What do you think is on my mind as I write this Writing Prompt Story Starter?
Yup, it’s my last day, and I’m heading off gleefully into retirement.
Heading off gleefully? Heading gleefully off? Whatever, I’m going . . .
But hey, it’s not all about me. You’ll carry on writing and coming up with fab stories for “Friend” readers, and the Fiction team will continue to love reading them.
And I hope this final pic of mine might prompt your latest offering.
Obviously, for me the changed priorities ahead are all about leaving work behind, and schedules and deadlines, and reading your stories.
Instead I’ll read for pleasure — I have so many books on my list!
And I’ll try not to plan everything to the nth degree. Though I think that’s a habit it’ll take a little time to break.
Many holidays beckon . . . though will they still, strictly speaking, be holidays? From what?
I can’t imagine what Sundays will be like when I don’t have to think about work on Monday.
At the moment I make bread every Sunday for the week’s lunch sandwiches.
Will I still do that? Who knows?
So much more
But changed priorities can be about so much more, can’t they?
A mother whose children are old enough now for her to return to work . . .
A father who decides to take paternity leave from the job that’s been all-consuming.
Someone who realises that having the latest expensive accessory is nothing compared to helping someone who needs it.
Reassessing, reappraising, re-evaluating . . .
That’s your theme.
Thanks
I’ll finish with my personal thanks for all the very, very kind and generous messages you’ve sent me over the past few weeks, since I announced my plans.
And gifts! I really didn’t expect gifts. And not just “polite” gifts but personal, thoughtful gifts. They’ve really meant a lot, and I truly appreciate them.
I’ll miss your friendship, and thank you for it.
Good luck with your writing.
And that’s it. Bye then!
For another Story Starter from Shirley, click here to browse our archive.
Shirley Blair Fiction Ed Shirley’s been with the “Friend” since 2007 and calls it her dream job because she gets to read fiction all day every day. Hobbies? Well, that would be reading! She also enjoys writing fiction when she has time, long walks, travel, and watching Scandi thrillers on TV.
