Late April 2011 I discovered http://StoryADay.org and the project that is to write 31 stories in 31 days. Anyone who knows me or follows this blog, knows how passionate I am about short stories so my clichéd eyes lit up at this new marvel. And just a few days later there I was, breathing life into new characters. This went on to become (with some editing of course) my 31-story collection eBook Story A Day May 2011.
And here we are a year later doing it all over again. Because I’m planning on eBooking this month’s stories I brought back three from ‘Whatever You Say’ (a story in the 2011 collection). Today’s prompt is to bring the character mentioned (but not featured) from yesterday into this story but later on and here is my 640-worder (all in dialogue 
).
Just a figure of speech
“In the car please, Rosie.”
“Have you got my gym kit?”
“In the back.”
“And my trip form.”
“Rosie! Hurry up and get in. I want to have a word with you about Chuck.”
“My form, mum.”
“In your school bag.”
“The holdall?”
“No, your school bag, the red one. Did you pick your lunch off the kitchen table?”
“Of course.”
“So we can go now, yes?”
“Yep.”
“Then put on your seatbelt.”
“Oh, hold on.”
“What?”
“Holly wanted me to bring my DS.”
“But you’re seeing her tonight.”
“She might not be able to come.”
“What?”
“I forgot, she has violin on a Tuesday.”
“But you asked.”
“But I forgot.”
“Let me know at lunchtime, OK?”
“Oops.”
“What now?”
“My mobile’s on the kitchen table.”
“What? Why?”
“I had to put it down to put the lunch in my bag.”
“Rosie! It’s too late to go back now so use Holly’s.”
“She doesn’t have one.”
“Oh, OK. You can borrow mine but you’re not to lose it or Dad will kill you.”
“He will?”
“Of course not. It’s only a figure of speech.”
“Then why did you say it?”
“Rosie. I’ll give you my phone. Dad won’t kill you if you lose it but just don’t, OK?”
“Is it an expensive phone?”
“Valuable to me, yes. Lots of numbers on it. I didn’t know Holly played the violin.”
“Level 2.”
“Very good. How did Chuck seem to you this morning?”
“Fine.”
“Just fine?”
“You know. Like always.”
“Not quieter? Subdued?”
“What’s that?”
“Subdued. It means quiet.”
“English is stupid.”
“What have you got first thing?”
“Art.”
“That’s nice, you like art.”
“We’re making collages out of magazine pictures.”
“Do you get to bring them home?”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
“We’re supposed to bring in some magazines.”
“Child! How did you get so forgetful?”
“Dad says I take after him.”
“You do. And Chuck. Why didn’t he leave a note?”
“Because he told me. Can we stop by the store?”
“We don’t have time, you know that.”
“But I need some magazines.”
“Oh, alright but two minutes.”
###
“You wait here and I’ll get a random selection, OK?”
“OK. Can you leave the radio on?”
“Sure.”
“And can you get some ice cream?”
“I’m not going straight home after dropping you off, it’ll melt.”
“Chocolate then. Chocolate chocolate. White chocolate chocolate?”
“OK. But none to take to school. It’ll come home with me.”
“I thought you weren’t going home.”
“Not straight away, no.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to have a word with Mr Francome.”
“The Principal?”
“Yes. Just a quick word.”
“About me?”
“No, Rosie, not about you.”
“About Sam?”
“No, not Sam.”
“Chuck then. What’s he done?”
“I don’t know Rosie. Nothing, I think, but…”
“There’s a space there mum, right by the store entrance.”
“Alright then. How many magazines do you need?”
“Three or four, I guess. I don’t know.”
“I’ll get four then any you don’t chop up I can read.”
###
“These are grown-ups magazines, mum.”
“You’re making a collage, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“There’s all sorts in there. You’ll be spoilt for choice.”
“But it’s all cooking… and fashion… and stuff.”
“What’s the matter with that?”
“It’s supposed to be about monsters?”
“Monsters? You didn’t tell me monsters?”
“Didn’t I?”
“Count to ten…”
“One… two…”
“No, not you Rosie.”
“But you said…”
“Just a figure of speech.”
###
“OK, we’re here. Don’t forget your gym stuff in the back.”
“Mum!”
“Have a good day.”
“Why are you going to see Mr Francome?”
“I’ve told you. You’re late. Go… shoo.”
“Bye, mum.”
###
“Hello. Is Mr Francome free?”
“Hi. Do you have an appointment?”
“I don’t. Sorry. It’s a spur of the moment thing.”
“Can I tell him what it’s about?”
“I’d just like to have a quick word about my son.”
“And your name…”
“Chuck? What are you doing here?”
If you like working from prompts you might be interested in my 365-Day Writer’s Block Workbook (Vol 1).
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Unfortunately, as I post an interview a day (amongst other things) I can’t review books but I have a feature called ‘Short Story Saturdays’ where I review stories of up to 2,500 words. Alternatively if you have a short story or self-contained novel extract / short chapter (ideally up to 1000 words) that you’d like critiqued and don’t mind me reading it / talking about and critiquing it (I send you the transcription afterwards so you can use the comments or ignore them) on my ‘Bailey’s Writing Tips’ podcast, then do email me. They are weekly episodes, usually released Monday mornings UK time, interweaving the recordings between the red pen sessions with the hints & tips episodes. I am now also looking for flash fiction (<1000 words) for Flash Fiction Fridays and poetry for Post-weekend Poetry.
Books & Art - Spirit & Soul
May 11, 2012 at 6:38 pm
morgenbailey
May 11, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Yay!
Yvonne Hertzberger
May 13, 2012 at 2:33 pm
I can’t believe you don’t have kids – hilarious.
morgenbailey
May 13, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Thank you. :*) My dog thinks he’s a child.