Entries Tagged as 'flash fiction'

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day9

February 25, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.
image

My mama was a storyteller. I grew up surrounded by stories but I never listened to any of them. Years went by and I was still not paying attention, still rolling my eyes, as if I had heard it all before. And before I knew it, I was 17. Broken, bruised, scarred. Mama didn’t judge, didn’t ask, didn’t punish. But she gave me a story. That’s when I started listening.

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day8

February 24, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

semi-fictional character day8

‘So you wanna race me? You don’t stand a chance.’ That was true. He was three times my age, but he could outrun, outwork, out-anything me. That’s my boss. A ball of energy. We first met when I was still a barista at the local café, where he’d come to pick up his morning latte. At first, I felt that he was an annoying, talkative buffoon. Plus, I could not stand his cheeky face. Day after day though, I got somehow absorbed into his creative vision, I admired the way he was passionate about life and wanted to make the world a better place. So one day, when he came in, I told him, ‘That’s my last day here. Tomorrow I start working for you. What time do you need me?’

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day7

February 23, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

semi-fictional character day7

Fancy dress party at your place. You exude all kinds of cool, you’re the life of the party, just like in school, where everyone wanted a piece of you. I was one of them. So you gave us parts of you, but never everything. You slipped away, just before anyone got attached. But some of us did. And there we are again. I am not much for dress up, but for you I try. You smile like a child, a real life Peter Pan, making us all wish we hadn’t left the kid we were behind.

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day6

February 22, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

semi-fictional character day6

The Professor is expecting me, pacing the corridors, ready to reprimand me for my tardiness. I arrive. He acknowledges my presence with a glare and rushes down the staircase. I follow. We are greeted by a guard who takes us through the cobbled path, past the library, into a small walled garden. The Professor studies our shadows. This would be the last time we see them. The town’s bell peals begin. It’s time.

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day5

February 21, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

semi-fictional character day5

Everything seems better at my nana’s house. There is always freshly brewed tea in the pot, a record is playing and it all smells of cinnamon. At nana’s I can; and it’s my nana who said that there’d be days like this. And that’s comforting, because nana would have me believe that those days will eventually add up to something. Something good. And whenever I lose faith, I look at all the lucky charms on the chain she secured around my wrist. Everything feels better through my nana’s eyes.

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day4

February 20, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

semi-fictional character day4

Wired to succeed. On the fast lane since I was a kid. Get that diploma. Graduate first. Go for that job. Leave that job. Climb to the top. Finish top of my age group in the marathon. Write that book. Achieve. Achieve. Achieve. Successful, strong, respected. How come you never showed up for me? Why did I not see you, supporting me in the crowd, suited up, with your pearl earrings and your silk special occasion scarf? How come I never made you proud?

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day3

February 19, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

semi-fictional character day3

I just stand and stare. Striped t-shirt, short pants, flip flops… Heart’s on my sleeve. I smile uncomfortably, struggling, filling the awkward pause with ‘I am happy for you’ forced comments and wishes. So many things I’d like to ask: when and how and why. And what am I? My old soul is a million pieces, trapped within this young body. You smile back, sincerely, warmly. I nod. ‘It’s still light,’ I say, ‘Let’s go shoot some hoops.’

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day2

February 18, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

Semi-fictional character of the day #day 1

It had been a long day. She remembered when she first started teaching. Young, full of energy and enthusiasm. She was making a difference. She felt it. As the children’s faces lit up when learning took place, she knew it. This was it. But years passed by, reducing her work to chasing a measurable meaninglessness. Exploration, experimentation and play gave their place to a mundane box ticking. Mindless school reformers, superficial curriculum objectives, parents in pursuit of high marks, uninterested students. Depleted, disillusioned, confused. She looked at the empty desks and chairs, as she was preparing to lock the class. This wasn’t it.

Semi-Fictional Character of the Day #day1

February 17, 2014

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

Semi-fictional character of the day #day 1 by Constantinos Xenofontos

I saw you. Walking across campus, buying overpriced coffee, David Foster Wallace at hand, an obscure, non relevant record goes through your headphones. It was a day after Valentine’s Day. You walked past, as I clumsily sketched on my notebook. Small talk: work and the weather. You complain about the sunshine, mock mainstream trends, you daydream on the spot with me. I almost recognise the teenager with whom I vowed to get out of here back then.

Theme by Blogmilk   Coded by Brandi Bernoskie