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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Microfiction Monday, my first attempt

Here comes the train. Should she get on? Should she stay?
She doesn't know anyone outside the midwest and it's scary, vacationing all alone.
* * *

This is my first attempt at Microfiction Monday, hosted by Susan at Stony River. The idea is to look at the photo she provided, then write a short (very short) story about it...in only 140 characters. For someone who always overwrites, this is an excellent exercise. And I can't resist the idea of train travel.




40 comments:

Peggy said...

It must be very lonely to travel alone. No one around that would miss you if you came up missing. Sad ...but Good MF!

EG CameraGirl said...

Travelling alone sounds very scary! :)

Kay L. Davies said...

Thanks, Peggy, but I didn't find it lonely traveling across Canada by train earlier this year. It was like being on a mini-cruise: I met lots of nice people, and helpful ones, too, because I'm a bit of a dodderer.
Still, nice to have a compliment on my first attempt at microfiction. Thanks again.
-- K

Sylvia K said...

Hey, you did just great, Kay! I told you!! And it gets more and more fun!

Sylvia

Jim said...

Nice job, Kay. I would be scared too traveling alone.
Even with Mrs. Jim I get scared, like, say on a train going on the last leg into Naples, Italy.
..

Jim said...

I forgot that I wanted to mention that my dog, Adi, and I are a certified therapy team.
Adi's meme
..

ruthi said...

Traveling alone is both an exciting and scary experience.

Michael G-G said...

She looks like she'll conquer her fears and get on! Nice one, Kay. Welcome to MM, and have a great week.

Pat said...

She should go on some Elder Hostel trips--lots of seniors having fun traveling together. I like your story.

Boom Nisanart said...

I think she should go ! because she already packed up and came to train station.Let's start the jouney, another chapter in life !

Strummed Words said...

Train travel could be fun, with the right companions! Nice MM.

One Prayer Girl said...

I wonder what it would be like to vacation alone. I can't remember ever doing it. I bet I would be conflicted about it too. Nice MFM.

PG

Powell River Books said...

I used to love to travel alone. I called them "Freedom Trips." I always found waiters and others gave special attention to lone travelers, especially when I was younger and cuter. - Margy

Lesley said...

She should get on. Travelling alone is good, it forces you to talk to people.

Anonymous said...

Excellent my friend. :) Go and have fun. You never know until you try. I hope she does :) Have a great week ahead :)

Chubskulit Rose said...

You could have take me hehehe, great one!

Ms.Daisy said...

Kay,
I've traveled alone many, many times but never to go on vacation alone - now that sounds scary! Love your take on this week's picture and I really appreciate your nice comments on mine today!


~Jean

Liz said...

I don't like traveling alone too. Great shot.

My MYM.

Junneth said...

Kay it is lonely to travel alone. I am available to accompany you! Have a nice day! My MYM is Nette's Life Journey #32!

Leslie said...

She does look quite hesitant, doesn't she?

Anonymous said...

Very nice MM. For me, I almost prefer to travel alone. Call me Auntie Social ;)

Deborah said...

She doe's look hesitant, well done! :o)

Gemma Wiseman said...

A great little micro! Captures a moment of tense decision!

anthonynorth said...

I travelled alone a lot in my youth. It can be fun at times.

Rinkly Rimes said...

She'll be glad she took the risk.

Diane said...

Be brave!! :O)

Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

Very nice Kay, I am sure once she gets on the train, she will meet lots of nice folk and forget about being alone.

Welcome to Microfiction Monday,

Anonymous said...

Awh I hope she made a good choice. :O)

Francisca said...

Good fiction, Kay! (For me traveling alone is as natural as going to the bathroom alone! I traveled throughout China in the '80s with only a few phrases of Chinese, My experience is the same as yours; smile and people help! :-D)

BMaryann said...

Great story!

I think I've thought the same thing a time or two for myself.

But I'm not bright enough to be properly frightened until after I've done something.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Good job, Kay! I don't like traveling alone. When I have to, I usually hide in a book!

hope said...

I hope she goes for it....just like you did. Well done!

septembermom said...

That could be a scary but exciting experience! Great microfiction today :)

ruthi said...

wow.. sounds exciting. nice one.

Sioux Roslawski said...

Hopefully she will find that traveling alone is delighful...Since this is your first try, are you hooked? It really IS a great exercise in revising/cutting...

Kay L. Davies said...

@ Sioux -- Thanks, I think I AM hooked, which is good, because I'm a dreadful overwriter. I can edit almost anyone's stuff except my own. LOL
-- K

Susan Fobes said...

I like this and can feel your pain with the word count restraints. (This is only my second attempt...)

quilly said...

Welcome to Microfiction! This is a great first story. i have vacationed alone and the first steps are a bit harrowing.

(Sorry I am late, life complications!)

Kay L. Davies said...

@ Quilly -- It's okay to be late. Trains are always late. I'm always late. Late is my middle name. See? Kay L. Davies
My youngest brother is known as The Late Great Rob.
I have vacationed alone before, and once to Oz with the aforementioned Rob who was just a kid at the time. It was sort of like being alone with extra responsibility.
Then this year I went across Canada by train by myself because Mom and I talked about doing it for almost 40 years, and by the end of the 40 years she had died. So I went for both of us. It was wonderful. I'll never forget how good it felt to do it. I talked to her a lot, especially when I rented cars to go somewhere special. "Look, Mom, there it is, just like we talked about."
-- K

dtbrents said...

That's a good idea. I would say no do not travel alone. It's not safe anymore. Find someone to travel with you. Doylene