Welcome to the Fifteen Minute Novel. Each morning I spend fifteen minutes writing on a singular story line. Each morning starts with the last line of the previous day. The goal is to get a (very) rough draft out of the simple story idea and to avoid letting the story idea languish in limbo forever, actually writing it out. This is the third year I have done this writing experiment and each year I learn just a little bit about myself and the way I write as well as creating a framework for the story. But without further ado…
Day 121: Gwen nodded, picked up her plate and went back to her table.
Gwen nodded, picked up her plate and went back to her table. There was little more of the class left and soon they were all packing up and heading home. They were told to practice their cookies and prepared for the next class by studying the next chapter. This time they were given a recipe in advance and Gwen wondered if she could practice it at the apartment.
They were each given bags for their cookies so they could take them with them. The cookies went into the bag and they were told to finish cleaning up before they left. Gwen along with all of the others, began washing and drying their trays and racks, returning them to where they took them.
The instructor left. Gwen reminded herself to look on the paperwork to find hs name as he hadn’t given it during the class. ‘Since he didn’t give it, then we probably already know it.’ She reasoned.
With the instructor gone and the lesson of the day complete, the atmosphere relaxed. Names were exchanged and Gwen tried to keep them straight in her head. In Westport there were at best one or two new students a year so learning new names wasn’t something she was familiar with. She decided that when she left, she would write them down.
Cody was the one who caused a shower of flour and Emily helped him brush some of it off. “Maybe use a damp towel?” Gwen suggested when some of it wouldn’t come off. From the washing and drying they had several damp towels.
“Good idea,” Cody said. He stretched out his arms and closed his eyes leaning his head back. “Give me the hot towel treatment please.”
Gavin too his towel, which was somehow damper than the rest of theirs and whapped him with it. Cody opened his eyes. He looked at Gavin and grinned. “Not so rough,” he said. His voice changed to a lazy drawl. “My usual masseuse is much more gentle.”
“And does he specialize in getting flour off?” Gavin asked. He pointed to Cody’s apron and they all say a flour free section where the wet towel picked up the dust.
“If I must suffer I will,” Toby said with a dramatic sigh. He shrugged. “It’s at least less suffering than I would face if I took this flour home with me and left a trail across the apartment.” He leaned back and Gavin continued the wet towel treatment until Cody was no longer in danger of leaving a trail of flower in his wake.
No one in the group seemed to know each other prior to class and thus far everyone seemed friendly. As they finished cleaning up they held the sort of tentative conversational forays that felt designed to feel out the others and decide if they would be friends or just acquaintances. It was an unusual situation for Gwen but it felt good to meet new people.
Gradually the room was put to rights and she felt like she might actually end up making some friends in the group. They gathered their things and headed towards the door.
Ten til Midnight 