Good heavens, I almost forgot it was Friday.
In my defense, I’ve been busily reading, working my way through the Ngaio Marsh mysteries (staring Inspector Roderick Alleyn). One finally made its way to the top of my ToBeRead pile last week and once I finished it I dug around and found two more volumes further down the stack waiting to be read. After that, it was (virtually) off to the local library for the eBook versions they had available.
Set in England and New Zealand in the 1940s, the stories are fairly short and the equivalent of fictional popcorn: It’s hard to stop after just one. I think I’m on about book sixteen and there look to be at least a dozen more to go. I may lose interest before long, but for now they are distracting and entertaining. Just what I’ve needed.
Of course there are many other things I should be doing, like writing or finishing an assignment due in about 24-hours for a class that I am taking, but for now I’m reading.
Once I’ve finished this current story (and maybe my homework), I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.
Care to join me?
For those of you working away on a story (whether a first draft or a polished version on its way to publication), if you’re not feeling random, we’d love to hear a bit – whether it’s a scene, a paragraph, or even a phrase that you are especially pleased with and would like to share.
If you don’t have a story in progress, or just want to work on something new, I hope either today’s random words or writing prompt will catch your creative fancy.
Ready?
What if: “Your character makes a big life change?
Feel free to interpret the “What” any way you choose (or ignore it completely) and include any (or all) of the following random words:
bland celebrity cyclops nightmare
brilliant auction pocket wasp
fashionable grape destiny headache
chant grateful song swarm
I look forward to seeing your stories in the comments. If you’re not feeling in the writing mood today, or don’t have time, feel free to post suggestions you might have for future “what-if” prompts. Ideas are always welcome.
Happy writing to all!
Eight Ladies Writing 
It’s been years since I read Ngaio Marsh, but I churned through all her books when I read them and loved every one. She wrote in a great era for mystery writers. Have you tried Josephine Tey? Only five books, but all of them gems.
Speaking of gems, this is not one, but it was fun to do anyway. And still not working in all the words. “Bland,” poor thing, was left hanging.
The Practice
“Must you chant that horrible song over and over?” Aberdeen Arrowood complained to her sister Akuna. “It sounds like the mating call of a cyclops swarm, and you’re giving me a headache.”
“And that’s being unkind to the cyclops,” their brother Freddie said. “Do the cyclops swarm? I didn’t know that. So then you have a swarm of cyclopi? Cyclopses? What is the plural of cyclops, anyway?”
“Be quiet, Freddie,” both sisters said together. Freddie shrugged and helped himself to the plate of grapes.
“How soon will this singing nightmare be over?” he asked.
“I have to practice for the celebrity auction,” Akuna said. “We’re doing the opening.”
“The good thing there is that since you’re doing the opening, the audience will have the entire rest of the show to wipe it from their memory,” Freddie said.
“Mr. Graves said that singing was my destiny, and a grateful country will celebrate my brilliant career,” Akuna said with injured dignity.
“Brilliant and fashionable career,” Aberdeen said waspishly. “Let’s not forget that.”
“Sounds like you’re living in that chap’s pocket,” Freddie said with a frown. “Who believes that kind of garbage?”
“Your sister,” Aberdeen said.
“Lord help us,” Freddie said, standing up. “Well, I must be off. Things to do. Cyclops to herd and all that.”
“Shut up, Freddie,” Aberdeen said fondly.
That was fun, Kay. I love the family dynamic you’ve managed to establish in just this very short piece.
As for Josephine Tey, yes, I have read several of her books. I moved on to Marsh because the only remaining Teys in the library were physical books, which currently remain inaccessible.