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 99: “Or maybe not, I suppose. Still, perhaps it will be best to close it.”
“Or maybe not, I suppose. Still, perhaps it will be best to close it.” Marta looked nervously at the open panel as if disturbed by something open that she couldn’t see or feel. Still feeling odd about being able to see things others couldn’t, Anya closed the panel, hearing it click shut. She then turned away. Marta studied the wall and then shook her head. She turned away and walked briskly away. Anya hurried her steps to catch up.
Marta seemed intent on putting space between herself and the opening panel. Anya didn’t know if she should mention the fact that they seemed to be everywhere. ‘Surely they all can’t be studies,’ Anya thought as she followed Marta through the corridors. She wondered if she ought to open more of the panels just to see if they opened into more than studies.
She thought about the hidden study in her new quarters. ‘At least I know why it wasn’t cleansed,’ Anya thought. She wondered if she could ask for cleaning supplies. ‘After all if the studies open to me because I am supposed to develop the type of magic to use them, maybe I’ll need the space.’
Anya saw them reach her quarters and Marta slowed. “Perhaps you had better leave that book here,” she advised. “That way it won’t get left in the library by mistake.”
Marta waited while Anya dropped the book off. She stepped back into the corridor and locked the door behind her, again dropping her key into her pocket. Marta turned and began walking, this time she slowed to a more normal pace as though there was enough distance between her and the strange study so that she no longer felt the need to run away.
“The library isn’t that far from your new quarters but it is accessed by a different stairwell,” Marta said now that her stroll through the corridors left space for conversation. They turned at the end of a corridor and Marta led her up a stairwell. It was a short one and soon they were in the corridor Anya remembered. The door was but a few doors down from the one she used when in her previous quarters. They entered the library and Anya found several books had been pulled from the shelves and placed in a stack. Next t the stack was a leather volume whose cover looked newer than the older tomes. There was also a bottle of ink and several quill pens.
“Some enjoy studying here and others prefer to study in their quarters. As the matron and I have pulled these volumes you may simply leave the ones you are finished with on the table for us to reshelf. As you finish them, more will be stacked up for you. You ae of course welcome to choose other volumes to read through as your studies and interests take you, but we thought these would be a good start. “
“Thank you,” Anya said. “What exactly am I studying?”
“well Marta said. “Since you are still deciding whether or not to stay, we thought a history of the House of the Star would be appropriate as it would let you know more about us and aid you in making your decision. As it may be a while before it is safe to travel to Dovish for you, we have also pulled a few travel guides you may find of interest.”
Anya stepped forward to look at the books.
Ten til Midnight 