Escaping Stasis

Well 2009 went by in a blur with very little achieved and 2010 is almost 1/3 complete with no publication or competition placing to show for it. On the bright side, there's still 2/3 of the year left and I have been writing a lot, just not successfully. One 5,000 word story has been returned so many times that I've edited it to such sharpness a Health & Safety warning will be needed for readers. A good learning experience.

Work has taken up a lot of energy but having a week off has rebooted my system. I've gone back to Incomers - basically a novel of witchcraft, gangsters and nimbyism - with a determination to conclude the first draft before I go on vacation to Cyprus.

I've also decided to occassionally post some of my recent unpublished work to hopefully entertain - feel fere to comment. The rather morbid piece below is a reworked version of an unsuccessful entry in the Ambit 200 competition.

Choices

James looks down on the market square from his hotel; sipping Earl Grey brewed in water stale from a night in the kettle. He is coming to a decision and the taste matches his mood.

The bed has not been slept in but the coverlet and pillows are creased where he has rested, washed in colour and sound from the cable TV. On the dressing table, the blade of a Stanley knife glows in the early morning light.

Because of foolishness, because he is a risk taker, he has lost everything: house, wife, and children. He could fight to get them back or let himself fall into the despair that has kept him from sleep for the past three days.

The knife calls, offering a swift exit if used properly, the veins shredded lengthwise like runner beans so the blood flows easily.

James flicks on his mobile and checks the signal strength before selecting the video function. It will be a message to his family. He will finish the tea before deciding its content.