Crunch: The Lonely Lighthouse
Writing Exercise #38
This exercise comes from a note by
that I riffed on to make a dramatic interpretation of one of the lighthouses. The lighthouse turned out to have a lot of really interesting history so it serves as inspiration for this weeks exercise.If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, Stretches, or other writing exercises in the future, please leave them in the comments! If you would like to write your own take for this exercise, please comment with a link so that I can see what you wrote and support your work, maybe even share your version with my subscribers. Please let me know if you have any thoughts, comments, or constructive criticisms as well!
Enjoy!
Crunch: Write about a lonely lighthouse
I took this job because someone had to. They told us the lighthouse was being brought back online, that they needed someone for it. That it was remote, and south. It would be cold and windy and rainy—but they needed that lighthouse on.
It was that awkward moment where everyone looks around waiting for the first person to be brave enough. That first person was me. It’s always me. I don’t know why I always volunteer.
Probably because life at a lighthouse wouldn’t be much different from life here. I live alone. I keep myself busy. Only difference there is I wouldn’t have a community.
Maybe I could write letters.
We left without little fanfare—I had already said goodbye to anyone who needed it. We left before daybreak, we would arrive after sunset.
The lighthouse was smaller than I expected. It was on the edge of a cliff. There was a small cabin adjacent, what looked like a supply shed. A storehouse. My accompaniment helped me load everything up, helped turn on the lighthouse for the first time.
By God, she was beautiful. A small lighthouse, sure—but she lit up the world like she was the only star in the sky.
I said goodbye to my escort, now that he had seen I was well established. He wished me good luck and began the long journey back.
So he left. Leaving just me and the lighthouse, looking out to the dark, southern seas; looking at the long, lonely months ahead.
(250 words )
The Promptee Has Become The Promptor
Your feedback helps to improve my writing. I would really appreciate a comment on your thoughts on this writing exercise. Consider telling me your thoughts about:
What is your relationship with solitude?
Have you ever wanted to be a lighthouse keeper?
What meal do you look forward to most when you return from a vacation?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Have you taken a look at the section called “The Volume” recently? All my longer-form stories are kept there! Be sure to take a look and catch up on any stories you’ve missed!
Thank you and God bless!
There's something so peaceful about lighthouses... I think we've all dreamed of what it might be like to live in one.
By the way, I think this prompt is the missing piece I needed for my next story - I have a setting! Thanks Scoot!
This was cute. Literary and I'm sure could be a longer tale of his months. I get the sense he's trepidatious about the stay, understandable. Being alone at night with naught but the stars can make one terrified or comforted, wonder what sort he is. Many avenues, horror, literary, fantasy, scifi, with Antarctica a stone's throw away could do anything.
What is your relationship with solitude?
I love it. Quiet solitude is the best, it's the only way to get anything done too. I have gone weeks without talking or seeing anyone and I'm no worse off for it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing friends and family, my wife and I spend a lot of time chitchatting, going places, playing boardgames, etc. but I rarely crave social interaction. I often crave solitude (and quiet).
Have you ever wanted to be a lighthouse keeper?
Yes, there are two marvellous lighthouses on Holy Island off Anglesey (an island off the coast of north Wales) which are quite small but idyllic. North Stack and South Stack, remote and looking out to nothing but the Irish Sea. I doubt the opportunity would come up though, most lighthouses, if not all in Britain, are automated.
What meal do you look forward to most when you return from a vacation?
My own cooking, whether it's scrambled egg and black pudding, chicken pie, or the Sunday roast, so long as I've cooked it it means I'm home. I'm not a big fan of going away, I despair staying in hotels and would much rather stay with friends or family but even then any more than 3 days and I want to go home.