When I began this blog I didn't intend it to be a weekly recap of my activities, but it seems that it kind of has become that during this Christmas break at least. I have also found that it's taking the shape of a conversation between friends being picked up after a short silence and continuing on with ease and familiarity. Incidentally, that's how I continue Messenger conversations with friends, no salutation or preamble, just resume chatting. No rudeness intended, it's just one of my quirks. I'm a busy lady, remember.
Even though I managed to finish a Floristry assessment my procrastination game has been strong this week. I haven't even unpacked my port from Normanton.
Port.
Apparently, that's a North Queensland thing. A shortened form of portmanteau, from the French portemanteau coming from "porter" (to carry) and "manteau" (mantle, a loose sleeveless cloak or shawl). Instantly a vivid picture or Geralt of Riveria enters my head and I remember that I need to catch up on Season Two of The Witcher. More distractions!
I began the 52Frames challenge that I mentioned last week. Week One's Self-Portrait is here in its exhausted beauty. Currently working on getting the timing right for the light to produce Week Two's entry. I have these ideas and then the execution of said ideas never seems to be a simple thing. Strange. Anyway, here's a link to the page that Jacqui and I have set up to share our contributions...
https://www.facebook.com/Two-Togs-111757581386657
In creative undertakings I find that I am compelled to go with inspiration when it presents itself. On a whim (after listening to a couple of stories on audiobook - it's been a very long while since I had the time to hold an actual book and read it, so I have people read them to me while I do other things) I went through my collection of notes and writings and began working on a new piece of flash fiction. Don't let the name fool you, it's not flash as in fancy (as in "flash as a rat with a gold tooth"). It's flash as in Barry Allen. It's also called sudden fiction or microfiction because it's short (usually less than 1000 words, but not always), is a complete stand-alone story, and has a twist or surprise at the end.
I think it's that last part that I like the best. I enjoy giving the reader things to think about. I suppose the brevity is a selling point for me too. I'm all too aware of the irony of this. Someone who can waffle on verbally for seemingly an age (just ask my son - he always says I talk for too long when I run into people at the shops) enjoying the challenge of finding the perfect succinct descriptive phrase to provide just the right amount of weighty detail to weave a captivating tale. (In my head I hear Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder in Justified say, "I've been accused of being a lot of things. 'Inarticulate' ain't one of them".) That character has some awesome lines! Boyd is more inclined towards verbosity (it was noted that he uses “40 words when four will do”) with an eloquent mix of intelligent phrasing and redneck slang. Might have to re-watch Justified...
Anyway, back to the writing. This book gives some scenarios to get the creative juices flowing and you don't have to exhaust your grey matter coming up with a starting point. I have more ideas, but nothing new finished as yet. I wrote this a while back and thought I'd share it.
It's been quite a party, ain't it
Purple Fairy
The Height of Fear
I was somewhat surprised that the experience was actually very similar to those described in stories I had read. The fear was a tangible thing. I could feel it, not just emotionally, but physiologically.
It was more than the clichéd white knuckles, sweaty palms, dry mouth and thumping chest. Although I couldn’t see my face (for lack of a mirror at that particular point in time) I am certain that my pupils were dilated and the lids were stretched back as far as they could go unassisted. It felt as though every nerve in my body was twitching. The response to fear is either fight or flight so I have heard. I can only imagine that the twitching was my body’s preparation for a surge of power. My muscles were bracing themselves for my body to flee the scene, and quickly. Somehow though, I remained frozen to the spot, unable to move. I had gotten this far, and realised with sudden consternation that I really didn’t want to go on.
I was trying to convince myself with some logical self-talk that I would be fine if I remembered to breathe. A sharp exhalation escaped through my lips. I had been holding my breath without realising. I consciously regulated the resulting inhalation and followed it with a more controlled exhalation and repeated this several more times.
If I could let go with one hand and reach up I could steady myself. Then I realised that I couldn’t reach any higher unless I first moved one of my feet. After another calming, determination restoring breath I gripped harder with my hands, shifted my weight to my right foot and slowly raised my left foot until I felt the next sturdy surface. Do not look down! I was operating purely by feel. My eyes squeezed closed and I watched my foot in my mind’s eye. Tentatively I tested the narrow platform, judged that I had a firm hold and released my caught breath.
I looked towards my goal, closed my eyes to brace myself and extended my arm above my head transferring more weight to my left foot to reach higher. Opening my eyes I saw my hand reach my goal. Concentrating on remaining steady and balanced I felt the object in my right hand click home. A brief rush of relief washed over me, but I forced my mind to re-focus. I now had to get down!
I could feel blood coursing through my body. My hands began to feel slippery, so I gripped harder, hoping that they would not slip. I needed to move. Slowly I initiated the reverse movement of my left foot. Once it struck the sturdy platform where my right foot rested I felt more comfortable moving my hands down further. With each movement I was able to relax a little more. I was moving closer to solid ground! My heart rate hadn’t slowed, but I think that this was due to excitement. I was doing this! I was pushing through my fear. When both feet were planted firmly on the floor both hands flew to my face, covering my eyes. I took a triumphant breath and I felt giddy from the effects of the fear and adrenaline. I reached back with my hand and flicked the switch. Bold brilliant light shone down on me.
Note to self: Buy longer life light bulbs!
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