IAIN KELLY

THE WRITER’S SPIRAL

Mark met Bob from Accounting at the bottom of the stairs.

‘Another Monday morning,’ said Bob, as they began the trudge up to the office. Mark grunted in reply. Bob began every Monday with the same conversation.

‘Don’t you ever feel like we’re hamsters in a wheel, going round and round and getting nowhere?’ Bob continued. ‘There must be something more exciting in life than this.’

As Mark prepared to answer, the lights went out. Out of the window they saw bright orange beams cut through the air. Aircraft buzzed around them, firing at one another. Buildings exploded as aircraft and missiles crashed into them. The sky darkened as a large spaceship loomed over the city. Mark ducked as a piece of debris crashed through the glass next to them. It caught Bob and sent him plummeting to the ground below.

**

The writer paused and read back what he had just typed. It all spiralled out of control too quickly. He sighed and pressed Ctrl+A and Delete. The cursor on the blank screen blinked at him. He started again.

**

Mark arrived at work at the same time as Bob from Accounting…


photo-20160918072949267
© Joy Pixley. Thanks Joy, great photo.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story, in around 150 words (I’m pushing the word limit a bit this week, apologies to all) based on the weekly photo prompt. For more information visit HERE.

For more stories based on this week’s photo prompt, visit HERE.

52 responses to “THE WRITER’S SPIRAL”

  1. Chris White Avatar

    I like this. Excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Cheers Chris.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    A great twist. You are on to something here.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks Scott.

      Like

  3. Sonya Avatar

    Heh, I like this. Nicely done!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sonya – yeah, I had to dig your comment out of spam. Glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Joyfrida Avatar

    Nice, the number of times I have gone through this process as a writer though… and what is it with people of accounting being so early to the office hmmmm

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Always the first in aren’t they! Thanks, something about the picture just made me think of how my mind works when writing – always end up going round in circles!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Joyfrida Avatar

        Glad to know they are the same all over the world!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. shehannemoore Avatar

    Iain, these just keep getting better and better. This has a brilliant twist

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Shehanne, was all down to a good starting photo this time – makes it so much easier!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. shehannemoore Avatar

        You never disappoint. You have real talent at this.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. shehannemoore Avatar

        I know given what you work at and as you have many other talents, but your own is quite something it its own right .

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Lynn Love Avatar

    Lovely job there Iain and a nicely satisfying read. Love the characters and the writer being caught in that loop together, mirroring each other. Great story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Lynn, but for the word limit they could keep going round and round… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Priceless Joy Avatar

    I love your spin on the prompt! Brilliant! Hahaha! All writers can relate to this!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I thought it might strike a chord with a few fellow writers out there! Thanks for the compliment.

      Like

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        Haha! Great story!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. yarnspinnerr Avatar

    Nicely crafted. Loved it.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Love this one Ian. Not only is Bob and Mark in the hamster wheel, but the writer as well. I liked where the story was going though. Ironic after the men having this same conversation every Monday morning in the doldrums. I think the writer should keep it 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think the writer will keep the scenario but write it better next time – or keep rewriting it until happy with it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. jademwong Avatar

    This was such a creative take, and one of my favorites from what you’ve written so far! To have the scene play out the way the writer types it and then to have it change along with the writer, it’s intriguing to say the least. Really superb, Iain!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Awww, thank you Jade that’s really kind. Glad you liked it so much.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. swritings Avatar

    This was really great! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Others have said it better than I could, this was a great piece of writing.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael, much appreciated.

      Like

  13. Iain Kelly Avatar

    Thanks Michael, much appreciated.

    Like

  14. samanthamacmaster Avatar

    ah, well, we have all been there, haven’t we? Delete..delete….delete!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And keep trying again and again. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

      1. samanthamacmaster Avatar

        yuppers, it’s part of the fun….or so I keep telling myself.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. rosemawrites Avatar

    best so far, Iain! Love the twist which shows the twisted mine of writers! HAHA! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Everyone seems to be relating to it, good to kmow I’m not the only one who goes through this when writing!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rosemawrites Avatar

        yes! you’re not alone. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  16. creatingahome Avatar

    I can so relate to this.
    Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  17. Morgan Avatar

    I absolutely love this spin on the prompt. Masterfully Crafted Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Morgan, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Morgan Avatar

        you never disappoint 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Michael Avatar

    Hang on what was wrong with that first effort, spiraling out of control can be good…..great response Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. milliethom Avatar

    Excellent story, Iain. I really like the way you used the abrupt change in the middle to create the twist. The ending seems to resonate with many of us! Very well written.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Millie, much appreciated.

      Like

  20. Grant-Sud Avatar
    Grant-Sud

    Okay. Wow. This was great. XD Again, of all the Written Challenges for this week, this one is my fav.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Too kind 🙂 Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Ameena k.g Avatar

    I love how you used the spiral pattern of the image as the core of your story. Ohh, I know that feeling all too well, if starting all over again. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks. A lot of writers seem to recognise this feeling 🙂

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Vivian, glad you love it 🙂

      Like

  22. sailajaP14 Avatar

    Great, Iain! Love how this ends.

    Liked by 1 person

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