In my writing community, I’ve been “dinged” for not tying up loose ends. You did well, and it’s okay to encourage your readers to feel a bit uncomfortable...encourage them to engage their imagination in a world that’s almost always telling us what to think and how to feel.
I loved the story, Dascha! What a neat image to work with, too. My imagination is telling me that he has come home (born again, maybe - reincarnated?) to search for his lost lover. But he can only find the painting, which is the only lasting remnant of her. She, like him, was swallowed up by the river.
These types of stories are so much fun. I enjoy filling in the gaps/questions!
I loved this story! I don't think the contract with the reader is to tie up loose ends. I think the contract is to provide an emotionally satisfying ending. You definitely did that here! I love pondering loose ends in a story, but I don't like a lack of emotional closure.
Iceman
In my writing community, I’ve been “dinged” for not tying up loose ends. You did well, and it’s okay to encourage your readers to feel a bit uncomfortable...encourage them to engage their imagination in a world that’s almost always telling us what to think and how to feel.
This is wonderful! I love creating stories around him in my imagination so I like that no answers were given. Reader participation!
I loved the story, Dascha! What a neat image to work with, too. My imagination is telling me that he has come home (born again, maybe - reincarnated?) to search for his lost lover. But he can only find the painting, which is the only lasting remnant of her. She, like him, was swallowed up by the river.
These types of stories are so much fun. I enjoy filling in the gaps/questions!
I loved this story! I don't think the contract with the reader is to tie up loose ends. I think the contract is to provide an emotionally satisfying ending. You definitely did that here! I love pondering loose ends in a story, but I don't like a lack of emotional closure.
Lovely mystery, I like the new contract. It leaves room for the reader's imagination. No need to wrap this gift 🎁