It’s been months since I wrote any fiction in response to a writing prompt, but inspired by Lydia (Where the Wild Things Were) and her ‘first of the month’ writing prompt (and as a nice foil to my current regime of editing), I embraced this creative little project and wrote a short piece of 100 words entitled ‘The Appointment’.
As Miranda stepped outside, a blast of air tussled her carefully blow-dried hair. Buttoning her jacket, she wound the scarf twice around her slender neck.
Winter had arrived. Breathing in deeply, she lifted her chin and strode the well-worn path to the train station. Her calm gait was at odds with the thoughts in her head, which ricocheted like the remnant gold leaves flung high by the helter-skelter wind.
The appointment. A fifty minute slot (they were precise), could make such a difference to her, to everyone. Its power loomed and Miranda dipped her head and repeated her newest mantra.
Some clever person once said something like, “It’s not about originality, it’s what you do with it that counts.” What prompts you? External stimulus or do you have a fertile imagination, just bursting with original ideas? 🙂
Flogging today With Some Grace and FYBF.
Is it just me? 
“She dipped her head”… I love it. Where was she going? What was the appointment about? What was the significance of fifty minutes? What was her newest mantra? Oh, I wish I was a real writer like you Lee-Anne. In one hundred words you already have me hooked 🙂
Oops, where did that comment go?! 😀
I often get ideas when walking around and I see something that then triggers a story in my mind. I usually never sit down to write it unless I have a competition to submit for…or the first of the month is looming…
Yes, deadlines work well. I found the 100 words quite a discipline! 🙂
Pinky, you are so kind. I am in two minds (three actually) as to what the ‘appointment’ will be: The obvious one – a job interview, the horrible one – a medical appointment with bad results and the fun one – a dating agency… What d’you think?? 😉
A dating agency please 🙂
That’s what I thought…think I’ll continue it. 🙂
By the way, Pinky, you ARE a ‘real’ writer – eloquent and funny, a difficult combo!
It is amazing how many things you can set up in so few words. Very cool.
Thanks, Michelle. I like a writing prompt as it gets all those rogue ideas organised! 🙂
Hmmm…. I too am wondering about the appointment. And I felt cold reading it!
Physically or metaphorically?! 😉 I’m in a quandary about whether to go down the sinister, romantic or comical road… I’ve eliminated the tragic one. 🙂
I’m a bit worried that her appointment will make such a big difference to ‘everyone’. Doesn’t sound like a dating agency appointment, unless you’re thinking Brady Bunch? Sounds intriguing!
I’m not giving anything away just yet 😉 Watch this space!
Oh, you’ve left me hanging!!! And it’s true – it’s about the delivery.
Haha, you were meant to be hanging! (and you know all about delivery, Grace) 🙂
So I wish I had time to think fiction right now! Love this – but hate being left hanging. Well played 🙂
Oh thanks, Emily. It’s so hard to fit fiction in with everything else. I can only seem to write it when I read a prompt that enforces self-discipline! 🙂
I love the winter-themed writing! Lovely little piece. 🙂
Thanks so much, Majoring 🙂 Winter took so long to arrive here in Sydney but it’s kicked in now!
Such a brilliant exercise to toss into your writing regimen, Lee-Anne. Starts cranking up all sorts of places in your brain that get a little dusty if we don’t attend to them. And well done, on producing some intriguing results.
As far as the idea grab bag goes? There’s a wonderful Ted Radio hour podcast on this very topic. I believe it’s called What is Original. And it’s worthy.
Cheers to you!
Thanks, Shelley, will definitely check that out! 🙂
Pingback: A little story (and some regulation trivia). | Is it just me?
Everything inspires me. =) This American Life and NPR news radio are also packed with seeds for posts.
Thanks so much HW, I’ll check them out! xx