The Many Faces of Fictional Children Suzanne W. Vincent
Sometimes, it happens that we have a perfect selection of stories for a particular month. Stories about gratitude for November (American Thanksgiving), or stories about love for February (Valentine’s Day), or stories about new beginnings for January. Last month we had a nice lineup of mother themed stories.
In the absence of thematically relevant stories, I do like to try to pick stories with some kind of common theme if I can. Maybe stories set on the seashore, or stories about future technology.
This month, we’re fortunate enough to have three stories with a child as the protagonist.
But before I explore the many faces of fictional children, I’d like to honor fathers.
In May, many nations celebrated mothers, and we were fortunate enough to have three mother-themed stories. Most of those same nations will celebrate Father’s Day in June, but we failed in our efforts to find three father-themed stories. We have one, which I’ll save for a later date and for a different theme.
But fathers need celebrating.
The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families seeks to help fathers of all stripes become the great fathers they want to be. As their website states: “Great dads help to raise great children. From bedtime storyteller to backyard basketball coach, nurturing fathers give children the structure, security, and self-confidence they need to be healthy, well-balanced individuals.” The Center’s programs help fathers strengthen job prospects and parenting skills, navigate child-support and custody, improve relationships with the mothers of their children. A worthy pursuit.
The late Reverend Billy Graham once said, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”
I believe that’s true.
I’d like to honor all the fathers out there–bio-dads, step-dads, grand-dads, and all men who do for children what father’s do–nurturing, protecting, teaching. Thank you!
Now on to this month’s stories.
We often take for granted that adults offer a wide array of personalities and personal foibles. But I think sometimes we see children as one of two types–slugs and snails and puppy dog tails versus sugar and spice and everything nice. But children are much more complex than that. They come to this world precharged with certain tendencies and traits that combine with relationships and experiences that slowly mold them into the adults they will become.
This month’s three original stories offer three young protagonists, each distinct individuals, and each influenced in unique ways by the people in their lives.
We hope you love them as much as we do.
Suzanne Vincent
Editor-in-Chief
Become a Patron! Check our our NEW Patron rewards!
FIREFLY
Receives weekly links to new stories, exclusive behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the authors, and our undying love.
WILL-O-THE-WISP
Receives a free monthly download of our current issue, access to Ask Me Anything chats with the FFO staff, submission statistics, plus benefits from lower levels
SHOOTING STAR
Gain access to our monthly Mini-Critique sessions, the FFO Editorial Team slushpile wishlist , plus benefits from lower levels
AURORA
A chance to have your work discussed by the FFO editorial team, receive 365 Writing Prompts and our latest anthology, plus benefits from lower levels
LIGHTNING
Receive a monthly mini-critique from the FFO editorial team and request custom writing videos, plus benefits from lower levels
SUPERNOVA
Receive one flash fiction critique per month, mini-critique sessions, an opportunity to “sponsor-a-story,” plus all the benefits of lower levels!
Support Flash Fiction Online
Flash Fiction Online is a free online magazine that pays professional rates. So how do we make that happen? It’s due to the generosity of readers like you.
Here are some ways you can help:
Become a Patron.
Sign up to become a monthly donor and gain access to exclusive Patron rewards like manuscript critiques, insider submission statistics, the Editors’ Wishlist, free downloads of our current issue, and Ask Me Anything chats with the FFO staff. Read more…
Subscribe to FFO.
Never miss an issue! E-reader formats delivered to your inbox. Available from WeightlessBooks.com
Buy our issues & anthologies.
Each of our issues and anthologies are available in convenient e-reader formats (epub/mobi/pdf). Available from the Flash Fiction Online Store and WeightlessBooks.
Donate.
Consider a one-time gift that fits your budget.
Advertise with us.
Have a product, service, or website our readers might enjoy? Ad space available on the website and in our e-reader issues. Sponsored posts opportunities are also available. Learn more…
Spread the word.
Love one of our stories or articles? Share it with a friend!