I had some short stories, poems and photographs to share ... and so here I am

Introducing Grace !

 

Have you heard about the exciting writing project happening over at The Shameless Lions Writing Circle? Let me introduce you to Grace, whom we will all get to know a whole lot better in the coming weeks, months. Spread the word!

I have organised a collective short story, to be written by all the members of the circle, with everyone called on to add to the developing story. My photo above was the inspiration. Who knows where the tale will lead us? See here for the basic rules. Here's the story so far:

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The new watch that Grace's husband had given her the week before slipped inside the sleeve of her coat as her arm went up in the air. She felt she had no control over the movement, as though it were completely natural for her to be hailing a cab in the middle of New York. She felt as if she were being directed by remote control. 4:42pm, October 7. She made a mental note of the time, thinking it might be something she'd always want to remember.

"I just want you to drive," she said as she got in, avoiding the driver's eyes.

"Drive? Drive where, sweetheart?"

He sounded like he might be Middle Eastern, although the writing on photos and cards above his head looked like it could be Greek. She also noticed African music coming from the radio.

"I'll let you know. For now just drive anywhere. Wherever your instinct takes you."

"That is strange."

"Yes, it's strange. Please just drive. Anywhere."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart."

During the few minutes it took for the cab to rejoin the flow of angry traffic, she stared at the entrance to the subway that she'd been using to get home every night for the past 12 years. Ample time to change her mind. She turned off her mobile as the cab swung into Third Avenue. Happy trumpets played as a grainy picture of Sebastian and the two little ones faded into black. (1)

Grace sat back and tried to relax. All her muscles were tense. She moved her head a little from side to side to try and release some of the tension in her neck. She made an effort to relax her face muscles that she was sure were drawn up into a tight mask.

As the cab swooped along with the stream of homeward-bound traffic, a sudden gust of wind swirled fallen orange and red leaves into a mad dance. She found their dance mesmerising. It reflected her mood of being drawn into a wild dance, almost out of control. Where the dance would lead, she had no idea.

“Ok sweetheart?” the cab driver sounded uncomfortable with his role of just driving anywhere.

She nodded, still not meeting his eyes. She wished he would stop calling her sweetheart. She didn’t feel like anybody’s sweetheart. She looked down at her tan boots and noticed one of the toes was scuffed. She fingered the money purse inside the large red shoulder-bag sitting beside her like an obedient pet. She would have to watch the fare. After all, she only had so much money to go on. She made herself stop biting her fingernails as she tried to figure out just where she wanted the taxi cab to drop her.(2)


Authors So Far:

(1) Me
(2) Kay at As It Happens


Next Nominated Writer: Wanderlust Scarlett at from the shores of introspect and retrospect

Feel free to promote this on your blogs, putting up the photo and the new passages as they appear.

11 comments:

Roberta said...

Is it my turn yet?
Is it my turn yet???

:^D

S. Kearney said...

Roberta, yes, it's so exciting to wonder how the story may go. :-)

Roberta said...

A group of writing friends and I used to do this all the time. I'll sit on my hands and wait.

Oh..about that thing with my lion in the side bar...I can't figure out how to do it. I will. Yours is so handsome.

This is a great idea!

Kay Cooke said...

I've just completed my part - sorry to take so long :(

S. Kearney said...

Roberta,
Good to see we will get to see your handsome lion! Let me know if you want help putting him in your sidebar. I could go in there for you and do it. I've done this for a few other people who had problems. :-)

CB,
Excellent. Ooooo, the mystery deepens! Well done. I now can't wait to see how it develops. And I thought you were quick! :-)

Unknown said...

Great stuff so far S. O what larks :)

unarex said...

Ishiguro is the best. That's the only book of his I haven't read.

Roberta said...

I can't wait to see what Scarlett does...rubbing my hands together...lathering. The first two installments are fantastic!

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

It is finished.

Do you realize that it's 3:15 in the morning here?

It was lots of fun but I am wholeheartedly in agreement with you that we should NOT rush the writers. Putting a time limit on the project is like putting handcuffs on an artist and expecting him to paint.

I am sure some of us will be able to get it done quickly and some of us will want or need a little extra time.

Glad it's free right now.

I've passed the torch to Minx... may she guide us onward with it.

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

S. Kearney said...

Cailleach,
Larks are is! Hehe.


Jessica,
I really loved The Unconsoled by Ishiguro ... strange but addictive.

Roberta,
Yep I've come over all flushed at the thought of how this will turn out.

Wanderlust,
Fantastic stuff. Wow. Good take on things. Now here's hoping Minx's window of opportunity hasn't exploded and she can do it. She may not have known she could read the added piece at your blog. I think she was waiting for it to appear at the circle blog.

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