Nicely done! I love the way you conveyed her mental state. It feels real, and scary. If I hadn’t chatted with you yesterday about your social media addiction, I would’ve had no clue that’s where it was going.
Ha! Funny thing is, I'm BARELY on social media. Just Substack and Instagram and of the two - sadly - Substack's social component is more of a time/soul/attention suck for me. I only go on Instagram to laugh or cry(happily), both of which I consider good uses of my time. And I only post about my Substack over there. Or hock memes at my siblings for fun.
Your story sucked me in all the way up to the word "tablet". What a nightmare. " Deep, driving, dark, debilitating hunger. It’s been too long. Too many days, hours, minutes without.... I remember when Substack promised it wasn't social media.... Share this post on social media. 😉" Ha ha ha!
Good luck keeping your distance from the social media ego-boost of Substack. It was killing me until I reined it in. Whew! Not a moment too soon.
Honestly, it took a few days of being annoyed I couldn't play Substack on my phone, but I'm already adjusting to it not being there and have stopped trying to force it open through sheer will and index finger stamina. 😂😂
Love your storytelling, Meg. I’m inching towards trying something longer. I have a couple of drafts started but keep chickening out with the 100s (did a little 500-worder yesterday). But I must push on and try something full length. Yours are excellent.
Thank you. This one just made it over 1000 words, which for me is SHORT! 😂
Why not try linking two 500s together or ten 100s? If each is a variation on a common theme you might just have a full-length short story on your hands by the end. 🙂
I’ve done a couple of longer (for me) stories. I can do it, I just panic and do shorter ones. The big challenge is to wrestle my 76,000 word manuscript into a second draft this winter! Aargh!
Speaking from experience, it is sometimes almost impossible to share one's warmth with someone like this mother who can't receive it, which often is not of their own doing at that particular moment. You showed this very well.
The picture at the start of the story and the initial set up made me think that we were going to get a vampire story and then, at the end, it was confirmed. But instead of blood, the mum needs social media to survive. Brilliantly done 👍🏼
“Remember when Substack promised it wasn’t social media? That was a fun day.” Damn, this hits almost harder than the story itself. Thank you for writing this, Meg. I know it was meant in part as a sort of satire, but I have to congratulate you for how well you captured the mindset of an addict. I have battled with a form of addiction myself, and I can tell you from experience that this is exactly the way it fucks with your capacity for reasoned choice.
Thank you for this comment, Andrei. In an earlier draft, I used a bit more "addict" language, but decided to omit it because I didn't want to make light of substance abuse or similar addictions by comparing them to social media addiction. But I CAN attest to the insane level of distractibility this mother experiences while going about her daily tasks. That's first-hand. The part where she escapes to a trailer to scroll through Instagram reels is make believe. Thankfully, I didn't reach that low point before I put the brakes on for myself. 😂
I’m going to return & comment .. after I read the current comments .. I’m known to see a new post - give it a ‘like’ & retweet or restack on trust alone - in this moment I read attentively.. so will return.. wildass stuff 🦎🏴☠️
.. My 1st impression remains rock solid.. current perception just more enhanced - great comments.. I love the ending.. it’s the way it happens.. wildass stuff ! 🦎🏴☠️
Late to the party, but here I am because I Missed You, Meg. Quick story note: I’m so glad you got specific at the end with the reveal of what was distracting mom. Because while it was ambiguous, I’m sure you can imagine what I imagined got mom drinking dishwater.
Every dealer's named Mike.
I think his picture is next to the term "your boy" in the White Person's Urban Dictionary. 😉
Smashing hearts!❤️
Clinking glasses! 🥂
Good one. Tense.
Thank you!
Nicely done! I love the way you conveyed her mental state. It feels real, and scary. If I hadn’t chatted with you yesterday about your social media addiction, I would’ve had no clue that’s where it was going.
Ha! Funny thing is, I'm BARELY on social media. Just Substack and Instagram and of the two - sadly - Substack's social component is more of a time/soul/attention suck for me. I only go on Instagram to laugh or cry(happily), both of which I consider good uses of my time. And I only post about my Substack over there. Or hock memes at my siblings for fun.
Your story sucked me in all the way up to the word "tablet". What a nightmare. " Deep, driving, dark, debilitating hunger. It’s been too long. Too many days, hours, minutes without.... I remember when Substack promised it wasn't social media.... Share this post on social media. 😉" Ha ha ha!
Good luck keeping your distance from the social media ego-boost of Substack. It was killing me until I reined it in. Whew! Not a moment too soon.
Thank you, Sharron!
Honestly, it took a few days of being annoyed I couldn't play Substack on my phone, but I'm already adjusting to it not being there and have stopped trying to force it open through sheer will and index finger stamina. 😂😂
This hit me right in the dopamine receptor. It's been a while, thanks Meg
It's been ages, man.
Thanks for stopping by for your fix.
-Mike (Meg incognito)
Reading this on my phone when I should be having a post-cycle shower and opening a bottle of red with Mrs F, a human (guiltily puts phone dow....)
At least you were cycling and enjoying wine with the Mrs. on either end of that brief literary indiscretion. 🙂
Excellent point! We’re in the dangerous moment, poised between bottle 1 and bottle 2. On a Thursday!
PS ... excellent tension
thank you. 😊
Love your storytelling, Meg. I’m inching towards trying something longer. I have a couple of drafts started but keep chickening out with the 100s (did a little 500-worder yesterday). But I must push on and try something full length. Yours are excellent.
Thank you. This one just made it over 1000 words, which for me is SHORT! 😂
Why not try linking two 500s together or ten 100s? If each is a variation on a common theme you might just have a full-length short story on your hands by the end. 🙂
I’ve done a couple of longer (for me) stories. I can do it, I just panic and do shorter ones. The big challenge is to wrestle my 76,000 word manuscript into a second draft this winter! Aargh!
Ah, I'm well versed in novel wrestling. Best wishes on that endeavor! Winter is a good time for noveling. And for making verbs out of nouns. 😉
I'm taking a deep breath. This is wonderful, chilling, cold, warm, relatable, scary. So well done. Thank you for sharing.
Love the "cold, warm" reaction, Ben. It is kinda both, isn't it? 😬
Thanks for reading!
Speaking from experience, it is sometimes almost impossible to share one's warmth with someone like this mother who can't receive it, which often is not of their own doing at that particular moment. You showed this very well.
The picture at the start of the story and the initial set up made me think that we were going to get a vampire story and then, at the end, it was confirmed. But instead of blood, the mum needs social media to survive. Brilliantly done 👍🏼
Thank you, Daniel. This one definitely ventured creepier than I originally intended.
Blue Light Vampires could be a cool series.
Don't worry, Meg, we only talk about you on Notes. 😉
“Remember when Substack promised it wasn’t social media? That was a fun day.” Damn, this hits almost harder than the story itself. Thank you for writing this, Meg. I know it was meant in part as a sort of satire, but I have to congratulate you for how well you captured the mindset of an addict. I have battled with a form of addiction myself, and I can tell you from experience that this is exactly the way it fucks with your capacity for reasoned choice.
Thank you for this comment, Andrei. In an earlier draft, I used a bit more "addict" language, but decided to omit it because I didn't want to make light of substance abuse or similar addictions by comparing them to social media addiction. But I CAN attest to the insane level of distractibility this mother experiences while going about her daily tasks. That's first-hand. The part where she escapes to a trailer to scroll through Instagram reels is make believe. Thankfully, I didn't reach that low point before I put the brakes on for myself. 😂
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Dissent: you should always “go there”
I'm getting there on going there. Knots of repression take time to unwind. Your comment shiatsu is always welcome. 🙂
Funny thing...I NEVER do social media on my phone. Well, except for THIS time.
Nice story and probably so accurate for many. 👏🏼😊
💜Thanks, Monica!
I’m going to return & comment .. after I read the current comments .. I’m known to see a new post - give it a ‘like’ & retweet or restack on trust alone - in this moment I read attentively.. so will return.. wildass stuff 🦎🏴☠️
.. My 1st impression remains rock solid.. current perception just more enhanced - great comments.. I love the ending.. it’s the way it happens.. wildass stuff ! 🦎🏴☠️
Thank you for returning, for your attentive reading, and for your comment, Thomas!
Late to the party, but here I am because I Missed You, Meg. Quick story note: I’m so glad you got specific at the end with the reveal of what was distracting mom. Because while it was ambiguous, I’m sure you can imagine what I imagined got mom drinking dishwater.
I miss you, too! There is no late. The party is ongoing. You and your imagination are on the VIP list. 4-eva. 💜