Behind the Flash Fiction: Prodigal

Now to seemingly refute my post yesterday about having a clear direction as a writer, here’s an example of being ambushed by the unexpected.

I only ever wrote at the Jefferson Market library that one day. Too many people about. Writing is ultimately a solitary pursuit for me. I imagine it is for most, though some are better able to withdraw from their surroundings and pursue something solitary while surrounded by other people. I tend to be very connected to my surroundings, so generally need to write where there are no other people about.

Plus, the library had no public restroom. I like to drink tea or something while writing, and we all know that beverage=pee. So writing sessions there would have been limited, time-wise, by biology. That’s no way to finish a script.

But in that one day there I completely rewrote an 8-page script, and I did it looking out a window at a small peaceful garden. When I was done writing, I had a stroll through it and a sit in it. A very beautiful little place. I haven’t been back yet, but that garden provided the inspiration and setting for my flash fiction PRODIGAL (If you haven’t read it yet, you should do so). So here it is, a picture of Jessica’s real-world home, the Jefferson Market Garden:

I’ve since worked out a writing space here in our living space, but I don’t regret trying out a few of the wrong places first. Otherwise I might not have met Jessica.

This is a writer’s paradox. To have a clear idea where you’re going and to, at the same time, have no idea where you’re going.

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