The Fifteen Minute Novel is an attempt to take a single prompt and use the last sentence written each day as a start for the next day. This year I had several prompts circling around a similar story, so I have combined them. However, the story starts the same way each day, with the last line from the day before and a timer set for fifteen minutes. The hope is to end up with a complete, if very rough draft by the end of the year. Some stories are better than others, but I always learn a whole lot about my own writing when I do this so for me it is not only a nice way to work out a story, but it is a tool for helping my writing get better. And so, we continue this story for 2024 with…
Day 10: Sophie went into her work room and double checked the garment bags to make sure everything was accounted for.
Sophie went into her work room and double checked the garment bags to make sure everything was accounted for. In addition to the pajama sets and dressing gowns, Sophie added two casual dresses she hoped Janine would take on commission.
‘And if she doesn’t like them, I can always adjust them and wear them myself.’
Satisfied everything was as it should be, Sophie draped the bags over her arm and picked up her keys. She slipped on shoes as the hallway was made of concrete and she didn’t like walking on it barefoot or even in socks even though she knew many of her neighbors did so when only walking small distances.
Janine’s apartment was only a few doors down the hall and when Sophie knocked Janine quickly opened the door. Her face split into a wide smile as she saw the garment bags.
“Excellent!” Janine said as she stepped to the side and waved Sophie in. “I saw your car get in late so many times in the past few weeks I worried you would be behind and we have already sold out of all the sets I had.”
Janine’s apartment was set up in the same way Sophie’s was, the rooms designed identically to every other apartment in the building. And Sophie thought that Janine too started by using her spare room more as a home office than a guest room. Her work had since spilled out and garment racks and shipping boxes were now scattered about the living room and filling the corners. High energy music Sophie couldn’t identify pumped out of the stereo.
Over all Sophie wasn’t surprised. Janine tended to be far more into music than Sophie was and was always playing a new band’s album. While Sophie almost never recognized the band or the song, every song played no matter what genre was pumped with energy. She often left Janine’s apartment feeling like she ought to run a marathon or learn some sort of high impact aerobics or martial art. It was music to get the blood pumping and often seemed more caffeinated than her coffee.
“It was close,” Sophie said. “Lots of overtime this month. But I got all the sleep sets and two dresses for you to look at.”
“Always love your casual wear,” Janine said. Slowly they took each of the items out of the garment bags and Janine marked each of the items off the list they agreed on before inspecting the dresses. “Casual, classy, easy to go from work to drinks out,” Janine mused to herself as she inspected the dresses. “Love the material choices. High end materials, easy to wear.” She nodded. :I can definitely sell these,” she said.
Sophie smiled. “I was hoping so,” she said.
Janine pointed to the second dress. “In fact I am willing to bet that one sells fast. I don’t suppose you could get me a couple more in different colors?” Sophie looked at the dress and thought about it.
Ten til Midnight 