SPIN CYCLE

She tapped her fingers on the worktop. If she could just figure out this ending. She picked up the cup. Empty. Time for a refill. The background noise abated as the spin cycle ended. The words were all there, it just wasn’t singing to her. This was the one, the one that would win her an agent, a publishing deal, an escape from the laundrette.

A fresh brew. Another load in the machine. Finger tapping. Another spin cycle beginning. Her mind whirred and spun and it came to her. There it was. Fingers tapping on the keyboard.

‘The End.’

Copyright Miles Rost

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

‘The State Trilogy’ and ‘The Barra Boy’ available now.

45 responses to “SPIN CYCLE”

  1. It’s our dreams that keep us facing into the wind. Nice one, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I loved the chaotic energy of the machines mirroring those in her brain, Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perfect, glad you saw that parallel, cheers Mason

      Liked by 1 person

  3. My mind is often like the spin cycle, but it never settles… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like the calm that comes when a book draft is finally completed! Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

  4. What a wonderful moment that must have been.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It always is when you get to the end! Thanks Keith

      Like

  5. I’m sure the keyboard you mention is a computer keyboard, but I–being me :)–immediately pictured a piano keyboard, and her fingers tapping out a tune in rhythm with the washer. I can hear it in my head. I’m going to have to go play it!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sometimes finding the end of a story is just as hard as writing the last line.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I like a beat behind me when I write, wordless music providing a metronomic aid to my words. Still haven’t finished a book mind! Must be amazing

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I write to music too, definitely helps.

      Like

  8. A great scene, let’s hope her dreams are fulfilled. Maybe I should move my computer to the laundry room… 😯

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Anything is worth a try!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Oh that ongoing cycle… fingers crossed on this time! Nicely told. The circular story of life.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. The end indeed.
    Lovely story.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. That breakthrough, ah-ha moment is always a great feeling.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Good comparison of a writer’s mind with the noise and spinning cycles of the laundromat. Glad he pushed through the static.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. nice one. I wrote my first novel in a laundry room over a period of several months while waiting for the clothes. That’s a good feeling, writing “the end”
    -David

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe laundry rooms are the place to go. It is a great feeling. Thanks.

      Like

  14. this is a story i can truly relate. well done. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Great Iain – our minds can be like machines just spinning constantly trying to achieve something 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Well done. Always nice when it comes like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It doesn’t happen often!

      Like

  17. Good story! All of us writers can relate, huh? Hopefully, she will get published with this one. Maybe I should try writing in the laundry room?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ll try anything at this stage!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Right?? There are days where I do well to write my name!

        Liked by 1 person

  18. I had dismissed and almost forgot about the computer screen and coffee cup in the pic. As I read your story, Iain, I kept thinking “music and songs”. We need to write those too. And what kind of keyboard….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Casio! Thanks Bill.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I’m guessing the noise of the machines was a big help in getting that important ending. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Dear Iain,

    The writing is the easy part, isn’t it? And publishing is only the beginning of the real work. 😉 I hope her dreams are realized.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

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