Iain Kelly

Fiction Writing

STATIONARY STATIONERY

New Year. New me.
Resolutions. Not new ones.
The same ones as last year, but this time I’m going to stick to them.

Get up, get moving, shift the pounds, feel the burn.
No more lounging around the house in pyjamas.
Dress for success.

Productivity is the key.
New stationery organised.
Ready for work.
Not sure what the project is yet, but keep the energy up and it will come to me.

New lockdown.
Gym closed.
Pavements icy.
Not to worry. I can start exercise next week.

Work called.
Furloughed again, no need to get up in the morning.

New stationery sits untouched.
Another stationary year ahead.

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Happy New Year everyone. Let’s hope 2021 turns out to be the year we get back to some sort of normal life. I hope everyone is safe and well.

AMAZON UK AMAZON.COM SMASHWORDS KOBO BARNES & NOBLE

70 responses to “STATIONARY STATIONERY”

Books & Bonsai

January 6, 2021 at 9:09 am

I keep telling myself that while the planet is stagnating, I should use the time to create something wonderful… Hasn’t happened yet, but the worm is turning!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 9:21 am
  
  Hope inspiration hits! But I do feel we shouldn’t pressure ourselves to have to use this time. It’s enough just now to keep on keeping on. Thanks for reading 🙂
  
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  1. Books & Bonsai
    
    January 6, 2021 at 6:50 pm
    
    My thoughts exactly, but I need to be doing something…
    
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neilmacdon

January 6, 2021 at 9:10 am

Lounging around in our pyjamas has become our national duty. It’s how we keep each other safe

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 9:23 am
  
  I didn’t get any new pyjamas for Christmas, so I have to keep coming to work.
  
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Sadje

January 6, 2021 at 9:30 am

Good use of stationary!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 9:39 am
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
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  1. Sadje
    
    January 6, 2021 at 9:40 am
    
    You’re welcome Iain
    
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Sandra

January 6, 2021 at 10:08 am

Indeed. What seemed like a bright new start has quickly morphed into the same old same old. Cleverly done, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 10:36 am
  
  Thanks Sandra. I’m still clinging on to some optimism that the vaccine roll out will get us back to some freedom by late spring. Fingers crossed.
  
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trishsplace

January 6, 2021 at 11:13 am

Great play on the prompt. Great take on the present continued uncertainty and our unrelenting need to make new resolutions, that we ultimately fail to achieve. 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:39 pm
  
  Better to try and fail than not try at all. Or something like that!
  
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rochellewisoff

January 6, 2021 at 11:57 am

Dear Iain,

So much for resolutions. At any rate, there’s time to write…right? Wonderfully constructed poem in any event. I hope this blight is cleared soon. Best wishes for your safety this new year.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:38 pm
  
  Thanks Rochelle. Fingers crossed we all get a bit of freedom in the months ahead.
  
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Tannille

January 6, 2021 at 1:31 pm

Next to impossible to achieve new year goals in that sort of environment. Great take on the prompt though.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:37 pm
  
  Thanks so much.
  
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ceayr

January 6, 2021 at 1:41 pm

Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.
Words to live by, Iain!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:37 pm
  
  I try to live up to them as best I can!
  
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2. Rowena
  
  January 7, 2021 at 3:32 pm
  
  My mantra, CE!
  
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granonine

January 6, 2021 at 2:20 pm

The urge to create can be squelched when people are so tightly controlled. Nice use of stationery/stationary.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:37 pm
  
  It certainly can. Thanks Linda
  
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bearmkwa

January 6, 2021 at 2:25 pm

Know the feeling. I checked back with the church where I was working about plans for the new year. they’re still closed and don’t foresee opening the childrens wing anytime soon. Meanwhile, I’m tired of sitting and waiting. Already filled out some apps. In the meantime, my desk sits unused, notebooks gathering dust… just can’t seem to find inspirations lately.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:37 pm
  
  It’s hard to be inspired at the moment. Hope something comes along to spark something for you.
  
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Mike

January 6, 2021 at 3:03 pm

It is extra hard to find inspiration during lockdown. Keep well and the sun will return and melt the ice

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:36 pm
  
  It certainly is a draining experience. Thanks Mike.
  
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Eugenia Parrish Author

January 6, 2021 at 3:06 pm

Really nice juxtaposition of the words. I am actually hoping I can become more active with the stationary in this lockdown. Of course, that means making sure my handwriting is legible.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:36 pm
  
  Ha, good luck with it 🙂
  
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msjadeli

January 6, 2021 at 3:23 pm

That about sums it up, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:35 pm
  
  Yep, best intentions and all that, then life gets in the way.
  
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Keith’s Ramblings

January 6, 2021 at 5:24 pm

As I started reading this I began to feel guilty about sitting here in my dressing down, but I think I got let off in the end!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:35 pm
  
  Yeah, just surviving is enough for now!
  
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elmowrites

January 6, 2021 at 5:25 pm

New year’s resolutions tricky enough at the best of times; I’m not sure this is the year to fix that.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 5:34 pm
  
  You’re right – best just to survive this year!
  
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pennygadd51

January 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm

Something tells me that Covid or no Covid, your narrator wasn’t going to stick to his resolutions. Unlike you, I suspect, who are plainly well disciplined in your writing!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 10:22 pm
  
  Ha, thanks Penny. Lockdown is at least good for keeping us indoors and with plenty of time for writing!
  
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magickmermaid

January 6, 2021 at 8:14 pm

At least all your office supplies are in order. 😉

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 6, 2021 at 10:21 pm
  
  It’s the small things! 🙂
  
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draliman

January 7, 2021 at 8:22 am

Yep, sounds familiar. I have such plans… 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 7, 2021 at 10:01 am
  
  There’s still time, if I could summon up the energy to get out of my pyjamas…
  
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Fatima Fakier

January 7, 2021 at 11:26 am

Oh I loved this! We get so caught up in the inspiration the month of January and new stationery brings, and we don’t even know what project we’re feeling so inspired to do. Clever play on the words stationery and stationary, too. SO much movement and then – nada!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 7, 2021 at 1:30 pm
  
  Thanks so much Fatima, glad you liked it 🙂
  
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Rowena

January 7, 2021 at 3:39 pm

Oh Iain! You see straight through me, I’m afraid, although thanks to covid, I didn’t get new pens etc but I did buy some new notebooks to do extensive journal writing which is mostly going well, and the extra writing is also stewing the juices which is great.
However, there’s one area where I’ve already had a major fail. I lost my new week to a page appointment book. I am rather dependent on this not only for organizing myself but the entire family. Searching for this, has both lead to additional sorting and throwing out as well as increased paper work sprawl. It looks like having too many places for it has created confusion and delay.
Hope things pick up for you over there re covid. It’s a dreadful business.
Best wishes,
Rowena

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 7, 2021 at 4:27 pm
  
  Thanks Rowena! I’m sure you are not the only one who can relate. At least your search has meant everything else has had a good sort – even if it led to extra work! Hope you are safe and well and this year will be a good one for you.
  
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  1. Rowena
    
    January 8, 2021 at 6:09 am
    
    I wish you and yours a Happy, safe and covid free New Year. History tells us this will pass, but it doesn’t tell us when.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena
    
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Dora

January 7, 2021 at 3:50 pm

What happens to resolve when there’s nowhere to put it? You capture the irresolution of the day perfectly, Iain. (Happy New Year, by the way!)

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 7, 2021 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thank you Dora, and Happy New Year to you also 🙂
  
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rogershipp

January 7, 2021 at 4:28 pm

‘The same ones as last year, but this time I’m going to stick to them.’ That line really caused a chuckle!!

Enjoyed!!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 7, 2021 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thanks Roger, always glad to raise a smile 🙂
  
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Inside the Mind of Isadora

January 7, 2021 at 5:18 pm

Get up … Get dressed … all should be well. NOT …. isolation feels like a good excuse for p j’s all day.
Actually, as of 2021, I decided to rise with a positive attitude and getting dressed does seem to help.
Happy New Year 2021 to you, Iain. Be Safe 😷
Isadora 😎

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 7, 2021 at 5:46 pm
  
  Thanks Isadora! I have to convince my kids that spending all day in their pyjamas is not healthy, even if they don’t have to go to school! All the best for the new year 🙂
  
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  1. Inside the Mind of Isadora
    
    January 7, 2021 at 5:51 pm
    
    Thank you on the New Year wishes.
    No kids here, but we do have to push ourselves sometimes. I think no one expected to be home working/studying for so long. 😎
    
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Brenda’s Thoughts

January 8, 2021 at 2:49 am

I really enjoyed this one and it was a very clever use of the prompt!! I know there’s hope on the horizon, but it doesn’t mean it’ll all be over soon. But, I have to say, it’s going to take some getting used to to dress up again or at least to get out of my comfy pyjamas. Take care!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 8, 2021 at 9:21 am
  
  Thanks Brenda. Who knows where we will end up and when. I’m in the taking it one day at a time mindset at the moment!
  
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  1. Brenda’s Thoughts
    
    January 8, 2021 at 10:05 pm
    
    Best way to live!
    
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Bernadette Braganza

January 8, 2021 at 4:32 am

The inevitable motivation of good intentions. I’ve kind of stopped making New Year resolutions.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 8, 2021 at 9:21 am
  
  They never seem to really pay off, so you’re probably right to avoid them!
  
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liz young

January 8, 2021 at 2:28 pm

The weather is certainly not conducive to the daily exercise I took in Lockdowns 1 & 2. And I still think to myself, StationEry as in papEr, stationAry as in cAr.!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 8, 2021 at 4:33 pm
  
  We never knew how lucky we were when we had the good weather in lockdown 1! Doesn’t make it any easier.
  
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plaridel

January 8, 2021 at 5:44 pm

great title. i love the play of words. well done.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 9, 2021 at 11:52 am
  
  Thanks so much
  
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ahtdoucette

January 9, 2021 at 10:58 pm

Fun poem with a definite ring of truth. Made me smile and I can use it this week!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 10, 2021 at 10:50 pm
  
  Thanks Anne, happy it gave you a small moment of lightness.
  
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goroyboy

January 10, 2021 at 7:31 am

Happy New Year Iain!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 10, 2021 at 10:51 pm
  
  And to you Roy!
  
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Girl in Niagara

January 10, 2021 at 10:23 pm

Good one Iain. Better put those pyjamas on. I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a while. Happy new year!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 10, 2021 at 10:55 pm
  
  Seems to keep going back, latest was autumn in the UK to have every adult vaccinated – so there goes the summer again!
  
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  1. Girl in Niagara
    
    January 11, 2021 at 8:41 pm
    
    We have the same problem here. Planning ahead does not seem to be a political strong point, unfortunately for us plebes.
    
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Laurie Bell

January 10, 2021 at 10:59 pm

That last line is so symbolic. And so true to the start of this year… I’m keeping smaller goals this year and hope I can meet them

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2021 at 9:16 am
  
  Good luck. Just getting through the year will be enough for 2021 I think!
  
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  1. Laurie Bell
    
    January 11, 2021 at 7:52 pm
    
    Oh so so true
    
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