Yesterday, I shared Unframed: A Love Story in 36 Exposures—a 1,700-word short story about a photographer, a mysterious vintage Leica, and the woman who keeps appearing in photos he never took.
The story didn’t start small, as I explained in my blog posting yesterday. The first draft came in at over 4,000 words. The second ballooned to 6,500. It was only in the third pass—paring the story down to its essence—that I arrived at the tight, final version I published yesterday. That version focuses on the core idea: a camera that seems to reveal a possible future, and the choice the protagonist must make when confronted with what might be.
But after posting, a reader reached out with a suggestion: “I reckon you should also post the longest version and see which readers prefer.”
So here it is - Unframed: Extended Edition.
This extended draft gives more space to Alex’s unfolding journey—his search for Maya, their deepening connection, and the eerie mystery of the camera that keeps showing him glimpses of a life not yet lived. It’s a fuller arc, more emotional, and maybe a bit more haunting.
If you read the short version and found yourself wanting more—more moments, more backstory, perhaps more resolution—then I hope this longer cut resonates.
I’d love to hear what you think:
• Does the extended story add something the short version couldn’t?
• Or do you prefer the distilled clarity of the 1,700-word version?
• Did you feel more immersed, or more adrift?
Feel free to comment or message me directly. I always love hearing how these stories land.
Thanks for reading.
Eric