I love knowing the names for things.
If you’ve read The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin you will already know that, of course, the true names for things have power. Sometimes, all those names, all those lovely words, can be overwhelming….
Fowler’s Cut is a short story (under 3000 words) that takes place in an archaic city where magic and trade and crime converge.
I submitted it (unsuccessfully) to the Small Owl Workshop’s Lane of Unusual Traders world building project. What a lovely thing it is that they are making! I’ve edited my story to remove the identifiers that placed it in their world.
It’s immersive. I got carried away with words – with the names of colours and fabric, just as I get carried away with the tactile enjoyment of sewing something like the patchwork throw in the picture.
And, fair warning, there’s dialect. Sorry. I won’t do it again, I promise.
AMAZING story Louise…! Oh my. I can’t believe it didn’t get through? Just so beautiful. The writing and the imagery and the sensory immersion. Lovely. I loved it. Well done!