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Notes on Being Human: a collection of microfiction
Forty-nine microfiction stories and poems that explore the human existence across the spectrum of love, self-discovery, conflict, and loss.
Each thoughtfully-crafted story opens the door to universal truths and heart-twisting emotions. From “The Art of Being Human,” meet Talia as she realizes she’s been living life on everyone else’s terms, and in “Tied Tight,” relive the hug of a lost loved one. Laugh as you read “I wonder what would happen if you drank it.” And lastly, step into a poignant exchange between a mother and her daughter of “I’m keeping a promise to myself.”
Every scene invites you into your own memories, even as you experience stories of friends, families, mothers, and lovers.
Each thoughtfully-crafted story opens the door to universal truths and heart-twisting emotions. From “The Art of Being Human,” meet Talia as she realizes she’s been living life on everyone else’s terms, and in “Tied Tight,” relive the hug of a lost loved one. Laugh as you read “I wonder what would happen if you drank it.” And lastly, step into a poignant exchange between a mother and her daughter of “I’m keeping a promise to myself.”
Every scene invites you into your own memories, even as you experience stories of friends, families, mothers, and lovers.
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About the author
Barbara Brutt
6 books37 followersHiya, I’m Barbara!
I believe words heal. Whether written or read, words have a way of building a bridge from the heart to the mind. I want to explore that.
I’m a 30-something hope-in-progress bent on growing despite the gritty, pot-holed road of adulthood. Jump in the passenger seat and I’ll try to be a good driver!
My work experience includes a smattering of jobs from shop girl to communications manager with a healthy dose of nanny and house-cleaner. Basically, I’m your Jane of all trades.
I’ve lived in three countries (USA, Dominican Republic, and Austria), and I’ve visited 27 more countries on top of that. My goal is to visit the world. Shhh! A girl can dream!
My most cherished dream (besides traveling the world) is to become a published novelist (which happened on November 15, 2018, when Teal Paisley Tights released).
I rarely turn away ice cream (peanut butter please) and only buy purses that provide room for a book or two (or a kindle).
I’d love to connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook.
Cordially (and with so much love),
Barbara
I believe words heal. Whether written or read, words have a way of building a bridge from the heart to the mind. I want to explore that.
I’m a 30-something hope-in-progress bent on growing despite the gritty, pot-holed road of adulthood. Jump in the passenger seat and I’ll try to be a good driver!
My work experience includes a smattering of jobs from shop girl to communications manager with a healthy dose of nanny and house-cleaner. Basically, I’m your Jane of all trades.
I’ve lived in three countries (USA, Dominican Republic, and Austria), and I’ve visited 27 more countries on top of that. My goal is to visit the world. Shhh! A girl can dream!
My most cherished dream (besides traveling the world) is to become a published novelist (which happened on November 15, 2018, when Teal Paisley Tights released).
I rarely turn away ice cream (peanut butter please) and only buy purses that provide room for a book or two (or a kindle).
I’d love to connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook.
Cordially (and with so much love),
Barbara
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 21, 2022
Each of these short fictions- tiny moments really- capture such poignant emotions. I read through them all in less than an hour, but I felt like I went through days and days of emotions. Some left me feeling inspired, others brought tears to my eyes, while others left me with a smile or gave my heart a painful twist. Brutt has used carefully chosen words to bring to life the joys and pains of what we experience in the messy reality of being human.
In a world where people struggle, or don’t even try, to understand others’ perspectives, these micro fictions offer the reader a chance to not only experience familiar emotions and experiences, but to also sit for a moment with the emotions and experiences of others. And that is, I think, very valuable.
I definitely plan to pull this back out and reread, spending some time mulling over my favorites.
In a world where people struggle, or don’t even try, to understand others’ perspectives, these micro fictions offer the reader a chance to not only experience familiar emotions and experiences, but to also sit for a moment with the emotions and experiences of others. And that is, I think, very valuable.
I definitely plan to pull this back out and reread, spending some time mulling over my favorites.
February 6, 2022
A lovely collection if micro fiction and a little poetry! Barbara has captured emotions ranging from joy to sorrow and everything in between in tiny stories like life snapshots. I find this a feat even more impressive than typical storytelling to evoke such feelings in so few words. I hope this is only the first collection from Barbara Brutt!
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January 25, 2022This is my first experience with a collection like this, not a short story collection but a further compression to a series of micro stories. The effect of these mini moments is written snapshots, visiting a character or two for a brief moment in their lives at a period of heightened emotion or relationship.
It sounds like a montage, of sorts, but it's not quite. These characters and situations aren't related except in a larger thematic way--that these moments observe situations humans may find themselves in and the resulting emotions that we likely all feel at some point.
This makes this a very emotionally charged book, though in a way that is unusual compared to much fiction reading because the reader's engagement with the emotion passes over the characters directly to the reader. We don't know these characters; we only co-opt their experience in order to feel.
I enjoyed this journey, though it was difficult in some ways. Some characters I wanted to get to know better because they were intriguing even in a few brief lines. Instead, we have to move on. We don't get to know them or have any journey with them. The weight of stories toward the bittersweet or painful, all in juxtaposition, was also quite a roller coaster, and does seem to suggest, at least to the author, that the moments of highest emotion in life are largely painful ones. So we're left with that. Is dealing with personal and relational pain indeed what it means for being human?
It sounds like a montage, of sorts, but it's not quite. These characters and situations aren't related except in a larger thematic way--that these moments observe situations humans may find themselves in and the resulting emotions that we likely all feel at some point.
This makes this a very emotionally charged book, though in a way that is unusual compared to much fiction reading because the reader's engagement with the emotion passes over the characters directly to the reader. We don't know these characters; we only co-opt their experience in order to feel.
I enjoyed this journey, though it was difficult in some ways. Some characters I wanted to get to know better because they were intriguing even in a few brief lines. Instead, we have to move on. We don't get to know them or have any journey with them. The weight of stories toward the bittersweet or painful, all in juxtaposition, was also quite a roller coaster, and does seem to suggest, at least to the author, that the moments of highest emotion in life are largely painful ones. So we're left with that. Is dealing with personal and relational pain indeed what it means for being human?
January 5, 2024
A collection for every walk of life and moment that were captivating, thoughtful and poetic; it's certainty a book that I'll be rereading time and time again when I need reassurance, humbling truths, comfort or perhaps some witty remarks - much like what a best friend provides. I wish it would never end and would love to see in the future one of these microfictions bloom into a novel or another collection published in the future.
February 4, 2022
So. Many. Feelings!
I’ve never read a book of micro fiction like this before, but I have to say it was a great experience. Some of the stories are beautiful to observe, others hit close to home and dive you into processing your own life, and still others leave you hurting for or wanting to know more about the character(s).
Take it in more slowly than you expect; your emotions will thank you.
I’ve never read a book of micro fiction like this before, but I have to say it was a great experience. Some of the stories are beautiful to observe, others hit close to home and dive you into processing your own life, and still others leave you hurting for or wanting to know more about the character(s).
Take it in more slowly than you expect; your emotions will thank you.
January 29, 2022
In true Brutt fashion, each of these microfictions takes you to a scene and leaves you with a lot to consider, a lot to assume, and a lot to hunger. I would be so intrigued to find out more - to see some of these expanded into novels or sequels in her next series. Beautifully written and compiled.
January 30, 2022
Loved it!
These tiny stories have big heart. If you’re going through a hard time, read notes on being human. You will feel less alone.
These tiny stories have big heart. If you’re going through a hard time, read notes on being human. You will feel less alone.
January 21, 2022
Highly recommend!!
I ABSOLUTELY loved this! This had me in tears reading some of the stories and yet swooning over the next. The author’s words draw real, raw emotions that are meant to be read, felt, and truly capture what it's like being human. Such a great read!
I ABSOLUTELY loved this! This had me in tears reading some of the stories and yet swooning over the next. The author’s words draw real, raw emotions that are meant to be read, felt, and truly capture what it's like being human. Such a great read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews