I wrote a short piece in response to an exercise on the ‘Colourful Characters’ course run by
The course made me look deeper inside myself as I tried to weave a sense of emotion into the characters I drew. Perhaps the course reminded me that not everything needs to be ‘made up’; personal experience or insight adds depth to the way we write.
This piece has been dormant since February, but I was thinking about the art of editing yesterday, which made me wonder if I had any material to practice on.
He crouched before the washing machine, bloodshot eyes scrunched tighter than the white-knuckled fingers gripping the tee shirt pressed to his face. Every visit provoked this desperate return to a normality far removed from the old normal. He teared up, blurring the washing instructions. Age 3 to 4 the label read, as if he didn’t know. Broad shoulders shook, his body wracked with powerful sobs. Alone, slumped in the corner, the cold embrace of bare white walls heightened his isolation. Inconsolable tears soaked his son’s favourite top. The message that taunted him offered no consolation, no comfort. ‘Daddy’s Best Boy’.
(100 words)
Loved this piece!
Wonderful to see what you've done with this piece since my last read, Barrie. Great! Love what you say above about personal experience or insight adding depth to the way we write - there is so much power in that.