Wow!!! You create a whole world in such a small space. A world I immediately believe and am drawn into. I love pretty much everything in this story. Lukyan is definitely a stand-out, but the chemistry between Harlow and Lovella is so well developed. The energy of their attraction just leaps off the page. The descriptions of the Arrent women and the Arrent cottage are compelling and haunting. That line: “We waste nothing.” Gaaa!
As a writer myself, I admire how you balance humor with tenderness, with longing, with fear. And your descriptions! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve struggled to convey a burst of laughter or the physical movement of characters in their space. You make it look effortless! The dialogue is concise and true sounding. The pacing is just right. Nothing seems contrived in the plot development. The characters are complex and distinct and alive. Everything is so well woven; your seams don’t show at all!
I can’t say that your story makes me want to read more Fantasy, but it definitely makes me want to read more of your work. This story is proof that genre matters little if the writing is good. And your writing here— it’s beyond good; it’s exceptional.
I am so glad you wrote this story and I’m so glad I read it. I can’t wait to read more!
PS This story reminds me so much of one of mine. While the worlds are completely different, the theme is the same. Mothers trying to protect daughters. But at what cost. ❤️
Thank you so much for reading and commentary on the work itself. I read Jack Nobody! And it was so gloriously sad. Ugh the ending I was just shouting “go Sally”! But you managed to create this incredibly complex narrative in such a short space. All the levels of relationship that we got to see unfold. But truly it was so good.
Seeing the glimmers of similarity is such different pieces was like catching phantoms moving at the edge of my vision. And that is the power of storytelling, how universal it is.
My favorite was the flesh eating plant. That imagery was just too good and funny, I was laughing all through this story but it was also incredibly tender. I keep telling you how much I love your writing because each story you share shows something different. This was such a departure from your last one. You went from straight trauma and horror to cute and cuddly. 😂
This was such a good read. I love how you slowly build the tension without rushing anything. The emotions feel honest, and the details make everything come alive without being overwhelming. Great work.
I really enjoyed this. The atmosphere felt so real, like I was right there in the middle of it. Lovella’s character especially stuck with me — she feels strong but still very human. The writing flows so smoothly, and the ending hit in a quiet but powerful way. Definitely one of those pieces that lingers after you finish reading.
I don’t think Lovella will cope with the outside world.
I think she’ll finally meet it.
For years, she believed her power required isolation. That love was a threat. That stepping beyond inherited rules would cost her everything. But what she discovered wasn’t just desire — it was that her strength was never conditional.
It was internal. Rooted. Waiting.
That kind of revelation feels less like a first act and more like a second one. The moment when a woman realizes the life she was handed isn’t the only one available to her.
The outside world may still whisper. It may still judge. But she won’t walk into it, afraid of losing herself. She’ll walk into it knowing she cannot be diminished by connection. That her magic deepens when she chooses, not when she hides.
There’s something powerful about watching a woman unlearn fear — especially fear passed down as protection.
And yes, I would absolutely read a longer work from this world. It feels like Lovella has only just begun shaping her own destiny — not from obligation, but from desire.
wow wow wow! This little story made me cry! Right at the moment that she woke up and thought her powers were gone. I'd totally read a longer story about this world! I'll keep my eye out, hoping it becomes something more for you. I'm sure Lovella would have to deconstruct a lot of her mother's teaching and her own fears to fully appreciate the world around her, but that growth! And the discoveries she could make about Arraent Women!
I love everything about this story but my favorite part was the beginning when she was explaining her practice to Yemmi. Talking about being an Arrent woman and what that means. I love the world you created and I DEFINITELY want to see more!! I think/hope this whole experience will be a wake up call for Lovella to really explore what she wants/needs. I would also like to learn more about her mother and why she lied. Beautifully written as always! 💖💖
Tonja,
Wow!!! You create a whole world in such a small space. A world I immediately believe and am drawn into. I love pretty much everything in this story. Lukyan is definitely a stand-out, but the chemistry between Harlow and Lovella is so well developed. The energy of their attraction just leaps off the page. The descriptions of the Arrent women and the Arrent cottage are compelling and haunting. That line: “We waste nothing.” Gaaa!
As a writer myself, I admire how you balance humor with tenderness, with longing, with fear. And your descriptions! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve struggled to convey a burst of laughter or the physical movement of characters in their space. You make it look effortless! The dialogue is concise and true sounding. The pacing is just right. Nothing seems contrived in the plot development. The characters are complex and distinct and alive. Everything is so well woven; your seams don’t show at all!
I can’t say that your story makes me want to read more Fantasy, but it definitely makes me want to read more of your work. This story is proof that genre matters little if the writing is good. And your writing here— it’s beyond good; it’s exceptional.
I am so glad you wrote this story and I’m so glad I read it. I can’t wait to read more!
PS This story reminds me so much of one of mine. While the worlds are completely different, the theme is the same. Mothers trying to protect daughters. But at what cost. ❤️
https://www.blackforkreview.com/amanda-irene-rush#:~:text=Jack%20Nobody.%20My%20mother%20had%20only%20been,first%20time%2C%20filling%20the%20space%20in%20the
Thank you so much for reading and commentary on the work itself. I read Jack Nobody! And it was so gloriously sad. Ugh the ending I was just shouting “go Sally”! But you managed to create this incredibly complex narrative in such a short space. All the levels of relationship that we got to see unfold. But truly it was so good.
Seeing the glimmers of similarity is such different pieces was like catching phantoms moving at the edge of my vision. And that is the power of storytelling, how universal it is.
How many words was Jack Nobody?
Thanks so much for reading Jack Nobody. 😊 It’s just over 4000 words. I’m glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
My favorite was the flesh eating plant. That imagery was just too good and funny, I was laughing all through this story but it was also incredibly tender. I keep telling you how much I love your writing because each story you share shows something different. This was such a departure from your last one. You went from straight trauma and horror to cute and cuddly. 😂
Same, Lukyan was hilarious!!
This was such a good read. I love how you slowly build the tension without rushing anything. The emotions feel honest, and the details make everything come alive without being overwhelming. Great work.
I really enjoyed this. The atmosphere felt so real, like I was right there in the middle of it. Lovella’s character especially stuck with me — she feels strong but still very human. The writing flows so smoothly, and the ending hit in a quiet but powerful way. Definitely one of those pieces that lingers after you finish reading.
I don’t think Lovella will cope with the outside world.
I think she’ll finally meet it.
For years, she believed her power required isolation. That love was a threat. That stepping beyond inherited rules would cost her everything. But what she discovered wasn’t just desire — it was that her strength was never conditional.
It was internal. Rooted. Waiting.
That kind of revelation feels less like a first act and more like a second one. The moment when a woman realizes the life she was handed isn’t the only one available to her.
The outside world may still whisper. It may still judge. But she won’t walk into it, afraid of losing herself. She’ll walk into it knowing she cannot be diminished by connection. That her magic deepens when she chooses, not when she hides.
There’s something powerful about watching a woman unlearn fear — especially fear passed down as protection.
And yes, I would absolutely read a longer work from this world. It feels like Lovella has only just begun shaping her own destiny — not from obligation, but from desire.
That’s where the real story starts.
I loved it!
wow wow wow! This little story made me cry! Right at the moment that she woke up and thought her powers were gone. I'd totally read a longer story about this world! I'll keep my eye out, hoping it becomes something more for you. I'm sure Lovella would have to deconstruct a lot of her mother's teaching and her own fears to fully appreciate the world around her, but that growth! And the discoveries she could make about Arraent Women!
I love this so much!!!
I love everything about this story but my favorite part was the beginning when she was explaining her practice to Yemmi. Talking about being an Arrent woman and what that means. I love the world you created and I DEFINITELY want to see more!! I think/hope this whole experience will be a wake up call for Lovella to really explore what she wants/needs. I would also like to learn more about her mother and why she lied. Beautifully written as always! 💖💖