Surface Tension
Ariella A.
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My flash fiction piece explores the tension between perception and reality through the voice of an unreliable narrator. I’m drawn to writing that invites readers to question what they think they understand, and this piece uses ambiguity, sensory detail, and interiority to create that uncertainty. As I worked, I focused on capturing a mindset rather than a moment—allowing the narrator’s desire, assumptions, and misread signals to shape the world of the story. My goal is for the piece to linger after reading, prompting reflection on how easily we can distort reality when we want something to be true.
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Creativity means trusting the ideas that surface when there’s no path to follow. Writing taught me to look inward, believe in instinct, and hope that what feels meaningful to me might resonate with someone else. The potential to build those connections is what makes creativity powerful.
