WritingStudent and I did this six minute writing exercise at tonight's jabber chat. Give it a try and warm up for NaNo (particularly good for those of us who aren't writing every day).

The writing prompt: folding and packing

My storylet:

I limped over to the desk. My leg was particularly painful today. She was at my side in a moment.

I patted her hands upon my arm and couldn't help feeling sad at how her life would be changing.

How does one fold a lifetime so that it fits within a pocket?

Aerin's life and spirit filled the room around us; every painting, every precious sculpture, every little sketchbook lining the wooden bookcases. But as we walked out of the room, I did not look behind me with regret, for my wife's spirit was strongest in that which I held in my hand; the hand of our daughter.

Carefully, Kokkoroh folded his clothes the way his mother had taught him when he was young. Every crease, every layer meant to reduce the space the article needed. The actions he took, the movements he made, were almost reverent in nature. It was amazing just how much he could fit into a tiny backpack, and even more amazing to think he wasn't going to be coming back any time soon. He could hardly believe it himself that he might never come back here at all. To never see his mother again, to never see the man who raised him as his own, or either of his half-siblings...

Kokkoroh tightened the strings of his pack and slung it over his shoulder with a practiced motion. To the outsider, he might merely be gearing up for a long hunt, were it not for his lack of a weapon. He threw back the hide door of the house and took a deep breath of the crisp, arctic air. Indeed, this may be the last time he breathed this air. It was almost too much to bear. But, then he thought about the torture and the torment he had gone through, growing up an outsider, and a fire burned hot in his gut. He would go and find a new life for himself. Of this he was certain.

And my friend, "Kirin Nix",who isn't even participating in NaNo, wrote this to keep me company!

Quote:"It was always an agonizing process, packing her wings away like this. They weren't really supposed to be hidden that way, the entire concept was unnatural. Which was probably why it was so uncomfortable for her, she reflected. Theoretically speaking she could have just folded them around her body like a shirt or coat, the way her dad did, but why should she? The other kids thought she was odd enough already, she didn't need to add a jacket that she couldn't take off in the middle of the summer. So she always folded them up and packed them away under her skin, like a tattoo. Focusing on the black leathery protrusions, she crumpled them up and flexed her back until they were sucked into her skin."

Wow--loved both stories!

Kokkoroh sounds like a very interesting character and I really like the flow of your prose. It's great that you applied this exercise to your this-year's novel idea.

Your friend's concept (folding external wings under her skin) is fascinating.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for posting the exercise! I think it helped me better understand Kokkoroh's character, and I'm impressed by my friend's idea, too!