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 inย reply. Bob began every Monday with the same conversation.

‘Don’t you ever feel like we’re hamsters in a wheel, goingย 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 explodedย 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 timeย as Bob from Accounting…


photo-20160918072949267
ยฉ 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 aroundย 150 words (I’m pushing the word limit a bit this week, apologies to all) based on the weekly photo prompt. For more information visitย HERE.

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

52 responses to “THE WRITER’S SPIRAL”

  1. A great twist. You are on to something here.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Heh, I like this. Nicely done!

    Liked by 2 people

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

      Liked by 1 person

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

        Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You never disappoint. You have real talent at this.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 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

  5. 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. Thanks Lynn, but for the word limit they could keep going round and round… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 2 people

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

      Like

  7. Nicely crafted. Loved it.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think the writer will keep the scenario but write it better next time – or keep rewriting it until happy with it! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

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

      Liked by 1 person

  10. This was really great! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

  11. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

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

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Michael, much appreciated.

      Like

  12. Thanks Michael, much appreciated.

    Like

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

    Liked by 2 people

    1. And keep trying again and again. Thanks for reading ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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

        Liked by 1 person

  14. best so far, Iain! Love the twist which shows the twisted mine of writers! HAHA! โค

    Liked by 2 people

    1. 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. yes! you’re not alone. ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Liked by 1 person

  15. I can so relate to this.
    Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Morgan, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. you never disappoint ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

  18. 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. Thanks Millie, much appreciated.

      Like

  19. 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. Too kind ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  20. 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. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks. A lot of writers seem to recognise this feeling ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

    1. Thanks Vivian, glad you love it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  21. Great, Iain! Love how this ends.

    Liked by 1 person

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