Free Write Bag Philosophy

 

 

The saying on a paper bag  was this week's prompt.

Julia's Free Write

Ah, the luxury, she was finally back in a cabin in the woods: how had she let it be so long? No excuse other than the necessity to see friends and family.

Not a complaint, mind you as she was very content with her current life, loved seeing her grandkids as well as having lunches and coffees with friends. She is blessed.

However, a little “me” time does not come amiss.

She had seen this opportunity a couple of months ago and assiduously guarded the next five days free.

Sleeping, awaking on her own timeline, walks both short and long, her favorite meal, what wasn’t to like about the scenario?

And to have the loan of a friend’s cabin, one with a newly installed fireplace insert that spread heat much better than the old, but still had the luxury of flames, life truly couldn’t get any better.

“I can’t, I’m fully booked” was her excuse for not accepting anything for those days: just most people didn’t realize that the “fully booked” meant 5 books to be read.

D-L's Free Write

Mattie tried to discourage Kai politely.

No she didn't want to go to the Les Mis restaurant, although she did just not with him.

She couldn't see him because she had to visit her mother. She didn't,

"A college friend will stay with me for a week," she said. She wasn't.

When Kai stopped in Matti's office, he found folders on the chairs in front of her desk. He asked her to a movie.

"I can't go. I have to take the garbage out." 

Who wouldn't take that as a hint.

Kai, that's who.

Mattie's friend Julie suggested a fake engagement ring.

If Kai noticed, he didn't say anything although when she stopped wearing it he mentioned the green circle on her ring finger from the cheap metal of the fake ring.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out. What if I treat you to dinner?" 

"I'm swearing off men for a year," Mattie said. Maybe by then he would have found someone else.

"I'll wait," he said. 

Mattie decided to change jobs, cities. There were more than one way to skin the cat.

(Note: I didn't use the prompt in words, just in implication that no matter what Kai asked, she was booked.)

Rick's Free Write

I can’t sit down without reading something. I have an insatiable need to absorb information.

Even if I’m watching TV news, I tend to read the headline ‘crawls’ at the bottom of the screen.

I used to read the newspaper daily. Worked for four different newspapers early in my career. Still occasionally pick up L’Independant in France or Tribune de Geneve in Switzerland.

But mostly I read on my phone. A stream of news and commentary emails. The Atlantic magazine, our only remaining online subscription.

When I’m not ‘doom scrolling’ on US, UK and European politics, or searching for content for my weekly aviation newsletter, I’ll work through a book, a few pages at a time. Typically, Sherlock is on my lap.

I lean toward fiction, especially crime thrillers such as Val McDermid or Harlan Coben. I confess to liking Lee Childs’ Jack Reacher, largely for the staccato style, though the plots are totally predictable: Reacher stalks and beats up bad guys.

I just finished what one critic called “the first great novel of the new century.” Some good phrasing, but way overwritten. A writer in love with lavish run-on sentences. I struggled to finish it, hoping it would get better. It didn’t. Out of kindness, I won’t mention the book title or author.

We’re well stocked with alternates. Just picked up about 80 books at the English Library’s semi-annual sale for about 3 euros each. 

About the Free Writers 

Rick Adams is an aviation journalist and publisher of www.aviationvoices.com, a weekly newsletter reporting the airline industry  top stories . He is the author of The Robot in the Simulator. AI in Aviation Training.  

Visit D-L.'s website  https://dlnelsonwriter.com, She is the author of 15 fiction and three non fiction books. Her 300 Unsung Women, bios of women who battled gender limitations, can be purchased  at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/300-unsung-women-d-l-nelson/1147305797?ean=9798990385504 

Visit Julia's blog. She has written and taken photos and loves syncing up with friends.  Her blog can be found: https://viewsfromeverywhere.blogspot.com/