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 126: “The new kid,” she thought.
“The new kid,” she thought. It was an odd feeling. She found an easel none of the others seemed to claim and went to it. As she settled her station, their teacher, Ms. Frasier began placing items onto the plinth in the center of the space. She then arranged lights so that the shadows were deep and crisp, giving more interest to the arrangement.
“As it is our first class back this year, we will start with a still life so we can get our artistic brains out of hibernation.” She said. “Begin when you are ready.”
Gwen opened her sketch [ad to the first page and tried not to feel self-conscious. She always enjoyed drawing and art class, but it had been a long time since she did anything but doodle. She picked up her charcoal pencil and began to make preliminary sketch marks on the page. Older art lessons began to surface as she worked and she arranged things on the page as she was taught. At first it was distracting as she heard some of the others whispering comments to their friends and snorting humor.
As she worked she blocked them out, concentrating on the page. She was always easily able to fall into a drawing when she was working on it. She was certain that is why both Toby and Lisa didn’t like her doing artwork. While working, she ignored them and focused on what she was doing.
As she worked, she was aware of Ms. Frasier strolling around the room. She offered comments to some and reminded others to focus. She said nothing to Gwen, or if she did, Gwen didn’t hear her. And then the hour long class was over.
Time was called on the drawing and to Gwen’s immense relief there was n sharing of the art for the class. Gwen closed her sketch pad over what she had done, not wanting to share it now that everyone was milling around. She started putting things away.
“So when are we going to get actual models again instead of this still life crap,” one of the others asked in a lazy tone.
“Yeah I want a nude model,” Another commented with a laugh and a wicked grin.
“We will, as always be working up to drawing people in a few weeks,” she said. “We have all summer you know.”
“But this is just boring,” the first one commented. Gwen glanced at him. He had dark hair and an expression that made her think he found most things boring.
“I know you do Scott,” Mrs. Frasier replied. “But it is clear you didn’t spend the school year practicing and need something to warm up on.”
There were hoots of laughter from his friends and scowls from Scott. “I’m a better artist than anyone here,” he shot back. “I have more raw talent than anyone. You said it yourself.”
“You do,” Ms. Frazier said. “But raw talent means nothing if you don’t work to hone it. You need to put in the work. She looked around. “That applies to all of you. Practice, practice , practice. Scott if you wish to discuss more, you are welcome to stay after.”
“I don’t need to discuss more,” he said. He slung his bag over his shoulder and stopped out of the room. He looked more like an eigh year old than an eighteen year old doing it and Gwen decided she was going to steer clear of Scott.
‘Especially when he is in a bad mood.’ Gwen decided. She continued gathering her items and making sure everything was in her bag. The others packed up and left more quickly and Gwen was the last person to leave. She nodded to Ms. Frasier and headed towards the door.
The hall was clear and she retraced her steps back through the lobby and out of the museum. There she saw the other students were also getting into cars with drivers.
Ten til Midnight 