Black Linen

A 3 part short story series about Kenneth, an alcoholic, and his overly religious mother, Mrs Sanders.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
This three-part short story series explores the fragile intersection between life and death through the psychological and emotional decline of a man confronting mortality.

CONCEPT & INTENT
The narrative examines fear, memory, regret, and longing in the face of physical deterioration and impending death. Through Kenneth’s experience, the story reflects on how loss, addiction, heartbreak, and illness converge to reshape one’s sense of self and meaning. At its core, the series questions what remains when the future collapses and whether memory, love, and hope retain their significance at the threshold between life and death.

MY ROLE
I conceived and authored the series, developing its narrative arc, character psychology, and emotional pacing. The work focuses on intimate interior narration and dialogue to immerse readers in Kenneth’s psychological landscape.
PROCESS & APPROACH
The story combines medical realism with introspective storytelling, using fragmented memory, present-moment tension, and sensory recall to mirror the disorientation of illness and emotional trauma. Shifts between hospital scenes and personal memories create contrast between clinical reality and inner experience, emphasizing the emotional weight of unresolved love and unfinished life.

STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
Presented as a three-part series, the narrative unfolds progressively, revealing the protagonist’s physical decline, emotional reckoning, and eventual confrontation with mortality.

THEMES EXPLORED
Mortality & acceptance • fear & vulnerability • addiction & self-destruction • memory & regret • love & emotional residue • the psychology of dying

OUTCOME & AUDIENCE
The series contributes to Ripple’s body of thought-provoking fiction, engaging readers interested in existential themes, psychological realism, and emotionally driven storytelling.

SKILLS DEMONSTRATED
Psychological storytelling • character-driven narrative • emotional pacing • existential themes • dialogue realism • narrative tension building