I can’t help but smile, eyes down, a private moment of satisfaction as I think back to last night. My skin is glowing, my eyes have regained the sparkle they lost some time ago and I am radiant with new found confidence. I’m sure that if I went outside into the sunshine right now, every one would look at me and know…
I’m having an affair.
Don’t for a moment think I don’t love the one who I have devoted myself to over the last four years. Don’t think that I plan to stop slaving away at making that as perfect as it can be. Just because I am finding passion elsewhere, it doesn’t mean I’m giving up on it.
I’m a slave to the excitement that my new lover gives me. Our encounters are fast, thrilling and without the weight of commitment. No more than an hour, it’s all we need, then back to real life. I just can’t help being tempted away. I’m reminded of John Malkovich in Dangerous Liaisons; “It’s beyond my control.”
And who is my lover? The short story. Or more specifically, flash fiction. Heavens, you didn’t think I meant something else did you? I am British you know…
Yesterday I was seized by an idea, one that even though I had other things to write, other projects to pursue, I simply had to attend to. Less than half an hour later I sat back from the keyboard, breathless and flushed, looking at the story that had rushed onto the page. A little editing, some time apart from it to straighten my clothes, a little sanding down of the rough edges and it will be done. A story. A thing made manifest in the world.
The Collective Inkwell contest was like electrodes to a slumbering monster – zap and it sprung into life! Since then, I’ve written three more short stories, two flash (under 1000 words) and one for another competition coming in at 2,499 words.
I feel young again, special again! There’s a spring in my step and a smile on my face and clichés abound in my blog but I don’t care. I wanted to capture this excitement and tell you before it’s tarnished by the worry about my first online interview and the mountain of work I have to get through. Before the guilt of the affair sets in and I realise that my main love, Twenty Years Later, has been neglected far too long.
I am drunk on creation and my lover is beckoning from the softly lit room where new ideas are slumbering, ready to be woken. Who am I to refuse?
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Seriously.
christy’s last blog post..Boundaries – and Communicating Them
Emma, I adore flash fiction and have become a complete junkie to it. I so get what you are talking about. I’m on a total high – completely hyped – after writing flash.
Paisley’s last blog post..The Last Word
I love your use of metaphor for everything – that was one of the things that stood out most about the Someday Interview. Well done!
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Cheeky.
Jason Weaver’s last blog post..The story of the writer
Ye Gods, I’ve never heard of flash fiction. Thank you for explaining!
Sometimes we need to step away from our ‘normal lives’ for a while to regain our perspective and passion – that’s what holidays are for. So enjoy your short story/flash fiction holidays!
(But don’t do a Shirley Valentine and not return … Twenty Years Later needs you!)
Emma, hooray for flash fiction, and double-hooray for this wonderful post! (Shivers of excitement)
Hiro Boga’s last blog post..When I grow up I want to be me . . .
You tease, speaking of affairs and of flashing
Can’t wait to read your work
Marc – WelshScribe’s last blog post..How to Destroy Your Chance of Getting a Link to Your Website
*grin* I like to tease (in a nice way of course!) Thanks for the comments everyone. I am honoured to have introduced Caroline to Flash fiction (I only learnt as there is a competition I’m writing for!). And I know how you feel Paisley! xx
Can’t wait to read it. I loved your Inkwell winner! (By the way, writing short stories in cafés is my dirty secret, too.)
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