Stretch: The Authors
Writing Exercise #31
Continuing August, the month of the Blackpage! See previous entries in this universe here. This is the setting for a fantasy story that I am trying to flesh out, so documenting these short stories is helping me to give life to this world before I undertake a story proper!
This is a new kind of exercise—a Stretch. It’s 500 words long, rather than the usual 250.
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!
Stretch: Introduce the Authors
Harold sat on the wagon while his father walked beside the mule. The air was cool and crisp. The early morning sun filtered through the trees, and to the west mountains lifted up out of the trees, lightly brushed with snow at their peaks.
Harold found himself transfixed by the mountains, their awe and power—how they dominated the landscape. He saw, on the nearest mountain, balanced on a ridge jutting out from the slope, an ancient-looking structure.
“Father, what is that?” He pointed. His father looked up, shaken from his silent reverie. He saw the structure and smiled.
“A monastery, son. Those are the Authors. I can’t tell which order it is, from here.”
“Authors? They write books?”
“Special books. Magic books.”
“What’s magic about them? Like a witches spells?”
“Not quite.” He laughed. “These are world-books. I don’t know much about them—only ever heard stories. They say you can be transported to a different world when you open one.”
One of the Free Knights up ahead had fallen back when he heard the discussion about the Authors and spoke up: “They’re dangerous and they’re a menace,” he said.
“I’ve encountered Authors at times before. There are few people I fear in this life, but I fear them most. Conjurers and mystics, the lot of them—tricksters and troublemakers. Do no dealings with the Authors.”
“Why do you fear them? Sounds like they just write books.”
“Ah, my dear boy. World-books are not ordinary books. They can travel great distances using the books, they can conjure creations from within the books and manifest in front of you. I was once called to chase after an exile from their order, Byron the Blackpage. He evaded and stymied us so badly we eventually gave up the chase—it was no longer worth the risk and damage he was causing. It’s been many years now—he may be comfortably in hiding; he may be merely lying in wait.”
“Enough, good Knight—you’re going to give my poor son nightmares!”
“Forgive me, sir! That was not my intent.” The Free Knight trotted back up to the front of the column and Harold watched in wonder. He looked back at the Monastery, now barely visible.
“Ignore that yarn about the Blackpage, son.” His father said. “Myths and legends—stories to scare children. Mind what’s in front of you, understand? Fanciful tales are good for telling but they don’t put food on the table. Getting this Caravan safely to Westport—that will put food on the table for many a winter month.”
“Yes, Father.” Harold said absently. His mind was elsewhere. Knights chasing authors, authors conjuring magic…great battles and strange visions. Harold closed his eyes to savor his imaginings on the long and level road to Latham’s Ford.
(464 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:
Did you know any good story-tellers when you were growing up?
Do you ever have to rein in your imagination so you can focus on something else?
What are your favorite travel-snacks?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Hey, before you go—have you read my recently published Serial, SANDBOX EARTH yet? You can buy a hardcopy too! Check it out at the link!
God bless!
BYRON THE BLACKPAGE! Now, that’s a scoundrel’s name if ever I’ve seen one. I’m dying for some backstory on his exile.
Love to see what you’re doing here Scoot. I’m very excited to see where this goes.
1. I still have a longtime family friend who is a great storyteller. He is also a major nerd for the local history of my small hometown. It’s a true blessing to hear a great orator of story.
2. I have to rein in my imagination during work all the time. Especially since I’ve started to write fiction.
3. Favorite travel snack might be those Belvita Breakfast Biscuits. My wife discovered those for us. They’re very filling on the go and pair well with coffee. We’re early-bird travelers so we need all the breakfasty things we can get. The grocery store Publix makes killer scones which we used to get before trips quite often.