STORY INFO
Near and Far
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Author
Laurel Hanson
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Categories
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Danh mục
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Update
1 year ago
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Part Chapter
1/??
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Reads
67
Content
A bagful of popcorn kernels, three ripe tomatoes, three wire coat hangers, and six marbles. That’s all it’s going to take for me to be able to see without glasses. I am super nearsighted and have to wear these really thick glasses that I hate. I’ve been wearing them since I was eight and thought the bright pink frames were awesome. But now I’m eleven and they are not even remotely awesome. My folks can’t afford new frames, or better yet, contacts, so I have to take this chance.I know it is completely ridiculous, but...
Outstanding reviews
Loved this story! Personally, getting my good eyesight back would be amazing, and the fantastical creatures would just be a bonus. Very well written. Liked it a lot.
Thank-you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.
Love your story, Laurel. Very well written! I was drawn in, almost without knowing…. Alice in Wonderland revisited 😁
Thank-you!
I really hope I run into that caterpillar one day. I'd be okay with seeing fairies and gremlins in exchange for sight!Awesome story Laurel!
Me too! Thanks for reading!
Hey Laurel,This one was a delightful take on the prompt as a long time glasses wearer, as well as a lover of a good book, I think I’d be happy to have some crazy sight abilities in exchange for a gross moment with a bug. I liked this premise and admired how you crafted it. It was a playful, well deserved shortlist!
Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it and I hopefully didn't offend any glasses-wearers!
Loved, loved, loved this story. Good read!
Thank-you so much!
The dialogue in this really popped for me, Laurel. I could hear it all clearly, and loved reading something so much humor. Good job.
Thanks!
Good job! The final sentence is hilarious. The caterpillar made her eyesight worst.
Thank-you!
Congratulations, and well deserved, Laurel. -:)RG
Thank-you!
Oh this was thoroughly entertaining! Each new turn was entirely unpredictable and whimsical and it kept my attention the entire time. I think the detail of the mouse in the prom dress was my favorite. This whole thing was just so much fun and I really enjoyed it. Congrats on the shortlist!
Thank-you!
Laurel, I loved this story. It was so childlike and fantastic characters. I loved that once she could see clearly that she saw so much that was dream like. The caterpillar alien was wonderful. Thanks for transporting me into a Alice In Wonderland fantasy. 😍 See you soon.
Much obliged sir! I'll report in 10 minutes early as requested! Cheers.
We definitely needed more than one winner in this contest! Congrats on the shortlist but it is tops with me. Haven't even got the rest of them read yet.
I'm working my way through them. It's a strong crop so I feel pretty honored to be included. Thanks for the comment!
I see some stories have already been posted for the contest that has just been announced. How? How? Can that be done???
I do not know!! I have wondered that and not had the nerve to ask any of the early posters, but there is not way I could dash anything off. It takes days to even get an idea! Glad I'm not the only one wondering how that works.
But you always come up with amazing ideas!
Each week when the prompt comes out, I think there is no way I can do it. For at least a day, absolutely nothing comes to mind. Then suddenly, I have a "maybe that would work" idea. The whole reason I joined reedsy was because I needed a kick in the pants, and this helped. It was like a homework assignment I am embarrassed to admit. I'm glad I did. It's fun. A fun homework assignment.
Fantamazinspectawestounderfunderoustunnerific, Laurel! This has truly been a week of imagination run wild - and yours is the kind of imagination I could read and read and never want to run out. Oops, now is that sort of the lesson you were shining a light on here just now? Something kind of like careful what you wish for? Nah! I must be imagining things. You write it, I'll read it. (And I'll tell everybody and doubt I'll ever wring your neck.) :D
Aww...you are very kind. And you are also right: there has been a lot of fun stuff to read this week. I am slowly making my way through as many stories as I can, but I know when the winners and shortlisters are announced, there will be a bunch more great stories.
I agree! I want to read them all but, alas, once again work simply interferes with everything! I'm just glad it didn't keep me from the little farmer girl and the caterpillar. I'm still thinking about it - so well done, Laurel!
Laurel, I am so gratified to see this story recognized. I adored it from the start and it is a worthy win. You have something so special here and that's the way I saw it, too! Congratulations and celebrate this - I certainly do and all I did was read it! So happy!
Thank you! Coming from a writer such as yourself, that means a lot.
WOW! This story brings a whole new meaning to the words imagination and creativity! I was bowled over. -:)So well done!RG
Thank-you!
Thank-you!
Oh my word! Thank-you for the super kind feedback.
Laurel, this is a spell-binding, brilliant piece of writing. Generally, I’m not into fantasy, but this? This blew me away. I was mesmerized by the characters, their remarkable banter and punny, funny dialogue. So loved that!Only one thing jarred me. It was that old buggaboo of word usage i.e. lie vs. lay, in this sentence:“I find the caterpillar laying by the burdock with what looks like puke puddled up on the ground next to it.”You need that caterpiller “lying by the burdock…”But that’s it. Clever as all get out and SO enjoyable!
Thank-you so much and an extra thanks for pointing out the buggaboo! I will fix it on my copy, but too late for reedsy. Really glad you enjoyed it.
Glad to help 😀
Glad to help 😀
WoW! Thank-you for these kind words. I appreciate your feedback and certainly have enjoyed the weekly challenges from reedsy that prompt me into new territories like kid lit.
Congrats on the shortlist Laurel! Well-earned this week. Beautifully done.
Thank-you!
This is such a cute and charming story. The voice is pitch perfect and the interaction between the little girl and the caterpillar is filled with suspense and fun. The twist in the end, oh it is so visually powerful. This story made me want to be a kid again. A great read, Laurel!
Thanks for the feedback!
Laurel, that was a great read! I laughed so hard at the end. Both your main character and the funny caterpillar are very lovable and intriguing. The dialogue was excellent! Really great stuff!
Thank-you.
Great job here--very authentic 11 year-old narrator🤗
Great job here--very authentic 11 year-old narrator🤗
Thank-you for the feedback. I love the "meta-fairytale" phrasing to describe a style I am very much I am leaning into.
Congratulations on the shortlist!
Thank-you!
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