Self-Review – Verity

Let’s Look at Verity

Verity means just about the same thing as honesty or truth. And I am certain that one of the reasons this story was written at all was that I needed a prompt starting with the letter V.

And that, as such, is not the greatest reason in the world for writing a story. Yet here we are, heh.

I wrote this story during the second quarter of 2021.

Background for Verity

The original prompt word was just the word that became the title. And given the brevity of this ‘short story’, I suspect it was a word chosen because it started with a difficult letter than for any other reason.

Which, just like with Quartz, tends to result in a fragment as opposed to an actual, full-blown short story.

Plot

There is very little plot in here. The narrator is really just talking about what happened recently. But who would they be speaking to, anyway? For, presumably, just about every single person on Earth would know what had been going on.

They would have all been rather personally and directly affected. Which means that I should most likely make it a lot clearer that this fragment of a story, really, is more like a recording for posterity than anything else.

Characters in Verity

The only character is the unnamed narrator.

Memorable Quotes from Verity

If the first casualty of war is always the truth, then the second is bravery.

Sure, we all talk a good game. And people may end up trying to do the right thing and show courage and all that. But they’re terrified. We’re all terrified.

The invading army seemed like a joke at first. They’re smaller than we are. And they’re invertebrates. How could what are essentially midget alien squid ever pose a threat to humans? Oh, but they could, and they did, and they still can and do.

Genre and Overall Mood in Verity

The genre is science fiction. The mood is grim.

Rating

The story has a K rating. Even with a grim and nasty scenario, everyone’s language is clean enough for a church picnic.

Takeaways for Verity

You know, for a story which was ostensibly about the truth, I am not so sure that I ever actually made it clear as to what was truthful or untruthful in this particular society.

Er, ewps?

Want More of my Short Stories and Novellas?

If this story resonates with you, then I hope you will check out some of my other blog posts about my shorter works.

And finally, for a complete list of my shorter works, please be sure to check out the Hub Page—Short Stories.