The fifteen minute novel writing experiment is an 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 257: ‘It is the first time I have made progress on anything really,’ she thought.
‘It is the first time I have made progress on anything really,’ she thought. She looked at the strip of lace. It was small but already she could see the pattern forming, the strands placed to continue that pattern. She could see the shape of it, the shape of what was there as well as what would become as she continued the work. It was satisfying.
“I’ll see results from everything else,” she told herself as she readied her portion of food for the night. Once the seeds started to grow she would watch them push up from the earth becoming plants and providing not only food for her to eat but components for the spells she was learning in the lessons both Deran and Marta were giving her. The lessons would then be less theory and something she could practice. Something where she could see results. In time she hoped she would see the shape of those as well.
‘And maybe find out my own abilities.’ Everyone was a little light on details as to what she could expect. They seemed to pay attention to the things she was drawn to as though those would provide answers. ‘But I suppose they are waiting to see how things look once I have the components too.’ Anya guessed that they couldn’t tell her what abilities she might possess until they saw how she performed with the enacting the lessons she was learning. ‘So I suppose everyone is waiting.’
Anya yawned and decided it was time for bed. She followed her routine and was pleased to have finally established a routine. Even though she had only been here a few days, these quarters were starting to feel like home.
Anya slept deeply, still waking surprised that Bendeasa did not contact her. “I thought for sure after I got the seeds planted even if she didn’t have me visit once I gathered the supplies.”
Anya shrugged and got ready for her day. “I guess the moon has other things to do then chat with me,” Anya said. “Surely seeing me safe can’t be her only occupation.”
Anya built up the fire and went to check on the plants. The room was a little chilly but the circulating water soon took the chill off and when Anya peeled the blankets back and touched the soil she found it warm to the touch. Satisfied everything was working as it should, she set the blankets aside for the day, b=made certain the shutters were pulled back from the windows to let the sunshine in and then went back to her quarters.
After a quick breakfast and a check to make sure the fire was well stocked, Anya went to the orb, deciding to make good on her promises. The first person she checked on was the hunter. To her surprise Anya found him not on the road heading back towards the House of the Star after failing to find her, but crossing the square in the town of her birth. He moved around town and it was clear he had some sort of mission. Anya watched and gradually she realized that he was taking messages from one set of men across town to other men. Some of the men looked like magistrates and others like landed gentlemen. All wore fine clothes but those who seemed to be doing official business were dressed more somberly than the others.
Ten til Midnight 