Working From Home
The list is growing, interrupted with drop this and do that, and even asap gets lost in the mix.
The spreadsheet is really pretty, colorful — but the wrong colors, the unfinished colors: outstanding.
The phone rings. The email dings. Notifications. Alerts. Now. Now. Now. Save this. Send that. Print this. Order that.
And the wax drips as the flame flicks from exacerbated exhalations. Growing tendrils, unpredictable and consistent, undeterred by the chaos that fuels its growth. A perk of a perk, the lantern isn’t necessary for light or heat, and the candle isn’t even scented. It is momentary meditation, procrastination.
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100 words. Feedback appreciated. This is a life-inspired piece. I am so very – albeit happily – busy at work. It is thrilling and terrifying. This is year two so I feel confident with repeating responsibilities, and constantly second-guess myself on new areas. I’m doing more, I’m learning more, I’m loving it more, and ohmygoodness I can’t breathe. I don’t work from home, but if I did, I think I’d like something like this to look at while I wonder what to do first.
Do you love your job, but sometimes wonder if it isn’t too much? What story comes to mind when you see that picture? Join in! Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog link-up based on a photo prompt. The Challenge – write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle, and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.) The Key – make every word count.
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*Featured and Post Image Copyright – Renee Heath
**The ads (which may appear) below are not mine, but they keep this free for me. Do with them as you choose.
This Is My Corn 
Excellent story in 100 words. Well crafted. Interesting and believable. i actually thought you were writing about what was really happening to you.
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Thank you Claudette! I’m glad it felt real. The first half was very much my day yesterday. It would have been nice to have a simple distraction like this candle.
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🙂
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Light a candle and procrastinate
a way to hide the things you hate.
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Oh! I love it! A 13-word version, and such a fun one.
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I felt very hurried and harried just reading that first part. Maybe the candle should serve as the focus for a moment of relaxation and centering. 🙂
janet
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Writing this story has made me realize that I have nothing on my work desk that I can use to focus on a moment of relaxation and centering. I think it’s time I changed that. 🙂
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The best yet.
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Thank you! That feels good to hear. 🙂
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Even for those who don’t believe in magic or mysticism, meditation and ritual have their virtues.
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Absolutely! I agree. And I think many of us probably have them, but call them by another name.
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Melanie, Good story. 🙂 I think we’ve all had those moments when the world seems to be bearing down on us, blaring at us. We have to try and find a quiet place inside ourselves and just relax once in a while. Well done. 🙂
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I echo Janet there. The pace of that story really made me feel hurried, too. You bright it to life big time. The slow-melting candle also juxtaposed over the story made it work great. Nice job, Melanie!
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Thank you! I was lost for an idea on this one until I had “one of those days” at work. I’m happy to hear the story works. Thank you for the feedback.
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Oh yes, I know this. Not working from home, although I am working on my writing being my ‘working from home’ – in preparation for the future!
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Don’t forget something for procrastination. I think it’s an essential part of pulling together a writing space. 😉
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😉
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I forgot to say – very well done! 🙂
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Thanks! 🙂
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Very staccato first half contrasted by a more deliberate finale. Nice!
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Thank you! I needed to “take a deep breath”, so I wrote one for myself.
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This is a click-right-along piece that makes one want a cup of tea to relax. The pacing is great from beginning to end. Favorite line? And the wax drips as the flame flicks. Kudos.
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Thank you Alicia! A little secret – I like that line too. I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
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You captured the essence of my worktime at the moment – too realistically – I had briefly forgotten about the mountain of things I need to do! I like the different pace between the work-time language and the final paragraph. (I don’t think I said that very well, but hope you get what I mean 🙂 )
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I know how you feel, and I get what you mean. 🙂 I’m glad you found a moment’s distraction – it balances the insanity.
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Dear Melanie,
Your use of clipped sentences gave a frantic rhythm to this. I’m taking deep breaths now to calm my racing heart. Good one.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle! I did feel very frantic that afternoon. Rapid breathing led to rapid writing.
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That was quite a frantic pace. Nice write, Melanie!
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Thank you Amy! I’m hoping for a calmer week next week.
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