- Garden Beneath the Waves(2021):
Runaways are born from a distinct sense of un-belonging. This feeling can be forced upon them by the cruel actions of others or spawned from the inadequacies of themselves.
When the second world war stained the soil with blood, realities and convictions were upended throughout Germany. Many protested the meaningless conflict—among them were a collection of artists of all concentrations; they fled from cities all over the country, finding a haven on the shore called Arhenshoop, a small fishing village. While masterworks were crafted in serenity, the gears of war halted, signaling many to return home, however, one woman refused.
The Instrument Maker left the shadows of herself in the ruins of Berlin.
Despite her extraordinary ability as a cellist, the Instrument Maker was never accepted by her peers. With dashed ambitions, she silenced the music within and crafted instruments, refining the voices of those she felt undeserving. The Instrument Maker’s renown spread across the country and yet, she was numb to it all; this wasn’t who she desired to be.
Fragments of a melody echoed in the depths of her heart.
Another sought to flee towards a dream. Reyne was a young girl who was held as a prize in Arhenshoop. A wunderkind of a cellist, she played and composed evocative songs without formal training. She didn’t think anything of her ability, and yet, it was her source of joy. Reyne found herself alone; the war had taken her parents away—her father by the regime, her crestfallen mother by the perfume of white lilies. She embraced her ragged cello, the songs that stirred inside escorted her to peaceful world. Reyne sought to bring everyone there, however, someone unknown to her, lay in the garden beside her.
A reverie trembled in the sea.
The two runaways crossed paths.
Reyne sought out the Instrument Maker to craft a new cello for her. The Instrument Maker was exposed to an innocent reflection of a shadow she left behind—she was envious of the acceptance the little girl had; it was the very same she desired. The Instrument Maker created the finest cello, but during its course, something sparked within her; a melody she had once forgotten muffled within tides. After the cello’s completion, the two parted ways.
Time passed and The Instrument Maker hadn’t heard anything of Reyne, unknowing that she had perished.
While wrested by despair, she came across a collection letters sent by the young girl. Alongside her dream, Reyne spoke of admiration of the Instrument Maker and one of another world; where music was born; one they both shared—the Garden Beneath the Waves.
The Instrument Maker fell deeper in anguish, wishing to see Reyne again.
- Sacrifice in Autumn(2023):
When life begins, one is blessed with choice and freedom. But what happens when choice is subjugated by inheritance?
Lucrecio Moreau hasn’t experienced true independence since he was a child. From the day his father, Jecha, the head of the philanthropic organization, the Janus Foundation, left Lucrecio and his mother, he was groomed to fill in the absence. Constrained by the expectations placed upon him, Lucrecio yearns to break free from the confines of his predetermined path and abandon the person he was shaped to be.
As a salvager beneath a mesmerizing blue glass moon, Lucrecio finds solace in the depths of Lake Michigan, where he watches the tremulous glow of Chicago’s skyline reflect on the water’s surface. His fascination with sand, mud, and discarded items drives him to dive deeper, silently hoping to unearth a fragment of the person he has lost—himself.
It is during one of these dives that Lucrecio encounters Pneuma, an enigmatic observer who presents him with a life-altering bargain—one that promises to grant his deepest desires. However, to attain true freedom, Lucrecio must sacrifice not only his past self but also those who anchor him: Sophia, a troubled storyteller and precious friend whose dreams are intertwined with his acts of charity, and Undine, his instructor who has conquered vast oceans and achieved genuine liberation.
Amidst it all, Lucrecio’s father returned, Jecha, returned to his life, calling for reunion on his deathbed.
Sacrifice in Autumn is a rich and thought-provoking narrative that delves into the profound and surreal journey of Lucrecio as he navigates the intricacies of freedom, choice, and sacrifice. Through poetic prose and captivating imagery, the story invites readers to an introspective exploration of universal themes. Lucrecio’s determined and independent nature, coupled with his longing for self-discovery, will resonate with readers who appreciate complex characters on transformative journeys.
(On Submission)
J.D. Woodson 