14 Comments
User's avatar
Liz Zimmers's avatar

What a wonderful haunting! Planefoot is an eerie and exciting mentor.

Judith Ashcraft's avatar

Thank you, Liz!

Maryellen Brady 💗📚's avatar

There is so much to love about this Judith. Planefoot has so much character & chemistry & helping get the kid in touch with the wilderness. They joy of being outside instead of obsessed with tech. I love this one.

Judith Ashcraft's avatar

Thank you so much!

GrousyGirl's avatar

I think this is one of your strongest pieces (that I've read so far). The narrative voice, how multi-layered the story is, how we get a sense of her relationship with her parents, how she externalizes the changes within her (possibly) by using the shoe. SO good. I really loved it.

Judith Ashcraft's avatar

Thank you very much, and thank you for reading.

A. G. Giberson | Poet's avatar

I might need to find my own Planefoot (talisman? cursed object?) to bring me back to nature. You have such a creative mind, Judith!

Nick Buchheit's avatar

I really enjoyed how the “cursed” object made the protagonist closer to nature. I feel like we need more monsters or cursed objects like this! Haha

Great story Judith. It’s really fresh approach and as avid hiker I approve.

Judith Ashcraft's avatar

Thanks so much, Nick! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Keith Long's avatar

I loved this one, it felt surreal and eerie and hopeful all at once

A.P. Murphy's avatar

Congrats on the honourable mention placement, Judith! Well done!

Judith Ashcraft's avatar

Thank you! And thanks so much for your feedback on the draft!