The Fifteen Minute Novel is a novel written fifteen minutes at a time with each week day’s section starting with the sentence from the previous day. At least it is attempting to be a novel. For now I am just aiming at one continuous story, worked on for fifteen minutes each day. Started Friday January 1st, 2021 (in case you want to search for the beginning. I can’t wait to see where it ends up. It could be good, or it could be a mess. We’ll have to see. For now, here is today’s fifteen minutes.
Day 171: Most of the quotes he knew came from movies he’d seen as a teenager.
Most of the quotes he knew came from movies he’d seen as a teenager. He thought that a chance to perhaps learn something more than his brief high school introduction to the literature might be interesting. He doubted he would have much cause for dropping quotes into conversation, his conversations not seeming the appropriate venues for Shakespearian quotes, but it could be fun.
Idly, James wondered who actually had conversations where such quotes could be naturally added. He thought of his boardroom discussions and cocktail parties. None of them seemed appropriate. In fact even the charity events he attended that focused on literacy seemed odd venues for the quotes. Talk there was of the good work they were doing along with whatever was going on in their lives. James always suspected that the organizers tolerated the guests for their money and would have just preferred they write a check rather than insisting on an event.
He remembered a particularly stiff smile on one of the organizers faces as cutting remarks were exchanged between two of the patrons.
‘I expect she would have enjoyed a quote,’ James thought. He was certain if he added one, his wife Faith would have simply sighed heavily at his behavior.
James grinned. “Definitely a mark in the positive category.” He decided. James looked at the schedule. The course had a minimal cost and the first class started in two weeks. James decided that this week he could probably get away with unpacking as a Friday night excuse.
‘So I’d just need to come up with something else for next week, then claim the class. ‘ The idea had merit, but deciding that he already set the ball in motion with the health club, he might as well wait until he sorted that to actually sign up for the class. James bookmarked the page.
Feeling somewhat accomplished, James moved to the couch and turned on the television. He remembered the programs that his colleges recommended and he flipped to them, hoping at least one of them would peek his interest and provide him a common talking point for the lunch time conversations. He navigated his way to the appropriate streaming site and after taking a moment to set up an account, James pulled up the first of the shows. There were twelve seasons. Deciding he might as well start at the beginning, James moved to the first season and pulled up episode one.
Ten til Midnight 