In a Flash

The Christmas season went by so quickly. It’s my favorite time of the year. I treasure it because of my faith, but I also can’t get enough of Christmas carols, nog, and people doing nice things for each other. I try to plan ahead, but I never seem to have adequate time to enjoy the season as much as I’d like. Before it’s over, I’m already planning for the next Christmas. I’m trying to live in the moment more. (Did someone say New Year’s resolution?) But I constantly feel like life is on fast forward.

We’re all pulled in so many different directions, and we’ve come to expect everything to happen fast. That’s a big part of what led me to start writing flash fiction about 7 months ago. I’d begun to plan this website and wanted to generate stories in a short time period that people could read quickly.

Most people are looking for a “quick read”, regularly engaging with short-form writing via social media and text messages. Texts are frequently limited to 160 characters. Instagram and Twitter posts are limited to 2,200 characters and 280 characters, respectively. Yet, people frequently skim through versions they deem too long. Definitions vary, but flash fiction is typically a complete fiction story of 1500 words or less, usually under 1000 words. It seems perfect for people who enjoy reading a good story but who may find it hard to commit to a story beyond one sitting.

Since I aspire to publish novels, I’m hopeful that the flash fiction stories on my website will whet your appetite for my longer works. If you haven’t already, check out my Stories page. I plan to add a new flash fiction story soon called “Hiding Spots”, so stay tuned.

Rosey Lee

My Theme Song

When I was about five years old, I used to sing in the Tot’s Choir at my church. Even as a kid, I could barely carry a tune, so I was never chosen to lead a song. But I was frequently asked to recite poems or fulfill some other brief speaking role. When the former director of our choir passed away recently at the age of 95, I remembered my favorite song and speaking opportunity from childhood. The song is called “I Am A Promise.” Our director adapted our choir’s version from the song written by Gloria Gaither. Maybe you’ve heard the song before or perhaps you even sang it when you were a kid. If you don’t know the song, check out the YouTube video below.

The choir sang the opening part:

• I am a promise; I am a possibility.
• I am a promise with a capital P;
• I am a great big bundle of potentiality.
• And I am learnin’ to hear God’s voice and I am tryin’ to make the right choices;
• I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

And then I came in with the spoken piece:

Hey, you know what? It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you live, or who your daddy is, or what you look like! What do you look like? Are you tall, short? Are you fat, skinny? Got holes in your tennis shoes? Freckles on your face? It doesn’t matter one bit! You can be anything God wants you to be! And He has something very special in mind for you! It might be climbing mountains, crossing the sea, helping the sick get well, or singing! Whatever it is, you can do it!

This song was often in the back of my mind as I was growing up. I drew upon it when I felt insecure or doubted myself. It supported me through family crises, encouraged me through adolescent weight struggles, and pushed me when I failed physics tests in college. (I am still a little traumatized by memories of my professor, Dr. Vincent.)

The challenges of adulthood have sometimes made it difficult to remember the song’s message when I need it most, but the song still plays in my head. Today I’m committing to turning up the volume and pushing harder to internalize the words. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. As I struggle to find the time to write and cultivate opportunities to share my creativity with the world, I tell myself…

• I am a promise; I am a possibility.
• I am a promise with a capital P;
• I am a great big bundle of potentiality.
• I can do it!

My guess is I’m not the only one who needs this reminder, so feel free to borrow my theme song anytime you like.

Rosey Lee