The fifteen minute novel writing experiment is a attempt to write a complete (and very rough) draft of a novel by writing for fifteen minutes each day. I have taken a timed writing from one of the daily prompts done in 2021, cleaned it up a little and used it as my jumping off point into a story. Each day I will take the last line of the story written the day before and use it as my sentence starter and write for fifteen minutes, growing the story as the year progresses.
Day 50: As she worked Anya thought about the library.
As she worked Anya thought about the library. Should she go back just to drop off the book she borrowed or should she borrow another one? There were only a few days left before the Star began the annual choosing and whatever else the ceremony entailed. While Anya’s speed with the written word had increased, she didn’t know if the short amount of time she had to read would get her through another book.
“The matron expected me to take out several books from the library,’ Anya thought as she worked. ‘At least that is how it seemed.’ She thought about it. Would it be an insult if she just walked back the initial volume and left.
‘Maybe I can bring it back and then look around the library,’ she decided. ‘That way it looks as though I am using the privilege the Matron granted me.’ Anya suspected that few were given permission to enter the library at will. Given that the older woman she sat with had to bring her to the matron to gain permission to look at the maps, Anya suspected permission was rarely granted for library perusal. She remembered the feeling of dust layering the slip of paper she placed on the shelf to mark where the book she took was supposed to be returned.
The library seemed well kept, but disused. ‘If I find something I can finish in less than three day’s I’ll take it to read. Otherwise I’ll just look,’ Anya decided. She figured if anyone was watching, that would satisfy any expected manners.
The day slipped by as the others did and when Anya left the others after dinner, she picked up the book she meant to return. She thought about how dark it was walking back from the library and decided to bring her lamp. It was small and easy to carry. She picked up the lamp, slipped the fire strike into her pocket and tucked the book under her am so she could manipulate the door handle. Anya opened her door, stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her.
While most were in their rooms a few were going towards the well on the lower floors. Anya waited for them to pass from sight before taking the corridor and stairwell that led to the library. The matron hadn’t told her to hide her actions, but she still felt advertising them might not be for the best. Anya climbed the stairs and turned into the corridor leading to the library. It was not yet dark enough for her to need the lamp so she simply carried it.
This corridor was completely empty and Anya kept her steps as light as she could, not wanting to make noise. No matter how many times she told herself she was doing what she was supposed to be doing by returning the book, her mission felt like a clandestine one. Her rooms were located nearer to the library than the matron’s office and Anya was soon stepping through the entry way. She pulled back the curtains to admit the light that remained outside and turned to the shelves.
Ten til Midnight 