My brain both runs away with the slightest prompt and strongly resists being told what to do. But here I was, uncomfortably sitting at a table, listening to instructions.
I was at a workshop on writing fiction.
We were given different exercises to help think of a story, develop a character, explore big changes and try out alternative endings.
The first, was to help us think of a new story.
But I don’t want another story idea, I already have a big list!
We were told to pick out from two different envelopes, two pieces of paper. One had an occupation written on it and the other a mode of transport. Eyes closed, in went my hand and out came ’Pharmacist’ and ‘Time Machine’.
I have no knowledge of pharmacy and no desire to write about time machines. Yes, it’s a fun prompt but time travel can quickly get complicated.
It was suggested that we start our fictional story with some action to hook the reader. A clock was set to countdown the writing time and the following prompt was given to get us started –
“You are on your journey to work and something dramatic happens…”
I don’t want to get to work right now.
Be quiet, brain.
I had a quick word with myself about the demand avoidance (after all I had voluntarily turned up for this workshop) and grabbed my laptop and began to type…
Chapter One
Pharmacist, why oh why did I study pharmacy – it was hard and i’m not that great at retaining all the facts. If I could go back in time I wouldn’t be so easily persuaded. I would… what would I do? I don’t even know. That’s the trouble with me, I never did know what I wanted to be when I grew up?
But grow up I did, and grown up I am. House, car, job and dating that nice tall guy… at least that bit puts a smile on my face.
I set off to work, just a short walk. I might mix it up today though and go down a different alleyway. There’s lots that cut through to the main street, not sure why I always walk down the same one? Actually, I do know why – it’s because humans are creatures of habit. And for some reason I think it’s the shortest route. But today I am going to live outrageously and go a different way.
Watch out world, its the new me!
I turn and step onto unfamiliar cobbles. This alleyway is narrower than my usual one, the stone built walls seem too close. I glance up at the slither of blue sky between the old buildings and… hold on a second… that’s weird… the gutters are almost touching. Something brushes against my shoulder. Oops, I bumped into the wall there, I better look where i’m going. Oh crap! This can’t be right. I’m definitely getting squashed. My bum is jammed – I must stop eating all that cake…what am I thinking? I can’t turn, I’m trapped!
I can no longer see sky above and ahead the stones and cobbles are twisting and spiralling. I open my mouth to scream for help but an ear piercing crack drowns out any noice I make.
I am suffocating. There is no pharmacological solution to this predicament. Really, is that going to be my last thought before I die?
The alleyway splits open before me – I am released and collapse onto the soft grass.
Soft grass? Well this isn’t the front street.
I look behind and no longer see the buildings of my town but a large rock face with a single crack running top to bottom.
So much for outrageously walking a different way to work…good thinking, excellent life choice…where the heck am I?
To be continued… perhaps…
To be completed… time will tell…
Big thanks to DurhamWrites https://newwritingnorth.com/event/durham-writes/ and Amy Lord https://www.amylordauthor.com for the workshop.