour
from Exoplanet 83048 to Exoplanet 38574
catch up on your sleep
finish that to read pile
bring your cat

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

Softly floating spaceship

in no hurry

six month get away from everything tour

from Exoplanet 83048 to Exoplanet 38574

catch up on your sleep

finish that to read pile

bring your cat

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

The aliens attempted to arrest me with their transporter beam, but I nimbly grabbed a quick photo and jumped into the shadows to evade them. The aliens have their own version of ICE, because of course they do. Well, all I can say is you have to get up pretty early in the morning to snag me in an arrestor beam. Better luck next time, assholes.

#sunshine #microFiction #aliens #photography

Fireworks, in space.

Or:

a peek behind the scenes of big camera with flash photographs that could be in space. But are really on earth (sorry to destroy the illusion that I don’t actually have a space ship with time travel!) This is wandering through a nature reserve that was once a farm.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

Fireworks, in space.

Or:
a peek behind the scenes of big camera with flash photographs that could be in space. But are really on earth (sorry to destroy the illusion that I don’t actually have a space ship with time travel!) This is wandering through a nature reserve that was once a farm.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

It’s amazing what people will do. Here’s a photo of Exoplanet 13562. It looks like an edible Earth fruit. But really, it’s an exoplanet missing its atmosphere. No one knows why the air disappeared, but billions of litres of water is frozen under the blue crust. The planet is bizarrely covered with Lazurite and ancient canals are visible to the naked eye. Someone with a sense of humor, photoshopped this planet to look like a plum. Adding stem and leaves and a little nub in the end. I’m all for a joke, but it’s wrong to say a photograph is something it’s not. People who post a photo and then make up some some crazy Sci-Fi story to go along with it, should be thrown in the stocks and have rotten tomatoes tossed at them. Actually bananas, have bananas tossed at them. I like bananas. Bananas are good.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

It’s amazing what people will do. Here’s a photo of Exoplanet 13562. It looks like an edible Earth fruit. But really, it’s an exoplanet missing its atmosphere. No one knows why the air disappeared, but billions of litres of water is frozen under the blue crust. The planet is bizarrely covered with Lazurite and ancient canals are visible to the naked eye. Someone with a sense of humor, photoshopped this planet to look like a plum. Adding stem and leaves and a little nub in the end. I’m all for a joke, but it’s wrong to say a photograph is something it’s not. People who post a photo and then make up some some crazy Sci-Fi story to go along with it, should be thrown in the stocks and have rotten tomatoes tossed at them. Actually bananas, have bananas tossed at them. I like bananas. Bananas are good.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

Hi friends!

One of the things that’s incredibly satisfying about being a creative (even in an amateur’s capacity) is exploring other people’s worlds and finding out what they’re doing. A few months back, yours truly stumbled upon a new microfiction writing contest. Usually that’s enough to peak my interest and do some research, and what I found was a pretty unique take on the form.

For those not familiar, Whimsy is a monthly microfiction contest in which writers are given 300 words to write something a little less serious. Something a little more off the beaten path. Each edition comes with a unique theme and subtheme. The subtheme comes in the form of a “whim,” a guiding set of words and phrases to help establish a direction within the story. On top of that, the story must include a provided object that is unique to each person. However, entrants are given a week to finish their story.

The contest is product of one Timothy Hayes, who apparently came into the world of writing contests back during 2020. Hayes says on the contest’s website that “One of the ironies of writing contests is that lighthearted stories can have a hard time being taken seriously. Whimsy exists to change that, and to create a dedicated space for all those weird and wonderful stories to shine in their own right.” He and the team behind Whimsy cite a number of media as what they aim to achieve with the competition, including The Princess Bride, Everything Everywhere All at Once (a personal favorite), The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and What We Do in the Shadows among a number of other multimedia examples.

So, how’d it go for VS Virsus? Well, not good. Unlike others discussed on the blog, the Whimsy contests only have one round, so either someone wins or they don’t. A total of 10 people are highlighted at the end of it all (five winners and five runner-ups). The August contest had nearly 250 people, not exactly a big pool, but not small by any means. Writers last month had the theme “Happy Travels.” For my “whim,” I choose “This Wasn’t on the Itinerary,” and was required to include a stone tablet as my object. Needless to say, we didn’t make it.

However, that shouldn’t take away from how awesome a project this series truly is. It has strong, unique identity carved out for itself, and it was genuinely challenging not just to default to something more gritty and action-packed while thinking about the themes. Media that is quiet and contemplative, even joyful and fun, can be engaging, and its nice to see other authors taking up that mission. Despite not making it to the finals, I did wanna feature my story for those who are curious. There is also a chance It’ll get revised and rereleased later on. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

On a New Path, Somewhere Between Forest and City Emeria lived in routine, which is why she flew from Dublin to the other side of the world. Tokyo had called out many times before, but flights and travel cost money. Eventually, she found a job that afforded her comfort, enough days off to try biking and painting. Still, hobbies couldn’t scratch the itch of boredom at home.
The airport, and the area just outside, was busy. The fading sun of an early evening shone on suit-wearing salarymen walking almost in lockstep. She couldn’t help but snort in public.
She thought about all the tourist spots she had talked over with friends. Snacks from konbenis. A bullet train to Shibuya. Walking through parks in Nara. After finally making it, adventure pulled her into something else.
The somewhat lonely businesswoman started walking through back alleys. In them she found craftsmen sculpting pottery, clothing designers measuring angles, chefs making the same bowl of ramen over and over.
Eventually, alleyways led to outskirts. Bright lights and tall buildings faded into lush greenery. Stone paths continued to cover the forest floor. The scene felt like a gateway.
It must have been five minutes before stumbling upon a series of tiny homes. In one yard, an elderly man watered vegetable plants. The two locked eyes for a few seconds before the man bowed and continued his task.
On the other side of his house sat a headstone, upright in the ground. Characters she could not read carved into its face. Watered flowers sat inside a glass bottle next to it. They looked…alive.
The rest of the week looked exactly as Emeria had planned. All the spots she had dreamed of. On the flight home, she thought of noodles and hidden places with old men caring for the dead.Thanks for reading!

If you like what you’ve seen on this post and want to see more, well then I certainly won’t stop you from clicking around and checking out some other stuff I’ve written. Those who are looking for a good place to talk about anime, manga, and other nerdy things should check out Animated Observations, where I do exactly that. Those who feel inclined to support financially can do so on Kofi or Patreon down below.

Kofi

Patreon

http://animatedobservations.com

Thank you for these lovely people for their ongoing support on Patreon:

Travis

Jenn

Karena

Bye for now 😉

Every three years the Viatepastus people of Exoplanet 09648 build these towers to protect and care for their larvae. These towers, which can reach 30 meters tall, can hold thousands of larvae. This is a photo of an abandoned tower, as they are only used once. The Viatepastus people keep everyone away from the tower when occupied. Not because of a religious belief, or ancient ritual, or even a sense of privacy, but because when they hatch, they tend to swarm and eat everything in sight, including tourists.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

Every three years the Viatepastus people of Exoplanet 09648 build these towers to protect and care for their larvae. These towers, which can reach 30 meters tall, can hold thousands of larvae. This is a photo of an abandoned tower, as they are only used once. The Viatepastus people keep everyone away from the tower when occupied. Not because of a religious belief, or ancient ritual, or even a sense of privacy, but because when they hatch, they tend to swarm and eat everything in sight, including tourists.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

In the murky still waters of Exoplanet 62436 floats the Duocrus. Scientists are still studying this creature to find out exactly what it eats, how it reproduces and where it sleeps. But we know that the numerous spots in the centre are light sensitive and the legs interlock with other Duocrus to make massive floating colonies.

#scifi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

In the murky still waters of Exoplanet 62436 floats the Duocrus. Scientists are still studying this creature to find out exactly what it eats, how it reproduces and where it sleeps. But we know that the numerous spots in the centre are light sensitive and the legs interlock with other Duocrus to make massive floating colonies.

#scifi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

I’m waiting, patiently, to see what emerges out of these pods on Exoplanet 73525. One has already flown, so another must emerge soon. Here’s for not reading the travel book, not watching the videos, of having something as a surprise. To see something hatch, something emerge, something you have never seen before.

#scifi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

I’m waiting, patiently, to see what emerges out of these pods on Exoplanet 73525. One has already flown, so another must emerge soon. Here’s for not reading the travel book, not watching the videos, of having something as a surprise. To see something hatch, something emerge, something you have never seen before.

#scifi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

This plant is floating innocently through space. While it survives on minerals, it looks to be opening their jaws, with a little spark in the middle to lure in oblivious prey. But it’s all just this photograph, and the angle, and a trick of the light of the nearby sun. This is just a space plant, floating in vacuum, collecting dust to survive. No hidden monsters today.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

This plant is floating innocently through space. While it survives on minerals, it looks to be opening their jaws, with a little spark in the middle to lure in oblivious prey. But it’s all just this photograph, and the angle, and a trick of the light of the nearby sun. This is just a space plant, floating in vacuum, collecting dust to survive. No hidden monsters today.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

On Exoplanet 82546 the Blatteus Beetle builds their nest to imitate the local Blatteus Bird. (not the best naming convention, but there you go) The Blattus Bird is seriously territorial and aggressive, attacking all who come near. Because other birds avoid the area, the beetle can rear their eggs and pupa in relative nest peace. I love this part: the beetle even goes so far as collecting white sticks and smearing purple moss on the sticks to give them the distinctive purple beak colour of the bird. How did this beetle evolve to do this? it’s just amazing.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography

On Exoplanet 82546 the Blatteus Beetle builds their nest to imitate the local Blatteus Bird. (not the best naming convention, but there you go) The Blattus Bird is seriously territorial and aggressive, attacking all who come near. Because other birds avoid the area, the beetle can rear their eggs and pupa in relative nest peace. I love this part: the beetle even goes so far as collecting white sticks and smearing purple moss on the sticks to give them the distinctive purple beak colour of the bird. How did this beetle evolve to do this? it’s just amazing.

#scifi #sci-fi #exoplanet #MicroFiction #bloomscrolling #nature #photography