Image credit: Copyright 2014 Wayne Parris Photography, used with permission. Details of this beautiful photograph will be the subject of a future blog. Wayne’s image inspired my short story.
=====================================================================================
The Eight Sentences:
“We have too many generations of perfection,” Dr. Culpepper replied.
“How many generations of patients have you treated?” asked his assistant.
“Five. The span of years between each successive generation has gotten progressively shorter–the babies are smaller and our lives are requiring less and less physical activity. Next thing you know, we’ll have a generation of entities without a physical body. Nothing but a conscious being,” he paused, “a spirit.”
“I thought you were an atheist.”
“I am.”
The Back Story:
From my first short story in over forty years.
Genre: sci-fi (futuristic)
Dr. Culpepper practices pediatrics in the year 3905.
He has just seen his last patient of any kind and certainly the last pediatric patient. His speculation on the evolution of mankind to the point that no body would be necessary comes from an interview in Playboy by Arthur C. Clarke. Acting on the premise that such an event would occur, I chose to write about the beginning of such an era. The Connection is about the first child born with no body.
Here are the links to the short story: Episode One and Episode Two.
Make your own connection Here:
Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors.The same link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers. For a treat, please check out their work, too.
January 10, 2015
FCEtier
FCEtier 
25 responses to “The Connection–Weekend Writing Warriors”
emmygatrell
January 17th, 2015 at 06:59
Wow. I’m sucked in and intrigued already. Great 8!
Aheïla
January 13th, 2015 at 03:05
The last two sentences really seal the deal on this intriguing concept and bring it back to your characters’ personas. Nicely done!
Iris B
January 12th, 2015 at 05:32
A child with no body – interesting concept … is it born? or created? Interesting snippet, look forward to reading more.
FCEtier
January 12th, 2015 at 08:27
Iris,
That’s a quandary and likely will be addressed in a future short story. This subject is turning into a collection. Thanks for your comment.
Teresa Cypher
January 11th, 2015 at 22:20
Oh, you know how I feel about this story, Chip. It doesn’t matter which 8 you’d have chosen, I’d think they were outstanding!
veronicascott
January 11th, 2015 at 21:59
Intriguing (I know, lots of commenters said that but it’s true). I like the doctor being the one to point out what’s happening, kind of shivery how he says it. Very well done excerpt!
elainecsc2013
January 11th, 2015 at 21:35
Fascinating. Well done.
chellecordero
January 11th, 2015 at 21:00
Since I believe that spirits can live among us after physical death, the concept of giving “birth” to one is mind boggling and certainly original. Great job raising interest.
Gem
January 11th, 2015 at 20:10
I like the way you use the doctor’s observations to give a glimpse of the futuristic world he lives in. Interesting concept of the body diminishing and becoming unnecessary.
jtsuruoka
January 11th, 2015 at 16:40
“…too many generations of perfection…” That’s interesting. It sets up a lot of possibilities and leaves room for deeper philosophical insights, just like good sci-fi should.
Kate Warren
January 11th, 2015 at 15:00
Hi FC! Love the picture that inspired the story, and also your picture. Nice hat!
One quick question…is “born” the right term for a child that has no body? I’m wondering if they need to create a new term for the spirit’s coming into being, without the necessity of physical birth. It’s an interesting concept. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with this.
FCEtier
January 11th, 2015 at 20:15
I agree, Kate. You have any suggestions?
ralfast
January 11th, 2015 at 12:26
Transhumanism? I like it.
siobhanmuir
January 11th, 2015 at 11:25
You don’t have to believe in God to believe in soul. Intriguing snippet, Chip. 🙂
FCEtier
January 11th, 2015 at 20:17
Siobhan,
Have you read Joseph Campbell’s works? It never occurred to me that over 300 different cultures could have “Jesus-like” heroes. It’s easy for me to agree with your comment–on several levels.
Sarah W
January 11th, 2015 at 08:20
This is simply fascinating, Chip! Have you thought of submitting it to Tor.com? They’re looking for good stories. 🙂
FCEtier
January 11th, 2015 at 09:17
Thanks, Sarah.
I did try seveal online mags with no success.
I’ll check out tor.com.
P.T. Wyant
January 11th, 2015 at 02:45
Intriguing premise! I’ll definitely be reading more — preferably when it’s not pushing 3:00 in the morning.
FCEtier
January 11th, 2015 at 09:17
Thanks, Paula,
Sweet dreams and happy reading when you arise!
Jennifer Reynolds
January 10th, 2015 at 23:40
You have my interest. Is this something you are going compile and release for download. I’ve saved the links either way to read this week. 🙂
FCEtier
January 11th, 2015 at 09:20
Thanks Jennifer,
With the two links posted, you’ve got it all.
However, six beta readers, two proof readers, and my editor all suggested several more related short stories. Among the suggestions I like best, are a prequel and a sequel, then a spin off on Dr. Culpepper. In the end, there could be a collection of a half dozen related stories that I would publish together.
I’ve got to finish my current book first, “A Year Without Killing.”
Author Charmaine Gordon
January 10th, 2015 at 23:00
What a concept. Frightening, Frank. Sci-Fi, well okay and I’ll read every word but it gives me the shivers. I prefer my babies to be round, active and delicious.
Linda Hamonou
January 10th, 2015 at 20:58
I wonder what they want to achieve? Making alive ghost, and how would that work? But that’s a very interesting theory.
FCEtier
January 10th, 2015 at 21:08
Linda,
This 8 is out of context. It’s not what they want to achieve. It’s about what has already happened. When you have a few min, catch the entire short story and you’ll see.
Thanks for reading and for your comment.
Here’s the link to Episode One: http://venturegalleries.com/blog/connection-short-story-fcetier/
FCEtier
January 10th, 2015 at 19:43
Just noticed a coincidental relationship between Dr. Culpepper’s last line of dialog and Exodus 3:14. Funny how things just seem to work out sometimes.