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 37 The situation at work flashed through her mind.
The situation at work flashed through her mind. It was the first time Sophie thought of work in over a week. ‘And now the only thing I am that worried about is if my bad quarterly review will end up getting me fired and cause me to need to dip into my savings.’
Sophie shook her head and realized that thoughts of her co-workers no longer even crossed her mind.
Deciding she could stand the expense, Sophie took herself back to the fabric emporium. This time there were more people, but as it was a huge space, Sophie found she still felt it was her personal playground. While she restocked her supplies for the pajama sets and made certain she could start in on the heavier Victorian style Dressing gowns that tended to sell well as Christmas gifts, Sophie also picked ut fabrics that just appealed to her for one reason or another. Some she had uses for, they just seemed like something she could use at some point.
Then she found the deep blue velvet and thought of the peacock silk. The velvet was soft, plush and would complement the silk. She immediately thought of a jacket, the lining cuffs and collar from the silk the rest from the blue velvet. She would still have plenty of silk left for another project but couldn’t resist the combo. The velvet was added to her cart.
When Sophie left the fabric store, weighted down with her purchases, she felt decedent just knowing the velvet was in the bag. ‘And it isn’t like I am going to be going that often,’ she told herself. She knew that no matter how much she worked late in the next month she would still have to sacrifice a Saturday to restock, but doubted it would be more than a once a month trip.
‘And maybe not so decadent next time,’ she told herself.
As she finished all the projects that she was slated to accomplish, Sophie decided that it was the perfect time to work on her own little luxury and began tracing out the pattern she wanted. She sewed the first version on a cheaper cloth not wanting to risk the expensive fabrics until she was certain of her pattern and her design. When it was done, she tried it on and made her alterations. Finally satisfied with the design, she began to work with the silk and velvet.
Slowly the jacket took shape. She was careful with every element and when it was complete she felt elated. She slipped it on over her t-shirt but decided it didn’t have the right effect. She changed into a black silk blouse and a pair of trousers. She liked the shirt underneath, but thought a brighter blue to highlight the lighter elements of the peacock silk would be a better choice.
‘I also like the style of these trousers, but the color doesn’t work even f the style does.’ After making her assessments, Sophie changed hanging the nicer garments up.
Ten til Midnight 