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A Cup of Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

T. Mark Mangum
Total Fiction
Published in
12 min readDec 15, 2024

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Good morning, my friends and fellow visionaries. Pour that fresh cup of Joe and mosey on up to the screen. Let us chat a bit this morning about Contemporary Fiction. Contemporary Fictional Drama is our lives crafted into a Fiction Tale by processing the world we live in, around, and through with the brain of the creative fiction storyteller. Creators use everyday items to juice the wheels of story crafting. Maybe you are a Hemingway who loved wine and often used it in his writing as a symbology for pleasure. Or perhaps you are more like William Faulkner, known for his complex novels and love of bourbon. Or maybe you are with Honore De Balzac and me, holding coffee aloft as the nectar of the Gods and the juice that gets the creative fiction flowing.

What Makes Contemporary Fiction Unique?

At its core, Contemporary Fiction is about the world we live in today. It reflects the concerns, attitudes, and culture of the time it’s set in. The story might take place in 2024, with a setting as familiar as your local neighborhood or as vast as a bustling city. What makes it unique is how it connects to our current moment, usually within the past 30–50 years. If the story is set farther back in time, it becomes Historical Fiction. If it looks ahead to what might happen in the future, it’s Speculative Fiction.

But don’t confuse “familiar” with “boring.” Contemporary Fiction thrives on taking what we know and making it extraordinary. Imagine a story where an asteroid is headed for Earth, aliens are blending into our society, or a nuclear threat looms large. These big, high-stakes situations let us imagine how today’s people react to such events. Contemporary Fiction keeps one foot firmly in the real world, even in these wild scenarios.

Not all Contemporary Fiction has to involve global disasters or cosmic threats, though. Sometimes, the stories are smaller but no less exciting. Think of a cozy murder mystery where the protagonist decides to solve a crime because the local police aren’t doing enough. Maybe the case is personal — a friend, family member, or even her reputation is on the line. These micro-topic stories can be just as engaging as Macro-topic, world-shaking tales.

In Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett, published in January of 2023, a woman named Lara returns to her childhood home in northern Michigan in 2020. As she reconnects with her family and the landscape of her youth from 1984. She uncovers a long-buried secret about her mother’s past. The novel is a poignant exploration of family, love, and the enduring power of memory.

The Breadth of Contemporary Fiction

One of the best things about this genre is how flexible it is. Contemporary Fiction can include just about any other genre as long as the story is set in the modern day. Whether it’s a romantic drama, a psychological thriller, a gritty urban tale, or a funny slice-of-life story, all these narratives can fit under the Contemporary Fiction umbrella.

These stories often challenge us to see ourselves in the characters. They might make us rethink our beliefs about the world or help us dream about what could be. For example, some books dive into modern issues like social media, climate change, or political divides. In the hands of a skilled writer, these topics become the backdrop for exploring universal themes like love, ambition, betrayal, and redemption. Whether it’s a heartwarming story about community or a chilling tale of humanity’s darker side, Contemporary Fiction captures the essence of life today.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab is a magical realist novel. In it, Addie LaRue is a young woman who makes a reckless deal with a dark god that leaves her cursed. She wanders the centuries between the 1700s and the present, unseen and unheard until she encounters a young man who can remember her name. The novel is a captivating exploration of love, loss, and the human desire for connection.

And now my favorite part of the Blog.

A Fresh Cup of Fiction

What follows is a Flash Fiction tell I wrote in the midst of the COVID Pandemic. It reflects my thoughts, feelings, and knowledge of the disease at the time of the penning of the tale. I hope you enjoy this piece of Contemporary Fiction.

The Condition of Our Souls

It was the 4th of July 2021. A family sat around the dinner table. It had been 19 months since they had all gathered. They were like many families around the United States and the Industrialized world, listening to the experts doing what they knew they must to keep their families safe. Now that the vaccine was widely available and all of their family members were, they decided it was time to see each other again. Face-to-face, hug time, kids playing in the yard together, eating popcorn from the same dish together, and playing basketball in the driveway without a facemask together. Unfortunately, James and Sadie said they couldn’t make it. James had lost his job with the cruise line early on. He had yet to regain employment that provided similar wages and benefits. Pop Turner was solid, in many ways reliable, and not just financially. Pop Turner had been the postcard success story since a young age and wouldn’t hear of it. So he sent his youngest daughter Sadie, her husband, and three kids plane tickets and cash.

“Sweetheart, your mother would have my head if I did not make sure you and the family were here for this,” Pops said to Sadie as she cried about James’ situation.

“He works so hard dad, we both work so hard. But, we just can’t seem to catch up,” She told Pops.

That night, Pops Turner sent each of his five kids a check for three thousand dollars. Now they all smiled and hugged, ate together, played together, said “I love you,” “I’m so glad this is all over,” and “Thank God for the vaccine” to each other. Then, after the celebration, they went back to their homes, jobs, and lives and continued.

It was the 4th of July 2021. Alex Horton had spoken to his four sons to set up this surprise birthday party for his wife over the last week. The last year or so had been challenging for the family. They had lost a few to the COVID. Many in the family had gotten sick but lived through it. Money was tight, but most of the family had remained employed throughout the Pandemic. Money being tight was common, but they were tough and didn’t complain. Now that the vaccine was out and his family was vaccinated, he would have the family over for Maggie’s birthday.

“Boy, don’t make me come over there and kick your ass to the clinic. Get your family vaccinated so you can come to the party.”

“But dad, they say that it is not safe,” Jimmy said.

“Boy, I told you to stop watching that moron on TV. Jean works in the hospital. She says they work and are safe,” He told Jimmy. Jimmy being a respectful son, did as his father told him.

Now, the large family of Alex Horton gathered, ate, laughed, hugged, and played without masks. They said, “I love you,” “I’m so glad this is all over,” and “Thank God for the vaccine” to each other, then went back to their homes, jobs, and lives and continued.

Joanna was a single mother of two. She tried her best to make the Fourth of July fun for her kids. After losing her mother, father, and brothers, she was still scared of large crowds, but she did not want to prolong the devastation that COVID was having on her life and that of her Boys. When she got sick with COVID and couldn’t work, well, thank goodness the stimulus checks arrived when they did. Thank God Mr. Williams, her landlord, is a kind and compassionate man. She was vaccinated now and still working as a waitress. They sat on the grass of the city park where they had eaten hotdogs, chips, and soda from a vendor, played games, saw some friends, and now they were about to watch the fireworks. She said a little prayer. She was happy it was over, that the boys could go back to school, that they could live again.

Brenda believed it was late August 2021. she, her husband Rolan, and their two young children had left Guatemala several months ago, hoping to make it to the United States. They had left in desperation after more fighting occurred near their hometown. Rolan could not find work. Word of COVID had continued to permeate the world around them. Still, more people were dying because of political violence than illness, at least in their experience. In America, they might even be able to get the vaccine. She wondered how long it would be before her country would see lasting peace. Maybe they would return someday.

“I just want us to be able to live, not just survive, you know,” Rolan said. The kids were asleep, and they could chat quietly about the uncertain future.

In Ethiopia, Abiy woke with the sun. He moved quickly through the streets, hoping to get to the river before too many people got there. He wanted to bathe but feared the evil men who came and watched the crowds looking for orphans like him. Things had been fine for Abiy before the wars and before his parents got ill and then died. He was really scared lately. He was one of the unwanted he used to see as he walked to school. Now, they would not let him go to school unless he was washed and had a pair of shoes. Once, as he sat outside the market, he heard the TV talking about millions of dead people because of the COVID-19 illness. He also heard of a vaccine, though he did not know what that was. The TV said it kept people from getting the COVID.

“Do you think I could get that vaccine,” He asked the old lady who sold spices in the market. She did not mind the boy, who looked a little like her dead son, hanging out. Sometimes, he even helped her clean up.

She smiled, “I don’t suspect so, not anytime soon for folks like you and me.”

The TV said it was October. He had forgotten why that was significant. He was hungry.

Dr. Joseph Pernai sat in the street side cafe in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, sipping the tea, trying to relax. He stared at the young boy who sat with his back against the wall. The boy would eye everyone who passed and would occasionally ask for a few Soms (pennies).

Uvaes was hungry; he had been hungry ever since leaving his village. He seemed to be the only one from his village still alive. Months ago, old man Ali was ill, then everyone in his family, then the doctor, then the doctor’s family. Before long, old man Ali died, and everyone was sick except for him. When Uvaes's father fell ill and could no longer move, Uvaes ran to the next village for help. Before long, many people from the government and the hospital were in the village. The old lady from the next village over said he could stay with her and her family. So he went and helped them with their farm. Soon, everyone in that village was getting ill. Uvaes heard the hospital people calling it COVID; he was scared. They gave him a mask. Everyone was wearing a mask, so he did, too. He stayed for a while at the orphanage in the city until the COVID showed up there. Soon, all of his new friends were sick, and the adults as well. He got scared and ran away. Then he heard people talking about a shot at the hospital that would make COVID-19 go away. Soon, no one was wearing a mask, so he took his mask off, too. The old man who used to sit here with him on the street and beg got sick the other day; then he stopped showing up. Dr. Pernai bought a water bottle, and a Samsa walked over to the boy and gave the items to him.

“Where is the old man,” he asked the boy.

“I do not know. He was sick the other day, the COVID,” Uvaes said.

“Oh really,” Dr. Pernai smiled, “How do you know it was COVID?”

“I have seen many people with COVID,” Uvaes said. “They have all died. That is why I am an orphan. My entire village is dead.”

Dr. Pernai felt chills as he looked at the boy. There was a particularly deadly strain in the country that kept popping up here and there that they couldn’t seem to get a handle on.

“Would you come to the hospital with me? I would like to check to make sure you are not ill. I am a doctor.”

“I am hungry; I am not sick,” Uvaes said. He felt scared and thought he should run.

“Sometimes, with COVID, you can be sick but not feel sick. I can get you food, a bath, and new clothes. I can help you get into the orphanage where it is warm, and you will have a bed,” Dr. Pernai said.

“No,” Uvaes said, standing up. “The last time I was at an orphanage, everyone got COVID. They all died.” Uvaes put the coins in his pocket. He finished the Samsa and took a drink of water, looking side to side.

“I promise I will help you. Please let me help you,” Dr. Pernai said. He took a mask from his pocket and put it on. Then, he handed another mask to Uvaes, “Please, could you put this on while we go to the hospital?”

“I am not sick; I am hungry. Why should I wear a mask?”

“You should wear a mask when you go into the hospital. There are sick people there. Please let me help you.”

“No,” Uvaes said and turned to run.

Alnea, a police officer, watched the white man approach the street urchin, give him water and a Samsa, speak with him, give him a mask, and then grab him. Alnea ran over and grabbed the foreigner, throwing him against the wall. The boy ran. Dr. Pernai explained to the police officer, after showing his identification, that he thought the boy was ill with COVID-19. The police officer apologized and let the doctor go. That night Alnea, the police officer, and Dr. Pernai both felt ill. The next day, they were diagnosed with a virulent variant of COVID. Three days later, they died.

Satan opened his eyes, stretched, and laughed out loud. The demons laughed as well. “Hell, boys, these days, I don’t even have to try. They are killing each other with their stinginess, pride, and their superiority complexes. He sat back and picked up the bible. He read, then laughed out loud. “Boys, get a load of this. Oh, this is rich. Wait,” He cleared his throat into a clenched fist and read.

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There is no greater commandment than this. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha,” Satan’s laughter shook the room.

Fuel Your Creativity

So, what inspires you to write? Is it the gentle buzz of a coffee shop, a breaking news story, or a line from your favorite song? Whatever it is, Contemporary Fiction invites us to take the world around us, our joys, fears, and quirks, and turn it into stories that entertain, inspire, and reflect who we are.

Here’s to writing stories that are as exciting, complex, and surprising as the times we live in. Let’s raise a cup (or glass) to that. Cheers, my fellow storytellers!

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© 2024, T. Mark Mangum

I am T. Mark Mangum. From an early age, I was hooked on the imagined, unfathomable worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Conan, the Lord of the Rings, and many others. I love writing fiction tales. I love writing in multiple genres, but my favorites are Sci-fi and Fantasy fiction. I am a father of six; we have two cats and two dogs. Tabletop gaming is a passion of mine.

Please consider subscribing to me and Total Fiction, a publication dedicated to publishing and promoting fiction tales of all genres.

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References:

1. Gass, W. H. (1970). *Metafiction and Contemporary Fiction*. In Oxford Research Encyclopedias. Retrieved from https://oxfordre.com. This resource discusses the concept of metafiction within contemporary fiction, highlighting its experimental narrative techniques and connection to modern-day storytelling.

2. Ikeo, R. (2023). Contemporary present-tense fiction: Crossing boundaries in narrative. *Language and Literature: International Journal of Stylistics, 32*(1), 98–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/09639470221117674. This paper explores how present-tense narratives have shaped modern fiction by blurring traditional storytelling boundaries.

3. MFS: Modern Fiction Studies. (n.d.). Planetary Fiction: African Literature and Climate Change. *Modern Fiction Studies*. Retrieved from https://press.jhu.edu. This journal emphasizes the relevance of contemporary fiction in addressing pressing global issues like climate change, using literature as a lens for societal reflection.

4. Oxford Academic. (n.d.). Contemporary Fiction: A Very Short Introduction. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com. This introductory text examines the themes, patterns, and evolving genres within contemporary fiction, offering insight into its dynamic nature.

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Total Fiction
Total Fiction

Published in Total Fiction

Total Fiction is an On-Line Publication that publishes Fiction writing. Total Fiction will publish all Genera and all lengths. From Micro Fiction to Book Length. If it is a good Fiction tale, there is a place here for it in Total Fiction. We will accept Sci-Fi to Westerns.

T. Mark Mangum
T. Mark Mangum

Written by T. Mark Mangum

For the serious reader. Short, compelling fiction for the serious reader. I use Imagination, wonder, and surprise to create my tales. Please Enjoy reading them.

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