I Imagine Fire

Novella Work in Progress

     I Imagine Fire, is a novella set in the theorized mundus imaginalis—imaginary world or world of archetypes. I’ve been studying this theory for months now, having uncovered it through my own image work and writing practice, which directly references imaginal phenomena. Alongside this, I am translating and cataloging the terms, characters, and systems that I discover through my writing, which is an integrated form of analysis that does not interpret fantasy, but actively engages it—clarifying images, motivations, and desires to heal charged parts of the soul. It's healing through narrative. In the novella, I expand my intimately imagined scenarios into a complete mythology.

Synopsis

     When unstoppable fires burn into reality from peoples’ fantasies, Roe and Languish are sent into the imaginal realm by a cult of mysterious Authors, who erase their waking memories and give them one task: Find the source of the fires and put them out.

     Roe, who masquerades as Reason, and Languish, their chipper companion, have three days to complete their journey, unless they want to be trapped in the imaginal realm forever. This task would be easier if it weren’t for one problem: For whatever reason, Roe still has their memories, and the weight of their mistakes alters the imaginal realm—home to Archetypes with archaic magic—manifesting nightmare beasts, evil Archetypes, and corrupted landscapes. They’re hell-bent on hurting Roe, but seemingly fond of Languish.

     Feeling betrayed and heartbroken after an encounter with the Archetype Protection, Roe abandons Languish, believing it is their presence changing the imaginal realm. Roe aims to fix everything on their own. But this proves challenging. They are tormented by an inner voice—Guide—a once kind and motherly Archetype who bestows ancient wisdom on her charges, now bestowing judgment on Roe’s actions, trying desperately to show them how their broken promises in real-life have harmed the imaginal realm. Roe resists Guide’s warnings. 

     Only after several painful encounters with other Archetypes, Roe learns their secret origins, their role in starting the fires, and the solution to everything. They are an archetype, as is Languish, and with their Archetypal names, they possess special archaic magic that will stop the fires. Roe races to find Languish and tell them the solution, but they’re too late. Languish has been consumed by the fire. Bereaved and defeated, Roe finally uncovers their Archetypal name—Regret. 

     Rain falls and the fires finally die.

​