Here are the stories that were created at the Collab Writers Networking event at The Library, London on March 7th, 2019. We played the Victorian Parlour game ‘Consequences.’
As you will see from the short video (above) it’s not just about writing! There’s a bar and lots of networking!
See you at our next meeting of Collab Writers on April 4th, 2019 7-9pm
There are limited spaces. Avoid disappointment. Book your ticket here NOW!
The Consequences game produced nine stories, some are complete and some could be the start of something wonderful – a novel or short story or the basis of a poem perhaps. We’re liking the fact that a few are downright dark, mysterious and some deliciously scary. They are all an absolute pleasure to read and we are proud that so many creative and talented people took part. It shows how connecting, collaborating and creating can be productive. We hope you can join us on 4th April to write again or bring some friends. Numbers restricted to 4 dozen..
Here’s how we play Consequences:
- pick a genre
- write an opening line
- continue the story
- pass to a collaborator – and voila!
Results from March 7th event:
Mystery
Jodie looked down to see what had caused her to stumble and almost take a tumble. On the seashore sat a small box. She opened it and was surprised to see…
The remains of what was one an old garment with a special locket. She looked down and reached for the ornament, it was an old rusty locket with a missing stone of a gem. When she opened it, she was surprised to find she recognised the person in the photograph. How could this be? Was it a sign, telling her to look into her mother’s family tree, who lived in Germany?
———————-
A tiny jewel encrusted crab peering at her amongst a pile of seaweed and rocks, it scuttled over a rock into a hole big enough to crawl through. Jodie looked into the rock, unaware of what she would find inside. She was surprised to see that the crab was nowhere to be found. She reaches into the hole, feeling around inside. He hand closes around something. She pulls it out.
———————-
It’s a rock, harden and polished to perfection. She’s mesmerised, but it’s slippery. She drops it. A wave splashes over it, dragging it out to sea. She stumbles after it, trying to find it. She finds herself being pulled into deeper water. He hand finally grabs the rock. Something grabs her wrists. She’s pulled under the water.
———————-
A woman’s finger, lying pale and cold in the crushed velvet.
———————-
A little silver picture frame, with a picture of an old lady wearing a white dress, my grandmother she thought, but why is it here.
———————-
She looked up further to find a cemetery with an open gate. She grabbed the box and followed the trail to the open cemetery gate to only find more…
———————-
A condom, a box of matches, three boiled sweets and an aspirin. Jodie didn’t know which one to use first but she played it safe and went for the boiled sweets.
———————-
Although no-one had warned her they were laced in poison and as the effects started to take hold she wished she had of chose the condom and matches.
Thriller
Written by Amy Bagg, Carelle Payne, Tania G Ayale, Liv Johannesson and Andromeda Godfrey
Visibility was zero, or near enough. Alby could see outlines of shapes ahead. Innocuous, he thought – what was worrying him was the sound of footsteps. They were getting closer…he…
———————-
had to think quick, saw a fallen log and slid down behind it. Only to find a man wearing a purple thong and a feather boa, looming over him with a…
———————-
thought the footsteps would’ve stopped as soon as he left his house, but the next step was dangerously close as he got to the underpass; howling echoed through the tunnels and he hastened sweating profusely
.———————-
The sounds of footsteps now seemed to come from all directions, surrounding him and making him dizzy. He stumbles, steadying himself at the wall. The footsteps became deafening.
———————-
He covers his ears but the footsteps didn’t stop – he looks around frantically and there is still no one there. When will this madness end?
———————-
It was only then that he noticed the old woman behind him – and wasn’t that his neighbour Anne?
———————-
Turned around – no one there, he hears heavy breathing, through the fog he sees one eye. He turns and runs.
———————-
He stops and suddenly a strange feeling overpowers him. He looks down and sees a grave under his feet.
———————-
Finally, after running for what seems like ages, he arrives at a farmhouse. One light is on; on the top floor. Exhausted and chased out of breath he pounds on the door.
———————-
As he started to walk away he felt a tap on his shoulder. His heart stops for a moment when he comes to, he realises he has a knife in his pocket.
———————-
The horse snorted, started at him, then Alby realised – it had only one eye. The saddle was half hanging off him and in the left stirrup a single boot was stuck.
———————-
What the fuck is this?’ he thought as he looked at the knife all soaked in blood.
———————-
The boot fitted him like a glove (his foot). He stepped on the tarmac. The body of Lucy was splayed out. He took of her other boot. That makes a pair – he trotted back down the lane – home.
ROMANCE
by Amy Bagg, Carelle Payne, Tania G Ayale, Liv Johannesson and Andromeda Godfrey
He walked past the bench, his heart sinking, as he read the words. I’ll never meet anyone, I’m too much of an introvert, he thought. He looked up and…
———————-
saw the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He thought, I wish I could talk to them. His heart started pounding with the anticipation of ‘what if I can’t manage a mere hello out loud to the one that could be my love.’ Let myself be free to fall in love, his mantra.
———————-
His heart started pounding even faster. He said to himself I am going to do it.
———————-
All of a sudden, he jumped off the bench and shouted ‘hello!’
———————-
saw a dog sat tied to a bench, he had one grey patch over his eye. He looked around and saw no one in sight. He approaches the dog.
———————-
The dog wagged its tail enthusiastically but didn’t run up to him. Maybe the dog was an introvert too.———————-
All of a sudden a red-headed young woman came running – “Patch, Patch” she shouted “I’m so sorry I forgot you.” She untied him, looked up and saw the young man. Love at first sight?
———————-
What should he say? He thought. Too bad ghosts can’t speak to living people. He would’ve hoped the dog to notice him at least. He summoned a gush of wind, leaves dancing around her shoes. Her hair swayed softly.
See you at our next meeting of Collab Writers on April 4th, 2019 7-9pm
There are limited spaces. Avoid disappointment. Book your ticket here NOW!
Collab Writers 