15minuteficlets // Prompt word: mystic // “Reluctance”

[katiefoolery]

So I sat down to write my ficlet today and discovered I was in a very difficult mood.  I looked at the prompt word.  Shortly after this, I glared at the word.  Soon to follow was a rather disparaging remark, shot in the prompt word’s direction.

To conclude: did not like this week’s word.

But that’s neither here nor there, really.  All that matters is that it inspires a ficlet.  Alas, all it inspired was a five word phrase that irritated me more than anything.

So I decided to write about that irritation.  I also wanted to try out something I’ve been thinking of lately, as far as structure goes.  The sentences all seem to have a strange sort of rhythm... to me, at least.  When I read over the ficlet, I felt as though I should be reading it aloud to get the full effect.

At any rate, I hope you all enjoy reading it.

---

Title: Reluctance
Fandom: Original
Rating: G
Word count: 232 words
Prompt word: mystic


I don’t want to do it.

Don’t want to waste my time - I don’t want to do it.

Got better things to do.  Don’t want to waste my time.  I don’t want to do it.

I could write the words down but they’d mean nothing at all.  Or I could just ignore them and leave them to the wind.

“Not a man - a mystic.”

What’s it mean anyway?  Where does it go?  Where’s the story and the plot and the motivation?

No, I don’t want to do it.

Don’t want to waste my time.

Got better things to do.

I could dream instead.  I could stare out of the window and watch the clouds go by.  I could imagine another life; another way; another set of rules.

I could revel in my laziness.

Because I don’t want to do it.

Then why does the phrase haunt my mind?  Why won’t it leave me alone?  Why can’t it accept its banishment and die quietly?

“Not a man - a mystic.”

Maybe it does go somewhere.  Maybe there is a plot.  Maybe I could even find some motivation.

Or maybe I just need to teach my imagination who's in charge here.  Because I have better things to do than to interrogate a meaningless phrase and ask why it wants to be a story.

I’d rather not waste my time.

I don’t want to do it.

---

Comments and criticisms are most appreciated. :D

Comments

[chunkymonkey24.livejournal.com]

Hmm, have to say I think I only enjoyed it because of the context you described at the beginning.
I see what you mean about the rhythm though; it's more like verse, especially with the echo of the same phrase repeated throughout.
Interesting :) I can't think of any constructive criticism, I'm afraid.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thank-you muchly, good Lucy - I really appreciate your feedback on this. I think this piece might be something that's meant to be heard, rather than read.

[chunkymonkey24.livejournal.com]

I've just read it aloud (feeling very silly doing so having just come in at 1.30am, alone in my room! Teehee) and it's got a totally different feel!
I don't know how you wrote/read it, but when I was speaking it aloud it took on a calm feel and a slow, steady rhythm.
I really like it now! Haha!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

It's quite a strange piece - I don't think I've written anything quite like that before. It really just isn't satisfied with simply being read on the screen. :D

[murfgirl.livejournal.com]

i like the story behind the story and how you used it to inspire you. Very clever, you are. :D I like it and as usual, you're a great writer.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thank-you muchly. :D

[pitkat.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, I don't like the prmopt word either. Too hard to write without sounding all well mystical. ;)

Still, I like it.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) I'm still not sure how I feel about it - it's such a strange thing.

I think that was my main problem with the prompt word, too. It was just too specific.

[behrbemine.livejournal.com]

Oh my God, that is so me so many days out of the year.

Really inspired piece. What have we learned? Frustration inspires, when you let it kick your ass into gear. :)

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'm glad you liked it.

I'm afraid there are many, many times when I'd rather stare out of a window instead of doing something productive. :D

[behrbemine.livejournal.com]

Amen to that.