Friday, June 1, 2012

Flash Fiction #23

I'm not losing steam, fellow Fictioneers, I've been rerouting my energies toward my schooling at University of Washington (I have a final today) and my novel - which I'm proud to say, I completed last night.  (Now...on to the editing and final smoothing...then the search for an agent/publisher.)  In the meantime, I could not resist Doug McIlroy's beautiful picture of Hawaii (Land that I love).  Aloha!


In the early days before the things that crept and crawled on its surface, before the things that soared in its heights and swam in its depths, before man was born to soil its beauty, The Earth knew only water.

Then, there was a rumble deep within its core and The Earth trembled.  A crack split its surface and glowing magma spewed forth.  The Earth healed this wound, but soon more broke open and grew higher into the sea. 
  
And Pele saw this and said it was good.  

But she did not rest, for there was much more to do.    
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22 comments:

  1. Scott HaysJune 1, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    She's still doing it, too! I especially like origin myths, particularly from a matrilineal perspective. UofW, huh! I was just up there to see a band I like very much at the Neptune Theater ... nice venue! If you have time, my stories (I couldn't help but write two this week ... must be the volcanos) can be found at http://scottcheck.blogspot.com/2012/06/desolation.html

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:13 PM

      Thanks, Scott. I'm glad you liked my tribute - I have this gorgeous print of Pele I keep meaning to frame. I should just do it...

      I've never been to the Neptune...we saw a show at The Paramount last fall - that is one beautiful place.

      ~Susan

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  2. Reading PleasureJune 1, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    The creation story finely told from a mythical point of view. Great take on the prompt. Well done. mine is here: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/fridayfictioneers-my-pilot/

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:26 PM

      Thank you for reading and commenting. I knew immediately what I would write about when I saw the picture. I'm off to read yours...

      ~Susan

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  3. BethJune 1, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    Very nice. I like the unisex name, Pele, and the fact that it's a woman. Nice, unique take on this prompt.

    Congrats on your novel, btw! I'm also in the final editing stages and will then be seeking an agent. We can wring our hands together.

    Mine is here: http://banterwithbeth.blogspot.com

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:36 PM

      Pele is the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes - I saw the photo and had to run with it.

      Congratulations to you too! I am pretty excited. I had the beginning, most of the middle, and the ending done for the longest time. I toyed with all kinds of ideas for the rest of the middle and finally hit on a winner and typed it up. (Keep me posted on yours...)

      ~Susan

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  4. Melania TolanJune 1, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    I'm a huge fan of Pele!!! Lovely retelling of the creation story. Congrats on finishing your novel. Best of luck on the smoothing/editing and finding an agent/editor.

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    1. Melania TolanJune 1, 2012 at 12:30 PM

      Opps, this is my first time doing Friday Fictioneers. Here's my story:

      http://nwfantasywriter.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-fictioners-ascent.html

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    2. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:38 PM

      Me too. I once hiked (well, actually a few times) onto the fresh lava flows. It's hard not to believe in the myth when you are actually out there, watching new land being created right in front of your eyes. Thanks for reading and commenting!

      ~Susan

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  5. Teacher of MenJune 1, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    I love this piece and the unique name for the creator: Pele (is that an Hawaii name for ultimate being?) . Funny that means sorry in my language here in Nigeria. Wishing the best at school and speed at your novel!

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:46 PM

      I'm glad to hear from you, William. Yes, Pele is a Hawaiian deity - the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Thank you for your kind words and wishes!

      ~Susan

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  6. Douglas MacIlroyJune 1, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Dear Susan,

    I still have chicken skin from reading your great, great, Great! story. So very cool for this kama'aina to read such a beautiful description of home. Doing my best to not soil it. Study hard and know you are missed.

    Aloha,

    Doug

    For fellow travelers - http://ironwoodwind.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/poliahu-at-dawn/

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:52 PM

      Dear Doug,

      My favorite memories of Hawai'i involve hiking across the barren craters on the Big Island (tore my pants open on a cinder cone in Kilauea Iki) and taking night treks to see the lava flows (come to think of it - I tore my pants and knee open on the lava there too. Ha).

      There is a raw beauty there like no other.

      ~Susan

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  7. AnonymousJune 1, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Nice story, love the that the creator is female, and we get foreshadowing of Man's destructive powers.
    Here's my flash for the week: http://moniqueshante.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/friday-fictioneers-relief-6-1-12week-2/

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 5:54 PM

      I had to throw in my dig at human beings - we are the most creative as well as the most destructive of all of God's creatures. Thank you for stopping by!

      ~Susan

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  8. KeliJune 1, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    I'm not too familiar with Hawaiian mythology. Is this based on the actual creation myth or is it your own creation. (I do know Pele is associated with fire and volcanoes.)

    Nicely done with some interesting emotional undertones. There seems to be much more going on under the surface of the story--appropriate for a piece prompted by a volcano.

    Hope the final went well, and congratulations on completing your novel!

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    1. Susan WenzelJune 1, 2012 at 6:04 PM

      Yes, it was loosely based on the legend of Pele. Technically, Māui is responsible for the creation of the Islands...but Pele makes the lava!

      I'm glad you stopped by and commented...I appreciate your kind words.

      ~Susan

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  9. RussellJune 2, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    I was not familiar with Pele, but learned more by reading the comments. This is a great take on the prompt. I always find it fascinating to read creation theories of the various peoples who inhabit our planet. Nicely done.

    thanks for reading & commenting on mine. Here's the link for others http://russellgayer.blogspot.com/

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  10. AMelodyPearsonJune 2, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    Nicely done. You have an interesting voice. See, I've never been near a volcano. Looking back at the photo, I can see now that it probably is, but it just didn't occur to me until I read your piece.

    Here's mine: http://melodypearson.com/june-1-2012-city-in-the-desert

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  11. UnknownJune 2, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    You made Pele a very busy girl. The Narrative tone you took with this only makes the story better. I like it. Here's my share: http://remakingme-atiyatownes.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-flash-fiction-start-day.html

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  12. UnknownJune 3, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Interesting read.

    My link: http://logo-ligi.com/2012/06/01/the-standpoint/

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  13. AnonymousJune 4, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    Creation is beautiful. Is Pele alone?

    Congratulations on finishing your novel!

    http://thebradleychronicles.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/flash-fiction-friday-an-addiction/

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