Picture courtesy of Claire Fuller
I wasn’t going to write an entry this week – I’ve been sick with a cold, feeling overwhelmed with all that isn’t getting done at work and at home….you know the many reasons not to write. I saw the photo on Wednesday and waited for inspiration to arrive. This evening, as I decided to call it a night, I thought “what would I be looking for in a library like the one in the picture?” And it came to me. I’d be seeking inspiration. And there was my muse, an old man in a grey sweater, waiting to help me out.
Word Count: 100
Something Lost
“Inspiration,” muttered the old man in the grey frayed sweater, “I know there’s a book on ‘Inspiration’ here somewhere. Magical, it is, really. Full of great ideas for writers with none. That’s your problem, innit?”
I startled, not sure how he saw right through me. I’d just walked into this old bookshop to get out of the rain. I hadn’t expected to be analyzed. But there it was. I was sorely in need.
“Ah, found it! Right where the last one of you lot left it.” Blowing dust off the jacket, he handed the tome to me.
Weekly crisis averted.
Please check out the links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers, which can be found here.
© Erin Leary
erinlearywrites 
I need that book… Nice one Erin. Hope you’re feeing better – I’ve been bad for almost three weeks with this virus – but that seems to be par for the course with this one.
It was a rough one that I hope doesn’t linger. I’m ready to feel better!
Dear Erin,
So sorry about your cold. Hope you’re on the mend.
I’m happy that your muse showed up when he did. I enjoyed this.
shalom,
Rochelle
Better late than never, I suppose! I need to think more lateral, less literal sometimes….
Appropriate, a book as muse.
Books are the best. My oldest and dearest friends.
you pulled a nice story here .. enjoyed it.. hope you are feeling better
Thank you for reading and for your sympathy!!
Cleverness. I like this.
Thanks – I aim to be clever.
Nicely done Erin, I especially liked the bit about “you lot.”
I liked the “tome to me” juxtaposition. I love it when language works out like that!
Yay language!
Find me that book too, or at least the Cliff’s Notes to it!
Better yet, I’ll send you the app. 🙂
handy muse, that old fellow. there have been two or three times where I wrote about being stumped by a prompt. If all else fails . . . .
I was in the “whatever works” camp last night. Not too proud to be obvious about it, either. 🙂
Sweet story! Good stuff. We ALL seem to be influenced by books, aren’t we?
I also hope you’re feeling better. I think I saw this very man at the used bookstore today. I certainly saw piles of tempting books but had no time to browse.
janet
oh – just for a peek at the pages ! Feel better soon, glad you wrote. Sometimes when I am busy I glance at the picture and write it in my head as I drive to work or wait.
This was a lovely read. This prompt is so perfect this week, am enjoying what books mean to us writers. I love your bookshop owner – nobody said a muse had to be perfectly dressed.
I must say a bookshop like that sounds great. Veri nice, and hope for a speedy recovery.
Erin, I wish I had someone like that who could see through me and pull me through! Nice one. I hope you feel better. Get some rest!
Hi Erin
I love this – brilliantly written and very enjoyable. I just need to know where that bookshop is so I can get myself a copy of that book!
So…where is this bookstore? I’m moving in next door. 🙂 Great story.
I am sure this is a well-worn book. I find the need for it more and more.
Nice story, I can feel your cold through it, but only cause you told us. Feel better.
It’s true, I am afraid, criminals have mothers.