After years of report writing and writing in plain language I struggled to write any story longer than about 800 words! Flash and short fiction seems to be more my ‘thing’ although I haven’t written more than a shopping list in the last couple of years. I did feel something stirring when I read your post though…🤓 xx
I know you meant for this to be written for ourselves but my inner loon wanted to share, if only, for the Morecambe & Wise bit. lol
Write a story in 200 words starting: I sat at the bottom of the steps with my head in my hands ……….
Write a story in 200 words starting: I sat at the bottom of the steps with my head in my hands ……….
So here goes:
I sat at the bottom of the steps with my head in hands. My mind flicked back to the first time that I sat on the third step up in the dark entrance of the freshers halls. That awful, gut-wrenching, sobbing. I shuddered. I never thought I’d ever be sitting here again. Just three months ago I sat mourning the loss of my first serious boyfriend. He’d dumped me. We’d declared undying love to each other. Gave ourselves to each other. We’d promised “forever”. They were blissful months, both of them. I’d sobbed so hard I gulped for breath and tasted snotty tears.
Today, just three short months later, I find myself here again. It’s my own fault, of course. I’ve been talking with Tom. Tom was the first person to restore my faith in human nature.
I met Tom when he was buffooning about, entertaining the girls. I should have known he’d get under my skin. He’s made me laugh every day with some joke or mucking about but today he left me with this: “There’s two old men sitting in deck chairs. One says “It’s nice out today” to which the other said, sharply “Yes but….
Sorry, that’s 200. hehehehe
Those of you who don’t know the joke that Morecambe & Wise would tell at the end of their show but never finish, here it is:
‘There’s two old men sitting in deck chairs. One says “It’s nice out today” to which the other said, sharply “Yes but you’d better put it away now, there’s someone coming!”’
Writing definitely takes longer than I realized! I'm a sprinter. I sit down to write and go from beginning to end. In my writing bubble I don't notice the passage of time and when I look up am always surprised to see the time.
Over time, I have gotten better about asking myself what I want to convey and then do my massive edits.
I doubt I'll ever write a book, but I've had the title for years: The Conquerors and the Conquered. It would be about the two sides of my family. One side arrived in the US in 1666. The other side is native Californian. It would be about reconciling the two sides: the people who came to claim the land and those who lost the land they'd always had.
Love your insightful questions and never settling for status quo!
So glad you are getting so much out of the short story course. My problem has always been overwriting, although over time I have learned to really enjoy the process of editing, which for me usually includes trying to cut out at least 10% of the words. But I have also discovered how much fun it is to write short stories and novellas in between writing my much longer novels. As for the Covid anniversary, I share your anger/sadness at how ready so many people are to be to ignore the incredible loss of life as well as the long term effects both physically and emotionally on survivor (including those who lost loved ones during lock down, whether from covid or other illnesses, and were not able to be there during their passing.) Big hugs.
Hi Jo, I've just read your 'Beginnings' piece...such a moving, heartbreaking and powerful piece of writing. What you, Sarah and the whole family went through seems so heartless and what a strange and terrible time that was. You write beautifully. It's interesting how you talk about the challenge of writing differently to how you used to write in your job. My husband was a design engineer and trained as a draughtsman; he's recently started watercolour painting and he's constantly frustrated that he feels he paints like a draughtsman (too rigid) rather than an artist! I keep encouraging him to keep going and he'll eventually find his own rhythm. Very much enjoy reading your weekly newsletters 🙂 x
Thank you Karen. It was a difficult time for everyone and some more so. There are a lot of emotions that hang around.
Tell your husband he must keep going, looseness comes in time. Two exercises that help are painting with the non dominant hand and one I found completely by accident painting/drawing without glasses or the wrong ones 😁 it honestly helped me to loosen up in my painting/ drawing. 😘
After years of report writing and writing in plain language I struggled to write any story longer than about 800 words! Flash and short fiction seems to be more my ‘thing’ although I haven’t written more than a shopping list in the last couple of years. I did feel something stirring when I read your post though…🤓 xx
Get that pen to paper or finger on the keyboard xxxxx
I know you meant for this to be written for ourselves but my inner loon wanted to share, if only, for the Morecambe & Wise bit. lol
Write a story in 200 words starting: I sat at the bottom of the steps with my head in my hands ……….
Write a story in 200 words starting: I sat at the bottom of the steps with my head in my hands ……….
So here goes:
I sat at the bottom of the steps with my head in hands. My mind flicked back to the first time that I sat on the third step up in the dark entrance of the freshers halls. That awful, gut-wrenching, sobbing. I shuddered. I never thought I’d ever be sitting here again. Just three months ago I sat mourning the loss of my first serious boyfriend. He’d dumped me. We’d declared undying love to each other. Gave ourselves to each other. We’d promised “forever”. They were blissful months, both of them. I’d sobbed so hard I gulped for breath and tasted snotty tears.
Today, just three short months later, I find myself here again. It’s my own fault, of course. I’ve been talking with Tom. Tom was the first person to restore my faith in human nature.
I met Tom when he was buffooning about, entertaining the girls. I should have known he’d get under my skin. He’s made me laugh every day with some joke or mucking about but today he left me with this: “There’s two old men sitting in deck chairs. One says “It’s nice out today” to which the other said, sharply “Yes but….
Sorry, that’s 200. hehehehe
Those of you who don’t know the joke that Morecambe & Wise would tell at the end of their show but never finish, here it is:
‘There’s two old men sitting in deck chairs. One says “It’s nice out today” to which the other said, sharply “Yes but you’d better put it away now, there’s someone coming!”’
Love it Anna 😘😘
85,000 words! Wow!
Mainly rubbish 😂😘
Writing definitely takes longer than I realized! I'm a sprinter. I sit down to write and go from beginning to end. In my writing bubble I don't notice the passage of time and when I look up am always surprised to see the time.
Over time, I have gotten better about asking myself what I want to convey and then do my massive edits.
I doubt I'll ever write a book, but I've had the title for years: The Conquerors and the Conquered. It would be about the two sides of my family. One side arrived in the US in 1666. The other side is native Californian. It would be about reconciling the two sides: the people who came to claim the land and those who lost the land they'd always had.
Love your insightful questions and never settling for status quo!
Love the title of your book Sheryl. Never say never 😘
So glad you are getting so much out of the short story course. My problem has always been overwriting, although over time I have learned to really enjoy the process of editing, which for me usually includes trying to cut out at least 10% of the words. But I have also discovered how much fun it is to write short stories and novellas in between writing my much longer novels. As for the Covid anniversary, I share your anger/sadness at how ready so many people are to be to ignore the incredible loss of life as well as the long term effects both physically and emotionally on survivor (including those who lost loved ones during lock down, whether from covid or other illnesses, and were not able to be there during their passing.) Big hugs.
Thank you as ever Louisa. I had avoided short stories but have enjoyed the process. Covid took a lot away from all of us 😘😘
Hi Jo, I've just read your 'Beginnings' piece...such a moving, heartbreaking and powerful piece of writing. What you, Sarah and the whole family went through seems so heartless and what a strange and terrible time that was. You write beautifully. It's interesting how you talk about the challenge of writing differently to how you used to write in your job. My husband was a design engineer and trained as a draughtsman; he's recently started watercolour painting and he's constantly frustrated that he feels he paints like a draughtsman (too rigid) rather than an artist! I keep encouraging him to keep going and he'll eventually find his own rhythm. Very much enjoy reading your weekly newsletters 🙂 x
Thank you Karen. It was a difficult time for everyone and some more so. There are a lot of emotions that hang around.
Tell your husband he must keep going, looseness comes in time. Two exercises that help are painting with the non dominant hand and one I found completely by accident painting/drawing without glasses or the wrong ones 😁 it honestly helped me to loosen up in my painting/ drawing. 😘